# US 7,461,653 B2 · Single dose inhaler

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- Number: US 7,461,653 B2
- Document ID: US7461653B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/530,966
- Filed: 2003-10-13
- Published: 2006-03-23
- Granted: 2008-12-09
- Earliest claimed: 2002-10-16
- Inventors: Roberto Oliva
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7461653B2

## CPC

- A61M 15/0028: {using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up}
- A61M 15/0038: {Cutting means}
- A61M 2202/064: Powder
- 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

An inhalator composed of a main body affording an inhalation conduit; a second body exhibiting a housing, into which a capsule can be at least partially inserted; the second body being rotatably coupled with the main body, and being able to rotate from an open position, in which the housing is accessible from outside for insertion of a capsule, and a closed position, in which the housing is in communication with the inhalation conduit; means for cutting off a portion of a capsule which projects from the housing during rotation of the second body from the open position to the closed position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An inhalator for single-dose mixtures in capsules comprising a main body having an inhalation conduit, wherein the main body comprises a first surface which extends planar and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the inhalation conduit and exhibits a hole for communication with the inhalation conduit; the inhalator also comprises a second body which exhibits a second surface, shaped complementarily to the first surface and placed in contact with the first surface, on which first surface a housing is fashioned, into which housing a capsule can be at least partially inserted; the second body being rotatably coupled with the main body, and being able to rotate from an open position, in which the housing is accessible from outside for insertion of a capsule, and a closed position, in which the housing is aligned with the hole; the inhalator also comprises cutting means for cutting off a portion of a capsule which projects from the housing during rotation of the second body from the open position to the closed position, said means for cutting comprising a cutting edge arranged peripherally on the first surface, a cut portion of said capsule remaining external of the inhalator.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The inhalator of claim 1, wherein the first surface exhibits an overall shape which is a segment of a circle, with an apex thereof located in an intermediate position with respect to a longitudinal development of the inhalation conduit and comprises a pivot which is perpendicular to the first surface and arranged at the apex of the first surface, and a guide spur which is perpendicular to the first surface and arranged along an arced edge of the first surface, the guide spur having an undercut and a strike surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The inhalator of claim 2, wherein the means for cutting comprise a cutting edge, arranged peripherally on the first surface and having a sawtooth profile.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The inhalator of claim 3, wherein the inhalation conduit exhibits a first mouth for aspiration of air from an outside environment, which first mouth is arranged on the first surface, and a second mouth for inhalation of a single-dose medicinal mixture, the hole being arranged on the first surface in an intermediate position between the first mouth and the second mouth.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The inhalator of claim 4, wherein the inhalation conduit exhibits a longitudinal section which is essentially a venturi tube, the hole being arranged in a narrowed, gullet section thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The inhalator of claim 5, wherein the hole internally comprises a baffle arranged across a diameter of the hole.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The inhalator of claim 6, wherein the second body comprises a seating which faces the second surface, which seating can be inserted on the pivot to realize a rotatable coupling between the main body and the second body in which the first surface and the second surface are in reciprocal contact and slide one upon another; a ledge, fashioned along an edge of the second body, which ledge is complementarily shaped with respect to the undercut of the guide spur and which ledge is predisposed to interact contactingly with the undercut; a ledge strike surface which is perpendicular to a longitudinal development of the ledge and which is arranged at an end of the ledge, the ledge strike surface being destined to strike against the strike surface situated on the guide spur; a transversal maneuvering surface, perpendicular to the second surface, which extends on an opposite side of the second body with respect to the second surface.