Dry powder dispersing apparatus and methods for their use

A method for aerosolizing a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle, the method comprising:

• receiving the receptacle in a carriage assembly;
• releasing an interlock from the carriage assembly when a handle is extended a predetermined amount;
• producing a charge of pressurized gas when the handle is retracted;
• and
• aerosolizing the powdered medicament with the pressurized gas when a button is operated.

An apparatus for aerosolizing a powdered medicament, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a pressurization cylinder;
• a piston slidable within the cylinder, wherein the piston is pivotally attached to the housing;
• and
• a handle operative to cause relative movement between the cylinder and the piston to pressurize a gas within the cylinder;
• whereby the pressurized gas may be used to aerosolize a powder medicament.

A system for aerosolizing a powdered medicament, the system comprising:

• a carriage having an opening to receive a receptacle having a powdered medicament;
• an aerosolizing mechanism to aerosolize the medicament in the receptacle upon delivery of the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism by the carriage;
• and
• an interlock which is movable to engage the carriage to prevent movement of the carriage toward the aerosolizing mechanism, wherein the interlock engages the carriage when the receptacle is not properly inserted into the carriage.

A method for supplying a powdered medicament to a patient, the method comprising:

• dispersing a powdered medicament within a capture chamber;
• delivering the powdered medicament to the patient from the capture chamber during inhalation by the patient;
• and
• allowing air to enter the capture chamber in a manner such that the powdered medicament is extracted from the chamber followed by the entering air, the flow of the entering air being regulated.

A method for supplying a powdered medicament to a patient, the method comprising:

• dispersing a powdered medicament within a capture chamber;
• delivering the powdered medicament to the patient from the capture chamber during inhalation by the patient;
• and
• allowing air to enter the capture chamber and diverting the entering air into channels with an air flow divided as the powdered medicament is extracted from the capture chamber.