Dry powder inhaler with flutter dispersion member
AssigneeStc.Unm
InventorsHugh D.C. Smyth, Parthiban Selvam, Charles Randall Truman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dry powder inhaler including a housing defining a chamber for receiving a dose of powdered medicament, an inhalation port in fluid communication with the chamber, at least one airflow inlet providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the housing, and a flutter element in the chamber and associated with a dose of powdered medicament. The flutter element has a tensioned distal end proximate the at least one airflow inlet and a free proximal end opposite to the distal end and downstream of the inlet. The flutter element is configured to vibrate in response to airflow through the chamber and aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament.
Claims12
A dry powder inhaler for delivering medicament to a patient, the inhaler comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber for receiving a dose of powdered medicament;
- an inhalation port in fluid communication with the chamber;
- at least one airflow inlet providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the housing;
- and
- a flutter element in the chamber and associated with a dose of powdered medicament, the flutter element having a tensioned distal end proximate the at least one airflow inlet and a free proximal end opposite to the distal end and downstream of the inlet, the flutter element being configured to vibrate in response to airflow through the chamber and aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament.
A method for delivering medicament to a patient comprising:
- tensioning a distal end of a flutter element at a distal end of a dosing chamber of a dry powder inhaler while permitting a proximal end of the flutter element to remain free of tension;
- exposing the flutter element, including a dose of powdered medicament, to a flow of air through the dry powder inhaler;
- inducing vibrations in the flutter element so as to aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament;
- and
- directing the flow of air with the aerosolized dose of powdered medicament to an outlet port of the dry powder inhaler.
A dry powder inhaler for delivering medicament to a patient, the inhaler having a housing defining a chamber and an inhalation port in fluid communication with the chamber, the inhaler comprising a flutter element in the chamber and associated with a dose of powdered medicament, the flutter element having a tensioned distal end proximate the at least one airflow inlet and a free proximal end opposite to the distal end and downstream of the inlet, the flutter element being configured to vibrate in response to airflow through the chamber and aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.