Dry powder inhaler
US7958890B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2206/18
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater airflow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.