Dose counter for a metered-dose inhaler
US10105502B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06M1/24
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dose counter for counting does of medicament dispensed by or remaining in a metered-dose inhaler. The dose counter includes a rotatably mounted gear wheel having a circular arrangement of ratchet teeth defining a root circle and a display coupled to the gear wheel, the display having a visible array of dose counting indicia indexable in response to rotary motion of the gear wheel. The dose counter further includes an actuator mechanism having a driver for rotatably driving the gear wheel in response to the dispensation of a medicament dose, the driver being arranged to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear wheel. The actuator mechanism includes an actuator shaft mounted for linear movement in response to the dispensing of a dose of medicament. In use, the travel of the driver along the root circle of the gear wheel exceeds the corresponding linear movement of the actuator shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.