Abstract
A dry powder inhalation apparatus includes a housing, a reservoir for medicament located within the housing, a mouthpiece disposed on the housing for insertion in the mouth of a user for inhalation of a predetermined dose of medicament, a delivery channel between a discharge outlet of the reservoir and the mouthpiece for delivering the predetermined dose of medicament, a device positioned within the housing and normally held adjacent the reservoir for receiving the predetermined dose of medicament from the discharge outlet and transferring it to the delivery channel, and a release mechanism adapted to release the device and permit controlled movement thereof to the delivery channel for the delivery, the release mechanism being located at least partially outside of the housing for manual operation by the user.
Claims
1. A dry powder inhalation apparatus, comprising: a housing, a reservoir for medicament located within the housing, a mouthpiece disposed on the housing for insertion in the mouth of a user for inhalation of a predetermined dose of medicament, a delivery channel between a discharge outlet of the reservoir and the mouthpiece for delivering said predetermined dose of medicament, a device positioned within the housing and normally held adjacent the reservoir for receiving said predetermined dose of medicament from said discharge outlet and transferring it to the delivery channel, and a release mechanism adapted to release the device and permit controlled movement thereof to the delivery channel for said delivery, the release mechanism being located at least partially outside of the housing for manual operation by the user, wherein the release mechanism comprises an abutment which is movable transversely to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus to be clear of an end of the device to release the device for movement to the delivery channel.
2. The dry powder inhalation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is biased by a spring force toward the delivery channel for transferring the medicament to the delivery channel under the spring force.
3. The dry powder inhalation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is adapted to be moved manually to release the device and permit controlled movement of the device under a spring force to the delivery channel for said delivery.
4. The dry powder inhalation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the release mechanism located outside of the housing extends perpendicularly to a portion of the release mechanism located inside of the housing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a typical dry powder inhalation apparatus;
(2) FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a typical dry powder inhalation apparatus like that of FIG. 1;
(3) FIG. 3 shows to a much enlarged scale a perspective view of an embodiment of device for dispensing a desired dose of medicament according to the invention;
(4) FIG. 4 shows to a much enlarged scale a perspective view of a second embodiment of device for dispensing a desired dose of medicament according to the invention;
(5) FIGS. 5A and 5B shows respectively two operative positions of a third embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;
(6) FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;
(7) FIG. 7 shows schematically a fifth embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;
(8) FIG. 8 shows schematically a perspective view of a further embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;
(9) FIG. 9 shows schematically a further embodiment of inhalation device according to the invention;
(10) FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show different positions of yet further apparatus embodying the invention;
(11) FIG. 11 shows part of actuating mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 10A-10D;
(12) FIG. 12 shows schematically a breath operated dry powder inhalation device;
(13) FIG. 13 shows part of the device of FIG. 12 shown in an embodiment according to the invention;
(14) FIG. 14 shows a way of mounting the device of the apparatus of the previously described embodiment; and
(15) FIG. 15 shows schematically a production model apparatus similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, however in this embodiment a cam of the apparatus is solid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(16) Referring to the drawings (see for example FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 9), and in which like parts are referred to by like numerals where feasible, there is shown dry powder inhalation apparatus 1, comprising a reservoir 2 for medicament, a mouthpiece 3 for insertion in the mouth of a user for inhalation of a predetermined dose of a medicament, a delivery channel 3 between a discharge outlet 4 of the reservoir 2 and the mouthpiece for delivering said predetermined dose of medicament, a device 4 normally held adjacent the reservoir for receiving a predetermined dose of medicament from said discharge outlet and transferring it to the delivery channel, and a mechanism 5 adapted to release the device 4 and permit controlled movement thereof to the delivery channel for said delivery.
(17) FIG. 1 shows the general outline of the inhalation apparatus 1 from in front there being a pivotable cover 6 at the bottom (and as used) of a body 7 of the device.
(18) As shown in FIG. 2, the housing or body 7 of the apparatus 1 includes a cap 8, an internal spring 9, a yoke 10, a bellows 11, an actuating mechanism including a further yoke 12, a counter 13, viewable in the base 14 of the body 7 mounting the mouthpiece cover 6.
(19) The mechanism 5 (FIG. 3. and FIG. 12 for example) includes the device 4 which is generally movable transversely of a longitudinal axis of the apparatus 1 for receiving in a cup or receptacle 15 a metered dose of powdered medicament which is then transferred by the shifting of the device 4 to the discharge channels or airways 3 which when a patient breathes in on sucking on the mouthpiece 3, removes the powdered metered dose from the cup or receptacle 15 so that it is entrained in the air and passes through the mouthpiece 3 into the lungs and mouth of the user. Charging of the cup or receptacle 15 with medicament is effected from a discharge outlet 4 (FIG. 12) of the reservoir 2 by the bellows 11 on movement of the yoke 10 in a position towards the mouthpiece 3, there being a part in the form of a shoulder, boss or abutment 16 of the device 4, for shifting the device longitudinally bodily from the discharge outlet 4 to the air delivery channel 3.
(20) In order to provide a smooth operation, there is positioned at the fore end of the device 4 an abutment 5 which has physically to be moved bodily out of the way of the device and, as shown in FIG. 3, this abutment is of L-shape which on movement by finger pressure on an end 17 shifts the abutment 5 so that an upstanding integral part 18 thereof is clear of the adjacent end of the device 4 so that the device 4 can then be moved smoothly to the discharge position under pressure of a spring (which is not shown).
(21) FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment in which the abutment comprises a resilient member 19 in the form of in the embodiment shown a J-shaped plastic spring-like member, the lower or shorter limb 20 of which is secured in the body 7 of the apparatus 1 and the upper limb 21 of which is able to be flexed out of the path of the device 4 on movement of a tab 22 downwardly as shown by the indicia A in the form of an arrow on the outside surface thereof.
(22) When the underside of the longer limb 21 meets the upper surface of the lower limb 20 and therefore cannot be lowered further, the user knows that there is a positive stop, and the desired medicament is available for inhalation.
(23) Turning now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the mechanism 5 includes a pivotable stop 23. The stop 23 is of generally L-shape and is mounted for pivotable movement on an axis 24 under spring pressure 25 which tends to bias it towards a position obstructing movement of the device 4.
(24) The pivot 24 is mounted in holes 26 in facing members of upper and lower flanges 27, 28 of the reservoir or hopper 2.
(25) There is a projection 29 from one limb of the abutment member 23, the projection 29 being accessible manually through an orifice 30 in a wall of the body 7 by a user who on turning the projection 29 in the direction shown by the arrow 31, releases the device 4 for smooth but positive motion to the discharge position, the projection 29 when it meets a blind wall of the orifice 30 effectively informing the user that the desired dosage of medicament is again available for inhalation.
(26) FIG. 6 shows a yet further embodiment in which there is a slidable ring-shaped member 32 which is mounted under pressure of a spring 33 to be biased to a position in which a projection 34 of the ring 32 interferes with the motion of the device 4. The ring member 32 also includes a button 35 which projects through an opening or orifice 36 in a wall 7 of a body of the apparatus 1.
(27) The ring 32 includes indicia 37 either in lettering or in colour, for example in red and green showing when the device 4 is not ready for dispensation (red) or is ready for dispensation and thus inhalation (green).
(28) The user can read this indicia when the button 35 is pushed under finger or thumb pressure from left to right as shown by the arrow X in FIG. 6, thereby releasing the device 4 and thus making the medicament ready for inhalation.
(29) Turning now to FIG. 7, an embodiment is shown in which a button or plunger 38 mounted in a wall 7 of the apparatus 1 under spring 39 pressure is biased away from contact with an abutment of the device 4, but on actuation of a head 40 of the plunger inwardly the opposite end 41 thereof which is enlarged relative to a cylindrical body 42 of the plunger contacts the device 4 and shifts it bodily and smoothly to the left as viewed ready for discharge to the air channels, on inhalation.
(30) Release of the button 38 retracts the plunger so that the device 4 itself can return for further charging, the device as in all embodiments, being mounted under spring pressure which biases it towards the charging position. The enlarged opposite end 41 of the plunger 38 may include a cushion (not shown) for providing a cushioned contact of the plunger with the device 4.
(31) FIG. 8 shows a yet further embodiment in which there is an actuator 43 such as an electrical, electronic or electro-mechanical actuator having an extensible actuating member such as a piston rod 44 which on operation of the actuator 43 extends to push the abutment 45 of the mechanism out of the path of the device 4, for discharge as before. The actuator 43 in this embodiment includes a switch 46, and a power source 47 such as a battery. The switch 46 may be operated manually, or automatically when a user takes a breath.
(32) Turning now to FIG. 9, there is shown an embodiment in which the mouthpiece 3 is normally covered by a flap or disc 48 which is mounted on two arms 49 at the end of which opposite the flap or disc 48 there is a cam device 50 which operates the operating mechanism by allowing a cam follower 51 to follow the shape of the cam 50 thereby to allow the cup of the device to be charged and then for a mechanism like that labeled (5) in FIG. 3 but not shown in FIG. 9, to allow for smooth transfer of the device 4 for discharge of the inhalation dose with the medicament as described hereinbefore.
(33) The flap, or cover 48, carries externally an indicia 52 such as an arrow to indicate to a user the direction in which the flap should be pivoted to effect operation and to expose the mouthpiece 3 for inhalation, the cover in the dosed position of the mouthpiece being itself dosed by a pivotable external cover 6.
(34) Turning now to FIGS. 10A-10D and 11, there is shown schematically a mechanism in which the part 16 of the device 4 is initially in the rest position shown in (a) against a ratchet part of a yoke 12 which has a lower cam 53 and which is resilient and profiled in a direction orthogonal to that as viewed, as by being convex. When that yoke 12 is actuated and pulled down for charging the cup 15 with the desired dosage of medicament, the part 16 rides up the ratchet as shown at (b) and then, to effect transfer, it moves gently and smoothly upwardly along a ramp 54 owing to the resilience and profile of the ratchet, as shown at (c). On return of the ratchet upwardly, arrow y, the part 16 of the device 4 is engaged by a downward sloping element 55 (left to right as viewed in (b)), and, in order to accommodate upward movement of the ratchet, the part 16 of the device 4 moves down the slope or return element 55 thereby returning the device 4 to the position for charging.
(35) FIG. 15 shows schematically a production model of apparatus embodying the invention. In FIG. 15, there is shown a schematically mechanism in which the part 16 of FIGS. 10A-10D of the device 4 shown as 110 in FIG. 15, is initially in a rest position, position 1, against a cam part of yoke 12 which has a lower cam 53 and which is resilient and profiled in a direction orthogonal to that as viewed, as being convex. When that yoke 12 is actuated and pulled down for charging the cup 15 with the desired dosage of medicament the part 110 rides up ramp 106 of the cam, shown in position 2, and then, to effect transfer, it moves gently and smoothly upwardly along a ramp 112 to the inhalation position at position 3. On return of the yoke 12 upwardly, arrow Y, the part 110 of the device 4 returns along the ramp 112 of the cam shown in position 4, thereby returning the device 4 to the position for charging.
(36) This action is exemplified in FIG. 11 where the lower end of the yoke 12, adjacent the mouthpiece, follows a single cam follower 56 of a cam which is rotatable by the mouthpiece 6, or cover 52 (FIG. 9).
(37) FIG. 12 shows a breath actuated dry powder inhalation apparatus 57 in which there is a force handling unit 58 on top of a lower body part 59 of the apparatus 57, the device 4 being actuable only when the patient takes a breath as known from previous breath operated examples such as that marketed under the trade mark EAST-BREATH. In this embodiment when the patient inhales a mechanism 60 shown in FIG. 13 is operative to provide for dispensation of the required dose of medicament. In this embodiment, between the upper 61 and lower 62 flanges of the reservoir 2, there is a double cam or gear arrangement, the first or upper 63 one of which as viewed has an extension 64 which engages the device 4 to hold it in the charging position, there being an elongate actuating member 65 which is operative to rotate the cam or gear 67 whereby it in turn can rotate the cam or gear 63 out of contact with the device 4 thereby allowing the device 4 to move for inhalation.
(38) The elongate member 65 is mounted under pressure of a spring 66 there being a valve and seal arrangement 68 operable when a patient breathes on the mouthpiece to lift a flap valve 69 thereof, thereby allowing atmospheric aft to enter a space 70 defined between the upper and lower flanges 61, 62 of the reservoir and between a wall 71 spacing those two flanges apart so that the spring 66, under the pressure of which the elongate member is mounted, is retracted thereby, the air pressure either side of the wall being equalised.
(39) Turning now to FIG. 14, this shows schematically the device 4 mounted underneath the charging opening 4 from the reservoir 2 so that the cup 15 is aligned with that charging opening. The device 4 is mounted under pressure of a spring to return to the position shown, there is also a damper device 72 such as a dash pot which on operation of the mechanism to move the device longitudinally bodily to the left as shown by the arrow R, is active to provide a smooth, controlled passage from the charging opening to the air channel, for inhalation of the desired predetermined dose of powdered medicament.
(40) All the embodiments herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings describe dry powder inhalation apparatus which provides for charging of a cup of a discharge device without compaction and for smooth and controlled transfer of the device to aft channels thereby avoiding compaction and or spillage, so that on repeated operation, the desired metered dose will be dispensed each time a patient uses the apparatus.
(41) It will be understood that the controlled smooth movement of the embodiments of the invention described herein does not affect individual doses dispensed when a patient uses the apparatus on inhalation. The apparatus seeks to prevent inadvertent multiple dosing as a result of multiple actuations before use by a patient. In this preferred embodiment, (FIG. 15), the controlled smooth movement changes the method by which the prior art slide carrier is transferred to the inhalation position. Instead of suddenly releasing the slide carrier as the yoke lower descends, the trigger component for the second zone has a sloped portion instead of the ledge in the second zone of the prior mechanism. The first zone remains the same as the previous design, a sudden drop generates the metering pulse from the bellows.
(42) As the yoke lower reached the second zone the movement is controlled by the opening of the mouthpiece cover. The yoke lower ledge has also been replaced by a slope. This controls the position of the slide carrier. The slide carrier position during transfer is now linked to the mouthpiece cover. Instead of the sudden stop against the hopper upper part, the slide carrier is gradually allowed to transfer across to the inhalation position, and the stopping is more controlled, and very smooth.
(43) As a result of the smooth transfer, there is no jolting of the powder, and only a very small amount, if any, is spilled. A single actuation results in the same pharmaceutical performance as the prior mechanism, the difference is apparent for multiple actuations.
