# US 5,347,999 A · Inhalation device free from propellant gas having brush abrading powder from tablet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,347,999 A - Document ID: US5347999A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/977,449 - Filed: 1993-04-23 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1990-08-30 - Assignees: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH - Inventors: Gerhard Poss; Jurgen Wittekind - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347999A ## CPC - A61M 15/0091: {mechanically breath-triggered} - A61M 15/0065: {Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices (A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52)} - A61M 15/0068: {Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses} - A61M 2202/066: made from a compacted product by abrading - 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 The invention relates to a propellent-free inhalation device having a supply of solidified medicinal substance to be inhaled, a manually operable metering device for removing a given dose of the medicinal substance for the inhalation process and having a mouthpiece for actively breathing in and an air space for distributing the particular dose of medicinal substance in the air stream. An abrasion device, in the form of a brush comprising a plurality of bristles, is used to abrade the medicinal substance to form the dose. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A propellant free inhalation device for use with a solid tablet of a medicinal substance, comprising: a housing; a holder for containing the tablet; a manually operated means for dispensing and metering a dose from the tablet for inhalation by a user, said means for dispensing and metering the dose comprising a shaft and a brush having means for mechanically abrading the tablet, said means for mechanically abrading the tablet including a plurality of bristles, said bristles, responsive to manual operation of said dispensing and metering means by a user, mechanically abrading the tablet and generating the dose for inhalation; an air chamber within said housing, said air chamber receiving the dose upon manual operation of said dispensing and metering means by a user; and a mouthpiece adapted to be engaged by a user's mouth wherein inhalation by a user through said mouthpiece causes air to flow through said air chamber and to entrain the dose. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a spring biased against said holder; and means for limiting the dose to a predetermined amount comprising an adjustable stop, wherein said adjustable stop limits the movement of said holder responsive to said spring biased against said holder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 2, further comprising: a drive mechanism connected to said means for dispensing and metering, and means for manually tensioning said drive mechanism, said manual tensioning means comprising a push button. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive mechanism connected to said means for dispensing and metering, and means for manually tensioning said drive mechanism, said manual tensioning means comprising a push button. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 4, further comprising: switching means for automatically triggering said drive mechanism disposed within said housing and responsive to low pressure in said air chamber generated by user inhalation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein said switching means comprises: a spring-loaded valve which extends at right angles to the air stream in said air chamber; a bent lever mechanism connected to said spring-loaded valve; and a disengaging device for said drive mechanism operatively connected to said bent lever mechanism. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 6, wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a spindle having first and second ends, said first end connected to said push button, and said second end connected to said housing; a drive spring surrounding said spindle, said drive spring being tensioned responsive to translatory movement of said spindle; and a drive-wheel mounted on said spindle, said drive wheel being separated from said abrasion device responsive to tensioning of said drive spring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 4, wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a spindle having first and second ends, said first end connected to said push button, and said second end connected to said housing; a drive spring surrounding said spindle, said drive spring being tensioned responsive to translatory movement of said spindle; and a drive-wheel mounted on said spindle, said drive wheel being separated from said abrasion device responsive to tensioning of said drive spring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 8, further comprising: a brush friction wheel operatively connected to said drive wheel, said drive wheel being released from said brush friction wheel responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 8: wherein said drive wheel comprises a pinion operatively connected in driving mode to said abrasion device, said drive wheel being released from said abrasion device responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein said switching means comprises: a trigger-piston which actuates in response to low pressure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a spindle having first and second ends, said first end connected to said push button, and said second end connected to said housing; a drive spring surrounding said spindle, said drive spring being tensioned responsive to translatory movement of said spindle; and a drive-wheel mounted on said spindle, said drive wheel being separated from said abrasion device responsive to tensioning of said drive spring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 12, further comprising: a brush friction wheel operatively connected to said drive wheel, said drive wheel being released from said brush friction wheel responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 12, wherein said drive wheel comprises a pinion operatively connected in driving mode to said abrasion device, said drive wheel being released from said abrasion device responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said abrasion device is separable from the solidified medicinal substance. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said holder is configured to contain solidified medicinal substance in the form of a square tablet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said bristles are disposed radially about said shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 17, wherein said shaft is horizontally disposed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said brush is cup-shaped and said shaft is vertically disposed.