Powder delivery devices

Abstract

A nasal delivery device for delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a substance supply unit for supplying a dose of substance to be delivered to the nasal cavity of the subject, the substance supply unit including an inlet and an outlet; a nosepiece unit including a nosepiece for fitting to a nasal cavity of the subject and being in fluid communication with the outlet of the substance supply unit; and a mouthpiece unit including a mouthpiece in fluid communication with the inlet of the substance supply unit and through which the subject in use exhales such as to entrain substance from the container chamber and deliver the same through the nosepiece, and at least one temperature modifier for reducing a temperature of the exhaled air flow such as to reduce the absolute humidity thereof.

Claims

1. A method of delivering powdered substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the method comprising: rupturing a powdered substance-containing container within a substance supply unit of a delivery device, wherein the delivery device comprises: the substance supply unit for supplying a dose of powdered substance to be delivered to the nasal cavity of the subject, the substance supply unit including an inlet and an outlet; a nosepiece unit including a nosepiece for fitting to the nasal cavity of the subject and being in fluid communication with the outlet of the substance supply unit; and a mouthpiece unit including a mouthpiece in fluid communication with the inlet of the substance supply unit and through which the subject in use exhales such as to entrain powdered substance from the substance supply unit and deliver the same through the nosepiece; wherein the substance supply unit comprises a container chamber for receiving the powdered substance-containing container which contains a dose of powdered substance, and the container or an outer coating on a body of the container is formed of a material which exhibits insufficient tackiness in the presence of moisture so as not to adhere to an inner surface of the container chamber during emptying of the powdered substance from the container; fitting the nosepiece unit of the delivery device to the nasal cavity of the subject; and the subject exhaling through the mouthpiece unit such as to entrain powdered substance from the substance supply unit and deliver the same through the nosepiece to the nasal cavity of the subject.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the container chamber is substantially cylindrical in shape or substantially spherical in shape.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit comprises a rupturing mechanism for rupturing the container as contained in the container chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the container or the outer coating of the container is formed of a material which exhibits insufficient tackiness in the presence of moisture in the exhalation air flow for a period of (i) up to about 5 s following exhalation, (ii) up to about 2 s following exhalation, or (iii) up to about 1 s following exhalation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the container or the body of the container is formed substantially of a cellulose derivative, optionally one or more of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the coating comprises substantially one of parylene, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acid polymer, methacrylic acid polymer, ethyl acrylic acid polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and hydroxyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, or any combination of layers thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a capsule, optionally the capsule is substantially cylindrical in shape or substantially spherical in shape.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the powdered substance is a hygroscopic powder.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the container or the body of the container comprises a cellulose derivative.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the container or the body of the container comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC).

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the container or the body of the container comprises one or more of hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the container or the body of the container comprises methylcellulose.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the container or the body of the container comprises ethylcellulose.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the container or the body of the container comprises carboxymethylcellulose.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a delivery device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the heat exchanger of the delivery device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the delivery device of FIG. 1, in the operative state;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the mouthpiece unit of a delivery device as a modification of the delivery device of FIG. 1, in a first operative configuration;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates the mouthpiece unit of FIG. 4, in a second operative configuration;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a delivery device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates the delivery device of FIG. 6, in the operative state;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a delivery device as a modification of the delivery device of FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates the delivery device of FIG. 8, in the operative state;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a delivery device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates the delivery device of FIG. 10, in the operative state;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a delivery device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates the delivery device of FIG. 12, in a first operative state;

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates the delivery device of FIG. 12, in a second operative state;

(16) FIG. 15 illustrates a delivery device as one modification of the delivery device of FIG. 12;

(17) FIG. 16 illustrates a delivery device as one modification of the delivery device of FIG. 1; and

(18) FIG. 17 illustrates a delivery device as another modification of the delivery device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(19) FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a delivery device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

(20) The delivery device comprises a substance supply unit 3 which includes a chamber 5 which receives a capsule 7, which contains a metered amount of a powdered substance which is to be delivered by the delivery device, a rupturing mechanism 9 for rupturing the capsule 7, a mouthpiece unit 11 which is in fluid communication with the chamber 5 and is gripped in use in the mouth of a subject, and a nosepiece unit 15 which is in fluid communication with the chamber 5 and is fitted to one nostril of the subject. For ease of illustration, the delivery device is illustrated in an elongate configuration, but, in its practical embodiment, the mouthpiece unit 11 and the nosepiece unit 15 are configured for fitting to the mouth and one nostril of the subject.

(21) The substance supply unit 3 includes an inlet 17 which fluidly connects the chamber 5 thereof with the mouthpiece unit 11 and an outlet 19 which fluidly connects the chamber 5 thereof with the nosepiece unit 15.

(22) In this embodiment the substance supply unit 3 includes a grid 21, here a gauze, which is disposed at the outlet 19 thereof and acts to prevent the capsule 7 or parts thereof from escaping from the chamber 5.

(23) In this embodiment the chamber 5 is cylindrical in shape.

(24) In another embodiment the chamber 5 can be substantially spherical in shape, which is particularly advantageous in allowing for the release of the powdered substance from the capsule 7 in any operative position.

(25) In this embodiment the chamber 5 and the grid 21, as components which contact the capsule 7 and the contained powder, are fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 7 and the powdered substance as contained thereby to adhere to the wall of the chamber 5 or the grid 21.

(26) In this embodiment the rupturing mechanism 9 comprises a piercing element 23, here including two pins, which is operable to pierce the capsule 7, and thereby provide for the release of the contained powdered substance on the generation of a flow through the chamber 5.

(27) The mouthpiece unit 11 comprises a mouthpiece 25, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is gripped in the mouth of the subject, and a heat exchanger 27 which is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 25 and acts to draw heat from the exhaled air flow as delivered through the mouthpiece 25, thus decreasing the temperature of the air flow as delivered to the chamber 5. By decreasing the temperature of the air flow, the humidity of the air flow is reduced, with the water vapor condensing in the heat exchanger 27, and the impact of condensation is significantly reduced, thus allowing for successive doses of powdered substance to be delivered without affecting the release of powdered substance from the capsules 7.

(28) As illustrated in FIG. 2, in this embodiment the heat exchanger 27 comprises a channel 29 which has a zig-zag, serpentine configuration, with a circular cross section. In other embodiments the channel 29 could have other configurations, for example, a rectangular cross section.

(29) In this embodiment the channel 29 has an effective length of 200 mm and an effective diameter of 4 mm, which reduces the temperature of an exhaled air flow which has a flow rate of 30 l/min to about 25° C. from about 37° C., where the channel 29 is at a temperature of 20° C.

(30) The reduction in temperature is calculated as follows:
T.sub.e=T.sub.w−(T.sub.w−T.sub.i)e.sup.−hAmC

(31) Where: T.sub.e is the fluid temperature at the exit of the channel 29; T.sub.w is the fluid temperature at the wall of the channel 29; T.sub.i is the fluid temperature at the inlet of the channel 29; h is the heat transfer coefficient between the gas flowing through the channel 29 and the material of the channel 29; A is the surface area of the channel 29; m is the mass flow rate; and is the specific heat capacity of the gas flowing through the channel 29. This calculation assumes turbulent flow in the channel 29 (Nu=0.023 Re.sup.0.8Pr.sup.0.3).

(32) In other embodiments the channel 29 can include features to enhance the heat transfer coefficient from the exhaled air flow to the wall of the channel 29, such that the effective length of the channel 29 can be considerably reduced. Typical features include nodules or areas of relative surface roughness that create turbulence and so enhance the heat transfer.

(33) In other embodiments the heat exchanger 27 could comprise a plurality of channels 29.

(34) In one embodiment the heat exchanger 27 comprises four channels 29, as parallel ducts, which each have a width of 10 mm, a height of 1.5 mm and a length of 60 mm. This configuration reduces the temperature of an exhaled air flow which has a flow rate of 30 l/min by about 5° C., where the channels 29 are at a temperature of 20° C., and also cause only a very small pressure drop of 0.024 kPa.

(35) The nosepiece unit 15 comprises a nosepiece 30, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is inserted into a nostril of the subject, in this embodiment to provide a sealing fit therewith.

(36) In this embodiment the nosepiece 30, as a component which contacts the powdered substance, is fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the powdered substance to adhere to the wall of the nosepiece 30.

(37) In one embodiment the capsule 7 is a gelatine capsule.

(38) In another embodiment the capsule 7 can be manufactured from a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 7 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 5 or the grid 21.

(39) In one embodiment the capsule 7 is formed of a cellulose derivative, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose.

(40) In another embodiment the capsule 7 can comprise a plastics material, preferably a water insoluble material, such as a polycarbonate.

(41) In one embodiment the capsule 7 can be manufactured from a lightweight material, such as thin-wall section polymeric materials, which reduces the energy required to move the capsule 7, typically by one or both of vibration and rotation, and thereby allow the delivery device to be operated at reduced flow rates, which is particularly advantageous for nasal delivery.

(42) In one embodiment the capsule 7 has a wall section of less than about 0.25 mm, and more preferably less than about 0.2 mm.

(43) In an alternative embodiment the capsule 7 can include an outer coating of a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 7 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 5 or the grid 21.

(44) In one embodiment the coated capsule 7 can be formed of gelatine.

(45) In one embodiment the coating can comprise one of parylene, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acid polymer, methacrylic acid polymer, ethyl acrylic acid polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and hydroxyl methylcellulose acetate succinate.

(46) The delivery device of this embodiment is operative to discharge the powdered substance from the capsule 7 by rotation and vibration of the capsule 7, and thus the capsule 7 is preferably formed of a material or coated with a material which exhibits substantially no tackiness in the presence of a moist environment, here a saturated exhaled air flow, that is, does not exhibit an increased moisture content at the outer surface thereof, which would prevent reliable rotation and vibration of the capsule 7.

(47) In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the capsule 7 is cylindrical in shape with hemispherical ends.

(48) In other embodiments the capsule 7 could have other geometric forms, such as spherical, which allows for efficient powder release at low flow rates.

(49) In one embodiment the capsule 7 can comprise two or more parts.

(50) In one alternative embodiment the capsule 7 can be constructed to act as the primary environmental barrier for the powdered substance. For example, the capsule 7 could be constructed from a relatively thick-walled cylindrical section of a polymeric material which includes two metalized thin film closure members which act to seal the ends of the cylindrical section and thus enclose the same.

(51) In one embodiment, where the delivery device is a re-usable device, the chamber 5, which contains the capsule 7, and the nosepiece 30 comprise a unitary, replaceable component.

(52) In operation, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a subject operates the rupturing mechanism 9 to rupture the capsule 7, inserts the nosepiece 30 into one of his/her nostrils, grips the mouthpiece 25 in his/her mouth, and exhales through the mouthpiece 25.

(53) The exhaled air flow is reduced in temperature by the heat exchanger 27 on delivery therethrough, such as to reduce the absolute humidity of the exhaled air flow, and this cooled air is then driven through the chamber 5, which acts to move the capsule 7, in this embodiment by vibration and rotation, and entrain the powdered substance as contained by the capsule 7.

(54) The exhaled air flow, as then entraining the powdered substance, is delivered though the nosepiece 30 into one nasal cavity of the subject.

(55) In this embodiment the exhaled air flow has such a pressure as to pass around the posterior region of the nasal septum, and into the other nasal cavity, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow as described in the applicants' earlier WO-A-00/051672.

(56) In one modification, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mouthpiece unit 11 includes a plurality of, in this embodiment first and second heat exchangers 27a, b which can be used successively, such as to allow for the evaporation of the condensed moisture from the one or more previously-used heat exchangers 27a, b, and a switching mechanism 31 which allows for one of the heat exchangers 27a, b to be fluidly connected to the mouthpiece 25.

(57) In this embodiment the switching mechanism 31 comprises a rotatable member to which the heat exchangers 27a, b are disposed, whereby rotation of the switching mechanism 31 provides for one of the heat exchangers 27a, b to be in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 25 and the at least one other of the heat exchangers 27a, b to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere. FIG. 4 illustrates a first configuration, in which the first heat exchanger 27a is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 25 and the second heat exchanger 27b is vented to atmosphere. FIG. 5 illustrates a second configuration, in which the second heat exchanger 27b is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 25 and the first heat exchanger 27a is vented to atmosphere.

(58) With this configuration, the one of the heat exchangers 27a, b which is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 25 acts to cool the exhaled air flow as delivered therethrough, and thereby trap water vapor from the exhaled air, and the other of the heat exchangers 27a, b which is vented to atmosphere provides for evaporation of the water condensate as trapped from a previous exhalation therethrough.

(59) In an alternative embodiment the switching mechanism 31 could be operatively coupled to the rupturing mechanism 9, such as to provide for operation of the switching mechanism 31 with each operation of the rupturing mechanism 9.

(60) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a nasal delivery device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

(61) The delivery device comprises a substance supply unit 103 which includes a chamber 105 which receives a capsule 107, which contains a metered amount of a powdered substance which is to be delivered by the delivery device, a rupturing mechanism 109 for rupturing the capsule 107, a Venturi unit 110 which is in fluid communication with the chamber 105 and is operative to draw an air flow of the ambient atmosphere through the chamber 105, a mouthpiece unit 111 which is in fluid communication with the Venturi unit 110 and is gripped in use in the mouth of a subject, and a nosepiece unit 114 which is in fluid communication with the Venturi unit 110 and is fitted to one nostril of the subject. For ease of illustration, the delivery device is illustrated in an elongate configuration, but, in its practical embodiment, the mouthpiece unit 111 and the nosepiece unit 114 are configured for fitting to the mouth and one nostril of the subject.

(62) The substance supply unit 103 includes an inlet 117 which fluidly connects the chamber 105 thereof with the ambient atmosphere and an outlet 119 which fluidly connects the chamber 105 thereof with the Venturi unit 110.

(63) In this embodiment the substance supply unit 103 includes a grid 121, here a gauze, which is disposed at the outlet 119 thereof and acts to prevent the capsule 107 or parts thereof from escaping from the chamber 105.

(64) In this embodiment the chamber 105 is cylindrical in shape.

(65) In another embodiment the chamber 105 could be spherical in shape, which is particularly advantageous in allowing for the release of the powdered substance from the capsule 107 when in any operative position.

(66) In this embodiment the chamber 105 and the grid 121, as components which contact the capsule 107 and the contained powdered substance, are fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 107 and the powdered substance as contained thereby to adhere to the wall of the chamber 105 or the grid 121.

(67) In this embodiment the rupturing mechanism 109 comprises a piercing element 123, here including two pins, which is operable to pierce the capsule 107, and thereby provide for the release of the contained powdered substance on the generation of a flow through the chamber 105.

(68) In one embodiment the capsule 107 is a gelatine capsule.

(69) In another embodiment the capsule 107 can be manufactured from a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 107 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 105 or the grid 121.

(70) In one embodiment the capsule 107 is formed of a cellulose derivative, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose.

(71) In another embodiment the capsule 107 can comprise a plastics material, preferably a water insoluble material, such as a polycarbonate.

(72) In one embodiment the capsule 107 can be manufactured from a lightweight material, such as thin-wall section polymeric materials, which reduces the energy required to move the capsule 107, typically by one or both of vibration and rotation, and thereby allows the delivery device to be operated at reduced flow rates, which is particularly advantageous for nasal delivery.

(73) In one embodiment the capsule 107 has a wall section of less than about 0.25 mm, and more preferably less than about 0.2 mm.

(74) In an alternative embodiment the capsule 107 can include an outer coating of a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 107 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 105 or the grid 121.

(75) In one embodiment the coated capsule 107 can be formed of gelatine.

(76) In one embodiment the coating can comprise one of parylene, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acid polymer, methacrylic acid polymer, ethyl acrylic acid polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and hydroxyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, or any combination of layers thereof.

(77) The delivery device of this embodiment is operative to discharge the powdered substance from the capsule 107 by rotation and vibration of the capsule 107, and thus the capsule 107 is preferably formed of a material or coated with a material which exhibits substantially no tackiness in the presence of a moist environment, here a saturated exhaled air flow, that is, does not exhibit an increased moisture content at the outer surface thereof, which would prevent reliable rotation and vibration of the capsule 107.

(78) In this embodiment the capsule 107 is cylindrical in shape, with hemispherical ends.

(79) In other embodiments the capsule 107 could have other geometric forms, such as spherical, which allows for efficient powder release at low flow rates.

(80) In one embodiment the capsule 107 can comprise two or more parts.

(81) In one alternative embodiment the capsule 107 can be constructed to act as the primary environmental barrier for the powdered substance. For example, the capsule 107 could be constructed from a relatively thick-walled cylindrical section of a polymeric material which includes two metalized thin film closure members which act to seal the ends of the cylindrical section and thus enclose the same.

(82) The Venturi unit 110 comprises a first, driving air flow inlet 133 which is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece unit 111 and provides a constriction which acts to accelerate the exhaled air flow to deliver a driving air flow at a higher velocity, a second, substance air flow inlet 135 which is in fluid communication with the outlet 119 of the substance supply unit 103 and through which, by the reduced local pressure as developed thereat by the Venturi effect, is drawn a substance air flow from the chamber 105 of the substance supply unit 103 which entrains the powdered substance, and an air flow outlet 139 which is in fluid communication with the nosepiece unit 114 and through which the driving air flow and the substance air flow are delivered. In this embodiment the driving air flow is directed substantially perpendicularly to the substance air flow.

(83) This configuration, which utilizes ambient air to entrain the powdered substance from the capsule 107, is particularly advantageous, in avoiding the use of exhaled air to entrain the powdered substance. Exhaled air has a high humidity which would lead to condensation both in the chamber 105 and the capsule 107, which can cause problems in the complete entrainment of the powdered substance, both in terms of adhesion of the capsule 107 to the wall of the chamber 105 and adhesion of the powdered substance to the wall of the capsule 107, particularly where the powdered substance is a hygroscopic powder.

(84) The mouthpiece unit 111 comprises a mouthpiece 145, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is gripped in the mouth of the subject.

(85) The nosepiece unit 114 comprises a nosepiece 147, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is inserted into a nostril of the subject, in this embodiment to provide a sealing fit therewith.

(86) In this embodiment the nosepiece 147, as a component which contacts the powdered substance, is fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the powdered substance to adhere to the wall of the nosepiece 147.

(87) In one embodiment, where the delivery device is a re-usable device, the chamber 105, which contains the capsule 107, and the nosepiece 147 comprise a unitary, replaceable component.

(88) In operation, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a subject operates the rupturing mechanism 109 to rupture the capsule 107, inserts the nosepiece 147 into one of his/her nostrils, grips the mouthpiece 145 in his/her mouth, and exhales through the mouthpiece 145.

(89) The exhaled air flow is forced through the driving air flow inlet 133 of the Venturi unit 110, which acts to deliver the exhaled air flow as a driving air flow over the substance air flow inlet 135 of the Venturi unit 110 and draw a substance air flow, which entrains powdered substance, from the chamber 105 of the substance supply unit 103. The substance air flow acts to move the capsule 107, in this embodiment by vibration and rotation, and entrain the powdered substance as contained by the capsule 107.

(90) The exhaled air flow, as then entraining the powdered substance, passes through the air flow outlet 139 of the Venturi unit 110, and is delivered though the nosepiece 147 into one nasal cavity of the subject.

(91) In this embodiment the exhaled air flow has such a pressure as to pass around the posterior margin of the nasal septum, and into the other nasal cavity, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow as described in the applicants' earlier WO-A-00/051672.

(92) In one modification of the above-described delivery device, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the substance supply unit 103 can be additionally fluidly connected to the mouthpiece unit 111, in this embodiment by a flow channel 151 which fluidly connects the mouthpiece 145 to the inlet 117 of the substance supply unit 103, such as to provide for a supplemental air flow to the chamber 105, which assists in entraining the powdered substance as contained by the capsule 107.

(93) By regulating this supplementary air flow and blending the same with the ambient air as entrained through the inlet 117 of the substance supply unit 103, the resulting air flow still has a reduced absolute humidity (water vapour content) as compared with an exhaled air flow, where the ambient air is not saturated.

(94) Operation of this device, which is illustrated in FIG. 9, is the same as for the delivery device of the above-described second embodiment.

(95) FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a nasal delivery device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

(96) The delivery device comprises a substance supply unit 203 which includes a chamber 205 which receives a capsule 207, which contains a metered amount of a powdered substance which is to be delivered by the delivery device, a rupturing mechanism 209 for rupturing the capsule 207, a Venturi unit 210 which is operative to draw an air flow of the ambient atmosphere through the chamber 205, a mouthpiece unit 211 which is in fluid communication with the Venturi unit 210 and is gripped in use in the mouth of a subject, and a nosepiece unit 214 which is in fluid communication with the Venturi unit 210 and is fitted to one nostril of the subject. For ease of illustration, the delivery device is illustrated in an orthogonal configuration, but, in its practical embodiment, the mouthpiece unit 211 and the nosepiece unit 214 are configured for fitting to the mouth and one nostril of the subject.

(97) The substance supply unit 203 includes an inlet 217 which fluidly connects the chamber 205 thereof with the ambient atmosphere and an outlet 219 which fluidly connects the chamber 205 thereof with the Venturi unit 210.

(98) In this embodiment the substance supply unit 203 includes a grid 221, here a gauze, which is disposed at the outlet 219 thereof and acts to prevent the capsule 207 or parts thereof from escaping from the chamber 205.

(99) In this embodiment the chamber 205 is cylindrical in shape.

(100) In another embodiment the chamber 205 could be spherical in shape, which is particularly advantageous in allowing for the release of the powdered substance from the capsule 207 when in any operative position.

(101) In this embodiment the chamber 205 and the grid 221, as components which contact the capsule 207 and the contained powdered substance, are fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 207 and the powdered substance as contained thereby to adhere to the wall of the chamber 205 or the grid 221.

(102) In this embodiment the rupturing mechanism 209 comprises a piercing element 223, here including two pins, which is operable to pierce the capsule 207, and thereby provide for the release of the contained powdered substance on the generation of a flow through the chamber 205.

(103) In one embodiment the capsule 207 is a gelatine capsule.

(104) In another embodiment the capsule 207 can be manufactured from a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 207 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 205 or the grid 221.

(105) In one embodiment the capsule 207 is formed of a cellulose derivative, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose.

(106) In another embodiment the capsule 207 can comprise a plastics material, preferably a water insoluble material, such as a polycarbonate.

(107) In one embodiment the capsule 207 can be manufactured from a lightweight material, such as thin-wall section polymeric materials, which reduces the energy required to move the capsule 207, typically by one or both of vibration and rotation, and thereby allows the delivery device to be operated at reduced flow rates, which is particularly advantageous for nasal delivery.

(108) In one embodiment the capsule 207 has a wall section of less than about 0.25 mm, and more preferably less than about 0.2 mm.

(109) In an alternative embodiment the capsule 207 can include an outer coating of a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 207 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 205 or the grid 221.

(110) In one embodiment the coated capsule 207 can be formed of gelatine.

(111) In one embodiment the coating can comprise one of parylene, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acid polymer, methacrylic acid polymer, ethyl acrylic acid polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and hydroxyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, or any combination of layers thereof.

(112) The delivery device of this embodiment is operative to discharge the powdered substance from the capsule 207 by rotation and vibration of the capsule 207, and thus the capsule 207 is preferably formed of a material or coated with a material which exhibits substantially no tackiness in the presence of a moist environment, here a saturated exhaled air flow, that is, does not exhibit an increased moisture content at the outer surface thereof, which would prevent reliable rotation and vibration of the capsule 207.

(113) In this embodiment the capsule 207 is cylindrical in shape, with hemispherical ends.

(114) In other embodiments the capsule 207 could have other geometric forms, such as spherical, which allows for efficient powder release at low flow rates.

(115) In one embodiment the capsule 207 can comprise two or more parts.

(116) In one alternative embodiment the capsule 207 can be constructed to act as the primary environmental barrier for the powdered substance. For instance, the capsule 207 could be constructed from a relatively thick-walled cylindrical section of a polymeric material which includes two metalized thin film closure members which act to seal the ends of the cylindrical section and thus enclose the same.

(117) The Venturi unit 210 comprises at least one driving air flow inlet 233 which is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece unit 211 and provides a constriction which acts to accelerate the exhaled air flow to deliver at least one driving air flow at a higher velocity, a second, substance air flow inlet 235 which is fluid communication with the outlet 219 of the substance supply unit 203 and through which, by the reduced local pressure as developed thereat by the Venturi effect, is drawn a substance air flow from the chamber 205 of the substance supply unit 203 which entrains the powdered substance, and an air flow outlet 239 which is in fluid communication with the nosepiece unit 214 and through which the driving air flow and the substance air flow are delivered. In this embodiment the at least one driving air flow is directed substantially parallel to the substance air flow.

(118) In this embodiment the Venturi unit 210 comprises a plurality of air flow inlets 233 which are disposed in an annular arrangement, here concentrically, about the substance air flow inlet 235.

(119) This configuration, which utilizes ambient air to entrain the powdered substance from the capsule 207, is particularly advantageous, in avoiding the use of exhaled air to entrain the powdered substance. Exhaled air has a high humidity which would lead to condensation both in the chamber 205 and the capsule 207, which can cause problems in the complete entrainment of the powdered substance, both in terms of adhesion of the capsule 207 and the contained powdered substance to the wall of the chamber 205 and adhesion of the powdered substance to the capsule 207, particularly where the powdered substance is a hygroscopic powder.

(120) The mouthpiece unit 211 comprises a mouthpiece 245, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is gripped in the mouth of the subject.

(121) The nosepiece unit 214 comprises a nosepiece 247, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is inserted into a nostril of the subject, in this embodiment to provide a sealing fit therewith.

(122) In this embodiment the nosepiece 247, as a component which contacts the powdered substance, is fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the powdered substance to adhere to the wall of the nosepiece 247.

(123) In one embodiment, where the delivery device is a re-usable device, the chamber 205, which contains the capsule 207, and the nosepiece 247 comprise a unitary, replaceable component.

(124) In operation, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a subject operates the rupturing mechanism 209 to rupture the capsule 207, inserts the nosepiece 247 into one of his/her nostrils, grips the mouthpiece 245 in his/her mouth, and exhales through the mouthpiece 245.

(125) The exhaled air flow is forced through the at least one driving air flow inlet 233 of the Venturi unit 210, which acts to deliver the exhaled air flow as a driving air flow past the substance air flow inlet 235 of the Venturi unit 210 and draw a substance air flow, which entrains powdered substance, from the chamber 205 of the substance supply unit 203. The substance air flow acts to move the capsule 207, in this embodiment by vibration and rotation, and entrain the powdered substance as contained by the capsule 207.

(126) The exhaled air flow, as then entraining the powdered substance, passes through the air flow outlet 239 of the Venturi unit 210, and is delivered though the nosepiece 247 into one nasal cavity of the subject.

(127) In this embodiment the exhaled air flow has such a pressure as to pass around the posterior margin of the nasal septum, and into the other nasal cavity, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow as described in the applicants' earlier WO-A-00/051672.

(128) FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate a nasal delivery device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(129) The delivery device comprises a substance supply unit 303 which includes a chamber 305 which receives a capsule 307, which contains a metered amount of a powdered substance which is to be delivered by the delivery device, a rupturing mechanism 309 for rupturing the capsule 307, a gas supply unit 310 which is operative to deliver a gas flow through the chamber 305, a mouthpiece unit 311 which is in fluid communication with the chamber 305 and is gripped in use in the mouth of a subject, and a nosepiece unit 314 which is in fluid communication with the chamber 305 and is fitted to one nostril of the subject. For ease of illustration, the delivery device is illustrated in an elongate configuration, but, in its practical embodiment, the mouthpiece unit 311 and the nosepiece unit 314 are configured for fitting to the mouth and one nostril of the subject.

(130) The substance supply unit 303 includes an inlet 317 which fluidly connects the chamber 305 thereof with the gas supply unit 310 and an outlet 319 which fluidly connects the chamber 305 thereof with the mouthpiece unit 311 and the nosepiece unit 314.

(131) In this embodiment the substance supply unit 303 includes a grid 321, here a gauze, which is disposed at the outlet 319 thereof and acts to prevent the capsule 307 or parts thereof from escaping from the chamber 305.

(132) In this embodiment the chamber 305 is cylindrical in shape.

(133) In another embodiment the chamber 305 could be spherical in shape, which is particularly advantageous in allowing for the release of the powdered substance from the capsule 307 when in any operative position.

(134) In this embodiment the chamber 305 and the grid 321, as components which contact the capsule 307 and the contained powdered substance, are fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 307 and the powdered substance as contained thereby to adhere to the wall of the chamber 305 or the grid 321.

(135) In this embodiment the rupturing mechanism 309 comprises a piercing element 323, here including two pins, which is operable to pierce the capsule 307, and thereby provide for the release of the contained powdered substance on the generation of a flow through the chamber 305.

(136) In one embodiment the capsule 307 is a gelatine capsule.

(137) In another embodiment the capsule 307 can be manufactured from a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 307 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 305 or the grid 321.

(138) In one embodiment the capsule 307 is formed of a cellulose derivative, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose.

(139) In another embodiment the capsule 307 can comprise a plastics material, preferably a water insoluble material, such as a polycarbonate.

(140) In one embodiment the capsule 307 can be manufactured from a lightweight material, such as thin-wall section polymeric materials, which reduces the energy required to move the capsule 307, typically by one or both of vibration and rotation, and thereby allows the delivery device to be operated at reduced flow rates, which is particularly advantageous for nasal delivery.

(141) In one embodiment the capsule 307 has a wall section of less than about 0.25 mm, and more preferably less than about 0.2 mm.

(142) In an alternative embodiment the capsule 307 can include an outer coating of a material which has a reduced tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, as occurs with gelatine capsules, and therefore reduce the tendency for the capsule 307 to adhere to the wall of the chamber 305 or the grid 321.

(143) In one embodiment the coated capsule 307 can be formed of gelatine.

(144) In one embodiment the coating can comprise one of parylene, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acid polymer, methacrylic acid polymer, ethyl acrylic acid polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and hydroxyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, or any combination of layers thereof.

(145) The delivery device of this embodiment is operative to discharge the powdered substance from the capsule 307 by rotation and vibration of the capsule 307, and thus the capsule 307 is preferably formed of a material or coated with a material which exhibits substantially no tackiness in the presence of a moist environment, here a saturated exhaled air flow, that is, does not exhibit an increased moisture content at the outer surface thereof, which would prevent reliable rotation and vibration of the capsule 307.

(146) In this embodiment the capsule 307 is cylindrical in shape, with hemispherical ends.

(147) In other embodiments the capsule 307 could have other geometric forms, such as spherical, which allows for efficient powder release at low flow rates.

(148) In one embodiment the capsule 307 can comprise two or more parts.

(149) In one alternative embodiment the capsule 307 can be constructed to act as the primary environmental barrier for the powdered substance. For instance, the capsule 307 could be constructed from a relatively thick-walled cylindrical section of a polymeric material which includes two metalized thin film closure members which act to seal the ends of the cylindrical section and thus enclose the same.

(150) In this embodiment the gas supply unit 310 comprises a high-pressure reservoir 341, preferably at a pressure of from about 1 bar to about 10 bar, and more preferably at a pressure from about 2 bar to about 10 bar, which, when actuated, delivers a gas flow which acts to drive powder release from the capsule 307. In one embodiment the reservoir 341 can be a pre-filled volume of gas at high-pressure, such as a pressurized canister which contains a propellant. In an alternative embodiment the reservoir 341 can be charged using a pump mechanism.

(151) In this embodiment the gas supply unit 310 is configured such as to be actuated on the generation of a predetermined flow rate through the mouthpiece unit 311, typically a flow rate of from about 10 l/min to about 50 l/min.

(152) In another embodiment the gas supply unit 310 can be configured such as to be actuated on the generation of a predetermined pressure at the mouthpiece unit 311.

(153) In a further embodiment the gas supply unit 310 can be configured such as to be manually actuated.

(154) This configuration is particularly advantageous, in avoiding the use of exhaled air to entrain the powdered substance, and in one embodiment allowing the use of a dry gas. Exhaled air has a high humidity which would lead to condensation both in the chamber 305 and the capsule 307, which can cause problems in the complete entrainment of the powdered substance, both in terms of adhesion of the capsule 307 and the contained powdered substance to the wall of the chamber 305 and adhesion of the powdered substance to the capsule 307, particularly where the powdered substance is a hygroscopic powder.

(155) The mouthpiece unit 311 comprises a mouthpiece 345, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is gripped in the mouth of the subject.

(156) The nosepiece unit 314 comprises a nosepiece 347, in this embodiment as defined by a tubular section, which is inserted into a nostril of the subject, in this embodiment to provide a sealing fit therewith.

(157) In this embodiment the nosepiece 347, as a component which contacts the powdered substance, is fabricated from a material having a low moisture sensitivity, here a plastics material, such as to reduce any tendency to become tacky in the presence of moisture, and therefore reduce the tendency for the powdered substance to adhere to the wall of the nosepiece 347.

(158) In one embodiment, where the delivery device is a re-usable device, the chamber 305, which contains the capsule 307, and the nosepiece 347 comprise a unitary, replaceable component.

(159) Operation of the delivery device will now be described hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.

(160) As illustrated in FIG. 13, a subject operates the rupturing mechanism 309 to rupture the capsule 307, inserts the nosepiece 347 into one of his/her nostrils, grips the mouthpiece 345 in his/her mouth, and exhales through the mouthpiece 345.

(161) The exhaled air flow is delivered though the nosepiece 347 into one nasal cavity of the subject.

(162) In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 14, when the exhaled air flow has a predetermined flow rate, the gas supply unit 310 is actuated, such as to deliver a gas flow through the chamber 305. This gas flow acts to move the capsule 307, in this embodiment by vibration and rotation, and entrain the powdered substance as contained by the capsule 307, and the gas flow, as then entraining the powdered substance, is delivered into the exhaled air flow passing through the nosepiece 347 into one nasal cavity of the subject, such that the exhaled air flow entrains the powdered substance into the nasal cavity of the subject. This configuration is particularly advantageous where the gas supply unit 310 is a pressurized canister, as the gas flow from a pressurized canister is cold, and this cold gas is mixed with the warmer exhaled air flow prior to delivery to the nasal cavity.

(163) In this embodiment the exhaled air flow has such a pressure as to pass around the posterior margin of the nasal septum, and into the other nasal cavity, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow as described in the applicants' earlier WO-A-00/051672.

(164) In one modification, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the gas supply unit 310 could comprise a charged turbine 353, for example, a propeller which is charged by a resilient element, such as spring. With this configuration, on actuation of the gas supply unit 310, stored energy drives the turbine to entrain atmospheric air through the chamber 305 which contains the capsule 307.

(165) Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(166) In one embodiment the powdered substance can also be formulated, for example, by coating or blending, such as to reduce the hygroscopicity and transiently increase the dissolution time, and thus reduce any loss of powdered substance in the device due to interaction with condensation on the internal surfaces of the device.

(167) Also, the delivery devices of the described embodiments have been described in relation to the use of capsules 7, 107, 207, 307. It is to be understood that the present invention has application with any kind of powder delivery system, including blisters and metering from bulk, and can be configured as a single-use or multi-use device.

(168) Furthermore, the delivery device of the first-described embodiment could be modified to incorporate a thermoelectric device as the heat exchanger 27, for example, a device which utilizes the Peltier effect, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

(169) In another modification, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the delivery device of the first-described embodiment could be modified such that the chamber 5 is substantially spherical in shape, which is particularly advantageous in allowing for the release of the powdered substance from the capsule 7 in any operative position, and the capsule 7 could be spherical.