Patent · US Expired

Atomising devices and methods

US5497944A · kind A · utility

206Cited by
76References
76Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 1992
Grant dateMar 12, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 19, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB05B1/3436
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A metered dose inhaler for dispensing a fluid medicament as droplets of small mean particle size without the use of pressurized gas or liquefied propellants. A liquid drug is contained in a fluid reservoir, and metered quantities of the drug are successively presented into a reduced cross-section pressure chamber, with non-return valves controlling the flow of liquid through the device. The metered quantity of the drug is then subjected to a sudden and great increase in pressure by releasing a piston into the pressure chamber. The liquid drug is thereby ejected through an atomizing head, to reduce it to a fine atomized spray of small mean particle size, preferably less than approximately 12 micrometers.

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