Mechanical doses counter for a powder inhaler
US7827989B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2202/064
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rotatably actuated counter is disclosed. The counter includes a ratchet driven unit wheel nested within a tens wheel. Each wheel has a radial face displaying counting indicia. The tens wheel is transparent, allowing the indicia on the unit wheel to be viewed adjacent to the indicia on the tens wheel to provide a total count. A slave wheel is positioned between the unit and tens wheels. A gear on one face of the slave wheel engages gear teeth on the tens wheel. A Geneva mechanism on the other face is engaged by a foot on the unit wheel once per rotation. The wheels are rotatably mounted within a housing having a sidewall with a window through which the count indicia may be viewed. The unit wheel rotates in ten increments and then rotates the tens wheel through one increment by engaging and rotating the slave wheel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.