# US 11,298,478 B2 · Reset mechanism for an inhaler

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- Number: US 11,298,478 B2
- Document ID: US11298478B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/331,278
- Filed: 2017-09-05
- Published: 2019-11-21
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-07
- Assignees: Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P.
- Applicants: Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P.
- Inventors: Adam J. Stuart; Hannah J. S. Allan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298478B2

## CPC

- A61M 15/0096: {Hindering inhalation before activation of the dispenser}
- A61M 15/0026: {Hinged caps}
- A61M 15/009: {using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08)}
- A61M 15/0091: {mechanically breath-triggered}
- A61M 15/0095: {Preventing manual activation in absence of inhalation}
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A valved-container inhaler (150) has a mechanical return assembly with a spring (214) and a transfer (212) configured to transfer stored potential energy from the spring to a canister (51) and a clutch (208, 210) in a load path of the force between the spring and the transfer, the clutch being rotatable between a first condition in which load is transferred from the spring to the transfer, and a second condition in which the spring and the transfer can move relative to one another to interrupt the load path and thereby allow the canister to resile after actuation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler comprising:
a resilient structure;
a transfer configured to transfer stored potential energy from the resilient structure to a resilient, valved container in the form of a force to thereby release a medicament therefrom;
a clutch in a load path of the force between the resilient structure and the transfer, the clutch having a first part and a second part, in which rotation of the second part relative to the first part moves the clutch between:
a first condition in which load is transferred from the resilient structure to the transfer, and
a second condition in which the resilient structure and the transfer can move relative to one another to interrupt the load path and disconnect the valved canister from the force and thereby allow the valved container to resile after actuation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 1, in which the rotation of the second part relative to the first part is effected by a linear force applied to a ramped surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 2, in which the ramped surface is defined on at least the second part to effect the rotation thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 3, comprising:
a housing; and,
a static actuator formation fixed with respect to the housing, wherein the static actuator formation is configured to engage the ramped surface of the second part;
in which the linear force is applied from the first part to the second part to rotate the second part by engagement of the ramped surface of the second part with the static actuator formation.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 4, in which the clutch is configured to move linearly from:
a first position in which the clutch is in the first condition to a second position in which the clutch is in the first condition to transfer the stored potential energy from the resilient structure to the transfer; and,
the second position to a third position upon engagement of the ramped surface of the second part with the static actuator formation to move the clutch to the second condition.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 4, in which the resilient structure comprises a compression spring.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 3, in which the second part is capable of linear movement relative to the first part, and the linear force is applied from the first part to the ramped surface on the second part to effect rotation of the second part.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 7, in which the first part is rotationally fixed, and rotation of the second part is inhibited for part of the linear movement of the second part.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 8, in which the clutch is configured to move linearly through:
a first stage linear movement in which the clutch is in the first condition to transfer the stored potential energy from the resilient structure to the transfer, during which rotation of the second part is inhibited; and,
a second stage linear movement during which rotation of the second part is permitted to thereby move the clutch to the second condition.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 9, in which the first part of the clutch and the resilient structure are positioned on opposite sides of the second part of the clutch, in which the first part of the clutch moves into the second part of the clutch when moving from the first to the second condition.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 10, in which the first and second parts of the clutch are in sliding engagement.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 10, in which the first part of the clutch comprises a first abutment and the second part of the clutch comprises a second abutment, in which in the first condition the first and second abutments are aligned and in contact, and in the second condition the first and second abutments are misaligned.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 12, in which the first and/or second abutments comprise a plurality of spaced-apart teeth.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 13, in which a damper is provided to damp relative movement between the transfer and the resilient structure upon movement of the clutch to the second condition.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 14, in which the resilient structure comprises a tension spring.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The mechanical return assembly for a valved-container inhaler according to claim 1, in which the resilient structure defines a body having an interior space in which to receive the valved container.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

A valved-container inhaler comprising a mechanical return assembly according to claim 16, comprising a priming mechanism configured to transfer energy to the resilient structure.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The valved-container inhaler according to claim 17, in which the priming mechanism is user-actuated.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The valved-container inhaler according to claim 17, in which the priming mechanism comprises a linearly displaceable element engaged with part of the resilient structure to apply a linear force thereto.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The valved-container inhaler according to claim 19, comprising a firing mechanism, in which the return assembly has:
a rest condition;
a stable primed condition in which the resilient structure stores potential energy; and
a fired condition in which the resilient structure has been released to transfer force to the transfer, and the clutch is in the second condition;
in which the firing mechanism is configured to release the resilient structure.