Means For Controlling Gravity Flow Of Treating Agent From Holder Patents (Class 128/203.19)
  • Patent number: 11376378
    Abstract: A flow governor for use in a medicinal inhaler. The flow governor can include (i) a tubular element that defines at least a portion of an air flow path, the tubular element comprising at least one flexible wall configured to flex inwardly in response to an air flow in the air flow path; and (ii) an internal support structure, located within the tubular element and configured to preserve at least a predetermined cross-sectional area of the air flow path within the tubular element when the at least one flexible wall of the tubular element flexes inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KINDEVA DRUG DELIVERY, L.P.
    Inventors: Romain U. G. Guion, Christopher G. Blatchford, David J. Cottenden, Iain G. McDerment, Christopher B. J. Groombridge, Peter D. Hodson, John P. Bunting, Adam J. Stuart, Simon L. Calcutt, Stephanie Willis, Stephen Pitson
  • Publication number: 20150007817
    Abstract: A mixer-heater device provides controllable reduction in aerosol droplet size. Additionally, an intermittent delivery mode for administering an aerosol to a patient may take into account patient expiration and reduce aerosol losses without prolonging treatment time. Depositional losses in aerosol delivery systems may be reduced by streamlining the three dimensional geometry of conduits which change stream direction or flow path diameter. Ventilation systems may also benefit from streamlined components, in particular Y-connectors, with resulting advantages such as reduced rebreathed CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Virginia Commonwealth University
    Inventors: Philip Worth Longest, Michael Hindle
  • Patent number: 8739781
    Abstract: A powder medicine administering apparatus includes: an upper body including a lower surface, and a medicine storage chamber having an upper opening portion opened on the lower surface; a lower body including an upper surface, and a medicine receiving chamber which has a lower opening portion, and which is recessed in a downward direction from the lower opening portion. The lower body is relatively slid with respect to the upper body so that the lower surface of the upper body is slidably moved on the upper surface of the lower body to be switched between a connection state and a non-connection state. The medicine receiving chamber is arranged to be moved in a one section from the standby position to the discharge position so that entire of the lower opening portion of the medicine receiving chamber is within the upper opening portion of the upper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Dott Limited Company
    Inventors: Shigemi Nakamura, Hisatomo Ohki, Kazunori Ishizeki, Akira Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 8651103
    Abstract: The invention relates to dry powder inhalation apparatus usually operable by breath of a user which provides for controlled and smooth transfer of medicament during multiple actuations by a user. A mechanism of the apparatus for achieving this controlled and smooth transfer includes a device (4) normally held adjacent a reservoir for receiving medicament in a cup or receptacle (15) and which is generally movable transversely of a longitudinal axis of the apparatus to delivery channels of the apparatus. This bodily shifting of the device (4) is achieved by a yoke acting on an abutment (16) thereof. Spillage of medicament in the apparatus is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Norton Healthcare Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Barney, David O'Leary, Rachel Striebig
  • Patent number: 8636001
    Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mannkind Corporation
    Inventors: Chad C. Smutney, P. Spencer Kinsey, Carl R. Sahi, Benoit Adamo, John M. Polidoro, Scott McLean, Dennis Overfileld, Anthony Bryant, Tom He, Alfred Mann
  • Patent number: 8590531
    Abstract: A manifold for a medicament dispenser, where a manifold body defines a chimney with an inlet and an exit for directing airflow from the inlet to the exit, and a chamber with a chamber inlet and chamber exit. The chimney exit and the chamber inlet lie side-by-side each other such that when the open blister pocket of the blister pack is positioned adjacent thereto, the airflow may be directed from the chimney exit to the chamber inlet via the open blister pocket to entrain the medicament powder, enabling transport of powder in the airflow from chamber inlet to chamber outlet. The chimney creates turbulence in the airflow at the open blister pocket. The manifold comprises plural chimney exits, located at an angle relative to each other of from 150° to 30° such that, in use, plural airflow jets are directed at different and conflicting angles towards the open blister pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: Colin John Rouse, Richard Ian Walker
  • Patent number: 8567394
    Abstract: To provide an inhalation device which has improved use properties, particularly advanced moisture protection while in use, an inhalation device (1) for powder drugs is proposed comprising at least one storage chamber (13) for accommodating a plurality of drug powder doses and a dosing device which includes at least one dosing slider (15) which is movable approximately with a translatory movement in a dosing slider passage (16) at least from a filling position into an emptying position, wherein the inhalation device (1) further includes a device for inhalation-triggered automatic movement of the dosing slider (15) from its filling position into the emptying position and a return device for automatic movement of the dosing slider (15) back into the filling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Almirall, S.A.
    Inventors: Martin Herder, Gerhard Ludanek, Ingo Mett
  • Patent number: 8550070
    Abstract: An inhaler device includes an air conduit including a mouthpiece and a dosing means adapted to provide a dose of powder to the air conduit for entrainment in the stream of air. In the area downstream from the dosing means the wall of the air conduit is provided with a secondary air inlet extending to the direction of the mouthpiece such that the entry of secondary air occurs over an extended length of the air conduit downstream from the dosing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Orion Corporation
    Inventors: Kari Seppälä, Terhi Mattila, Kalle Purma, Markku Härkönen
  • Patent number: 8528548
    Abstract: An inhaler (1) is proposed for inhaling a preparation (2) from a carrier (3) and/or through a delivery channel (16) as depicted in exemplary FIG. 1. The carrier or delivery channel is preferably flexible, flat, band-shaped, strip-shaped, thread-like, blister-like and/or film-like and can be set in vibration by a stream of air (5). The carrier or delivery channel is preferably set in vibration by a separate element (6), which for its part is set in motion or vibration by the stream of air. Alternatively, or in addition, the inhaler has a pump (10) with a telescopic pump chamber (20) for generating a stream of air for expelling and/or dispersing a preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Kladders
  • Patent number: 8528550
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for transferring a liquid, such as a liquid anesthetic, from a reservoir to a machine while minimizing the release of the liquid to the surrounding environment. The apparatus can include a first component having a through-hole, and a second component having an aperture, a support member extending into the aperture having a protrusion configured to be capable of sealing the through-hole, wherein a fluid in the reservoir may exit the reservoir by way of the through-hole and the aperture, wherein twisting the first component and second component relative to each other causes the protrusion to seal or unseal the through-hole thereby allowing or preventing the flow of fluid. A portion of the exterior surface of the second component can have a polygonal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Piramal Critical Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cuzyldo, Michael Ide
  • Publication number: 20130228177
    Abstract: A CPAP humidifier system includes an air pump, a humidifier tank, a control valve, and an auxiliary reservoir. The humidifier tank has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. The air inlet opening fluidly connects to the air pump, and the air outlet opening fluidly connects to an air mask. The control valve is attached to the air outlet opening and defines both an air outlet passageway and a liquid inlet passageway. The auxiliary reservoir fluidly connects to the liquid inlet passageway for providing liquid to the humidifier tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald Schueller
  • Patent number: 8517009
    Abstract: A pulmonary drug delivery device having one or more vortexing elements which impart beneficial flow characteristics to an inspiratory air flow carrying a medicament into the patient's lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Prashant Kakade
  • Patent number: 8499757
    Abstract: A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: MannKind Corporation
    Inventors: Chad C. Smutney, P. Spencer Kinsey, Carl R. Sahi, Benoit Adamo, John M. Polidoro, Scott McLean, Dennis Overfield, Anthony Bryant
  • Patent number: 8479729
    Abstract: A device for inhalation of at least one air stream carrying a dose of medicament powder is provided. The device includes a flow passage passing a powder-containing cavity. A part of said flow passage propagates along a generally flat surface region. The flat surface region includes a cavity opening into said powder-containing cavity. The passing of an air stream along said flat surface region and outside said cavity generates an eddy in the cavity and the generated eddy contributes to deaggregation of the powder in said cavity and emptying of the powder from said cavity. Furthermore, a shear driven cavity principle is used in conjunction with such a device and a method of releasing medicament powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Orest Lastow, Johan Remmelgas
  • Patent number: 8474454
    Abstract: A dispensing device has a storage device and an air pump for dispensing a medical formulation. The storage device has multiple inserts, each insert containing a single dose of the formulation. Each insert is located in a separate and sealed cavity. The cavities can be individually opened for dispensing the respective dose from the respective insert by a connecting element that is moveable relative to the inserts for individually supplying air from a air pump to a respective one of the receptacles. A manually operated actuator is radially moveable to operate the air pump and to rotate the storage device to the next receptacle, and/or radially move the connecting element to individually open the respective receptacle, and to connect the pump to the respective receptacle and/or to push an insert out of the respective receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Rohrschneider, Stephen T. Dunne, Matthias Vehdelmann
  • Patent number: 8474452
    Abstract: An fluid sensor to activate and control various components of an inhalation device. The fluid sensor includes an acoustic element, such as a microphone, positioned within said inhalation device to detect fluid within the device and output signals representative of the frequency, direction and/or amplitude of the fluid. These signals control and activate an electrostatic plate and/or a high frequency vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microdose Therapeutx, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand V. Gumaste, John Bowers
  • Patent number: 8448635
    Abstract: A discharge head 10 (in illustrated embodiments) for discharging droplets from discharge ports can withstand high water pressure and is provided with a first orifice plate 3 having first discharge ports 3a and a second orifice plate 6 having second discharge ports. The first orifice plate 3 and the second orifice plate 6 are separated from each other in the liquid discharge direction of the discharge head 10 and disposed opposite to each other. The diameter of the discharge ports of the second orifice plate 6 is smaller than the diameter of the discharge ports 3a of the first orifice plate 3 so that very fine droplets 9 are discharged from the discharge head 10 as the liquid discharged from the discharge ports 3a of the first orifice plate 3 is split by the second discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Fukumoto, Masaya Kobayashi, Masaru Sugita
  • Patent number: 8439033
    Abstract: A dry inhaler system includes a vibrating mechanism. A supply of a dry powder is operatively coupled to the vibrating mechanism. A power source communicates with the vibrating mechanism. A sensor communicates with the vibrating mechanism. A feedback control communicates with the sensor and the power source. The feedback control controls power delivered to the vibrating mechanism relative to information provided by the sensor about the performance of the vibrating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Microdose Therapeutx, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Gumaste, Henri Akouka
  • Patent number: 8397717
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhaler with a novel mouthpiece having a microbiological protective function. The inhalers are used for administration of a pharmaceutical substance, substance formulation or substance mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Geser, Burkhard Metzger
  • Patent number: 8397718
    Abstract: An inhaler which comprises a base having at least one sealed cavity containing medicament and a foil portion comprising two sides, one side being attached to the base for sealing the medicament within the cavity. A separating element is attached to the other side of the foil portion for separating the foil portion from the cavity, the separating element having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the separating element is movable to an intermediate tilted position in which said first end is moved-away from the cavity. The separating element is further movable from the intermediate tilted position to a removed position in which also said second end is moved-away from the cavity so that the foil portion is removed from the cavity which is thereby uncovered so that medicament contained therein is enabled to become entrained in a fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventor: Orest Lastow
  • Patent number: 8393322
    Abstract: An inhaler which comprises a base having a plurality of consecutive sealed cavities containing medicament. Foil portions are on one side attached to the base for sealing the medicament within respective associated cavities. A plurality of separating elements are attached to the other side of the foil portions, each separating element being associated with a respective cavity for separating a foil portion from that cavity. Each separating element can be moved-away from its associated cavity so that the sealing foil portion is separated from the cavity which is thereby uncovered so that medicament contained therein is enabled to become entrained in a fluid flow, and then returned with the attached foil portion to cover its associated cavity. A method of operating an inhaler is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventor: Orest Lastow
  • Patent number: 8322336
    Abstract: An inhaler comprising: at least one cover element (11, 12); individual reservoirs formed on a substrate; support means (50) that are movable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; reservoir-opening means (80); displacement means (30) for displacing said reservoir substrate in a first direction, said reservoir substrate also being displaceable between said non-dispensing position and said dispensing position in which said opening means open a respective reservoir; loading means (51) for urging said movable support means towards said dispensing position; blocking means (100) for retaining said movable support means in the non-dispensing position; trigger means (60) that are actuated by inhalation; and connection means (1000) for displacing said reservoir substrate in said first direction when said at least one cover element is displaced, said connection means being activated while said movable support means are being displaced towards said dispensing position while the user is inhaling, an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aptar France SAS
    Inventors: Andrew Gordon Pocock, Stuart Brian William Kay, Paul Greenhalgh, Wayne O'Hara, Xavier Donnette
  • Patent number: 8276587
    Abstract: A hand-held, automated qualitative fit tester (QLFT) for establishing gas mask fit integrity. The automated QLFT may be configured to utilize a pressure source in combination with a cartridge and a nebulizer to generate aerosols having size distributions and concentrations that are substantially the same as OSHA-approved manual units. The QLFT may further include a cartridge that contains the aerosol solution used to test mask integrity. The cartridge may be configured to recapture solution that collects on the interior walls of the nebulizer. The automated QLFT may also be equipped with a microprocessor for executing sequences that are in substantive compliance with 29 CFR 1910.134 and for writing to a data storage device. The automated aspects of the invention can reduce or negate the need for operating personnel to repeatedly and manually actuate a squeeze ball and record results manually, as is required with present OSHA-approved hand-held aerosol generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: TSI, Incorporated
    Inventors: Hai Zhang, Will Zanto, Qian Shi, Greg Olson, Phillip Poeschl, Vincent Majkowski, Stuart J. Olstad
  • Patent number: 8261739
    Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a main airflow path including a cyclone chamber (16) having an air inlet and being so shaped that at least a part of the chamber decreases in cross-sectional area in a direction away from the air inlet, so as thereby in use to set up a reverse flow cyclone in the chamber. A bypass airflow path (8) bypasses the cyclone chamber and the main and bypass airflow paths communicate with a mouthpiece (6). The cyclone chamber may be provided by a part (22) which is removable from the rest of the inhaler for regular replacement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cambridge Consultants Limited
    Inventors: David Stuart Harris, Simon James Smith
  • Patent number: 8251059
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a powder inhaler enabling the user to complete powder drug inhalation with fewer steps, for improved user convenience. A powder inhaler of the present invention comprises: a housing 1A having an admission port 2f on one end; a supplier having a drug-discharging hole, provided inside the housing 1A with a capacity sufficient to contain plural doses of a fine powder drug; a drug carrier having a measurement concave portion for receiving a single dose of a drug from the drug-discharging hole, the drug carrier being supported inside the housing 1A while being movable between a drug-receiving position for allowing drug supply from the drug-discharging hole to the measurement concave portion, and a drug-inhalation position for allowing drug inhalation from the measurement concave portion through the admission port; a cover cap C2 pivotably mounted to the housing 1A; and a vibrating means 60 brought into operation by pivoting the cover cap C2 so as to vibrate the supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Otsuka Techno Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Nishibayashi, Shintaro Adachi, Tetsuya Sato, Takaaki Nakao
  • Patent number: 8205613
    Abstract: A preferably pulverulent formulation to be dosed is received in a dosing chamber having a partly gas-permeable wall. The introduction and discharge of the formulation is achieved by means of a pumping device that alternately generates a negative pressure and an excess pressure in the dosing chamber. The dosing chamber can also be displaced between a receiving position and a discharge position by means of a piston, the piston controlling the negative and excess pressure in the dosing chamber. Furthermore, the size of the dosing chamber is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Kladders
  • Patent number: 8201555
    Abstract: A dry powder inhaler (101) comprises an inhaler body (110), including an air passageway, and a medicament container (120). The medicament container (120) holds a dose of medicament and is provided with at least one dispensing aperture (123) through which the medicament may be drawn from the medicament container (120). The medicament container (120) is displaceable from a first position, in which the dispensing aperture (123) is occluded, to a second position, in which the dispensing aperture (123) is open and air is able to flow along the air passageway. When the medicament container (120) is in the first position, the air passageway is occluded by the medicament container (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Brintech International Limited
    Inventor: Brinda Paul Singh Chawla
  • Patent number: 8196577
    Abstract: A dispensing device has a storage device and an air pump for dispensing a medical formulation. The storage device has multiple inserts, each insert containing a single dose of the formulation. Each insert is located in a separate and sealed cavity. The cavities can be individually opened for dispensing the respective dose from the respective insert by a pressurizing gas via a connecting element that is moveable relative to the inserts for individually supplying pressurized gas to a respective one of the receptacles. A mechanism is provided for preventing a back stroke of the connecting element during supplying of the pressurizing gas and dispensing of the formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Internatinal GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Rohrschneider, Stephen T. Dunne
  • Patent number: 8151793
    Abstract: A device for inhalation of at least one air stream carrying a dose of medicament powder is provided. The device includes a flow passage passing a powder-containing cavity. A part of said flow passage propagates along a generally flat surface region. The flat surface region includes a cavity opening into said powder-containing cavity. The passing of an air stream along said flat surface region and outside said cavity generates an eddy in the cavity and the generated eddy contributes to deaggregation of the powder in said cavity and emptying of the powder from said cavity. Furthermore, a shear driven cavity principle is used in conjunction with such a device and a method of releasing medicament powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Astrazeneca AB
    Inventors: Orest Lastow, Johan Remmelgas
  • Patent number: 8132565
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inhalator (1) for powdery substances (33), especially medical substances. The inhalator comprises a substance reservoir chamber (27) and a metering chamber (34). The metering chamber is configured as a crossbore (35) of a rod (36) and can be displaced from a filling position (B) to a discharge position (E), in which discharge position (E) the metering chamber (34) is positioned in an air flow channel (21). The aim of the invention is to improve said inhalator, especially with regard to the filling or emptying of its metering chamber, even when particles of smallest dust-like grain size are used. For this purpose, at least a part of the reservoir chamber wall (28) is displaced in the direction of the rod (36) when the inhalator (1) is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Alfred Von Schuckmann
  • Patent number: 8066002
    Abstract: There is provided a manifold for use in a medicament dispenser device for the delivery of medicament powder from an open blister pocket of a blister pack. The manifold comprises a body, the body defining a chimney having a chimney inlet and a chimney exit for directing airflow from the chimney inlet to the chimney exit; the body further defining a chamber having a chamber inlet and a chamber exit. The chimney exit and said chamber inlet lie side-by-side each other such that when said open blister pocket of said blister pack is positioned adjacent thereto said airflow may be directed from the chimney exit to the chamber inlet via the open blister pocket to entrain said medicament powder and enable transport thereof in the airflow from the chamber inlet to said chamber outlet. The manifold is arranged such as to delay the emptying of the medicament powder from the blister pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: David Prime, Richard Ian Walker
  • Patent number: 8051851
    Abstract: In order to improve the security and reliability of administration of powdered pharmaceuticals through dry powder inhalers, the invention proposes an inhaler (1) for powdered medicaments, comprising an activating device (4) for manual engagement by the patient for repeatedly metering a dose of medicament to be administered to the patient, and further comprising an advancing mechanism (25) for advancing a counter or indexing means (8) each time the activating device (4) has been engaged by the patient so that a dose of medicament has been released for administration to the patient, wherein the counter or indexing means (8) comprises an index (9), the index (9) being detectable by a detection means (10) of the inhaler, and the detection means (10) being coupled to a locking mechanism (12), the locking mechanism (12) blocking the activating device (4) and/or any transportation mechanism (5) of the inhaler (1) delayed by a predetermined number of metering cycles since detection of the index (9), and a cartridge (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sofotec GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Herder, Ingo Mett, Joachim Goede
  • Patent number: 8015969
    Abstract: A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system delivering the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber with a single impulse of manual force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The nebulizer can be operated without disassembling the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber and without manually opening the liquid medication container and, without spillage and without manual pouring of the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber, and without reassembling the nebulizer housing before positioning the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication. The delivery system includes a pressure burstable seal at one end of the capsule, which is burst by the application of force against the opposite end of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Abrams
  • Patent number: 8006694
    Abstract: A respiratory etiquette device in the form of a mask that can be held in a compacted configuration within the pocket or purse of a user. When released, the mask springs open to its erected configuration and can be quickly placed over the mouth and nose of a wearer to contain a cough or sneeze. Rapid springing open of the mask is achieved by using a plastic core having an array of external bubbles that rapidly regain their shape when the mask is released, thereby forcing the entire mask into its fully erected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Gustav David Marx
  • Patent number: 8006690
    Abstract: An inhaler includes an accurate and consistent mechanical dose metering system that dispenses dry powdered medicament in discrete amounts or doses for patient inhalation, a pressure relief system that manages pressure within a medicament reservoir of the inhaler to ensure consistently dispensed doses, and a dose counting system indicating the number of doses dispensed by or remaining in the inhaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Norton Healthcare Ltd
    Inventor: David O'Leary
  • Patent number: 7997265
    Abstract: A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system delivering the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber with a single impulse of manual force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The nebulizer can be operated without disassembling the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber and without manually opening the liquid medication container and, without spillage and without manual pouring of the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber, and without reassembling the nebulizer housing before positioning the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication. The delivery system includes a pressure burstable seal at one end of the capsule, which is burst by the application of force against the opposite end of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Abrams
  • Patent number: 7984713
    Abstract: The invention relates to a powder inhaler (1) with mouthpiece (2) for dispersing pharmaceutical medicament formulations, which comprises an auxiliary energy source in the form of a pressure medium system (3), having a device for supplying (6) a powder formulation (7), while on activation of the pressure medium system a gaseous pressure medium (8) released by the pressure medium system (3) forms an aerosol (9) with the powder formulation (7) such that the powder particles are present in the gaseous pressure medium (8) in dispersed form. This is achieved by means of a powder inhaler (1) comprising a multi-channel nozzle, the channels of which are inclined to one another at an angle such that the aerosol jets flowing through them meet one another downstream behind the nozzle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Hochrainer, Stephen Terence Dunne, Georg Boeck, Joerg Schiewe
  • Patent number: 7980243
    Abstract: A cartridge for propellant-free administration of a liquid pharmaceutical composition by inhalation includes: an elongate displacing device including an upper end and a lower end, the lower end for at least partial insertion into a container; a cartridge chamber disposed at the lower end of the displacing device and operable store a pharmaceutical formulation, the cartridge chamber including at least one pierceably sealed opening; and a cannula guide extending from the upper end of the displacing device to the cartridge chamber, wherein insertion of a cannula through the guide pierces the sealed opening and releases the pharmaceutical formulation into a liquid solvent in the container to form the liquid pharmaceutical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Dieter Hochrainer
  • Patent number: 7958890
    Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater airflow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Quadrant Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Andrew W. Gieschen, Michael Ligotke, Jeffrey Chen, Charles F. Ganem, Bernard Greenspan
  • Patent number: 7954492
    Abstract: To improve administration of powdered pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical powder cartridge (1) for powder inhalers for holding a pharmaceutical depot for a large number of pharmaceutical powder doses is proposed, having at least one storage space (6) and an integrated metering device, said integrated metering device comprising at least one metering slide (9, 13, 14) which can be moved approximately transversely in a metering slide channel (12) at least from a filling position to an emptying position, approximately transversely with respect to the direction of flow of the pharmaceutical powder out from the at least one storage space (6), said metering slide channel (12) with the at least one metering slide (9, 13, 14) being sealed off from the environment at least in the filling position of the metering slide (9, 13, 14), and also further measures and a corresponding inhaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Almirall, S.A.
    Inventors: Joachim Goede, Martin Herder, Karl-Heinz Lange, Meike Eilbracht
  • Patent number: 7934498
    Abstract: A device and method for facilitating the delivery of medication/humidity to a patient without breaking a ventilator circuit that contains a two-position flow control valve in the circuit, so as to permit manual switching from a first position in which humidified air/oxygen will be supplied to a patient and a second position in which atomized medication will be supplied to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Heidelberger
  • Patent number: 7905230
    Abstract: An aerosolization device comprises a housing, a container comprising a reservoir storing a pharmaceutical formulation which comprises a propellant, and a metering valve. The metering valve is in communication with the reservoir and is moveable into the container to an actuated position where a predetermined amount of the pharmaceutical formulation is released. A contact member is provided in the housing. In one version, the contact member is moveable between a first position and a second position to allow for selective actuation of the metering valve. In another version, the contact member's configuration may be changed to allow for selective actuation of the metering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Carlos A. Schuler, William Alston
  • Patent number: 7886780
    Abstract: A reservoir for an anesthetic vaporizer is disclosed herein. The reservoir includes an open interior and a high-pressure channel in communication with the open interior. The high-pressure channel is configured to transfer an anesthetic agent from a storage container into the open interior when a pressure level within the storage container exceeds a pressure level within the open interior. The reservoir also includes a low-pressure channel in communication with the open interior. The low-pressure channel is configured to transfer the anesthetic agent from the storage container into the open interior when the pressure level within the storage container is less than or approximately equal to the pressure level within the open interior. The low-pressure channel and the high-pressure channel are configured to prevent the open interior from being overfilled with the anesthetic agent under conditions wherein the pressure level within the storage container exceeds the pressure level within the open interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John C. Falligant, Steven Alan Jandl, Brian David Paap
  • Patent number: 7878197
    Abstract: A nasal comfort device provides humidified air to the nasal passages of a user. The device, which is attachable to a user's face, may include an evaporative surface and a reservoir that is fluidically connected to the evaporative surface. The reservoir may be positioned remotely from the evaporative surface and connected to the evaporative surface with a conduit. A support structure may include one or more support arms which maintain the evaporative surface below the nose. In some embodiments, the device may filter air instead of, or in addition to, humidifying the air. Medications or other agents may be included in the liquid being evaporated or on the evaporative surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Frank L. Christy, Stephen C. Keiser, Richard L. Miller, Benjamin Powers, Peter H. Swai
  • Patent number: 7841340
    Abstract: A powder inhaler for administering powder by inhalation, comprising: a flow path defined by a plurality of surfaces through which a stream of air is in use drawn on inhalation by a user; and dosing means (18) for providing a dose of powder to the flow path for entrainment in the stream of air; characterized in that the inhaler further comprises dislodging means for dislodging powder accumulated on a surface of the flow path downstream of the dosing means (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Jan Andersson, Allan Dagsland, Hans Strid, Jan Trofast, Stefan Friess, Harald Heckenmueller, Uwe Rollwage, Volker Tiedemann, John Conway
  • Patent number: 7802570
    Abstract: A drug transfer system is adapted to transfer a powdered drug into a patient via inhalation. The drug transfer system includes a drug container or packet that removably inserts into an inhaler device. As the patient inhales from the inhaler device, the drug flows from the container, through the inhaler device, and into the patient's respiratory system. The system is adapted for ease of use without requiring the user to perform any cumbersome manipulations of the drug packet during insertion into the inhaler or during inhalation of the drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Breathe Pharmaceuticals
    Inventor: Mark B. Mecikalski
  • Patent number: 7793655
    Abstract: A cartridge for propellant-free administration of a liquid pharmaceutical composition by inhalation includes: an elongate displacing device including an upper end and a lower end, the lower end for at least partial insertion into a container; a cartridge chamber disposed at the lower end of the displacing device and operable store a pharmaceutical formulation, the cartridge chamber including at least one pierceably sealed opening; and a cannula guide extending from the upper end of the displacing device to the cartridge chamber, wherein insertion of a cannula through the guide pierces the sealed opening and releases the pharmaceutical formulation into a liquid solvent in the container to form the liquid pharmaceutical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Hochrainer
  • Patent number: 7708011
    Abstract: A dry powder inhaler (1) is to be made available, with which a particle size and particle size distribution preferred for inhalation are to be achieved and by means of which as high a line particle fraction as possible is to be realized. This is achieved by means of a dry powder inhaler (1 ) that is characterized in that provided in the inhaler (1) is a nozzle (10) through which the aerosol (9) flows before leaving the inhaler (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Hochrainer, Joerg Schiewe, Bernd Zierenberg, Stephen Dunne
  • Patent number: 7658721
    Abstract: A drug delivery device that aerosolizes a dry powder formulation so that it forms a fine coating in the oral cavity and, more specifically in the sublingual region of the oral cavity is described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the device contains five main parts: (i) a compressed gas canister, (ii) a dispenser body (also referred to herein as the main housing ), (iii) a means for storing one or more doses of a drug formulation, (iv) a means for releasing a dose of the drug formulation such as a gas canister or spring piston and (v) a mouthpiece. Preferred configurations include circular, tubular, and rectangular. The means for storing the drug formulation may be configured to separately store one or more materials. In one embodiment, the means for storing the active agent is in the form of one or more drug discs, where the drug discs contain a plurality of blister packs, each storing one dose of the drug formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Biodel Inc.
    Inventors: Solomon S. Steiner, Craig Brown, Roderike Pohl, Trent Poole, Erik Steiner
  • Patent number: RE45404
    Abstract: Improvement for the device to deliver the powdery medicine into nasal cavities in which a capsule setting/detaching part 40 is built drawably in the capsule housing/holding part 30, and cutting blades 60A, 60B are built in both axial ends of the capsule setting/detaching part 40 of the capsule housing/holding part 30 for cutting both axial ends of the capsule thereby perforating the capsule. A medicine capturing/collecting part 32 and a one-way valve 33 are built in a lower portion of the capsule housing/holding part 30, and a pump 50 having an air inlet valve 54 is built in the air flow inlet side thereof. A medicine delivery part 20 is built in the air exit of the capsule housing/holding part 30, a nozzle 22 is installed and medicine in the capsule can be dosed to the nasal cavities of the user by pressing the pump 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Shin Nippon biomedical Laboratories, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Tsutsui