Patent · US Expired

Metering apparatus

US6076522A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
18References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 1998
Grant dateJun 20, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 12, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2202/064
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus (100) adapted for applying to a carrier (C) a suspension (S) comprising a suspending agent and a powdered medicament. The apparatus (110) includes a reservoir (110), a junction container (120) adapted to contain a liquid, an outlet line (130) extending from the reservoir (110) and through the junction container (120) to a pump (P), a nozzle (160) connected to the pump (P) and a sonicator (150) operatively connected to the junction container (120). The reservoir (110) is adapted to maintain the agent and the medicament admixed in suspension. The nozzle (160) is formed from an inner cylinder (161) disposed within an outer cylinder (162), thereby defining a space (X) therebetween, and includes a purge line (165) fluidly connected with the outer cylinder (162) for providing a gas jet to the space (X). The sonicator (150) creates waves in the liquid in the container (110) to help prevent the suspension (S) from flocculating as it travels through the outlet line (130) from the reservoir (110) and to the pump (P). The pump (P) expels the suspension (S) through the nozzle (160) to the carrier (C), and a gas jet (GJ) from the purge line (165) prevents capillary forces from allo…

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