TW201404414A - Inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

An inhaler comprising a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters, each blister having a puncturable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user is disclosed. The inhaler has a mouthpiece mounted to the housing and through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user, a cap that covers the mouthpiece in a closed position and an actuating element. The cap and the actuating element are mounted coaxially for rotation about a first axis to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member upon rotation of the cap by a user about said first axis into an open position in which the mouthpiece is revealed. The blister piercing member is mounted for rotation about a second axis and cooperates with the actuating element so that the blister piercing member pivots about said second axis in response to rotation of the cap about the first axis to puncture the lid of an aligned blister. An airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it, via the mouthpiece, into the user's airway when a user inhales through the mouthpiece.

Description

Inhaler

The present invention relates to an inhalation device for oral or nasal delivery of a powdered medicament. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inhaler having a housing that houses a plurality of strips of blister spaced along the length of the strip, each bulb having a The cap is pierced and contains a dose of the drug for inhalation by a user. The invention also relates to an inhaler comprising a blister strip, each blister strip having a pierceable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user of a device according to the invention.

The use of an inhalation device to deliver a drug system orally or nasally is a particularly attractive method of drug administration because these devices are relatively simple for patients who are cautious and use in public places. These devices not only deliver drugs to treat localized airways and other respiratory problems, but they have also recently been used to deliver drugs to the bloodstream through the lungs to avoid the need for subcutaneous injections.

For dry powder formulations, it is common to pre-package in individual doses that are typically present in the form of capsules or vesicles, each capsule containing a single dose of powder that has been accurately and consistently measured. A blister is typically cold formed from a malleable foil laminate or a plastic material and includes a pierceable cover that is permanently heat sealed around the blister during manufacture and after the dose has been introduced into the blister. Surroundings. A foil vesicle is superior to a capsule because, in addition to being shielded from light and UV radiation, each dose is protected from water ingress and gas (eg, oxygen) penetration if one dose becomes exposed to light and UV. Radiation, then all for the inhaler The delivery feature can have an adverse effect. Therefore, a vesicle provides superior environmental protection for each individual drug dose.

There are several inhalation devices known to accommodate a blister pack containing a plurality of blister packs, each blister containing a pre-metered and individually packaged dose of medicament to be delivered. Actuation of the device causes a mechanism to rupture or rupture a blister, for example by piercing it or peeling off a lid, which allows air to be drawn through the blister when the patient inhales, thereby taking away The dose therein is then carried out of the vesicle via the device and down into the lung via the patient's airway. Pressurized air or gas or other propellant can also be used to carry the dose away from the vesicle. Alternatively, the mechanism that pierces or opens the blister can push or expel the dose out of the blister into a storage container, which can then be inhaled from the storage container.

For an inhaler, it can be advantageous to be able to maintain some dose to allow it to be used repeatedly for a period of time without the need to open and/or insert a blister into the device each time it is used. Thus, many conventional devices include mechanisms for storing some vesicles, each containing a different dose of drug. When a dose is to be inhaled, an indexing mechanism moves a previous empty blister away from the opening mechanism, enabling a fresh blister to be moved to a position ready to be opened for inhalation of its contents.

One of the above-mentioned types of inhalers is known from the applicant's own co-pending international application (published as WO 2005/037353 A1).

An inhaler 1 has an outer casing 2 containing a blister 3a of wound strips, as illustrated and claimed in WO 2005/037353 A1, and shown in one embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. When the actuator 5 is pivoted in a direction indicated by an arrow "A" in Fig. 2, an indexing mechanism 4 including a single actuating lever 5 causes the coil 3 to loosen a blister at a time. They are passed over a blister locator chassis 6 and passed sequentially through a blister piercing station 7. The blister 3a disposed at the blister piercing station 7 in each movement of the actuator 5 is attached to the actuator 5 The return stroke (in the direction indicated by the arrow "B" in Fig. 2) is pierced by the piercing member 8 of the actuator 5 itself, and can be in the blister 3a when a user inhales through a mouthpiece 9 A gas stream is generated to carry away the dose contained therein and carry it out of the blister 3a through the mouthpiece 9 and into the airway of the user.

The device known from WO 2005/037353 A1 has been modified to provide a fully integrated device, i.e., the used blister is retained within its outer casing so that a user never needs to directly with the blister strip contact. In a modified embodiment, it is known from the applicant's own prior application, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in its entirety, the disclosure of the entire disclosure of the entire disclosure of the disclosure of the entire disclosure of the disclosure of the disclosure of the disclosure of The used portion of the belt is introduced therein so that when the strip is gradually consumed, the spiral will unfold as more and more strips are fed or pushed into it between its coiled portions. The inhaler of the present invention in its preferred form is also a fully integrated device that retains the used blister. As a fully integrated device, it may also have a wall to divide the interior of the outer casing into used and unused blister compartments. Preferably, the wall is rigidly and slidably mounted such that the size of the unused and used blister compartment increases with the number of used blister and reduces the number of unused blister Changes associated with each other.

The inhaler of the present invention is similar to the inhaler of the application PCT/GB2011/052338, which was previously filed by the applicant, but which is hereby incorporated by reference. Because the cap that covers the mouthpiece in a closed position can pivot toward its open position for indexing a blister and piercing the blister, rather than having a cap for this purpose Separately operated separate actuating levers, and wherein when the cap returns to its closed position, the cap is only operable to reset the actuating lever back to its original position.

A cap operated inhaler is also now disclosed as WO09/092770 Please ask yourself for an earlier application.

The inhaler of the present invention may also incorporate a blister strip drive mechanism or indexing mechanism which forms the subject of the applicant's own prior international application, which is now disclosed as WO 2009/092652 A1.

The disclosures of WO2005/037353 A1, WO09/007352 A1, WO2009/092652 A1, and WO09/092770 are hereby incorporated by reference herein in entirety.

The present invention seeks to provide another type of inhalation device disclosed in the above application, which also has a relatively simple construction, is robust, easy to manufacture, and easy to use for a patient.

According to the present invention, there is provided an inhaler comprising: a housing for receiving a strip having a plurality of blister packs, each blister having a pierceable lid and a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user; a mouthpiece, mounted to the outer casing, and a user inhaling a dose of the drug therethrough; a blister drive member mounted for rotation about a first axis; a cap, covered in a closed position a mouth and being mounted for rotation about a second axis, the second axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the first axis; and a drive member operable between the first and second axes to accommodate the cap Rotation of the cover causes the blister drive member to rotate from its closed position toward an open position in which the mouthpiece is exposed for sequentially displacing each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member pivotally mounted to the outer casing The cap also cooperates with the blister piercing member, and the rotation of the cap toward an open position also causes the blister piercing member to pivot relative to the outer casing to pierce a pierceable cap that aligns with the blister, so When a user inhales through a mouthpiece Generating an air flow through the blister to entrain the dose contained of which, via the mouthpiece into the user carrying airways.

In an embodiment, the blister piercing member may be non-movably mounted to the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece is pivotally mounted to the outer casing, and the mouthpiece can be pivoted together with the blister piercing member to respond to the cap The rotation of the cover.

In another embodiment, the blister piercing member may be pivotally mounted to the mouthpiece such that the blister piercing member pivots relative to the mouthpiece to accommodate rotation of the cap.

In a preferred embodiment, a drive gear train is mounted coaxially with the blister drive member, and the drive member cooperates with the drive gear to rotate the drive gear when the cap is pivoted toward its open position.

The drive gear may be coupled to the blister drive member via an activation mechanism that is designed to rotate the blister drive member from its closed position toward its open position with the drive gear during initial rotation of the cap, and The 齿轮 can rotate the drive gear relative to the blister drive member from its closed position toward its open position during one of the latter half of the rotation of the cap while the blister piercing member rotates to pierce an alignment blister.

The drive element may be coupled to the cap and may have an axis of rotation that is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cap. Alternatively, the drive element may be integrally formed with the cap. For example, the drive element can include a drive feature (eg, a gear tooth that meshes with a gear drive) that is molded or otherwise integrally formed with the cap. The drive element can also be glued, keyed or otherwise secured to the cap.

In one embodiment, the drive member can include an arcuate gear segment located in engagement with the drive gear. In this embodiment, the arcuate gear section can then have an axis that is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cap.

Preferably, one of the cap and the mouthpiece has a drive cam member, and the other of the cap and the mouthpiece has a drive cam surface, wherein the drive cam member cooperates to drive the cam surface, and the blower can pivot Used to pierce a lid that is aligned with the blister in response to rotation of the cap.

The drive cam surface may be an arcuate cam groove having an axis corresponding to the axis about which the cap rotates to drive the cam member during the initial rotation of the cap Sliding along the arcuate cam groove does not cause rotation of the mouthpiece.

Preferably, the cam groove has an end region that is shaped to cooperate between the drive cam member and the end region of the cam groove during further rotation of the cap to cause the mouthpiece to rotate with the cap. The sputum can pierce the blister piercing element against a lid that is aligned with the blister.

The outer casing can include a shell and the cap can be mounted for rotation on the shell.

In some embodiments of the invention, the inhaler can include a stop mechanism including a cantilever on the cap and a pawl on the housing, the cap being held in its open position to secure the cap In its open position, the arm is elastically deformed by the pawl.

The cantilever may include a kinked portion that snaps the pawl when the cap is rotated toward the end of its stroke.

In another embodiment, the inhaler can include a movable shutter having a mouthpiece blocking member, the mouthpiece blocking member being disposed to extend across and block the passage through the mouthpiece, and the movable shutter is pivotally mounted In the mouthpiece and designed to rotate in response to the rotation of the cap and the mouthpiece, the jaws can be rotated to a position in which the cap has reached the end of its stroke and a blister is pierced Block the mouthpiece.

The movable shutter may include a cam mechanism that enables the rotation of the mouthpiece to cause the cam mechanism to rotate the movable shutter about the axis of rotation of the movable shutter.

The cam mechanism can include a recess and a fixed cam pin received in the recess to force the engagement between the cam pin and the recess when the blow nozzle rotates about its axis to accommodate rotation of the cap The shutter rotates on the mouthpiece about its axis of rotation.

Optionally, the flap comprises an arm and the mouthpiece blocking element extends from one end of the arm.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an inhaler is provided comprising: a housing defining a chamber for receiving a strip having a plurality of blister packs, each blister containing a dose of a medicament For a user to inhale; a cap; and a blister strip drive member rotatably mounted in the chamber for sequentially moving each blister to a blister open position, wherein the blister strip The belt driving member and the cap are coupled by a driving gear and a driving component cooperate with each other for influencing the rotation of the blister strip driving member to be disposed in response to the rotation of the cap, the driving gear and the driving component are disposed at The outer portion of the outer casing is remote from the chamber and is completely housed under the cap.

Preferably, the outer casing has a facing side wall surface, and the cap has a portion extending across the side wall surfaces, and the driving gear and the driving element are disposed on one of the side wall surfaces and one of the cap portions between.

A‧‧‧ axis

B‧‧‧Axis/Pivot

C‧‧‧ axis

P‧‧‧ arrow

T‧‧‧ arrows

X‧‧‧ axis

1‧‧‧ inhaler

2‧‧‧ Shell

3‧‧‧ coiling department

3a‧‧ vesicles

4‧‧‧ Indexing agency

5‧‧‧Actuator/actuator

6‧‧‧ vesicle positioning chassis

7‧‧‧ vesicle puncture station

8‧‧‧ puncture components

9‧‧‧Blowing mouth

10‧‧‧Inhaler

11‧‧‧Shell/shell/housing/housing products/devices

11a‧‧‧Shell/shell

11b‧‧‧Shell/shell

12‧‧‧ Cap

12a, 12b‧‧‧ cap part

13‧‧‧Blowing mouth

13a‧‧‧ mouthpiece opening

14‧‧‧Acoustic rod/actuating member

15‧‧‧vesicle piercing member/vesicle piercing element

16‧‧‧Gear Drive / Drive Wheel / Drive Gear

17‧‧‧ blister strip drive wheel / blister drive member / index wheel / wheel

17a‧‧‧ spokes

18‧‧·wheels

19‧‧‧Aperture/Opening

20‧‧‧First Board/First Board/Part 1

21‧‧‧Opening

22‧‧‧Protruding

23‧‧‧Second board/second board

24‧‧‧Start button

25‧‧‧Opening

26‧‧‧孔口

27‧‧‧ wall

28‧‧‧Components/gear segments

29‧‧‧Cam slit/cam groove

29a‧‧‧Arch

29b‧‧‧foot

30‧‧‧ surrounding wall

31‧‧‧Spiral components

50‧‧‧Inhalation device

51‧‧‧ Indexing agency

52‧‧‧Shell

53‧‧‧ body/chassis/vesicle positioning chassis/connecting surface

54‧‧‧Actuator / interface

55‧‧‧ Index wheel

55a, 55b, 55c, 55d‧‧‧ blade/head/head section

57‧‧‧Drive coupling member

58‧‧‧ shaft

59‧‧‧Flange

60‧‧‧Flange/Flange

End of 60a, 60b‧‧

61‧‧‧ Arched opening

62‧‧‧Flange deflection claw buckle / flange drive finger / drive deflection claw buckle

63‧‧‧First outward bevel surface / interface

64‧‧‧Second inward bevel surface / interface

65‧‧‧Composition

66‧‧‧ Index wheel drive finger

66a‧‧‧ end face

66b‧‧‧Back surface/opposite side

67‧‧‧Track/Path

67a‧‧‧Bevel/track

68‧‧‧Track/Path/Second Track/Outer Track

68a‧‧ Track

70‧‧‧Chassis arm / elastic flexible cantilever

71‧‧‧Enlarge head/enlarge head section

71a‧‧‧ convex

72‧‧‧ openings/slits

80‧‧‧ protruding parts

81‧‧‧Acoustic rod

82‧‧‧ cantilever

82a‧‧‧Twisted Zone

83‧‧‧ pawl

84a, 84b‧‧‧ Shell

85‧‧‧ wall

86‧‧‧ vesicle chamber

87‧‧‧ vesicle chamber

88‧‧‧foot

88a‧‧‧Center/Central Area

End of 88b‧‧‧

89‧‧‧Baffle

90‧‧‧ recess

91‧‧‧ recess

92‧‧‧Opening

100‧‧‧Active shutter/moving shutter assembly

101‧‧‧Active shutter/active shutter arm

101a‧‧‧First section/active shutter section

101b‧‧‧Second Section/Moving Part/Part II

102‧‧‧ pivot arm

103‧‧‧ openings

104‧‧‧End/opposite side

105‧‧‧ Groove

106‧‧‧Cam pin

200‧‧‧ inhaler

201‧‧‧Cap

202‧‧‧Blowing mouth

203‧‧‧Drive Components / Drive Gears

204‧‧‧ Shell

205‧‧‧ gear teeth

206‧‧‧Cam drive member/cylinder

207‧‧‧ cam groove

208‧‧‧Cam drive components

209‧‧‧ perimeter wall

210‧‧‧vesicle piercing member/vesicle piercing element

211‧‧‧Central opening

212‧‧·wheels

213‧‧‧arched gear segments

Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to Figures 8 to 14 and Figures 18 to 21 of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are side views of a conventional inhalation device for display strips How the belt is driven is used to sequentially move the blister into alignment with a blister piercing member by movement of an actuator that drives an index wheel from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2. When the actuator returns to its normal position, as shown in Figure 1, the blister piercing member on the actuator pierces a cover that aligns with the blister; Figures 3a through 3e are a sequence of patterns, The general function and operation of an inhaler is shown, which does not form part of the invention but is included for the purpose of providing background information only; Figure 4 is a side view of an inhalation device which does not form the present invention Part of it is included for the purpose of providing background information only; Figure 5 is a side view of Figure 4, but the cap is removed and the internal components are visible; Figure 6 is the removal of the inhaler. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the individual components of the inhaler shown in FIGS. 4 to 6; FIG. 8 is a blister strip for use in the inhaler of the present invention; a partial perspective view of the indexing mechanism; Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the blister strip indexing mechanism shown in Figure 8 after the actuating lever is partially rotated from its starting position to an intermediate position; Figure 10 is the same view as shown in Figure 9. However, there is no optional cantilevered underarm arm; Figure 11 is the blister strip index shown in Figures 8 through 10 after the actuating lever has been rotated to a point where the drive between the drive coupling and the actuator has disengaged. FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the opposite side of the indexing mechanism shown in FIGS. 9 to 11; FIG. 13a is a perspective view showing the driving coupling of the indexing mechanism used in the inhaler shown in FIGS. 9 to 12; 13b is a side view of the drive coupling shown in Figure 13a, wherein the flexible flange portion has been deflected in one direction "T" toward the shaft or toward an index wheel mounted on that shaft; Figure 14 is based on this A partial view of the inhaler of the invention showing the form and position of the index wheel that may be used to crush the used blister as it passes around the index wheel; Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the individual components of another inhaler Which does not form part of the invention Divided into only for the purpose of providing background information; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional side view of the inhaler shown in Figure 15; Figures 17a to 17f show Figure 15 or 16 incorporating a movable shutter to block the mouthpiece A further variation of the inhaler shown; Figures 18a and 18b respectively show an inhaler according to any of the embodiments of the present invention, wherein a cap is in a closed position and a cap is in an open position; Figures 19a and 19b respectively show perspective views of an inhaler in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cap is partially removed and positioned in a closed and open position; Figure 19c shows an exploded perspective view of the inhaler of Figures 19a and 19b; Figure 20 shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in which the drive member is integrally formed with the cover.

We should note that in most cap-operated inhalers, the cap is meant to be "passive", which can be opened and closed freely without performing the indexing function of the blister strip or causing a blister that leans against the mouthpiece. The piercing member pierces a sealing cap that is aligned with the blister. However, as will be more apparent from the consideration of embodiments of the present invention, the cap of the embodiment of the present invention is not "passive" but may be referred to as "active" because of indexing and piercing. Now happens as a direct result of a rotating cap. A more detailed description of the background information to some of the inhalers of the present invention will now be described.

Referring now to Figures 3a through 3e of the drawings, there is shown an inhaler 10 having a housing 11 formed by two housing portions 11a, 11b (see Figures 6 and 7) mounted to the housing The cap 12 of the cap 12 is used to surround an axis indicated by "C" (see Figs. 5 to 7) and to the direction indicated by the arrow "R" in Fig. 3(a), and from a cap The cover 12 covers and protects a closed position of the mouthpiece 13 (as shown in FIG. 4) to a fully open position (as shown in FIGS. 3(b) to 3(d)), in which the mouthpiece 13 is exposed to allow one The user inhales a dose of the drug via the mouthpiece 13.

The cap 12 is rotated in the direction of the arrow "R" to its fully open position. As soon as the cap 12 is rotated away from its closed position, the actuating lever 14 is revealed. Then, the user applies pressure to the actuating lever 14, which can be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow "S" in Fig. 3(b).

During the initial rotation of the actuating lever 14 through a first portion of its travel into the position shown in Figure 3(b), the strip is indexed so that an unused blister can be moved into a blister The wearing members 15 are aligned.

When the actuating member rotates through a second portion of its travel beyond the position shown in Figure 3(b), and after the first portion of its travel has been completed, the arrow "T" in Figure 3(c) In the direction, the strip remains stationary, but at this point the pivoting nozzle 13 俾 enables the blister piercing member 15 to pierce the sealing cap of the previously aligned blister.

Although a blister piercing member 15 is mentioned, it will be understood that multiple openings are formed in the sealing cap of the blister so that air can be drawn into the blister via one or several of those openings, and The blister is flowed out of a patient's airway along with a carried drug dose via one or more other openings and through the mouthpiece.

Once the actuating lever is in the position shown in Figure 3(c), the user immediately inhales through the mouthpiece 13, as indicated by the arrow indicated by "U" in Figure 3(d).

After inhalation, the user rotates the cap in the opposite direction (i.e., in the direction indicated by "V" in Figure 3(e)). During this movement, the cap 12 engages with the actuating lever 14, which causes the actuating lever 14 to return to its original position (as shown in Figure 3(a)) during this return movement of the actuating lever 14. The strip remains static.

As noted above, in an inhaler that does not form an embodiment of the present invention, the cap 12 performs the function of resetting the actuating member back to its original position when the cap is closed.

The inhaler of the present invention has an indexing mechanism as described with reference to the prior WO 2009/092652 A1. This embodiment of the inhaler of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figs. 8 to 13a. Although the drawing shows a slightly different configuration, in the present invention, the actuator 54 replaces a drive gear 16 that is mounted to the drive coupling member 57, but the principle remains the same because of the actuator 54 and the drive gear. Both are rotated to index the strip. Therefore, the rotation of the drive gear 16 (which causes the drive gear 16 to rotate as a result of a user pivoting the cap) performs the same function as the rotation of the actuator 54 mentioned in the following description of Figs. 8 to 13a.

Referring now to Figure 8, a partial perspective view of an inhalation device 50 including an indexing mechanism 51 is shown.

The indexing mechanism 51 includes an index wheel 55 that includes four blades 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, each having an enlarged head portion 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d. As can be clearly seen from reference to Figures 1 and 2, once a blister strip (not shown in Figures 8 to 14) The blister positioning chassis 53 has been passed over and it will surround the index wheel 55. A blister is located in the space between the two vanes 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, and the crucible can be rotated by the index wheel 55 to cause a vane 55a, 55b, 55c in response to the rotation of the actuator 54 (or the drive gear 16). 55d engages a blister between the blades 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, which can drive the strip around the index wheel 55 so that each blister moves forward a sufficient distance forward so that A new blister is moved into alignment with a blister piercing element.

Indexing mechanism 51 includes a drive coupling member 57 (shown most clearly in Figures 13a and 13b) for selectively or temporarily coupling actuator 54 (drive gear 16) to index wheel 55, which can be coupled The index wheel 55 rotates to accommodate the rotation of the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) to index the strip. The drive coupling member 57 includes a shaft 58 (see Figs. 13a and 13b) defining an axis of rotation "A", and the index wheel 55 is rotatably received on the shaft 58 so that it can be "A" on the axis of rotation The circumference is free to rotate about the axis of rotation 58. The actuator 54 (drive gear 16) is fixedly mounted to the drive coupling member 57 (the drive gear 16 will also be fixedly mounted to the drive coupling member 57), and the drive coupling member 57 can always be coupled to the actuator 54. (Drive gear 16) rotates together. In the present embodiment shown and described with reference to Figures 8 through 12, the actuator 54 (drive gear), drive coupling member 57 and index wheel 55 are all coaxially mounted for rotation about the same axis "A". However, it will be understood that in the present embodiment of Figure 7, the mouthpiece 13 and the actuating lever 14 are not mounted coaxially with the axis 'A'.

The drive coupling member 57 has a circular flange 59 that extends radially from one end of the shaft 58. One portion of the flange 60 is cut away (see the arcuate opening 61 in Fig. 8) over an angle of about 180 degrees, and the flange 59 is coupled to the shaft 58 so that this portion 60 of the flange 59 is not directly Mounted to the spindle 58 but only to the remainder of the flange 59 at each of its ends 60a, 60b. Thus, this portion 60 of the flange 59 is flexible relative to the remaining flange 59 and can be mounted toward or away from the shaft 58 or, more importantly, toward or away from the shaft 58 when a force is applied thereto. The axial direction of the index wheel 55 (in FIG. 13b, indicated by "T" and "S") is deflected away The plane of the flange 59 is extended at right angles to the axis of the shaft. The flexible flange portion 60 is hingedly rotated about an axis B which intersects the axis A of the shaft 58 and the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) but extends at right angles thereto. The drive coupling member 57 or at least the flange 59 is made of an elastic material that returns to the neutral, unstressed position when the deflected flexible flange portion 60 is released, and with the flange 59 The remaining fixed parts are coplanar.

The flexible flange portion 60 has a flange deflecting pawl 62 formed by a radially projecting one of its circumferential edges. The flange deflection pawl 62 has first and second inclined engagement faces 63, 64 on opposite sides. When the drive coupling member 57 is rotated in one direction to cope with the rotation of the actuator 54 (drive gear 16), one of the first or second inclined engaging faces 53, 54 and a fixed component on the outer casing 52 65 cooperate to deflect the flexible flange portion 60 in a first direction. When the drive coupling member 57 is rotated in the opposite direction, the other inclined engagement face cooperates with the composition 65 on the outer casing 52 for deflecting the flexible flange portion 60 in a second opposite direction, as will be described in more detail below. Explain.

The flexible flange portion 60 also has an arcuate index wheel drive finger 66 that erects axially from one of its faces toward the index wheel 55 and in the same direction as the shaft 58 and partially surrounds the flexible flange portion 60. Extending around. As will now be explained in more detail, when the flexible flange portion 60 has been deflected in a first direction, indicated by the arrow "T" in Figure 13b (the flange portion 60 is shown in its deflected position in Figure 13b) At this time, one end face 66a of the index wheel drive finger 66 (see Fig. 13a) engages the blades 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d of an index wheel 55, and the index wheel 55 can be driven together with the drive coupling member 57.

As described above, when the drive coupling member is rotated to cope with the rotation of the actuator 54 (drive wheel 16), the flange deflecting pawl 62 engages a composition 65 on the outer casing 52, which enables the flange 59 to be deflectable. Part 60 bends. This composition 65 includes first and second curved tracks or paths 67, 68 that are disposed one above the other or spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. See the most in Figure 8 The surface of the face rail 67. The lower or outermost track 68 is disposed below it and is visible in FIG. For the sake of clarity, the ends of the tracks 67a, 68a have an angled face.

When the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) is rotated in a first direction, the drive coupling member 57 rotates therewith, and the first outwardly inclined surface 63 on the flange deflection pawl 62 contacts the oblique of the innermost track 67. Corner 67a. Further rotation of the drive coupling member 57 causes the flange deflection pawl 62 to climb up onto the surface of the innermost track 67, thereby deflecting the flexible flange portion 60 toward the interior, i.e., toward an access housing 52 or It faces the direction of the rotating shaft 58 and the index wheel 55.

When the flexible flange portion 60 has been deflected inwardly toward the direction of the arrow T, further rotation of the drive coupling member 57 causes the index wheel drive finger 66 to engage one of the blades of the index wheel 55 (as shown in FIG. The blade 55c) enables the index wheel 55 to rotate with the drive coupling member 57 and engage the drive of the index wheel 55.

When the end of the innermost track 67 has been reached, the flange deflecting pawl 62 exits the surface of the track 67 and the resilient flange portion 60 resiliently returns to its original unstressed or neutral position. When the drive coupling member 57 is further rotated, the index wheel drive finger 66 is no longer engaged with the blade 55c of the index wheel 55, but passes underneath, so the index wheel 55 remains stationary. Therefore, although the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) continues to rotate in the same direction, it is released from the driving of the index wheel 55.

When the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) is rotated backwards in the opposite direction toward its starting position, the second inwardly angled surface 64 of the flange deflection pawl 62 now contacts the lower or outermost track 68, enabling The flange deflection pawl 62 now climbs up the surface of the second track 68, thereby causing the flexible flange portion 60 to deflect outwardly or in the opposite direction of its forward deflection. The engagement of the flange deflection pawl 62 for deflecting the flange portion 60 in the opposite direction with the outermost rail 68 allows the drive coupling member 57 to rotate in the opposite direction without any drive of the index wheel 55. It will be understood that if the flange portion 60 is not deflected in the opposite direction, the flange deflecting pawl 62 When returning to the opposite direction of rotation, only the ends of the composition 65 in the outer casing 52 are engaged to avoid rotation in the opposite direction, or the flange deflection claws 62 will be returned in the same direction to run across the flexible convex The edge 60 deflects the innermost track 67 such that the opposite side 66b of the index wheel drive finger 66 engages the blade 65b of an index wheel 55, thereby driving the index wheel 55 rearwardly rather than allowing it to be engaged without actuation. In the case of staying still. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the flexible flange portion 60 is deflected in the opposite direction, and the index wheel is not driven during the rotation of the coupling member 57 in the opposite direction.

When the drive deflection pawl 62 reaches the end of the outermost track 68, the flexible flange portion 60 returns to its original unstressed or neutral position due to its elasticity.

It will be appreciated that the range of rotation of the index wheel 55 relative to the range of rotation of the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) may be controlled by varying the circumference of the inner and outer rails 67,68. If the track is lengthened, the flexible flange portion 60 will deflect a greater proportion of the angle (the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) rotates through it), so the index wheel drive finger 66 will engage the index wheel 55 to Index wheel 55 rotates the entire angle. If desired, the rails 67, 68 can be made long enough that the index wheel 55 can be rotated during the entire movement of the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) in one direction. Alternatively, the rails 67, 68 can be made shorter to reduce the angle at which the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) and the index wheel 55 rotate together. Ideally, the track length can be selected such that the index wheel 55 can be rotated a sufficient angle to move the next unused blister into alignment with the blister piercing element.

Further rotation of the actuator 54 (drive gear 16) causes the mouthpiece to rotate, which enables the blister piercing member to pierce a blister that has just been moved into a sealing cap that is aligned with the blister piercing member.

It will be appreciated that the indexing mechanism 51 is designed to interrupt a stroke when the actuator 54 (i.e., the drive wheel 16 that rotates with the cap) has been rotated by an angle that is sufficient to cause a strip. Initial index, but it does not drive the index wheel 55 away, that is, convex The edge drive finger 62 has not touched the end of the innermost track 67. If the stroke is interrupted before the drive of the index wheel 55 has disengaged (or the drive gear returns to its original position) and the actuator 54 returns to its original position, the strip will be after an index wheel drive finger 66 The surface 66b will engage the preceding blade 55b to be driven rearwardly to its original position when the index wheel 55 is driven in the opposite direction. In an embodiment of the cap operation of the present invention, when the user can partially open the cap to inspect/clean the mouthpiece, then return the cap to its closed position without indexing and piercing a dose. This feature is particularly advantageous.

The indexing mechanism 51 also includes an optional mechanism for latching the index wheel 55 to avoid rotation between indexing steps, and for temporarily disengaging the buckle to allow indexing when driven by the index wheel drive finger 66. The mechanism of rotation of the wheel 55. This lock also improves the strip, more specifically the positional accuracy of the next blister to be pierced. This type of latching configuration will now be described in more detail, although it should be noted that the latching mechanism can be completely omitted.

The blister positioning chassis 53 optionally includes an elastically flexible cantilever 70 extending from the body 53 of the chassis to the index wheel 55. The free end of the cantilever 70 has an enlarged head portion 71 that includes a post-slot slit, aperture or opening 72 in which the head 56c of one of the index rollers 55 is disposed. The opening portion 72 is sized such that the head portion 56c of the blade 55c (shown in FIG. 8) is brought into close contact in the opening portion 72, so that the rotation of the index wheel 55 can be avoided. In the normal or initial position of the actuator 54 (drive wheel 16), the head 56c of a blade 55c is disposed in the opening portion 72 in the cantilever 70 of the chassis 53, which prevents the index wheel 55 from rotating.

When the actuator 54 (drive wheel 16) is rotated and the flange drive finger 62 engages the innermost track 67 to deflect the flexure of the flange 60 inwardly toward the index wheel 55, the index wheel drive finger 66 Initially engaged with a projection 71a (which extends from the inside of one of the enlarged heads 71 on the cantilever 70 of the chassis 53), the crucible 70 can be deflected outwardly away from the index wheel 55 to release the blade from the slit 72. The head 56c of the 55c is used to unlock the index wheel 55. Only once the index wheel 55 has been When the index wheel drive finger 66 is released, when the pusher arm 70 is pushed away from the index wheel 55, the index wheel drive finger 66 then engages the blade 55c of the index wheel 55, so that the drive coupling member 57 can be further rotated and rotated. Index wheel 55.

Before the flange drive finger 62 leaves the end of the innermost rail 67 and the flexible flange portion 60 returns to its undeflected state due to its elasticity, the index wheel drive finger 66 is no longer pushed against the cantilever 70, so the cantilever 70 is attached. Freely moving away from the index wheel 55. When the cantilever 70 is free to move backward just before the rotation of the index wheel 55 is completed, the cantilever is prevented from moving backward by contacting the head 56b of the blade 55b behind one of the cantilevers 70. During further rotation of the index wheel, the head 56b slides across the cantilever and then into the opening 72, thereby allowing the cantilever 70 to move all the way back and any further rotation of the drive coupling member 57 to drive the gear The index wheel 55 is locked in place before continuing to rotate.

On the return stroke of the actuator 54 (drive gear 16), it will be understood that the deflection of the flexible flange portion 60 in the opposite direction (i.e., toward a direction away from the index wheel) also ensures that the index wheel drive finger 66 jumps. Passing the chassis arm 70, the index wheel 55 is not unlocked to avoid any rotation of the index wheel 55 during the return stroke.

While the principles remain the same, the blister strip drive member or index wheel 17 of the present invention may take a slightly different form than that illustrated with reference to Figures 8 through 13b. More particularly, the index wheel 17 may be used to squeeze used blister cavities as the used blister cavity passes around it, thereby at least partially crushing them. This is achieved by enlarging the axle or hub 18 of the index wheel so that the distance between the hub and the housing or wall of the device 11, or a component that is fixed to the housing 11 (X in Figure 14) is less than one. The maximum height of the vesicle cavity. When the blister cavity is dragged between the spokes 17a of the index wheel 17, the forward rotation of the wheel 17 causes the cavity to be at least partially collapsed or interposed between the enlarged hub 18 of the index wheel 17 and the housing of the device. 11 between. The advantage of at least partially crushing the empty blister cavities is that they are wrapped within the used blister chamber of the device because The wound strip has a smaller diameter, so it takes up less space. Furthermore, the strip imparts a natural curvature as a result of feeding around the blister drive wheel and also as a result of crushing the blister cavity. This promotes that the used portion of the strip is more easily wound. We also understand that when the blister cavity has been flattened, at the point where the spokes of the blister drive wheel contact the strip, that is, the vesicle cavity meets the root of the remaining strip, the cavity is more elastically concave. under. Thus, a more accurate and precise drive of one of the strips will be achieved when the blister has been crushed.

As described above, the drive coupling member 57 of the inhaler of the present invention is modified in that the drive gear 16 is mounted to the drive coupling member 57 instead of the actuator 54, and the drive coupling member 57 can be rotated to respond to the drive gear 16 Rotation. It is also contemplated that the drive gear 16 may be integrally formed with the drive coupling member 57.

As is clear from Fig. 7, the drive coupling member 57 extends into an opening 19 in one of the side walls of the housing 11b of the housing 11, and the drive gear 16 is coupled thereto so that it can be disposed on the outer surface of the side wall. Above, only the drive coupling member 57, the blister strip drive wheel 17, and the blister strip itself are housed within the outer casing between the casing portions 11a, 11b.

In the inhaler as described in the Background of the Invention, the actuating lever 14 has a first plate portion 20 extending across the outer surface of the housing 11b and having an opening 21 for receiving an upright from the surface The protrusion 22 is for pivotally mounting the actuating lever 14 to the housing 11 for rotation about a second axis (AA in FIGS. 7 and 15). The actuating lever 14 can also have a second plate portion 23 that is parallel to the first portion 20 and is separated from the first portion 20 by a start button 24. The second plate portion extends across the opposite surface of the casing 11a and also has an opening 25 for engaging with a corresponding protrusion standing upright from the opposite surface, and the utility can be extended to the plates 20, 23 and the casing portion 11a, A start button between the opposite surfaces of 11b pivotally couples the actuating member 14 to the housing 11.

The first plate 20 has a further aperture 26 therein, and the cap 12 is provided by a coupling (for example, a protrusion 80 from a corresponding recess provided in the cap 12 (not shown). 7 , but the surface of the shell portion 11 b in the opening 92 ) is visible in FIG. 15 and is pivotally mounted to the outer casing portion 11 b for the cap 12 to rotate about a third axis. The protrusion 80 extends through the aperture 26 in the actuation member 14. The aperture 26 is arched and has a second axis as its center. When the actuation lever 14 is rotated about the second axis, the projection 80 travels within the aperture 26 without engaging the actuation member. 14, so the cap 12 remains stationary. The arched aperture 26 acts as a clearance aperture for pivotal attachment of the cap 12 to the housing 11b, which allows the actuation lever 14 to rotate about the second axis.

A drive member (not shown) extends from the inner surface of a cap 12. A drive member is positioned between the second and third axes and spaced apart from each of the second and third axes and extends toward the actuating lever 14, and the actuating lever 14 includes a wall 27 for use in the cap 12 The drive member is engaged by rotating about its third axis toward its closed position and after the actuation member 14 has rotated about its second axis. The drive member and wall surface 27 meet at a position between the second and third axes which urge the drive member against the wall surface 27 as the cap 12 is rotated further toward its closed position. The pressure of the drive member against the wall surface 27 causes the actuating member 14 to rotate back into its original position, with the cap 12 into its closed position.

The cap 12 and the actuating lever 14 are designed to enable the cap 12 to be pressed in by a user to operate the device when the cap 12 is in its closed position and the actuating lever 14 has returned to its original position. The start button 24 is above. This prevents a user from attempting to operate the device by rotating the actuating member 14 prior to opening the cap 12.

The actuating member 14 has a gear segment, toothed region or member 28 that is drivingly engaged with the gear drive member 16, such that rotation of the actuating member 14 also causes rotation of the gear drive member 16 and blister strip drive member With respect to selective rotation of the gear drive member 16 while simultaneously rotating the actuating member 14 through the initial portion of its travel (due to the indexing mechanism described above), the sputum strip can be initially driven to move the next blister into Aligned with the blister piercing member 15. Avoiding blister strip drive coupling during further rotation of actuating member 14 through the second portion of its travel The member 57 moves when it is decoupled from the blister strip drive wheel 17. During rotation through the second portion of its stroke, the blister piercing member 15 carried by the mouthpiece 13 is rotated to enable it to pierce the aligned and now stationary blister.

A cam drive member (not shown) extends from the first plate 20 toward the second plate 23. The cam drive member is received in a cam groove or slit 29 formed in a peripheral wall 30 conforming to the mouthpiece 13. As is clear from Fig. 7, the cam groove or slit 29 has an arch portion 29a at one end accompanied by a leg portion 29b. It will be understood that the slit 29 can alternatively be disposed in the actuating lever 14, and the cam drive member can extend from the mouthpiece 13 to achieve the same function.

During the initial rotation of the actuating member 14 through the first portion of its stroke, since the arcuate portion 29a of the cam slit 29 has the second axis as its radius, the cam drive member slides along the arcuate portion 29a of the cam groove 29. It does not cause any movement of the mouthpiece 13. However, during subsequent rotation of the actuating member 14, the cam member reaches the leg portion 29b of the cam slit 29 and engages the side wall of the cam groove 29, so that the mouthpiece 13 and the actuating member 14 can be wound together An axis BB is rotated to pull the blister piercing member 15 that is compliant with the mouthpiece 13 to the alignment blister.

Although a pivoting mouthpiece 13 is mentioned, we will also understand that the blister piercing member 15 may be pivotally mounted to a mouthpiece 13 or to a support or module that is pivotally mounted to the mouthpiece 13 in. In this configuration, the mouthpiece 13 itself remains stationary, and the blister piercing member 15 is pivoted relative to the stationary mouthpiece 13 to pierce a cover of the aligned blister in response to operation of the actuating member 14. .

During rotation of the cap 12 from its open position to its closed position, rotation of the actuating member 14 due to rotation of the cap 12 also causes the mouthpiece to rotate backward as the cam member travels rearward along the cam groove 29 to Its original location.

As shown in FIG. 7, a spiral element 31 can also be selectively mounted to the housing 11. Within this, the used portion of the strip is fed into it.

Although a region is disposed within the outer casing 11 to accommodate the used portion of the strip, it will be appreciated that the present invention is also applicable to other inhalation devices (not shown) in which the used blister is not retained. The inside of the casing 11 is sent out through an opening (not shown) in the wall surface of the casing 11 for periodic disassembly by a user.

Although the puncturing of an aligned blister occurs only after the movement of the strip has ceased, it is contemplated that the mechanism can be designed to enable the decoupling of the blister strip drive wheel 17 from the drive coupling member 57 only in the bubble. This occurs after the capsule piercing element 15 has been pierced or begins to pierce the sealing cap of a blister, which allows the piercing element to be pulled across and through it as it enters the sealing cap of the blister. This creates a larger opening relative to the size of the opening that is constructed when the strip is stationary before being pierced by the blister piercing element. A larger opening preferably ensures that all drug dose will be carried from the blister and removed from the vesicle.

No part of the invention has been formed, but another type of inhaler described only by background information is shown in Figures 15 and 16. The inhaler is similar in function to the previously described inhaler and is otherwise functional, but it additionally includes a stop mechanism for holding the actuating lever 81 at the end of its stroke, so a small force must be applied to it by means of The stop mechanism overcomes the hold placed thereon and allows the actuating lever 81 to return to its original position. The sling mechanism includes a cantilever 82 extending from the actuating lever 81 and having a kinked region 82a, the kinking region 82a being on the end of the second portion of the stroke of the actuating lever 81 with a portion 84b The pawl 83 engages such that the cantilever 82 elastically deforms and as it passes over the kink zone 82a, once the pawl 83 has tripped the kink zone 82a, it bounces back to its original shape. When the actuating lever 81 is rotated rearwardly toward its initial position, sufficient force must initially be applied to the actuating lever 81 to cause the cantilever 82 to deform due to the pawl 83 and to span it back. In addition to providing a slight resistance to the initial movement of the actuating lever 81, an audible 'click' sound is produced at the end of the second portion of the travel to the actuating lever 81, thus reaching An audible signal is provided to the user at the end of the stroke of the lever 81. While the cantilever (rather than the articulating rod) extends from the cap, the inhaler of the present invention can also incorporate such a stop mechanism.

The inhaler described with reference to Figures 15 and 16 can also include a rigid dividing wall 85 that divides the interior of the housing into an unused and used blister chamber 86, 87 (see Figure 16). The wall 85 is slidably mounted within the outer casing portion 84a of the outer casing to allow the force of the used blister coils in the used blister chamber 86 to be pressed against the wall 85 when more blister is used. It is pushed upwards in the direction indicated by the arrow "P" in Fig. 16 for expanding the space of the used blister and reducing the space occupied by the previously unused blister.

The sliding wall surface 85 includes an elongated leg portion 88 that is attached to and integrally formed with the partition 89 of a divided compartment. The proximal central region 88a of one leg 88 is attached to the partition 89 so that it can extend in the opposite direction on either side of the partition 89. The leg portion 88 is slidably received in a recess 90 formed in the wall surface of a casing, and is wider at its end 88b than at its center 88a joined to the partition 89, and is capable of coming into contact with the wall surface of the recess 90. This is done primarily with the wider end 88b of the foot 88.

A deeper, narrower recess 91 may extend deeper into the wall of the first recess 90 for receiving a reinforcing rib (not shown) that depends on the underside of the foot 88. The inhaler of the present invention may also include a split wall similar to that described with reference to Figures 15 and 16.

As indicated above, the blister strip drive wheel 17 is rotatably mounted in the chamber for sequentially moving each blister into a position in which it can be opened, preferably using a piercing-aligning bubble The capsular piercing element of the sealing cap of the capsule. However, the drive gear 16 that is driven to rotate the blister strip drive wheel 17 is disposed on the exterior of the outer casing away from the chamber in which the blister strip and blister strip drive wheel 17 are housed. Likewise, the actuating lever 14 is disposed on the exterior of the housing and away from the chamber. The drive gear segment or member 28 on the actuating lever 14 is therefore also on the outside of the housing, away from the chamber. This has the advantage of substantially avoiding the loose powder dose contained in any chamber Contacting the gear segment 28 with the drive gear 16 increases friction and is detrimental to a satisfactory blister index.

Each of the drive gears (in other words, the drive gear 16 and the gear section 28) is disposed between the outer casing 11 and the cap 12, and can be received by the cap 12 (which includes portions 12a, 12b extending across the respective side wall surfaces of the outer casing 11) ) is closed. This means that the drive gear 16 and the gear segment 28 are disposed between one of the side wall surfaces and one of the cap portions 12a, 12b.

The drive gear 16 is coupled to the blister strip drive wheel 17 via a drive 19 in the side wall of the housing.

It will also be understood that the mouthpiece is mounted to the exterior of the outer casing, the peripheral wall 30 extending from the opposite edge, and the opposing edge extending across the respective side wall surfaces on the exterior of the outer casing remote from the chamber. The surrounding wall is pivotally mounted to the side wall surface of the outer casing and covered by a portion 12a of a cap 12. The inhaler of the present invention can also have a similar construction in which the drive element is mounted away from the outer casing (i.e., between the outer casing and the cap) so that it can be separated from the chamber containing the blister strip. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the drive element may be completely contained and hidden by the cap so that none of it is visible or accessible from the outside.

Further variations of one of the inhalers as described in the background information are shown in Figures 17a to 17f. The inhaler is additionally provided with a movable shutter 100 (see Figs. 17e and 17f) which blocks the mouthpiece 13 when the mouthpiece 13 is in its raised position, but which is pulled downward in the mouthpiece 13 to respond The pressure on the actuation levers 14, 81 pivots when piercing a blister, which allows the mouthpiece 13 to be opened to allow a dose to pass through it as the patient inhales. It will be appreciated that the movable shutter can also be incorporated into the inhaler of the present invention such that the mouthpiece is blocked until the cap has reached its open position and the blister piercing member has pierced an aligned blister.

A top perspective view of an inhaler can be seen in Figure 17a. a corresponding side view The system is shown in Figure 17b, but the cap 12 is removed for clarity. In Figure 17a, the cap 12 has been pivoted to its open position, but the actuation levers 14, 81 have not yet been activated. As can be seen in Fig. 17a, the mouthpiece 13 is blocked by a shutter portion 101 of one of the shutter assemblies 100 seen through the nozzle opening portion 13a.

A top perspective view of an inhaler can also be seen in Figure 17c, along with a corresponding side view in Figure 17d (the cap 12 is removed for clarity). However, in these figures, the actuating levers 14, 81 have been pivoted through the full extent of their travel and the blower 13 has been driven downwardly and rotated about its pivot "B".

Referring to Figures 17b and 17d, it will be understood that the shutter 100 is shown in phantom to indicate that it is placed under the mouthpiece 13 so that it can be positioned between the mouthpiece 13 and the casing article 11, A user sees only a part of the movable shutter portion 101 via the mouth opening portion 13a.

The movable shutter portion 101 extends from one end of a pivot arm 102 and is arched in shape. The first section 101a of one of the arched movable shutter portions 101 extending directly from the pivoting arm 102 is solid, and is configured to completely block the mouthpiece opening portion 13a while away from the pivoting arm 102 from the first section. The second section 101b of one of the movable shutter portions 101 extending from 101a is provided with a plurality of openings 103 which form a mesh for passing the dose of one of the slings of the mouthpiece 13 and entering the mouth of the patient. In spite of the fact that a separate, stationary mesh can be formed integrally with the mouthpiece 13 below the first section 101a, the second portion 101b of the movable shutter arm 101 is not required in this case.

The opposite side 104 of the pivot arm 102 away from the movable shutter portion 101 is pivotally mounted to the mouthpiece 13 for rotation about an axis "X". The end 104 has an enlarged area that extends laterally relative to the remaining pivot arms 102 from the pivot axis "X." A cam slit 105 is formed in the enlarged area to accommodate a fixed cam pin 106 standing upright from the casework 11. The cam pin 106 is free to slide within the slit 105.

This configuration is such that when the mouthpiece 13 is rotated about its pivot axis "B" in response to the pressure applied to the actuating levers 14, 81, the movable shutter 100 is also due to the fixed cam pin 106 and the cam slit 105. The interaction between them rotates around its axis "X". The movable shutter 100 is rotated to the position shown in Figs. 17c and 17d, in which the second portion 101b of the movable shutter portion 101 is aligned with the mouth opening portion 13a for allowing a dose of the strap to be blown. The mouth opening portion 13a.

When the mouthpiece 13 is pivoted back to its original position to respond to the cap 12 being closed, the shutter 100 is rotated in the opposite direction (due to the rotation of the mouthpiece 13 in the opposite direction when driven by the cap 12), thereby The first movable shutter portion 101 is moved back to the mouth opening portion 13a and the mouthpiece 13 is blocked.

Once the movable shutter is no longer visible through the mouthpiece opening 13a, the dose is pierced and ready to be inhaled. The shutter 100 also provides further protection to the mouthpiece (other than the cap 12) to prevent dust or debris from entering the inhaler, for example, by actuating the levers 14, 81 to pierce an alignment bubble. Prior to the bladder, if the cap 12 is pivoted to its open position and the inhaler is maintained in this state, while the mouthpiece 13 is exposed, dust or debris can enter the inhaler.

When the movable shutter 100 is pivotally mounted to the mouthpiece 13 instead of the casing article 11, regardless of the rotational displacement of the mouthpiece 13, the movable shutter portions 101a, 101b always maintain the same distance from the nozzle opening portion, The arched shutter portion can always be maintained in the same close gap as the corresponding surface on the mouthpiece 13.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 18 to 20 of the accompanying drawings.

Figures 18a and 18b show an inhaler 200 in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention, wherein a cap 201 is in a closed position in which it covers a mouthpiece 202 (Figure 18a) and a cap 201 is positioned Open position in which the mouthpiece 202 is exposed to allow a patient to inhale a dose Quantity (Figure 18b). The cap 201 is mounted to the outer casing 204 for rotation about an axis C.

Embodiments of the inhaler in accordance with the present invention are similar to the inhalers detailed above and are referred to above only as background information. However, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, since the rotation covers and protects the cap 201 of the mouthpiece 202 in a closed position, there is no longer any result of the activation button extending from the housing 204 (because this is no longer needed). The index of the blister strip and the puncturing of an aligned blister can thus occur. Further, the cap 201 is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of rotation of the blister drive member or index wheel 17. A drive member 203 is disposed between the first and second axes and is operable to transfer drive from the cap 201 (when rotated from its closed position to an open position) to drive coaxially with the blister drive member 17 The gears 16, 俾 enable each blister to be sequentially moved into alignment with a blister piercing member 210. The cap 201 also cooperates with the blister piercing member 210, and the rotation of the cap 201 toward an open position also causes the blister piercing member 210 to pivot relative to the outer casing 204 to pierce a sealing cap that is aligned with the blister.

The actuating lever is replaced by a drive element 203 that is completely received under the cap 201. Figure 19a shows a perspective view of an inhaler in accordance with the present invention with the cap 201 in its closed position and partially cut away for clarity. Figure 19b shows the same view as Figure 19a, but with the cap 201 in its open position. Figure 19c shows an exploded view of the inhaler 200 of Figures 19a and 19b.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 19a to 19c, the drive member 203 is a separate component (e.g., a gear or a disk having gear teeth 205 around a portion of its periphery) and is mounted for winding. The same axis "C" as the cap 201 is rotated. When the inhaler 200 is assembled, the drive element 203 may be keyed or otherwise mounted to the cap 201 to enable the drive element 203 to rotate with the cap 201. For example and as shown in Figures 19a to 19c, a cylinder 206 is erected from the surface of the drive element 203 and received in one of the caps 201 (extending over the drive element 203 and covering the drive element 203) Corresponding recess in the inner surface (not Within the display), the drive member 203 is also rotated about the axis "C" while the cap 201 is rotated about the axis "C". The gear teeth 205 mesh with corresponding gear teeth on the drive gear 16, and the drive gear 16 can be rotated to accommodate rotation of the drive member 203. The drive gear 16 is coupled to a drive coupling member 57 to effect the indexing of the strip, as explained with reference to the inhaler described in more detail above.

The pivotal movement of the mouthpiece 202 or the blister piercing element 210 can result in the piercing of an aligned blister, in the same manner as in the above-described inhalation device, except for a cam drive member (rather than a cooperating rod) Extending from the inner surface of a cap 201 and disposed outside of a cam groove 207. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 19a and 19b, the cam drive member 208 extends from the drive member 203. The peripheral wall surface 209 of a mouthpiece 202 may overhang the drive member 203 such that the drive member 208 can project upwardly away from the outer casing 204 and be received in the cam groove 207. The peripheral wall surface 209 of the mouthpiece can then be disposed between the drive element 203 and the cap 201.

The cam groove 207 has an arched portion having an axis coaxial with the axis of rotation "C" of the cap 201, such that the cam drive member 208 is within the arched portion during initial rotation of the cap 201 Slide without moving the mouthpiece 202. However, once the cam drive member 206 contacts the end section of a cam groove 207, further rotation of the cap 201 causes the cam drive member 208 to push against the peripheral wall surface 209 of the mouthpiece 202, thereby causing it to rotate, thereby The blister piercing member 210 is pulled to a position where it can pierce a sealing cap of the blister aligned with the blister piercing member 210.

The drive gear 203 can have a central opening 211 for pivotally mounting it to a hub 212 that extends from the outer casing 204. The cap 201 is also pivotally mounted to the hub 212 for rotation about the axis "C".

An alternate embodiment is illustrated by the exploded perspective view of FIG. This embodiment utilizes exactly the implementation of Figure 19, except that the drive element 203 is now integral with the cap 201. The example works the same way. For example, the drive element 203 may be molded or otherwise formed with a portion of the cap 201. As shown in FIG. 20, the drive member 203 can include an arcuate gear segment 213 that shares its axis with the axis of rotation of the cap "C" and has teeth that mesh with the drive gear 16.

As described above, although it is contemplated that the drive member 203 and the cap 201 can be formed as a single unitary assembly, for ease of manufacture, the drive member 203 and the cap 201 may be separately fabricated and mounted, keyed, Adhesive or otherwise fixed to each other, so that they will rotate together about the same axis.

The drive member 203 is coupled with the cap 201 when the cap is rotated about its axis of rotation "C" from a closed position in which the mouthpiece 202 is covered by the cap 201 to its open position to reveal the mouthpiece 202. Rotate. Like the drive gear segment (in combination with the inhaler mentioned above), the drive member 203 is coupled to a drive gear 16 that is mounted coaxially with the blister drive wheel or index wheel, such that it can be adapted to the cap 201 Movement of the drive element 203 that occurs by rotation also causes rotation of the drive gear 16, thereby causing rotation of the blister drive wheel, which can index the strip.

As with the actuating lever of the inhaler previously described, the drive element 203 is disposed externally of the outer casing 204 or the casing and between the outer casing 204 and a portion of the cap 201. It is thus separated from the blister strip by a side wall of the outer casing 204. It will be noted that when the push button is no longer needed, the outer casing 204 and/or the cap 201 may take a slightly different form because there is no gap between the edge of the cap 201 and the side wall of the outer casing 204. The actuating rod protrudes. Since no start button is present on the exterior of the outer casing 204, the edges of the outer casing 204 between the side walls may also have a slightly modified shape. The drive element 203 may be completely hidden by the cap 201.

It will also be apparent to us that the inhaler of the present invention may also be provided with the above described stop mechanism or movable shutter arrangement.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the items falling within the scope of the following patent application Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are intended to be illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, although a "blowing mouth" is mentioned, the invention is also suitable for devices that inhale a dose via a nasal passage. Thus, for the purposes of this specification, the specific term "blowing mouth" should also be interpreted to include within its scope a tube that is inserted into a patient's nasal passageway through which it is inhaled. Furthermore, the term "vesicle" should be interpreted broadly to include other dosage storage containers, such as capsules or other dose-containing balloons formed in a substrate. Preferably, the substrate is in the form of a wound strip of spaced apart vesicles.

Furthermore, although the blister piercing member 15 is described as being attached to the mouthpiece, the sputum can rotate the mouthpiece 13 together with the blister piercing member, but it is also contemplated that the mouthpiece itself can remain stationary and the blister is puncture The element 15 is pivotally mounted to the mouthpiece 13 and is configured to rotate the blister piercing member 15 relative to the mouthpiece 13 to pierce a sealing cap that is aligned with the blister.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inhaler of the present invention may be a passive or active device. In a passive device, the dose is carried by the flow of air caused by the user inhaling through the mouthpiece. However, in an active device, the inhaler will contain a mechanism for generating a flow of pressurized gas or air through the blister to carry the dose away and carry it away from the blister via the mouthpiece and into the airway of the user. In one embodiment, the inhaler can be provided with a source of pressurized gas or air within the outer casing.

16‧‧‧Gear Drive / Drive Wheel / Drive Gear

57‧‧‧Drive coupling member

200‧‧‧ inhaler

201‧‧‧Cap

202‧‧‧Blowing mouth

203‧‧‧Drive Components / Drive Gears

204‧‧‧ Shell

205‧‧‧ gear teeth

206‧‧‧Cam drive member/cylinder

210‧‧‧vesicle piercing member/vesicle piercing element

211‧‧‧Central opening

212‧‧·wheels

Claims (25)

An inhaler comprising: a housing for accommodating a plurality of blister, each blister having a pierceable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user; a mouthpiece mounted to the housing and the user A dose of the drug is inhaled through the mouthpiece; a blister drive member is mounted for rotation about a first axis; a cap covering the mouthpiece in a closed position is mounted for a second axis that is parallel to and spaced apart from the first axis; and a drive member between the first and second axes operable to cause rotation of the cap The blister drive member rotates from its closed position toward an open position in which the mouthpiece is exposed for sequentially moving each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member pivotally mounted to the housing, the cap The lid also cooperates with the blister piercing member, and the rotation of the cap toward an open position also causes the blister piercing member to pivot relative to the outer casing to pierce a pierceable cap that is aligned with the blister To generate when the user inhales through the mouthpiece The air flow through the blister to entrain the dose in which the contents of the blowing nozzle via which carried into the user's airway. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the blister piercing member is non-movably mounted to the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece is pivotally mounted to the outer casing, and the mouthpiece can be The blister piercing members pivot together to accommodate rotation of the cap. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the blister piercing member is pivotally mounted to the mouthpiece, and the sac is capable of pivoting the blister piercing member relative to the mouthpiece to cover the cap Rotation. An inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a drive gear train is mounted coaxially with the blister drive member, and the drive member cooperates with the drive gear to enable the cap The drive gear rotates when the cover pivots toward its open position. The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the drive gear is coupled to the blister drive member via an activation mechanism, the activation mechanism being designed to cause the blister drive member to be in the cap Initially rotating from its closed position toward its open position, rotating with the drive gear, and enabling the drive gear to be relative to the latter half of the rotation of the cap from its closed position toward its open position The blister drive member rotates while the blister piercing member rotates to pierce an alignment blister. The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the drive element is coupled to the cap. The inhaler of claim 6, wherein the drive member has an axis of rotation that is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cap. The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the drive element is integrally formed with the cap. The inhaler of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the drive member includes an arcuate gear segment that engages the drive gear. The inhaler of claim 9, wherein the arcuate gear segment has an axis that is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cap. An inhaler according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the cap and the mouthpiece have a driving cam member when attached to the second item of the patent application, The other of the cap and the mouthpiece has a drive cam surface, wherein the drive cam member cooperates with the drive cam surface to enable the mouthpiece to pivot for rotation of the cap for piercing an alignment This can be pierced by the blister. An inhaler according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the cap and the blister piercing member have a driving cam member when attached to the third item of the patent application. And the other of the cap and the blister piercing member has a drive cam surface, wherein the drive cam member cooperates with the drive cam surface to enable the blister piercing member to pivot for rotation of the cap For piercing a pierceable cap that is aligned with the blister. The inhaler of claim 11, wherein the driving cam surface is an arcuate cam groove having an axis corresponding to the axis about which the cap rotates to serve the cap During this initial rotation, the drive cam member is slid along the arcuate cam groove without causing the nozzle to rotate. The inhaler of claim 12, wherein the driving cam surface is an arcuate cam groove having an axis corresponding to the axis about which the cap rotates to serve the cap During this initial rotation, the drive cam member is slid along the arcuate cam groove without causing the blister piercing member to rotate. The inhaler of claim 13, wherein the cam groove has an end region that is shaped to be in the drive cam member and the cam groove during further rotation of the cap The cooperation between the end regions causes the mouthpiece to rotate with the cap, enabling the blister piercing member to pierce the pierceable cap that is aligned with the blister. The inhaler of claim 14, wherein the cam groove has an end region that is shaped to be in the drive cam member and the cam groove during further rotation of the cap The cooperation between the end regions causes the blister piercing member to rotate with the cap, enabling the blister piercing member to pierce the pierceable cap that is aligned with the blister. The inhaler of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the outer casing comprises a casing, and the cap is mounted for rotation on the casing. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a stopping mechanism comprising a cantilever on the cap and a pawl on the shell, when the cap reaches When the open position is to hold the cap in its open position, the arm is elastically deformed by the pawl. The inhaler of claim 18, wherein the cantilever includes a kinked portion that snaps the pawl when the cap is rotated toward the distal end of its stroke. An inhaler according to any one of claims 2 to 19, comprising a movable shutter having a mouthpiece blocking member, the mouthpiece blocking member being disposed to extend across the mouthpiece and Blocking the passage through the mouthpiece, the movable shutter is pivotally mounted to the mouthpiece and designed to rotate to rotate the blocking member to a position in response to rotation of the cap and the mouthpiece Position, wherein the mouthpiece is unobstructed when the cap has reached the end of its stroke and a blister is pierced. An inhaler according to claim 20, wherein the movable shutter comprises a cam mechanism, and the rotation of the mouthpiece causes the cam mechanism to cause the movable shutter to rotate around the rotary axis of the movable shutter Rotate. The inhaler of claim 21, wherein the cam mechanism comprises a slit and a fixed cam pin received in the slit to rotate the nozzle around its axis to cover the cap When rotated, the engagement between the cam pin and the slit forces the movable shutter to rotate on the mouthpiece about its axis of rotation. The inhaler of claim 22, wherein the movable shutter comprises an arm and the mouthpiece blocking member extends from one end of the arm. An inhaler comprising an outer casing defining a chamber for receiving a strip having a plurality of blister packs, each blister containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user; a cap; and a blister strip a drive member rotatably mounted in the chamber for sequentially moving each of the blister to a blister open position, wherein the blister strip drive member and the cap are driven by one of each other The gear and a driving component are coupled for influencing the rotation of the blister strip driving member to be disposed away from the chamber on the exterior of the housing due to rotation of the cap, and It is completely contained under the cap. The inhaler of claim 24, wherein the outer casing has a facing side wall surface, and the cap has a portion extending across the surface of each side wall, the driving gear and the driving element being disposed on the side wall surfaces One of them is between one of the cap portions.