Medicament delivery and packaging

A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is configured for repeated use, and means are provided for introducing a container into the chamber and removing the container after use.

A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the motion of the container, in use, is epicyclic.

A method for the administration of a powdered medicament by inhalation, which method comprises:

• a) providing a container containing a unit dose of said powdered medicament, the container having at least one dispensing aperture and being cylindrical or substantially cylindrical in shape, the diameter of the container being greater than its depth and the container being formed from first and second cooperating components,
• b) providing a device having a chamber adapted to receive said container, the device further comprising air inlet means by which air may be drawn into the chamber and a mouthpiece by which air may be drawn out of the chamber, the chamber being substantially circular or annular in form, and
• c) generating an airstream within the chamber by drawing air from the chamber via the mouthpiece so as to cause the container to follow an orbital path within the chamber, powdered medicament thereby being dispensed from within the container via said at least one dispensing aperture, entrained in said airstream and withdrawn from the chamber.

A device for the administration of a powdered medicament to a patient by inhalation, which device has a chamber adapted to receive a container containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, the container having a dispensing aperture, air inlet means by which air may be drawn into the chamber and a mouthpiece by which air and entrained medicament may be drawn out of the chamber, wherein the chamber is substantially circular or annular in form and is provided with one or more formations effective to constrain, in use, the container to an orbital path within the chamber, said one or more formations comprising a spigot or the like in the centre of said chamber, and wherein the device is for single dose use and is supplied with the container of medicament incorporated into the device in such a way that the dispensing aperture is sealed, the container being released into the chamber, and the dispensing aperture thereby opened, by the patient immediately before use.

A cylindrical or substantially cylindrical container having at least one dispensing aperture, the diameter of the container being greater than its depth, the container being of a material which is substantially impermeable to moisture, the container being formed from first and second cooperating components, wherein said first cooperating component is of generally cylindrical construction and has an open end, said second cooperating component fitting closely within or about the open end of the first cooperating component, and the container having contents consisting essentially of a single unit dose of a powdered inhalation medicament.

A medicament package containing at least one unit dose of a non-pressurised, dry powdered inhalation medicament, said medicament package comprising a container which contains a unit dose of non-pressurised, dry powdered inhalation medicament and has at least one dispensing aperture, the container being of a material which is substantially impermeable to moisture, and a sealing means arranged to close the at least one dispensing aperture, wherein the sealing means comprises a planar support having an opening or recess within which the container is received such that the planar support overlies and closes the at least one dispensing aperture.

A cylindrical or substantially cylindrical container, the diameter of the container being greater than its depth, the container being formed from first and second cooperating components, wherein said first cooperating component is of generally cylindrical construction and has an open end, said second cooperating component fitting closely within or about the open end of the first cooperating component, and the container having contents consisting essentially of a single unit dose of a powdered inhalation medicament.

A system for the administration of a powdered medicament by inhalation, the system comprising a container containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, the container having at least one dispensing aperture and the container being formed from first and second cooperating components, and a device having a chamber adapted to receive said container, the device further comprising air inlet means by which air may be drawn into the chamber and a mouthpiece by which air and entrained medicament may be drawn out of the chamber, wherein the chamber is substantially circular or annular in form and, in use, the container follows an orbital path within the chamber, and wherein the air inlet means open into a peripheral wall of the chamber, which peripheral wall has a height, but said air inlet means have a depth which is less than said height so that at least part of said peripheral wall forms an uninterrupted annular surface.