Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for actuating an inhaler

US4803978A · kind A · utility

52Cited by
11References
19Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 21, 1987
Grant dateFeb 14, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 21, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M15/009
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus, having an outlet port insertable within a user's mouth, has housed therein an automatically actuated commercially available and replaceable inhaler for discharging a medicated vapor through the outlet port into the user's mouth upon inhalation. A pivotable spring loaded plate within the apparatus bears upon the inhaler to actuate the inhaler upon operation of a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism includes a valve operable in response to a slight vacuum developed within the apparatus upon inhalation by a user. Operation of the valve anularly displaces a sear to release a cam associated with a pivot mechanism of the spring loaded plate. The released cam permits rotation of the spring loaded plate to effect discharge from the inhaler into the user's mouth. A manually operated rocker arm recocks the spring loaded plate and rotates the cam into engagement with the sear to retain the spring loaded plate in the cocked state.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.