Abstract:
The present invention relates to inhaler devices and bespoke pharmaceutical dry powder composition to be dispensed using such inhaler devices for pulmonary administration. In particular, the present invention relates to the provision of passive inhaler devices and dry powder compositions which are specifically formulated and prepared to be efficiently dispensed by such devices to reproducibly achieve a high delivered dose of the pharmaceutically active agent.
Abstract:
An inhaler comprising a housing defining a chamber to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters each containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user is disclosed. It comprises an inhaler comprising a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters, each blister having a puncturable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, a mouthpiece mounted to the housing and through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user, a blister piercing member mounted for rotation about a first axis and an actuating mechanism including an actuating lever mounted for rotation about a second axis to sequentially move each blister into alignment with the blister piercing member, wherein the actuating lever cooperates with the blister piercing member so that the blister piercing member pivots about said first axis in response to rotation of the actuating member from an initial position about the second axis to puncture the lid of an aligned blister so an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it, via the mouthpiece, into the user's airway when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. The inhaler comprises an actuating lever load control member to control the force that must be applied to the actuating lever to cause it to rotate from its initial position such that a biasing force is applied to the actuating lever throughout all, or at least a substantial portion of, the stroke of the actuating lever.
Abstract:
Dry powder inhalers include: (a) a first generally planar spiral travel path in an inhaler body, wherein the first spiral travel path has a plurality of adjacent curvilinear channels forming lanes with upstanding sidewalls, including an inner lane and an outer lane; and (b) a plurality of discrete sealed microcartridges with substantially rigid bodies disposed in the first travel path, each comprising a pre-metered (typically dose) amount of dry powder, the microcartridges being configured to slidably advance along the first travel path toward an inhalation chamber that merges into an inhalation output port. In operation, at least one microcartridge is held in the inhalation chamber to release the dry powder therein during inhalation.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are described for use with a portion of plant material (32) that includes at least one active ingredient. A vaporizing unit (21) includes a heating element (36) configured to heat the plant material, and a sensor (35) configured to detect an indication of airflow rate through the vaporizing unit. Control circuitry (34) is configured to receive an indication of the airflow rate through the vaporizing unit, and, in response thereto, to determine a smoking profile that is desired by the user. The control circuitry drives the heating element to vaporize the active ingredient of the plant material by heating the plant material according to the determined smoking profile. The control circuitry dynamically updates the smoking profile in response to changes in airflow rate over the course of a smoking session. Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a blister strip (150) which is intended to be used in an inhaler. The invention comprises: one layer in the form of a strip (152), a plurality of blisters (160) which are formed in the strip layer (152), a dose of a pharmaceutical compound in each of said blisters (160), a cover layer (154) which is fixed to the strip layer (152) and which seals off the dose inside each blister (160), and a tear tape (158) which is fixed to the cover layer (154) on each of the blisters (160).
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are described for use with a portion of plant material (32) that includes at least one active ingredient. A vaporizing unit (21) includes a heating element (36) configured to heat the plant material, and a sensor (35) configured to detect an indication of airflow rate through the vaporizing unit. Control circuitry (34) is configured to receive an indication of the airflow rate through the vaporizing unit, and, in response thereto, to determine a smoking profile that is desired by the user. The control circuitry drives the heating element to vaporize the active ingredient of the plant material by heating the plant material according to the determined smoking profile. The control circuitry dynamically updates the smoking profile in response to changes in airflow rate over the course of a smoking session. Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
Dry powder inhalers include: (a) a first generally planar spiral travel path in an inhaler body, wherein the first spiral travel path has a plurality of adjacent curvilinear channels forming lanes with upstanding sidewalls, including an inner lane and an outer lane; and (b) a plurality of discrete sealed microcartridges with substantially rigid bodies disposed in the first travel path, each comprising a pre-metered (typically dose) amount of dry powder, the microcartridges being configured to slidably advance along the first travel path toward an inhalation chamber that merges into an inhalation output port. In operation, at least one microcartridge is held in the inhalation chamber to release the dry powder therein during inhalation.
Abstract:
An inhaler comprising a housing defining a chamber to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters each containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user is disclosed. It comprises an inhaler comprising a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters, each blister having a puncturable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, a mouthpiece mounted to the housing and through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user, a blister piercing member mounted for rotation about a first axis and an actuating mechanism including an actuating lever mounted for rotation about a second axis to sequentially move each blister into alignment with the blister piercing member, wherein the actuating lever co-operates with the blister piercing member so that the blister piercing member pivots about said first axis in response to rotation of the actuating member from an initial position about the second axis to puncture the lid of an aligned blister so an airflow through the blister is generated to en-train the dose contained therein and carry it, via the mouth-piece, into the users airway when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. The inhaler comprises an actuating lever load control member to control the force that must be applied to the actuating lever to cause it to rotate from its initial position such that a biasing force is applied to the actuating lever throughout all, or at least a substantial portion of, the stroke of the actuating lever.