US 2004/0055596 A1 · Drug dispenser

Abstract

A drug dispenser (1) has a hollow body (2) with a housing (6) for a pressurised can (7) containing a drug and its propellant arranged on top of the body. The can has an outlet stem (8) received in a socket (9) in an internal spigot (10). This has a junction with a flexible tube (11), leading to a kink valve pair (12, 14). The tube continues on to a second internal spigot (15), having a spray nozzle (16) just within a breathing opening (5). The kink valve pair (12, 14) is formed as a moulding of the tube, with side wings (17). Towards the ends of the wings, they have thinner portions (17.1) at which there are apertures (18) immediately adjacent the tube. The arrangement, which is similar to that in my International Application No. PCT/GB01/03313, defines positions at which the tube kinks to close its through bore (19). The thinner portions are provided in two positions, which provide the two kink valves. An intermediate section (20) of the tube, with a predetermined volume is provided between the kink valves. At the intermediate section, the tube (11) is clipped to flap (21), pivoted at its end (22) to the side wall of the body. As a patient breathes through the device, the flap is moved by the action of the breath on it. Specifically, as the patient inhales, the flap moves towards the breathing opening and as the patient exhales the flap moves towards the ambient opening. The flap has clearance with the passage such that it does not significantly obstruct the air passage, but at the same time the inhalation and exhalation positively moves the flap. The kink valve pair moves with the flap.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A drug dispensing device for repetitive dispensing on inhalation of a drug released from a pressurised drug source with a can body and a delivery stem, the dispenser comprising:

a hollow body having:
a wall enclosing a breath passage within the hollow body,
an ambient opening to the breath passage,
a patient breathing opening to the breath passage,
a can receptor attached to the hollow body for accommodating the can of the pressurised drug source,
a junction member attached to the hollow body for connection with the dispensing stem of the pressurised drug source and leading delivered drug from the dispensing stem,
a drug disperser for dispersing the delivered drug towards the patient breathing opening,
a drug duct from the junction member to the drug disperser,
a breath detector arranged in the breath passage to be acted on by breath passing therethrough, and
dose release means operatively connected to the breath detector,
the dose release means being so arranged that:
on inhalation, with the breath detection member detecting such, a dose is released into the drug duct and dispersed from the drug disperser in the patient breathing opening;
the arrangement permitting a small dose of the drug to be repetitively released on each breath by the patient.

10 more elements

A drug dispensing device for repetitive dispensing on inhalation of a drug released from a pressurised drug source with a can body and a delivery stem, the dispenser comprising:

a hollow body having:
a wall enclosing a breath passage within the hollow body,
an ambient opening to the breath passage,
a patient breathing opening to the breath passage,
a can receptor attached to the hollow body for accommodating the can of the pressurised drug source,
a junction member attached to the hollow body for connection with the dispensing stem of the pressurised drug source and leading delivered drug from the dispensing stem,
a drug disperser for dispersing the delivered drug towards the patient breathing opening,
a drug duct from the junction member to the drug disperser,
a valve in the drug path from the container to the disperser, and
a valve actuator operatively connected to the valve and including a breath detection member arranged in the breath passage to be acted on by breath passing therethrough,
the valve and the actuator being so arranged that:
on inhalation, with the breath detection member detecting such, the valve is opened to allow pressurised drug through a downstream portion of the drug duct and disperse from the drug disperser in the patient breathing opening;
the arrangement permitting a small dose of the drug to be repetitively released on each breath by the patient.

10 more elements

A drug dispensing device for repetitive dispensing on inhalation of a drug released from a pressurised drug source with a can body, metered dose release drug release valve and a delivery stem, the dispenser comprising:

a hollow body having:
a wall enclosing a breath passage within the hollow body,
an ambient opening to the breath passage,
a patient breathing opening to the breath passage,
a can receptor attached to the hollow body for accommodating the can of the pressurised drug source,
a junction member attached to the hollow body for connection with the dispensing stem of the pressurised drug source and leading delivered drug from the dispensing stem,
a drug disperser for dispersing the delivered drug towards the patient breathing opening,
a drug duct from the junction member to the drug disperser, and
a breath detection transducer arranged in the breath passage to be acted on by breath passing therethrough,
a can actuator operatively connected to the body for moving the can towards the junction member,
the can actuator being so arranged that:
on inhalation, with the breath detection member detecting such, the can is moved to operate its metered dose valve for allowing pressurised drug to flow to the drug disperser and to disperse from the drug disperser in the patient breathing opening;
the arrangement permitting a small dose of the drug to be repetitively released on each breath by the patient.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drug dispenser

Life of this patent

Drug dispenser

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31