Inhaler testing apparatus
AssigneeCopley Scientific Limited
InventorsBenjamin Bradley, Mark Andrew Copley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A volume and resistance compensator device; an inhaler testing apparatus containing the device; and methods for testing inhalers utilizing the device and apparatus for improving the consistency and reliability of the testing process are disclosed.
Claims15
A volume and resistance compensator device for use in inhaler testing, the volume and resistance compensator device comprising a variable volume chamber with an inlet and an outlet, at least one of the inlet and the outlet being adjustable to vary a resistance to gas flow through the variable volume chamber, wherein the variable volume chamber comprises a cylinder and a piston movable, via a shaft, within the cylinder, wherein at least one of the inlet and the outlet is configured to receive a removable choke plate to reduce a diameter of a path of the gas flow through at least one of the inlet and the outlet, and the volume and resistance compensator further comprising at least one choke plate comprising a through hole of a set diameter.
A method of testing inhalers comprising:
- A) simulating an inhalation event with set parameters by flowing gas through a first collector and measuring a flow resistance and rise-time;
- B) simulating the inhalation event with the same set parameters by flowing gas through a second collector and a volume and resistance compensator device and measuring a flow resistance and rise time;
- C) adjusting at least one of the flow resistance and a working volume of the volume and resistance compensator device until the flow resistance and rise-time measured in step B matches the flow resistance and rise-time measured in step A;
- and
- D) testing an inhaler using the second collector and volume and resistance compensator device as adjusted in step C to acquire data to supplement or complement data acquired from a test of the same inhaler using the first collector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.