Inhaler valve mechanism
AssigneeThe Technology Partnership PLC
InventorsGraham Scott Gutsell, Nicholas John Bowman, Iain Grierson McDerment, Patrick James Campbell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A valve mechanism is provided for use in an inhaler comprising a pressurized container, and a metering chamber, and a valve mechanism wherein the inlet and outlet valves are separate and can be operated independently. The pressure of the fluid in the canister is used to aid the opening of the outer valve so reducing the force to fire a dose. A variant of the valve mechanism allows the user to select from a range of dose volumes by appropriate orientation of the stem.
Claims14
A valve mechanism for use in an inhaler comprising a pressurised container and a metering chamber, the valve mechanism comprising:
- a first valve member arranged to be positioned between the pressurised container and the metering chamber, the first valve member being movable between a closed position in which the container is closed, and an open position in which the container is open to the metering chamber, the first valve member being biassed to remain in the first position by the pressure in the container;
- and
- a second valve member movable between a rest position in which the metering chamber is closed, a metering position in which the valve member actuates the opening of the first valve member to enable a metered dose of medicament to be dispensed into the metering chamber, and an open position in which the metering chamber is open to allow medicament to be inhaled.
A valve mechanism according to any of the preceding claims wherein the two valves cannot be opened simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.