DRY POWDER INHALER

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler for providing pharmaceutically active particles includes a mouthpiece portion removably coupled to a distal end portion. The mouthpiece portion extends between the mouthpiece end and a first mating end. The distal end portion extends between a second mating end and the distal end. A capsule cavity is defined within the first mating end. An airflow element is disposed within the distal end portion and extends a longitudinal length to the capsule cavity. The airflow element includes an airflow channel extending the longitudinal length of the airflow channel and non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, the airflow channel directs inlet air into the capsule cavity, and a resealable membrane configured to reseal when a piercing element is withdrawn from the resealable membrane.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhaler, comprising: an inhaler body extending from a mouthpiece end to a distal end, the inhaler body comprising a mouthpiece portion removably coupled to a distal end portion, the mouthpiece portion extending between the mouthpiece end and a first mating end, the distal end portion extending between a second mating end and the distal end, the mouthpiece portion comprising: a capsule cavity defined within the first mating end; a mouthpiece air channel extending from the mouthpiece end to the capsule cavity; the distal end portion comprising: an airflow element disposed within the distal end portion and extending a longitudinal length to the capsule cavity, the airflow element comprises: an airflow channel extending the longitudinal length of the airflow element and is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, the airflow channel directs inlet air into the capsule cavity, and a resealable membrane configured to reseal when a piercing element is withdrawn from the resealable membrane.

2. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the airflow element comprises two airflow channels extending the longitudinal length of the airflow element and is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis, the airflow channels produce swirling air flow to induce rotation of a capsule contained within the capsule cavity.

3. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the airflow element has a longitudinal length defined between a first lateral face and an opposing second lateral face, the airflow channel extends between the first lateral face and the second lateral face.

4. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the resealable membrane forms a portion of the first lateral face or second lateral face.

5. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the first lateral face defines an upstream boundary of the capsule cavity.

6. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the airflow channel defines a curved or arcuate or helical path along the longitudinal length of the airflow element.

7. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the airflow channel is curved and rotates around a circumference of the airflow element as a function of a location along the airflow element longitudinal length.

8. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the airflow channel comprises at least two opposing helical air channels that are symmetrical and each extend along the airflow element longitudinal length.

9. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the airflow element comprises a linear piercing channel extending the longitudinal length of the airflow element and the resealable membrane occludes the linear piercing channel.

10. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising a piercing element coupled to the distal end portion and adjacent to the distal end, the piercing element being configured to move between a relaxed position and a piercing position, the piercing element extending through the resealable membrane and into the capsule cavity in the piercing position, the piercing element being spaced apart from the resealable membrane in the relaxed position.

11. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising a receptacle disposed within the capsule cavity, the receptacle being a replaceable article of the inhaler, the receptacle is configured to contain a capsule.

12. A dry powder inhaler system comprising: an inhaler according to claim 1; and a capsule disposed within the capsule cavity of the inhaler.

13. The dry powder inhaler system according to claim 9, wherein the capsule contains solid particles comprising nicotine.

14. A method of delivering pharmaceutically active particles to a user, the method comprising: providing the dry powder inhaler according to claim 1; and providing a capsule containing pharmaceutically active particles.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, the pharmaceutically active particles comprise nicotine, optionally the capsule contains flavour particles.

16. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 2, wherein the airflow element has a longitudinal length defined between a first lateral face and an opposing second lateral face, the airflow channel extends between the first lateral face and the second lateral face.

17. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 4, wherein the first lateral face defines an upstream boundary of the capsule cavity.

18. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the airflow channel defines a curved or arcuate or helical path along the longitudinal length of the airflow element.

19. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 3 claim, wherein the airflow channel is curved and rotates around a circumference of the airflow element as a function of a location along the airflow element longitudinal length

20. The dry powder inhaler according to claim 3, wherein the airflow element comprises a linear piercing channel extending the longitudinal length of the airflow element and the resealable membrane occludes the linear piercing channel

Description

[0085] The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawing fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative dry powder inhaler according to the invention.

[0087] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic view of the dry powder inhaler of FIG. 1 where the mouthpiece portion is uncoupled from the distal end portion.

[0088] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are perspective views of an illustrative airflow element.

[0089] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are perspective views of another illustrative airflow element.

[0090] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another illustrative airflow element.

[0091] FIG. 6 is cross-sectional schematic diagram of another illustrative airflow element.

[0092] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another illustrative dry powder inhaler according to the invention.

[0093] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative dry powder inhaler 10 according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the illustrative inhaler system 10 of FIG. 1 with the distal end portion 30 un-coupled from the mouthpiece portion 20. Referring to FIG. 1, a dry powder inhaler 10 includes an inhaler body 12 extending from a mouthpiece end 22 to a distal end 32. The inhaler body 12 includes a mouthpiece portion 20 removably coupled to a distal end portion 30. The mouthpiece portion 20 extends between the mouthpiece end 22 and a first mating end 24. The distal end portion 30 extends between a second mating end 34 and the distal end 32.

[0094] The mouthpiece portion 20 includes a capsule cavity 26 defined within the first mating end 24 and a mouthpiece air channel 25 extending from the mouthpiece end 22 to the capsule cavity 26.

[0095] The distal end portion 30 includes an airflow element 120 disposed within the distal end portion 30 and extending a longitudinal length to the capsule cavity 26. The airflow element 120 includes an airflow channel 113 extending the longitudinal length of the airflow element 120 and is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis LA, the airflow channel 113 directs inlet air into the capsule cavity 26. The airflow element 120 includes a resealable membrane 129 configured to reseal when a piercing element is withdrawn from the resealable membrane 129.

[0096] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the illustrative dry powder inhaler system 10 of FIG. 1 with the distal end portion 30 un-coupled from the mouthpiece portion 20. The distal end portion 30 may be coupled and un-coupled from the mouthpiece portion 20 with a suitable coupling means, such as, a threaded connection, a quick-connect coupling, magnetic coupling, cantilever coupling, or friction-fit coupling, for example. The first mating end 24 is complementary with the second mating end 34 and may form a generally air-tight connection.

[0097] This reusable dry powder inhaler 10 may be utilized by placing a capsule (150 see FIG. 7) into the capsule cavity 26 then mating the mouthpiece portion 20 to the distal end portion 30. Then the capsule may be pierced by inserting a piercing element through the airflow element 120 resealable membrane 129 and into the capsule in the capsule cavity 26. Then removing the piercing element from the capsule and resealable membrane 129. A user then draws air through the inhaler 10 such that the airflow element 120 airflow channels 113 produce swirling air flow to induce rotation of a capsule contained within the capsule cavity 26 and release solid particles or dry powder from the capsule to form a depleted capsule.

[0098] The depleted capsule may then be replaced with a fresh capsule by uncoupling the mouthpiece portion 20 from the distal end portion 30 and removing the depleted capsule from the capsule cavity. A fresh or new capsule may then be placed in the capsule cavity 26 and the process repeats itself.

[0099] FIG. 3A to FIG. 6 views of an illustrative airflow element 120. FIG. 3A to FIG. 4B illustrate opposing curved, or helical air channels 113 rotating about the circumference as a function of a location along the length of the airflow element 120. The airflow element 120 may include a collar element 125 having a larger diameter than the remaining body 123 of the airflow element 120.

[0100] FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate a linear piercing channel 121 extending through the length of the airflow element 120. The linear piercing channel 121 may extend along a central axis of the airflow element 120. The linear piercing channel 121 may coincide with the longitudinal axis LA of the dry powder inhaler 10. The linear piercing channel 121 may extend the entire lateral length of the airflow element 120 (while the resealable element 129 may occlude a portion of the linear piercing channel 121 length.

[0101] FIG. 4B, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate a resealable element 129 disposed on or within or occluding the linear piercing channel 121. FIG. 4B and FIG. 5 illustrate a resealable element 129 disposed on the airflow element first lateral face 122 and sealing the linear piercing channel 121. FIG. 6 illustrates a resealable element 129 disposed on the airflow element second lateral face 124 and sealing the linear piercing channel 121. The resealable membrane 129 may form a portion of the first lateral face 122 or second lateral face 124.

[0102] The resealable membrane 129 may define a portion of an upstream boundary of the capsule cavity 26 when the mouthpiece portion 20 is coupled to the distal end portion 30. The resealable membrane 129 may coincide with the longitudinal axis LA of the inhaler 10.

[0103] The airflow element 120 may include two airflow channels 113 extending the longitudinal length of the airflow element 120 and is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis. The airflow channels 113 produce swirling air flow to induce rotation of a capsule contained within the capsule cavity 26. The airflow element 120 has a longitudinal length defined between a first lateral face 122 and an opposing second lateral face 124. The airflow channel 113 extends between the first lateral face 122 and the second lateral face 124.

[0104] The first lateral face 122 may define an upstream boundary of the capsule cavity 26 when the mouthpiece portion 20 is coupled to the distal end portion 30.

[0105] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another illustrative dry powder inhaler 10. The dry powder inhaler body 12 is illustrated with the distal end portion 30 un-coupled from the mouthpiece portion 20 and a capsule 150 within the capsule cavity 26. This illustrative dry powder inhaler 10 includes a piercing element 37 coupled to the distal end portion 30 and adjacent to the distal end 32. The piercing element 37 is configured to move between a relaxed position and a piercing position, the piercing element extending through the resealable membrane and into the capsule cavity in the piercing position, the piercing element being spaced apart from the resealable membrane in the relaxed position.

[0106] The mouthpiece portion 20 includes a capsule cavity 26 defined within the first mating end 24 and a mouthpiece air channel 25 extending from the mouthpiece end 22 to the capsule cavity 26. A capsule cavity outlet air channel 23 may provide airflow communication with the mouthpiece air channel 25 to the capsule cavity 26.

[0107] The distal end portion 30 includes an airflow element 120 disposed within the distal end portion 30 and extending a longitudinal length to the capsule cavity 26. The airflow element 120 includes an airflow channel 113 extending the longitudinal length of the airflow element 120 and is non-parallel with the longitudinal axis LA, the airflow channel 113 directs inlet air into the capsule cavity 26. The airflow element 120 includes a resealable membrane 129 configured to reseal when a piercing element is withdrawn from the resealable membrane 129.

[0108] The distal end portion 30 airflow element 120 may form the upstream boundary of the capsule cavity 26 at the first mating end 24 when the mouthpiece end 20 is coupled to the distal end 30. The piercing element 36 is configured to move between a relaxed position (FIG. 7) and a piercing position (not shown). The piercing needle 37 extends through the linear piercing channel 121 and through the resealable membrane 129 and into the capsule cavity 26 (forming a single aperture in the capsule 150) in the piercing position. The resealable membrane 129 is configured to reseal when the piercing needle 37 moves from the piercing position to the relaxed position. A biasing element 31 or spring may provide the force to return the piercing element 36 (piercing needle 37) to the relaxed position. The first mating end 24 is complementary with the second mating end 34 and may form a generally air-tight connection.

[0109] During use, inlet air enters the distal lateral face of the airflow element 120 and flows along the length of the airflow element 120 along the airflow channel exiting the opposing lateral face of the airflow element 120 in an airflow current that causes the capsule 150 to rotate within the capsule cavity 26.

[0110] One or more air inlets 28, 38 on the inhaler body may align to provide inlet air to the capsule cavity 28. The one or more air inlets 28, 38 may extend through a side wall forming the capsule cavity 26. The air inlets 28, 38 may align with or be in air communication with the air inlets 117 of the receptacle article 100. The receptacle cavity 26 is configured to mate with the receptacle article 100. The detachable distal portion 30 may be removed from the mouthpiece portion 20 to expose the receptacle cavity 26 to replace the modular and used or depleted receptacle article 100 with an un-used or full receptacle article 100.