# US 2016/0354565 A1 · Drug Delivery Inhaler Devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0354565 A1 - Document ID: US20160354565A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/239,406 - Filed: 2016-08-17 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-24 - Assignees: Clement Clarke International Ltd. - Applicants: Clement Clarke International Ltd. - Inventors: Ronald Bruin; David Spencer; Mark Sanders - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354565A1 ## CPC - A61M 15/009: {using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08)} - A61M 11/04: operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised {(air-humidification, e.g. "room humidifiers" F24F6/00)} - A61M 15/0021: {Mouthpieces therefor} - A61M 15/0086: {Inhalation chambers} - A61M 2016/0033: {electrical} - A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate - A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An adapter for fitting to a drug delivery device, the adapter including: an outlet for communication with the mouth of a patient; an air flow path through the adapter along which air is drawn to the outlet by inhalation by the patient; an inlet adapted for connection to a mouthpiece of said drug delivery device; and an air flow rate indicator operable to indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient. A drug delivery device having, in its body, an air flow rate indicator operable to indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drug delivery inhaler device having: an L-shaped body with an upright portion for housing a drug reservoir and terminating at an air inlet and a transverse portion terminating at an outlet for communication with the mouth of a patient; an air flow path through the device along which air is drawn from the air inlet of the upright portion of the body to the outlet by inhalation by the patient; a seat for location of a drug reservoir, the drug reservoir being operable to deliver a dose of aerosolized drug into the air flow path for inhalation by the patient; and an air flow rate indicator operable to continuously indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient both before and during delivery of the drug, wherein said air flow indicator is provided integrally with the upright portion of the body of the device upstream from the point at which the dose of aerosolized drug is ejected into the air flow path. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined minimum air flow rate through the device is at least 30 litres per minute. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein the air flow rate indicator is adapted to generate an audible or visual signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein the air flow rate indicator is operable electronically. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 1, wherein the air flow rate indicator comprises a reed configured to oscillate to generate an audible signal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 6, wherein the reed is disposed in an aperture in a side wall of the L-shaped body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 1, wherein, in use, the air flow rate indicator is configured to be positioned upstream of a base of the drug reservoir and downstream of a top end of the drug reservoir in the air flow path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 1, wherein said air flow rate indicator is adapted to be retrofitted to the drug delivery inhaler device. ### Claim 10 A drug delivery inhaler device having: an L-shaped body with an upright portion configured for receiving a drug reservoir and terminating at an air inlet and a transverse portion terminating at an outlet for communication with the mouth of a patient; an air flow path through the device along which air is drawn from the air inlet of the upright portion of the body to the outlet by inhalation by the patient; and an air flow rate indicator operable to continuously indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of an aerosolized drug to the patient both before and during delivery of the drug, wherein said air flow indicator is provided integrally with the upright portion of the body of the device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 10, wherein the device is a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined minimum air flow rate through the device is at least 30 litres per minute. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 10, wherein the air flow rate indicator is adapted to generate an audible or visual signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The drug delivery inhaler device according to claim 10, wherein the air flow rate indicator is operable electronically. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 10, wherein the air flow rate indicator comprises a reed configured to oscillate to generate an audible signal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 15, wherein the reed is disposed in an aperture in a side wall of the L-shaped body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 10, wherein, in use, the air flow rate indicator is configured to be positioned upstream of a base of the drug reservoir and downstream of a top end of the drug reservoir in the air flow path. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The drug delivery inhaler device of claim 10, wherein said air flow rate indicator is adapted to be retrofitted to the drug delivery inhaler device. ### Claim 19 A drug delivery inhaler device having: an L-shaped body with an upright portion configured for receiving a drug reservoir and terminating at an air inlet and a transverse portion terminating at an outlet for communication with the mouth of a patient; an air flow path through the device along which air is drawn from the air inlet of the upright portion of the body to the outlet by inhalation by the patient; and an air flow rate indicator operable to continuously indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of an aerosolized drug to the patient both before and during delivery of the drug; and said air flow indicator is provided in the air flow path at or proximate the air inlet of the upright portion of the body, wherein said air flow rate indicator is adapted to be retrofitted to the drug inhaler delivery device.