Breath actuated inhaler having an electromechanical priming mechanism
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsPeter D. Hodson, Eric A. Baum, David K. Smith, Anton Kuepper, Matthew J. Wilby
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inhalation device for use with a pressurized aerosol canister. The device involves an electromechanical mechanism for applying a priming force to the aerosol canister prior to or at the start of inhalation. The device also involves a blocking mechanism. The electromechanical mechanism electromechanically applies to the aerosol canister a priming force sufficient to actuate the aerosol canister, and the blocking mechanism prevents the priming force from actuating the aerosol canister until inhalation is detected.
Claims13
An inhalation device comprising:
- a pressurized aerosol canister comprising a metered dose dispensing vale movable between a closed position and a dispensing position;
- a housing for supporting said canister in communication with a patient port;
- electromechanical means for generating and storing a priming force, prior to or at the start of inhalation through the patient port, and applying said priming force to said canister, said priming force being sufficient for actuation of the dispensing valve;
- and blocking means to prevent said priming force from actuating the dispensing valve prior to patient inspiration through the patient port, wherein said electromechanical means further comprises an electric motor or solenoid, a drive arrangement, a load applicator, and a resilient biasing means, wherein the drive arrangement communicates between the electric motor or solenoid and the load applicator, and wherein the resilient biasing means is positioned between the load applicator and the canister.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.