Inhalers
US6948496B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2206/16
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An inhaler for producing an inhalable aerosol of a powdered medicament comprises a cyclone (1) with a tangential air inlet (3) and an axial air outlet (4). The cyclone (1) aerosolises and retains an aerosol of powdered medicament in an airflow circulating between the inlet (3) and the outlet (4). The cyclone (1) has an exit port (2) which is open to atmosphere. When the aerosol is to be inhaled, the pressure in the cyclone (1) is increased by increasing the airflow to the inlet (3) which causes the aerosol to discharge through the exit port (2). The inhaler has the advantage that the rate of discharge of the aerosol can be controlled independently of the rate of airflow required to aerosolise the medicament.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.