MXPA99005698A - Medicament delivery and packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

Un sistema para la administración de un medicamento en polvo mediante inhalación consta de un contenedor que contiene una dosis unitaria de medicamento en forma de polvo y un dispositivo que tiene una cámara adaptada para recibir el contenedor el dispositivo tiene entradas de aire, mediante las cuales el aire puede ser jalado dentro de la cámara y una boquilla mediante la cual el aire y el medicamento arrastrado puede ser jalado fuera de la cámara;la cámara es sustancialmente de forma circular o anular y, en uso, el contenedor sigue un curso orbital dentro de la cámara, el medicamento es servido desde el contenedora través de al menos una abertura en el contenedor;también se describen nuevas formas de empaque para medicamentos en polvo que son particularmente adecuados para usarse en el sistema.

Description

SUPPLY AND PACKAGING OF MEDICATION DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY This invention relates to dispensing and packaging devices for medicaments, in particular to supply and packaging devices for the administration of medicaments by inhalation. The administration of powdered medicines by inhalation is well established. One form of delivery device that is used for this purpose is the pressurized aerosol or metered dose inhaler (MDI). The MDIs are, however, not suitable for use by all patients, for example, young children, or for the administration of all medications. In addition, there is concern about the environmental damage caused by the propellants used in MDIs. A widely used alternative is the so-called dry powder inhaler in which the powder medicine uses an elongated gelatin capsule, causing the capsule to rotate and / or vibrate, within a current of air that is inhaled by the patient . The capsules are broken, usually at each end. The breaking is carried out in the device by means of a suitable puncture mechanism, and it has also been proposed that the capsules are supplied in pre-split form, in packages that avoid the loss of powder from the capsule and the entry of moisture.

Gelatin capsules, and known inhalation drug delivery devices, suffer from numerous disadvantages. The disadvantages of the MDIs have been referred to above. As far as dry powder inhalers are concerned, gelatin capsules are not impervious to moisture. Exposure to the atmosphere can therefore result in moisture absorption, which in turn can lead to agglomeration of the drug powder particles. These problems can be particularly acute where, as is often the case, the medication is hygroscopic. As a result, the capsules must be packed in a second package, such as a bubble pack. Another disadvantage is that the gelatin can be brittle, which results in the breaking operation can produce flakes or fragments that can be inhaled by the patient. This is clearly undesirable. In addition, gelatin is a material of biological origin and therefore always contains a certain amount of microbiological organisms, which are again undesirable from the point of view of possible contamination of the drug. The removal of the capsule from a secondary package and the loading on a device may require a degree of dexterity greater than that of some patients. In addition, the movement of the elongated gelatin capsule within the device may be irregular, leading to an incomplete or variable serving of the powdered medicament.

The new drug delivery devices for the administration of medicament by inhalation, and new forms of packaging for such medicaments, has now been contemplated, which substantially overcomes or mitigates the aforementioned problems. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the administration of a powdered medicament by inhalation, the system consists of a container containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, the container having at least one opening for serve, and a device having a camera adapted to receive said container, the device additionally consists of air inlet means by means of which the air can be pulled into the chamber and nozzle means by means of which the air and the entrained medicament can be pulled out of the chamber, where the chamber is substantially circular or annular in shape, and in use, the container follows an orbital course within the chamber. The system according to the invention is advantageous mainly in that it can provide improved performance in terms of the dispersion of the drug served from it., that is, the proportion of the drug that is in the form of particles fine enough to penetrate deeply into the patient's air passages. Loading the medication container into the device is easy to perform. The emptying of the medicament container may be better than with other known devices, which leads to an accurate and reproducible dosing. The air flow required to generate movement of the container within the device may be relatively low, allowing the device to be used with confidence by patients with weak pulmonary function. In addition, the device is compact and simple construction, which leads to reduced manufacturing costs and longer duration. It is also possible that a large scale of medication containers of different sizes are used in association with the same device. The air inlet means are preferably arranged in such a way that the air enters the chamber substantially tangentially to facilitate the orbital movement of the container within the chamber. A plurality of air inlets are preferably provided, more preferably opening within the chamber at substantially equiangularly spaced locations. The air inlets can include narrow portions to act as venturi tubes and therefore increase the speed of the air flow. It is particularly preferred that a part of the wall of the chamber within which the air inlets open is continuous and without breaking. This inhibits any tendency for the movement of the container to be affected by the edges of the openings of the air inlets. In preferred embodiments, the air inlets open within the peripheral wall (commonly circular) of the chamber, but have a depth that is less than the height of that wall so that at least part of the wall, for example the part lower and / or higher wall, forms an uninterrupted annular surface. The camera can be provided with a formation that serves to limit the movement of the container in its orbital course. For example, a tap or the like may be formed in the center of the chamber. However, in practice it is commonly found that such training is not necessary, or simply a vestige of training, for example a small bulge in the center of the base, is effective. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device having the chamber adapted to receive a container containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, air inlet means by which the air can be pulled into the chamber and nozzle means by which air and entrained medicament can be pulled out of the chamber, wherein the chamber is substantially circular or annular in shape and is provided with one or more formations to limit, in use, the container to an orbital course inside the camera. The air preferably passes out of the chamber to the nozzle through a mesh or grid formed in part of the wall of the chamber. More preferably, the mesh or grid lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane in which the container moves. For example, the mesh or grid may be formed in the flat base or ceiling of the chamber. The mesh or grid can take any suitable form with the condition that, in use, it serves to retain the container inside the chamber while allowing air and entrained medicament to leave the chamber. It is particularly preferred that the mesh or grid extends over only a part of the base of the chamber, more preferably the central part of the base, that is, the outer radial part of the base is preferably solid. It has been found that this arrangement increases the residence time of the drug served from the device within the chamber and this in turn improves the dispersion of the drug particles. More preferably, for a chamber with a circular or substantially circular base, the outermost part of the base forms a ring having a width corresponding to at least 15% of the radius of the base, more preferably at least 20%. The nozzle is preferably formed at the open end of a passage or conduit connecting the chamber to the nozzle. A particularly compact arrangement is provided if the passage or conduit is disposed substantially orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the container in the chamber. In other embodiments, the passage or conduit may be oriented parallel to that axis. The device can be manufactured from materials conventionally used in drug delivery devices by inhalation. Examples include plastic materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene and others. Other materials that can be used include metals, for example aluminum, stainless steel, etc. Combinations of materials can be used, with the individual components formed of the most suitable material in each case. The device according to the invention can be configured for repeated use, in which case means are provided to introduce the container into a chamber and remove the container after use. The camera can, for example, have a removable cover, for example having a snapping connection or hinges to the rest of the device, which can be opened to insert a container, closed during the use of the device and then opened again for the removal of the spent container. In other embodiments, the device may be for single dose use. In such a case the device may be provided with a medicament container incorporated within the device such that the serving aperture is sealed, the container being released from the device, and the serving aperture thus opened by the patient immediately prior to delivery. use. The medicine container according to the invention can have any shape, with the proviso that the shape allows the orbital movement of the container inside the chamber. However, the container is preferably circular or substantially circular, that is, with the general shape of a drum, disc or short cylinder. Such a container form is new and represents a further aspect of the present invention, which therefore provides a unit dose of a powder inhalation medicament contained within a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical container. The diameter of the cylinder is generally larger than its depth, more preferably almost twice the depth or more. The medicament container is preferably cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. More preferably, the container is formed of two cooperating components which fit together, for example, with a closed fit or by jump. One of said components is preferably of generally cylindrical construction, and open at one end. The other component will tightly fit into or around the open end of the first, thereby completing the cylindrical container. One or both of the components may be formed with an opening for serving. Alternatively, the at least one serving aperture can be defined between the two components. More preferably, a plurality of openings for serving are provided, preferably four or more, for example eight. The openings can advantageously be arranged around the circumference of the cylindrical container. In other embodiments, an opening for serving can alternatively or additionally be provided on one or both sides of the cylinder. The medicament container is preferably made of a material that is substantially impermeable to moisture. This is advantageous in that the need for a second package is therefore reduced or eliminated. This reduces the complexity of the manufacturing operation and also simplifies the use of the medicine. So, according to another aspect of the present invention, a unit dose of a powder inhalation medicament is provided, said unit dose being contained within a container having at least one opening for serving, the container being of a material that is substantially impermeable to moisture. Because the container is provided with at least one serving aperture, it is not necessary to split it before use and therefore there are no problems such as those associated with the breaking of conventional gelatine capsules. In order to avoid the loss of dust from the container, the unit dose according to the invention will be, before being used, associated with a sealing means arranged to close the at least one opening for serving. Therefore, according to a further aspect of the invention, a package of medicament containing at least one unit dose of a medicament in powder consists of a container containing the unit dose and has at least one opening for serving, the container being of a material that is substantially impermeable to moisture, and a sealing means arranged to close the at least one serving aperture. The medicine container can be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials with the indispensable impermeability to moisture. A preferred material is a sheet of light metal, for example aluminum, from which the components forming the container can be pressed and cut. Other materials include stainless steel and alloys. Other materials that can be used include plastic materials. Examples of low moisture permeability plastic materials are high density polyethylene (for example, sold under the trademark RIGIDEX HD6070EA), polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. A plastic material that can be provided is the olefin / cycloolefin copolymer sold by Hoeschst AG under the trademark TOPAS. By "low water permeability" it means a water vapor permeability that is sufficiently low so that during normal storage and use of the container (and in the absence of a secondary package such as a bubble pack) the moisture input is insufficient to adversely affect the medication to a significant degree. Permeability can be measured by standard methods such as ASTM F1249 / 90. When measured by this method at a temperature of 38 ° C and relative humidity of 90% the permeability of the material is preferably less than 0.5 g mm / m2 bar, more preferably less than 0.3 and especially less than 0.1. In general, the lower the moisture permeability of the material used in the container, the lower the thickness of the material required to form an effective moisture barrier. This leads to a reduction in weight and therefore to a reduction in the air flow necessary to make the container move. The sealing means may consist of a ring of elastomeric material surrounding the container so as to cover and close the at least one opening for serving. Alternatively, the sealing means may be a support carrying the medication container. For example, the sealing means may be a flat support having an opening or recess within which the container is received with a closed fit such that the support covers and closes the at least one opening for serving. The support can be, for example, cardboard or plastic material. In one embodiment, the support consists of a sheet of plastic material, the sheet has an aperture measured and configured closely to receive the container, and the circumference of said opening constituted by a ring of elastomeric material. Suitable elastomeric materials include synthetic and natural gums, and so-called thermoplastic elastomers, for example, known as SANTOPRENE. The elastomeric material may be chemically or physically adhered or fixed to the support. The system according to the invention can be used for the delivery of a wide range of medicines, including any medicament that is suitable to be delivered as a powder by inhalation, in which case the term "mouthpiece" will be understood to refer to a passage suitable for insertion into a nostril rather than into the mouth of the patient. Although the system of the invention is primarily designed to be used where inhalation by the patient leads to the necessary movement of the container and dispersion of the medication from the container, an external source of air or other gas can be used to create the necessary airflow . According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for administering a medicament and powder by inhalation, which method comprises introducing into a chamber that is substantially circular in shape or annularing a container containing a unit dose of the medicament. , the container having at least one opening for serving therein, and generating a current of air within the chamber to cause the container to follow an orbital course within the chamber. Movement of the container within the chamber is preferably epicyclic, ie the container orbits around the center of the chamber and also rotates about its axis. Presently preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first, currently preferred, form of a powder medicament inhaler according to the invention, in an open, unloaded condition. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the inhaler of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the inhaler of Figure 1, on arrow III of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a plan view of the inhaler of figure 1 in a closed, loaded condition, which also indicates the movement of a medicine container inside the inhaler. Figure 5 is a sectional view of the line V-V in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a powder medicament inhaler according to the invention. Figure 7 is a sectional view on line A-A in the figure 6. Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention of a powder medicament inhaler according to the invention. Figure 9 is a second view on the line B-B in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 7 of a modified form of the inhaler of Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 11 is a side sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an inhaler for powdered medicament according to the invention. Figure 12 shows a first embodiment of a medicament package according to the invention, in a side view (a), cross-sectional view (b) and enlarged view (c). Figure 13 shows a second embodiment of a medicament package according to the invention, in side view (a), cross-sectional view (b), and enlarged view (c). Figure 14 shows a third embodiment of a medicament package according to the invention, in a side view (a), cross-sectional view (b) and enlarged view (c). Figure 15 shows a fourth embodiment of a medicament package according to the invention, in a side view (a), cross-sectional view (b) and enlarged view (c). Figure 16 is a side sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a medication package according to the invention. Figure 17 shows a plurality of medication containers according to the invention mounted on a first support form. Figure 18 shows a plurality of medication containers according to the invention mounted on a second support form.

Figure 19 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a medicine container according to the invention. Figure 20 is a sectional view of medicament containers of the form shown in Figure 19 mounted on a third support form. Figure 21 in a sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a medication container according to the invention. Figure 22 is a plan view of an alternating grid shape that can be incorporated within several of the modes shown in the previous figures. Figure 23 is a fragment section on the line X-X in Figure 21; and Figure 24 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line YY in Figure 21. With reference first to Figures 1 to 4, a first embodiment of an inhaler according to the invention is generally designated as 10. The inhaler 10 it consists of a lower part 11 and an upper part 12 which are both molded in plastic material and connected together by means of hinges. The lower part 11 and the upper part 12 can be opened, as shown by the dotted lines in figure 2, and pressed together to the position shown by the solid lines in figure 2. The upper surface of the lower part 11 has a pair of upright pin formations 13 which engage in the corresponding recesses (not visible) on the underside of the upper part 12 to support the two parts, 11 and 12, in engagement. The corresponding recesses extend longitudinally in the upper surface of the lower part 11 and the lower surface of the upper part 12 and together define a passageway 14 extending from the front of the inhaler 10 towards the connection of hinges. The open end of this passage 14 serves as the mouthpiece. A circular chamber 16 is formed in the upper part 12. The chamber 16 communicates with the passage 14 by means of a series of openings that generally form a circular mesh 17 in the center of the base of the chamber 16. The central part of the The base of the chamber 16, which is surrounded by the mesh 17, is solid and is formed with a generally hemispherical protrusion 22. A transparent plastic lid 18 is hingedly connected to the upper part 12 and is movable from an open position, as shown in Fig. 1, to a closed position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Also formed at the end upper 12 are two front air inlets 19 and two rear air inlets 20 connecting the outside of the inhaler 10 to the wall of the chamber 16 by means of respective ducts 19a, 20a shown with dotted lines in figure 1. conductors 19a, 20a are aligned substantially tangentially to the wall of chamber 16 and connect chamber 16 at substantially equiangularly spaced locations. The inhaler 10 is used to deliver medication from a medication container such as the one described in more detail below. Typically, said container consists of a circular drum of aluminum or other material substantially impermeable to moisture with a series of openings arranged around its circumference. In use, the lid 18 moves to the open condition and said container 21 (see Figure 4) is inserted into the chamber 16. The lid 18 is then closed. The patient then places the open end of passage 14 into his mouth and inhales. The air is pulled through the air inlets 19, 20, along the conduits 19a, 20a and substantially tangentially within the chamber 16. The air stream passes through the grate 17 and along the passage 14 to the patient's mouth. The air stream entering the chamber 16 tangentially causes the container 12 to rotate around the center of the chamber 16, the movement of the container 21 being limited by the side wall of the chamber 16 and the medicament being served from within the container 21. through openings in the container 21. The medicament is entrained in the air stream that passes outside the chamber 16 through the grid 17 and is inhaled by the patient. It is commonly observed that, as shown in Figure 4, the movement exerted by the container 21 is epicyclic, that is, the container rotates around the center of the chamber 16, being limited by the wall of the chamber 16, while simultaneously it rotates around its axis. The protrusion 22 in the center of the chamber 16 also helps to maintain the orbital course of the container 21. For clarity, the grid 17 is omitted from Figure 4. As also shown by the short arrows in Figure 4, the medicament in powder is served from the container 21, under the influence of centrifugal forces, in substantially all directions, that is, towards the center of the chamber as well as towards its perimeter. This is in contrast to the drug dispersion from the ends of a rotating gelatin capsule. In such a case, the medication is thrown only towards the side wall of the chamber. The movement of the container 21 as it rotates and moves can further improve the dispersion of the medicament by creating a milling effect between the container 21 and the side wall of the chamber 16. This action can also inhibit the deposition of medicament within the chamber 16, thus improving the uniformity and smoothness of that movement and increasing the dispersion of the drug within the container 21. The fact that the grid 17 is formed in the central portion of the base of the chamber 16 was also discovered to be beneficial. It is believed that this increases the residence time in the chamber 16 of the medicament particles served from the container 21., which leads to an improved dispersion of the medicament in the air stream inhaled by the patient. The compact, substantially planar shape of the inhaler 10 is a consequence of the fact that the passage 14 is oriented non-coaxially with, or parallel to, the axis of movement of the container 21 within the chamber 16, but instead substantially orthogonally thereto. Turning now to Figures 6 and 7, a second embodiment of a powdered medicament inhaler (generally designated as 50) according to the invention comprises a molded plastic body 51 with a generally circular passage 52. The upper end 51 ( as seen in figure 7) is made to form a nozzle. The passageway 52 is split by a molded plastic grid 53 from which a circular central tap 54 is suspended. A transparent plastic lock 55 is connected by hinges to the body 51. The space between the grid 53, the walls of the body 51, the lock 55 and the central tap 54 constitute the annular chamber 56. The lock 55 can be moved between a position closed (as shown in Figure 6) and an open position in which the medication container 58 can be introduced into the chamber 56. As can be seen from Figure 7, four tangentially equiangularly spaced inlets 59 are provided in the wall side of chamber 56. Inlets 59 include narrow portions 60.

As can be seen from Figure 6, the inlets 59 do not extend vertically (as seen in Figure 6) to the grid 54. Rather, that part of the side wall of the chamber 56 that is immediately below the grid 54 It is uninterrupted. In use, the lock 55 is moved to the open position and the container 58 is inserted into the chamber 56. The lock 55 is then closed. The container 58 contains one or more serving openings that are exposed when used. The medicament is therefore able to escape from the container 58 through these openings. Once the chamber 56 is loaded with the medication container 58, the user raises the device 50 to his mouth and inhales through the mouthpiece. The air is drawn into the chamber 56 through the inlets 59, the narrow portions 60 acting as venturi tubes and increasing the air flow rate. The influx of air causes the container 58 to surround the central faucet 54 in a planetary motion and simultaneously rotate about its axis, as indicated by the curved arrows in Figure 7. The medicament contained within the container 58 is substantially powered centrifuges and therefore released from the container 58. The movement of the container 58 results in an effectively complete emptying of the container 58. The uninterrupted portion of the side wall of the chamber 56 facilitates the planetary movement of the container 58, and avoids the impact of the container 58 with the edges of the inlets 59 that could otherwise introduce irregularities in the movement of the container 58.

Because the container 58 may be light in weight (compared for example with conventional gelatin capsules) only a relatively weak air flow is required to generate sufficient vigor movement to dispense the contents of the container. This is a particularly significant advantage in the case of the administration of medicaments for the treatment of reversible airway obstruction disease (eg, asthma), the containers of which may have inherently weak pulmonary function. The dispersion of the medicament according to use of the container 58 can be further facilitated by the milling action of the rotating container 56 against the wall of the chamber 56, that is, the grinding of the medicament between the rotary container 58 and the wall. The modality (generally designated as 80) shown in Figures 8 and 9 is similar in overall design to that of Figures 6 and 7, with the exception that the upper wall 81 (as seen in Figure 8) of the camera 82 is solid, the air (and entrained medicament) passing outside the chamber 82 through the grid 83 form the side wall of the chamber 82. The air inlets 84 are formed in the lock 83. In use, the movement of a container 86 within the chamber 82 is similar to that described in relation to the previous modes, as shown again by the curved arrows. Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 7 of a mode in which the grid 91 does not extend over the entire upper wall of the chamber.

In contrast, the peripheral region 92 of that upper wall is solid. As described above, it has been discovered that this can improve the dispersion of medicament dispensed from a container 94. The modality (generally designated 70) of Figure 11 is a disposable one-dose unit. Again, a molded plastic nozzle 71 carries a grate 72 having a central tap 73. A flexible plastic cover 74 is fitted on the lower end of the nozzle 74 and forms, with the grid 72, an annular chamber 75. The entries air 76 are formed in the lid 74 and also a container well 77 within which the container 78 is loaded prior to the assembly of the unit 70. The container 78 is received tightly within the well 77, the well 77 sealing the openings for serving 79 in the container 78. In use, the container 78 is pressed out of the well 77 into the chamber 75. The patient then inhales into the mouthpiece 71, the medicament being served from the container 78. , entrained and inhaled substantially as previously described. A new application for such disposable, single-use inhaler may be for the administration of pain relievers (eg morphine) in disaster or battlefield situations. In all the embodiments described above, various modifications can be made without departing from the essence of the invention. For example, the central tap described for certain modalities may be omitted since it may not be essential to maintain the orbital movement of the container. Similarly, a central faucet can be incorporated into those modalities in which it is not present as those described above. Alternatively, the tap can be replaced by a small elevated formation, for example of a generally hemispherical shape, at the base of the chamber. Referring now to Figure 12, a first embodiment of a medicament container according to the invention is generally designated 110 and consists of a generally cylindrical cup 111 which is pressed from thin foil of aluminum and is open at its lower end ( as seen in Figure 12), and a plastic plug 112 which has an upright edge received closedly within the open lower end of the cup 111. A circumferential groove 113 is formed in the curved surface of the cup 111, a series of elongate perforations 114 being formed at intervals in the groove 113. The assembly is completed by an O-ring of elastomeric material that fits tightly around the cup 11 in the groove region 113, and therefore seals the perforations 114. The O -ring 115 is removed from the cup 111 immediately prior to the introduction of the container 10 into a drug delivery device (e.g. s described above). The embodiment of Figure 13 is generally designated as 120 and is smaller than that of Figure 12, with the exception that the lower part of the cup 121 is formed with a second groove 122 having a snap fit with a part top correspondingly formed of a second cup 123. The second cup 123 tightly fits within the lower part of the cup 121, and performs the same function as the plug 1 12 of the first embodiment 110. In the embodiment 130 of figure 14, the lower end of the cup 131 is received in a circumferential groove in a base plate 132, the two components being crimped to form a tight seal. The container 140 of Figure 15 is similar to that 120 of Figure 13, except that the lower cup 142 externally fits around the open lower end of the main cup 141. Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment 150. of a medicament container according to the invention, again consisting of a pair of inter-adjustable cup components (a base cup 151 and an upper cup 152) pressed from lightweight aluminum foil. In this case, the upper cup 152 is formed with a circumferential groove 153 that is punctured at intervals to define openings 154. The open end of the upper cup 152 is closedly received within the base cup 151 that extends up to the groove. 153, the upper edge of the base cup 151 being deformed inwardly to form a lip 155 that cooperates with the groove 153 to retain the base cup 151 and the top cup in engagement. A fitting O-ring 156, as for the other embodiments described above, closely surrounds the groove 153 and serves to seal not only the openings 154, but also the junction between the base cup 151 and the top cup 152. Returning to the figure 17, this shows another form of packaging according to the invention. The containers 160 are schematically represented as rectangles in Figure 16 but may be similar to any of those described above. In this case, the containers 160 are sealed not only by a sealing ring, but by a plastic sheet 161 with circular openings 162 within which the containers 160 are pressed with a closed, interference fit. The thickness of the sheet 161 is sufficient to cover (and thus seal) the openings in each container 160. The sheet 161 also serves as a support for the containers 160 and can carry printed material in relation to the medicament (for example, instructions for use, dosing information, etc.) Instead of plastic material, the sheet 161 may be formed of any other suitable material, for example paperboard (which may in turn be coated with plastic material). A container 160 can be removed from the package simply by manual pressure on one of the exposed faces of the container 160 (as indicated by the arrow in Figure 17), for example by unloading the container 160 directly into a server device. Figure 18 shows a detailed view of a part of a modified package broadly similar to the one just described. This consists of a container of medicament 170, again represented schematically in Figure 18 but which may be similar to any of those described above, which is received within a circular opening in a sheet 171 of plastic material. This embodiment exhibits the additional feature that the periphery of the circular opening is formed by a ring 172 of elastomeric material which is adhered to the rest of the sheet 171. Figure 19 shows an additional form of circular container 180, formed again of two cups that they fit 181, 182. In this modality, however, there are no openings to serve around the periphery. In contrast, the upper face of the upper cup 182 has a central opening 183. Figure 20 shows a partial sectional view of a package including such containers 180. The package consists of a sheet 184 of compliant plastic or elastomeric material having circular holes within which containers 180 are pressed. The sheet 184 thus surrounds and seals the open faces of the containers 180. Again, a container 180 can be unloaded from the package simply by applying manual pressure to the sheet 184 (again indicated by an arrow in Figure 20). It will be appreciated that the containers described above can, instead of aluminum, be formed of any other materials suitably impervious to moisture, such as plastic materials. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a container 190 made of plastic material. The container 190 consists of a base cup 191, and an upper cup 192. The two components, 191, 192 have a snap fit by virtue of an upstanding fastener formation 193 formed on the base cup 191 which couples into a corresponding recess 194 in the upper cup 192. The fastener formation 193 is interrupted by openings that in the assembled container 190 constitute serving openings 195. A plurality of such openings 195 are provided around the periphery of the container 190, the sectional view of Fig. 21 being extracted through one of such openings 195. The cups 191, 192 are formed by molding with curved inner surfaces that help serve the medicament through openings 195. In addition, the largest thickness of the plastics (and therefore the larger mass) on the outside radially outward of the container 190 motivates a flywheel effect that helps rotate the container 190. With reference now to Figures 22 to 24, an alternate form of a grid for incorporating it into a device as described above consists of concentric rings 210 supported by a pair of cross bars 211 that extend in a cross-shaped fashion diametrically through the grid between a circular central portion 212 and a peripheral ring 213. As shown in Figure 23, the edge 214 of each cross bar 211 that is upstream in relation to the air flow through the grid is inclined to facilitate the air flow through it, (as shown by an arrow in figure 23). This feature has the important advantage of reducing the impact and accumulation of medication on cross bars 211.

Figure 24 shows that the central portion 214 has an elevated portion 215 that serves to limit a medication container to an orbital course. Such training may not be necessary and in other modalities, such as those described above, may be omitted.

Claims (3)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. - A system for administering a powdered medicament by inhalation, the system consists of a container containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, the container has at least one opening for serving, and a device having an adapted chamber to receive the container, the device additionally consists of air intake means by which air can be pulled into the chamber and nozzle means by which the air and entrained medicament can be pulled out of the chamber, further characterized because the chamber is substantially circular or annular and, in use, the container follows an orbital course within the chamber.
2. 2. A system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the air inlet means are arranged in such a way that the air enters the chamber substantially tangentially to facilitate the orbital movement of the container inside the chamber.
3. 3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, further characterized in that a part of the wall of the chamber inside of which the air inlet means are opened is continuous and without cracks. 4. - A system according to claim 3, further characterized in that the air inlet means are opened inside the peripheral wall of the chamber, but have a depth that is less than the height of the wall so that at least part of the the wall forms an uninterrupted annular surface. 5. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the camera is provided with a formation that serves to limit the movement of the container in its orbital course. 6. A system according to claim 5, further characterized in that the formation is a protrusion in the center of the base of the chamber. 7. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the air passes outside the chamber to the nozzle through a mesh or grid formed part of the wall of the chamber. 8. A system according to claim 7, further characterized in that the mesh or grid is formed at the base of the chamber and the radially outer part of the base is solid. 9. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the nozzle is formed at the open end of a passage or conduit connecting the chamber to the nozzle and the passage or conduit is arranged substantially orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the container in the camera. 10. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the device is configured for repeated use, and means are provided to introduce a container into the chamber and remove the container after use. 1 - A system according to any of claims 1 to 9, further characterized in that it is for single dose use and is supplied with a medication container incorporated within the device such that the serving aperture is sealed , the container being released from the device, and the opening to serve open therefore, by the patient immediately before use. 12. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the container is cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. 13. A system according to claim 12, further characterized in that the diameter of the cylinder is greater than its depth. 14. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the container is formed of two cooperating components. 15. A system according to claim 14, further characterized in that one of the components is of generally cylindrical construction and is open at one end., the other component tightly fitting within or around the open end of the first component. 16. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the container is provided with a plurality of openings to serve. 17. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the container is made of a material that is substantially impermeable to moisture. 18. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the container is formed at least in part of metal sheet 19. A system according to claim 18, further characterized in that the metal sheet is aluminum foil 20. A system according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the movement of the container, in use, is epicyclic. 21. A method for administering a powdered medicament by inhalation, which method consists in introducing into a chamber that is substantially circular or annular a container containing a unit dose of the medicament, the container having at least one opening to serve in the same, and generating a current of air inside the chamber as to make the container follow an orbital course inside the chamber. 22. A method according to claim 21, further characterized in that the movement of the container is epicyclic. 23. A device having a chamber aed to receive a container containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, air inlet means by which air can be pulled into the chamber and nozzle means by means of which the air and entrained medicament can be pulled out of the chamber, where the chamber is substantially circular or annular in shape and is provided with one or more effective formations to limit, in use, the container to an orbital course within the chamber . 24. A device according to claim 23, further characterized in that one or more formations comprise a tap or the like in the center of the chamber. 25. A device according to claim 23, or claim 24, further characterized in that the air inlet means are arranged in such a way that the air enters the chamber substantially tangentially to facilitate the orbital movement of the container inside the chamber. the camera. 26. A device according to claim 23, or claim 25, further characterized in that a part of the wall of the chamber within which the air inlet means are opened is continuous and without cracks. 27. A system according to claim 26, further characterized in that the air inlet means are opened inside the peripheral wall of the chamber, but have a depth that is less than the height of the wall so that at least part of the wall, forms an uninterrupted annular surface. 28. A device according to any of claims 23 to 27, further characterized in that it is provided with a protrusion n the center of the base of the chamber. 29. A device according to any of claims 23 to 28, further characterized in that the air passes outside the chamber to the nozzle through a mesh or grid formed in part of the wall of the chamber. 30. A device according to claim 29, further characterized in that the mesh or grid is formed at the base of the chamber and the radially outer part of the base is solid. 31.- A device according to any of claims 23 to 30, further characterized in that the nozzle is formed at the open end of a passage or conduit connecting the chamber to the nozzle and the passage or conduit is disposed substantially orthogonally to the rotation axis of the container in the camera. 32. - A device according to any of claims 23 to 31, further characterized in that the device is configured for repeated use, and means are provided for introducing a medication container into a chamber and removing the container after use. 33.- A device according to any of claims 23 to 31, further characterized in that it is for single dose use and is provided with a medication container incorporated within the device such that the serving aperture is sealed, the container being released from the device, and the opening thus open, by the patient immediately before use. 34.- A unit dose of a dry powder, non-pressurized inhalation medicament, said unit dose being contained in a container having at least one opening for serving, the container being of a material that is substantially impermeable to moisture. 35.- A unit dose according to claim 34, further characterized in that the container is formed at least in part of sheet metal. 36.- A unit dose according to claim 34 or claim 35, further characterized in that the metal sheet is aluminum foil. 37.- A package of medication containing at least one unit dose of a powdered medicine for inhalation, non-pressurized, consisting of a container containing the unit dose of medicine and having at least one opening for serving, the container being of a material that is substantially impermeable to moisture, and sealing means arranged to close the at least one opening for serving. 38.- A package according to claim 37, further characterized in that the container is formed at least in part metal sheet. 39.- A package according to claim 38, further characterized in that the metal sheet is aluminum foil. 40. A package according to any of claims 37 to 39, further characterized in that the sealing means consist of a ring of elastomeric material surrounding the container as to cover and close the at least one opening to serve. 41. A package according to any of claims 37 to 39, further characterized in that the sealing means consist of a flat support having an opening or recess within which the container is received with a closed setting in such a way that the support covers and closes the at least one opening to serve. 42. A package according to claim 41, further characterized in that the support consists of a sheet of plastic material, the sheet has a measured aperture and tightly configured to receive the container, the circumference of said opening being constituted by a ring of elastomeric material. 43. - A unit dose of a powder inhalation medicament contained within a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical container, wherein the diameter of the container is larger than its depth. 44.- A unit dose according to claim 43, further characterized in that the container is provided with at least one opening for serving. 45.- A unit dose according to claim 44, further characterized in that the serving aperture is closed by a removable sealing means.