# US 8,783,249 B2 · Inhalation apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,249 B2 - Document ID: US8783249B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/437,840 - Filed: 2012-04-02 - Published: 2012-10-04 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2002-03-20 - Assignees: MannKind Corporation - Applicants: Poole Trent; Solomon S. Steiner - Inventors: Poole Trent; Solomon S. Steiner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783249B2 ## CPC - A61M 15/0093: {without arming or cocking, e.g. acting directly on the delivery valve} - A61K 9/14: Particulate form, e.g. powders, {Processes for size reducing of pure drugs or the resulting products, Pure drug nanoparticles (microspheres A61K9/16; microcapsules A61K9/50; nanocapsules, nanoparticles of the matrix type A61K9/51)} - A61M 15/0021: {Mouthpieces therefor} - A61M 15/0025: {with caps} - A61M 15/0028: {using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up} - A61M 15/06: Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes - A61M 2202/064: Powder - A61M 2205/12: with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit - A61M 2206/16: Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows - 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)} - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) ## Abstract An inhaler is instantly activated upon its removal from a cover or cover unit, and by rotating a cartridge component of the inhaler with respect to a mouthpiece portion, so as to create a flow pathway for ambient air and particles. The cartridge component includes a chamber, whose contents typically include dry powders or the like. Upon creation of the flow pathway, the contents of the chamber are instantly accessible for immediate inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inhaler comprising: a mouthpiece; and a cartridge including a single chamber for storing an inhalable substance shaped to create vortices within the chamber; wherein the mouthpiece and the cartridge are engaged and configured to be rotatable from a first position wherein the chamber is closed to a second position wherein a flow pathway is formed from the ambient environment through the chamber to the mouthpiece; and wherein the mouthpiece includes detents having edges not allowing a movement back to the first position and wherein the inhaler is a onetime use inhaler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, additionally comprising a mouthpiece cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The inhaler of claim 2, wherein the mouthpiece cover and the cartridge include cooperatingly configured structures for retaining the cover in an engagement with the cartridge, once the cover has been placed on the cartridge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the inhalable substance is a dry powder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the dry powder is a bioactive molecule encapsulated in diketopiperizine microparticles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprises at least one protrusion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprises two or more grooves. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1 further including a removable cover extending over an inlet opening into the cartridge and an opening on the mouthpiece. ### Claim 9 A method for inhaling a substance, the method comprising: inhaling the substance from an inhaler comprising: a mouthpiece; and a cartridge including a single chamber for storing an inhalable substance shaped to create vortices within the chamber; wherein the mouthpiece and the cartridge are engaged and rotated from a first position wherein the chamber is closed to the ambient environment to a second position wherein a flow pathway is formed from the ambient environment through the chamber to the mouthpiece; and wherein the mouthpiece includes detents having edges not allowing a movement back to the first position and wherein the inhaler is a onetime use inhaler. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, additionally comprising a mouthpiece cover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the mouthpiece cover and the cartridge include cooperatingly configured structures for retaining the cover in an engagement with the cartridge, once the cover has been placed on the cartridge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the substance is a dry powder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the dry powder is a bioactive molecule encapsulated in diketopiperizine microparticles. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the chamber further comprises at least one protrusion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the chamber further comprises two or more grooves. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the inhaler further includes a removable cover extending over an inlet opening into the cartridge and an opening on the mouthpiece.