Actuator for a metered dose inhaler
AssigneeRIC Investments, LLC
InventorsDirk Von Hollen, Eric Lieberman, Jeffrey Paine, Matthew Paine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A metered dose inhaler is provided which includes a canister fitted in an actuator body. A metered dose of medication is delivered by compressing the canister in the actuator body. The metered dose inhaler includes an actuator that either fully (automatic) or partially (user-assisted) actuates the metered dose inhaler in order to deliver medication to the user.
Claims17
An actuator for a metered dose inhaler, the actuator comprising:
- a housing;
- a biasable member;
- a shape memory alloy material connected to the biasable member;
- a power source;
- and
- a switch, wherein the switch has at least two positions, a first position wherein the power source is operatively connected to the shape memory alloy material, and a second position wherein the power source is disconnected from the shape memory alloy material, and wherein the shape memory alloy material biases the biasing member towards the canister responsive to the switch being in the first position.
A metered dose inhaler for use in delivering an aerosol to a user, the metered dose inhaler comprising:
- a canister having a metering valve and a valve stem extending from the metering valve;
- a boot having a canister receptacle portion and a mouthpiece receptacle portion;
- and
- an actuator located proximate the canister and boot, the actuator including a housing, a biasable member, a shape memory alloy material connected to the biasable member, a power source and a switch, wherein the switch has at least two positions, a first position wherein the power source is connected to the shape memory alloy material and a second position wherein the power source is disconnected from the shape memory alloy material, wherein the shape memory alloy material biases biasing member towards the canister when the switch is in the first position.
An actuator for a metered dose inhaler, the actuator comprising:
- a housing;
- a fixed member connected to the housing;
- a first electromagnet;
- a power source;
- and
- a switch having a first position wherein the power source is connected to the first electromagnet and a second position wherein the power source is disconnected from the first electromagnet.
A metered dose inhaler for use in delivering an aerosol to a user, the metered dose inhaler comprising:
- a canister having a metering valve and a valve stem extending from the metering valve;
- a boot having a canister receptacle portion and a mouthpiece receptacle portion;
- and
- an actuator for a metered dose inhaler, the actuator including a housing, a fixed member, at least one electromagnet, a power source, and a switch having a first position wherein the power source is connected to the at least one electromagnet and a second position wherein the power source is disconnected from the at least one electromagnet.
An actuator for a metered dose inhaler, the actuator comprising:
- a housing;
- a fixed member;
- at least one piezoelectric element;
- a power source;
- and
- a switch having a first position wherein the power source is connected to the at least one piezoelectric element and a second position wherein the power source is disconnected from the at least one piezoelectric element.
A metered dose inhaler for use in delivering an aerosol to a user, the metered dose inhaler comprising:
- a canister having a metering valve and a valve stem extending from the metering valve;
- a boot having a canister receptacle portion and a mouthpiece receptacle portion;
- and
- an actuator for a metered dose inhaler, the actuator including a housing, a fixed member, at least one piezoelectric element, a power source, and a switch having a first position wherein the power source is connected to the at least one piezoelectric element and a second position wherein the power source is disconnected from the at least one piezoelectric element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.