Powder dispenser

An apparatus for providing dispersion of a powder dose for delivery, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving said powder dose, wherein said receiving means comprises a chamber of predetermined size, with said apparatus further including means for adjusting the size of said chamber;
• means for actuating said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose, said actuating means comprising an amount of a gas introduced into said apparatus;
• means for regulating the introduction of said gas into said apparatus;
• valve means for permitting passage of said powder dose in a first direction upon actuation of said apparatus by said actuating means and for preventing passage of said powder dose in said first direction when said apparatus is not actuated by said actuating means, said valve means comprising a generally elongated first body member defining first and second ends and having an outer surface and an inner surface, with said inner surface being substantially tapered proximate said first end in a direction inwardly toward the second end, said valve means further including a pair of substantially parallel lips extending from said second end of said first body member, said lips including outer and inner surfaces and a passage extending between said inner surfaces of said lips and through both said second end and tapered inner surface of said first body member;
• and
• means for dispensing said powder dose from said apparatus.

An apparatus for pulmonary delivery of a powder dose to a subject, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving said powder dose;
• means for actuating said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose;
• valve means for permitting passage of said powder dose in a first direction upon actuation of said apparatus by said actuating means and for preventing passage of said powder dose in said first direction when said apparatus is not actuated, wherein said valve means comprises a generally elongated first body member defining first and second ends and having an outer surface and an inner surface, with said inner surface being substantially tapered proximate said first end in a direction inwardly toward the second end, said valve means further including a pair of substantially parallel lips extending from said second end of said first body member, said lips including outer and inner surfaces and a passage extending between said inner surfaces of said lips and through both said second end and tapered inner surface of said first body member, said valve means further including a second generally elongated body member defining first and second ends and having an outer surface and an inner surface, with said inner surface of said second body member being substantially tapered proximate said first end in a direction inwardly towards the second end, wherein said lips are connected to said second end of said second body member, with said passage extending through both said second end and said tapered inner surface of said second body member;
• and
• means for dispensing said powder dose from said apparatus for pulmonary delivery to said subject.

An apparatus for pulmonary delivery of a powder dose to a subject, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving said powder dose;
• means for actuating said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose;
• valve means for permitting passage of said powder dose in a first direction upon actuation of said apparatus by said actuating means and for preventing passage of said powder dose in said first direction when said apparatus is not actuated;
• and
• means for dispensing said powder dose from said apparatus for pulmonary delivery to said subject, wherein said dispensing means is in connection with said valve means and includes means for delivering said powder dose to said subject, said dispensing means including a first fitting connected to said valve means and a second fitting connected to both said first fitting and said delivery means, wherein said first fitting includes an inner surface for delivering said powder dose to said second fitting and said second fitting includes an outer surface for connecting with said first fitting, wherein said first fitting comprises a male luer fitting and said second fitting comprising a female luer hub.

An apparatus for pulmonary delivery of a powder dose to a subject, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving said powder dose;
• means for actuating said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose;
• valve means for permitting passage of said powder dose in a first direction upon actuation of said apparatus by said actuating means and for preventing passage of said powder dose in said first direction when said apparatus is not actuated;
• and
• means for dispensing said powder dose from said apparatus for pulmonary delivery to said subject, wherein said actuating means comprises an amount of a gas introduced into said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose, with said apparatus further including means for regulating the introduction of said gas into said apparatus, wherein said regulating means comprises a substantially elongated member having a first end connected with said apparatus and an inner surface for receiving said gas from said actuating means, said regulating means further including an air guide, wherein said air guide is provided as part of the generally elongated member and includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough proximate said peripheral surface, said peripheral surface having a perimeter of predetermined length with said plurality of apertures being positioned proximate said peripheral surface substantially the entire perimeter thereof.

An apparatus for pulmonary delivery of a powder dose to a subject, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving said powder dose;
• means for actuating said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose;
• valve means for permitting passage of said powder dose in a first direction upon actuation of said apparatus by said actuating means and for preventing passage of said powder dose in said first direction when said apparatus is not actuated;
• and
• means for dispensing said powder dose from said apparatus for pulmonary delivery to said subject, wherein said actuating means comprises an amount of a gas introduced into said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose, with said apparatus further including means for regulating the introduction of said gas into said apparatus, wherein said regulating means comprises a substantially elongated member having a first end connected with said apparatus and an inner surface for receiving said gas from said actuating means, said regulating means further including an air guide proximate said first end of said elongated member, said air guide having a peripheral surface with at least one aperture extending through said air guide at a position proximate said peripheral surface for passing said gas, wherein said air guide comprises a body having an outer surface, a substantially annular ring member at spaced separation from and surrounding said outer body surface, with the aperture extending between the ring member and the outer body surface for permitting passage of said gas, a connecting member for attaching said outer body surface and said ring member, and a substantially elongated carrying member extending from said body and including a substantially annular groove adjacent its distal end for facilitating removal and insertion of said air guide.

An apparatus for pulmonary delivery of a powder dose to a subject, said apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving said powder dose;
• means for actuating said apparatus for delivery of said powder dose;
• valve means for permitting passage of said powder dose in a first direction upon actuation of said apparatus by said actuating means and for preventing passage of said powder dose in said first direction when said apparatus is not actuated;
• and
• means for dispensing said powder dose from said apparatus for pulmonary delivery to said subject, wherein said dispensing means includes a first fitting in engagement with said valve means and a second fitting connected to said first fitting, said first fitting including an inner surface for delivering said powder dose to said second fitting and said second fitting including an outer surface for connecting with said first fitting, said first fitting defining first and second ends, with said first end of said first fitting being in engagement with said valve means and said inner surface of said first fitting proximate said first end thereof being configured substantially tapered inwardly in the direction of the second end, wherein said second end of said first fitting is connected to said second fitting and said inner surface of said first fitting proximate said second end thereof is configured corresponding to said outer surface of said second fitting, whereby said outer surface of said second fitting is in flush engagement with said inner surface of said first fitting.