US 2006/0130832 A1 · Apparatus for dispensing pressurized contents

Abstract

Containers for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents are described. The containers comprise a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents, a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel, preferably incrementally in approximately equal amounts, and a measuring device disposed in the vessel. The measuring device senses ambient conditions in the vessel and, directly or with other components, indicates, for example, the amount of pressurized contents remaining in the vessel and displaying it to an observer; methods for comparing the amount of contents actually released from the vessel compared to a theoretical constant; and methods for time logging (alone or in conjunction with the logging of other data) the actuation of the dispensing valve for comparison to a prescribed method. Devices for incrementally dispensing pressurized contents from such containers are also described. Such devices further comprise a metering value for dispensing pressurized contents from the vessel. In preferred embodiments, each actuation of the metering valve results in release of a pre-determined quantity of the vessel contents. For example, in embodiments wherein the pressurized contents comprise a therapeutic composition, the instant devices include improved Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) for delivery of predetermined doses of a therapeutic composition to a patient, wherein the MDIs provide for sensing of the amount, for example, of the therapeutic composition remaining in the vessel after each actuation of the metering valve.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A container for dispensing pressurized contents, comprising:

a vessel suited to contain pressurized contents;
a port integral with the vessel and through which pressurized contents contained in the vessel can be released from the vessel;
and
a measuring device disposed in the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the pressurized contents within the vessel.

1 more element

An apparatus for incrementally dispensing a therapeutic composition for inhalation by a patient, comprising:

a. a container, comprising:
i. a vessel containing a therapeutic composition stored under pressure, wherein the therapeutic composition comprises a therapeutic agent and a physiologically acceptable carrier;
ii. a port integral with the vessel and through which at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be released from the vessel;
and
iii. a measuring device disposed in the vessel, wherein the measuring device is capable of sensing an amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel and arranged to output a signal representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel;
b. a metering valve functionally associated with the port for dispensing a pre-determined dose of the therapeutic composition from the vessel;
c. a dispenser functionally associated with the metering value such that at least a portion of the therapeutic composition can be dispensed from the container upon actuation of the metering value by the dispenser;
and
d. circuitry configured to receive the signal the output from the measuring device and process the signal to produce a result representative of the amount of the therapeutic composition within the vessel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for dispensing pressurized contents

Life of this patent

Apparatus for dispensing pressurized contents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38