Method and apparatus for releasing a controlled amount of aerosol medication over a selectable time interval
US5392768A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/8212
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A portable, battery powered, hand-held system for releasing a controlled dose of aerosol medication for inhalation by a patient including a durable body and a medication cassette inserted in the durable body. The cassette includes a housing for containing a canister of medication, bears an identification code, and permits the canister to be manually depressed to release a dose, e.g., a metered dose, when out of the durable body. The durable body includes an actuator mechanism for engaging an inserted cassette and its canister, and an actuator release mechanism for controlling the actuator mechanism to depress the canister for a selected period of time to release the desired dose of medication and then the release the canister. The actuator mechanism, includes a compression spring for depressing the canister and a torsion spring for reloading the compression spring. The torsion spring is reloaded by rotating the cassette from an open position for delivering aerosol to a closed position. The actuator release mechanism includes a motor and trigger pin assembly that controls the release of the compression spring and the torsion spring, and, hence, the time that the canister is depresse…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.