Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
  • A61M11/001—Particle size control
  • A61M11/002—Particle size control by flow deviation causing inertial separation of transported particles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
  • A61M15/0021—Mouthpieces therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M15/00—Inhalators
  • A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
  • A61M2202/06—Solids
  • A61M2202/064—Powder
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2206/00—Characteristics of a physical parameter; associated device therefor
  • A61M2206/10—Flow characteristics
  • A61M2206/14—Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2209/00—Ancillary equipment
  • A61M2209/10—Equipment for cleaning

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a delivery device, such as a dry powder inhaler, for administering particulate medicaments.
• the delivery device comprises a body and a flow path defined by a plurality of surfaces through which a stream of air is in use drawn by a user.
• the flow path comprises a chamber with an inlet and an outlet for the stream of air.
• the chamber is mounted relatively rotatable in relation to the body.
• the delivery device also comprises dislodging means arranged in contact with the inner surface of the chamber,
• the present invention further relates to a method for cleaning a delivery device.
• the mouthpiece is partly cleaned from retained drug powder by a wiper that wipes the flat horizontal surface of the mouthpiece insert upon rotation of the mouthpiece.
• the wiper reduces powder retention in the mouthpiece significantly, verifying that the principle of rinsing with a wiper works. Powder, which may have accumulated on the inner surfaces of the inhaler, is dislodged from those surfaces prior to the next inhalation.
• the inhaler by configuring the inhaler such that the mouthpiece is rotated automatically when the mouthpiece insert holder is removed, it is not necessary to rely upon the user to remember to rotate the mouthpiece prior to each inhalation.
• Mouthpieces for dry powder inhalers uses among other means helical devices for breaking up the particulate medicament that is being inhaled by the patient. Especially, cleaning of the channel of the mouthpiece is difficult when such helical device is used.
• WO 01/95963 discloses a mouthpiece for a particulate inhaler.
• the known device discloses a mouthpiece provided with a helical member disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the mouthpiece. By air drawn by a user, the helical member undergoes an axial movement between a first and a second position such that it restricts the build up of medicament on the inside of the mouthpiece.
• Cleaning in this known device is achieved by axial movement of the helical member in relation to the mouthpiece.
• the movement of the helical member in axial direction requires that the length of the mouthpiece is long enough to enable such movements.
• the axial movement of the helical member is achieved by the force of the air drawn by the user. Cleaning performance is thus depending of the flow rate achieved by the patient.
• the helical member is retained to its initial position by the force of a resilient arm.
• the efficiency of the cleaning procedure is depending on the users ability to breath strong enough to overcome the force of the spring and thereby achieve the axial movement of the helical member. If the device is used by a patient with poor breathing capacity, the cleaning effect might be poor. In that case, medicaments might be built up in the mouthpiece, thus demanding a higher flow rate after each inhalation for achieving a cleaned mouthpiece.
• a further risk is that if medicaments continue to be built up on the inside of the inhaler after each inhalation, the helical member might get stuck during the axial movement. Further, for every inhalation a part of the force used by the patient is consumed by the cleaning device, thus leaving less to actually inhale and deagglomerate the dose.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a delivery device with an improved cleaning function.
• a delivery device for administrating particulate medicaments comprising a body and a flow path defined by a plurality of surfaces through which a stream of air is in use drawn by a user.
• the flow path comprises a chamber with an inlet and an outlet for the stream of air.
• the chamber is rotatable in relation to the body.
• the delivery device comprises dislodging means in contact with the inner surface of the chamber.
• the dislodging means and the chamber are relatively rotatable in relation to one another such that, the inside of the chamber is cleaned by the dislodging means when the dislodging means and the chamber are rotated in relation to one another. Building up of medicament on the inside of the chamber is thus restricted.
• the chamber is at least partly defined by a mouthpiece insert.
• the dislodging means and the mouthpiece insert are relatively rotatable in relation to one another such that the inside of the mouthpiece insert is cleaned by the dislodging means when the dislodging means and the mouthpiece insert are rotated in relation to one another. Building up of medicament on the inside of the mouthpiece insert is thereby restricted.
• the delivery device further comprising a helical member arranged between the inlet and the outlet of the delivery device, for, in use, imparting a rotational movement to the airflow drawn through the delivery device.
• the helical member is arranged in contact with the inside of the mouthpiece insert.
• the helical member is comprised in the dislodging means. The inner surface of the mouthpiece insert is cleaned by the helical member when the dislodging means and the mouthpiece insert are rotated in relation to one another.
• the helical member has a plurality of intertwined helical sections. In yet another embodiment, the helical member has two intertwined helical sections.
• the helical member comprises biasing means for applying a force on the inside of the mouthpiece insert substantially perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axes of the delivery device.
• the intertwined helical sections are resilient, thereby applying a force on the inside of the mouthpiece insert substantially perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axes of the delivery device.
• the mouthpiece insert comprising a first portion and a second portion
• the dislodging means further comprises a dislodging member, arranged in contact with the inner surface of a portion of the mouthpiece, and the helical member is arranged in contact with the inner surface of the other portion of the mouthpiece, such that the inner surfaces of the mouthpiece insert portions are cleaned by the member and by the helical member, respectively, when the dislodging means and the mouthpiece insert are rotated in relation to one another.
• the delivery device further comprises a mouthpiece insert holder, the mouthpiece insert and the mouthpiece insert holder each comprise parts that engage to one another, such that the dislodging means and the mouthpiece insert are relatively rotated in relation to one another when screwing or unscrewing the mouthpiece insert holder.
• the cleaning occurs automatically when the inhaler is opened. Since the mouthpiece insert and the body is relatively rotated in relation to one another automatically when the mouthpiece insert holder is screwed off, it is not necessary to rely upon the user to remember to rotate the mouthpiece prior to each inhalation.
• the dislodging means and the body each comprise parts that engage to one another, such that the body and the mouthpiece insert are firmly attached to one another.
• the dislodging means comprises a protruding member arranged to engage with a cut out in the body, such that the body and the insert are firmly attached to one another.
• the invention further relates to a method for cleaning a delivery device.
• the delivery device comprises a flow path defined by a plurality of surfaces through which a stream of air is hi use drawn by a user, and a body.
• the flow path comprises a chamber with an inlet and an outlet for the stream of air.
• the chamber is rotatable in relation to the body.
• the delivery device comprises dislodging means arranged in contact with the inner surface of the chamber.
• the method comprises rotating the dislodging means and the chamber in relation to one another, such that the inside of the mouthpiece is cleaned by the dislodging means, whereby building up of medicament on the inside of the mouthpiece is restricted.
• the method comprises the step of rotating the dislodging means and the mouthpiece insert in relation to one another prior to inhalation. Since the cleaning procedure is achieved before and not during inhalation, the procedure is independent of the airflow drawn by the user.
• the method comprises the step of applying a force on the inside of the mouthpiece by biasing means, the force being substantially perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axes of the delivery device.
• the method and the delivery device of the present invention may be used with any suitable form of powder, including powders introduced into the air stream in the raw state or as conglomerate, micronised or ordered mixture particles.
• the active ingredient or ingredients of the powder may be diluted with one or more substances such as lactose and may include substances for the treatment of various conditions, not necessarily respiratory conditions.
• the powder can include genetic material and need not be restricted to human use only.
• Medicaments suitable for administration by the powder inhaler of the present invention are any which may be delivered by inhalation and include for example ⁇ 2-adrenoreceptor agonists, for example, salbutamol, terbutaline, rimiterol, fenoterol, reproterol, adrenaline, pirbuterol, isoprenaline, orciprenaline, bitolterol, salmeterol, formoterol, clenbuterol, indacaterol, procaterol, broxaterol, picumeterol, carmoterol (TA-2005), mabuterol and the like, and their pharmacologically acceptable esters and salts; anticholinergic bronchodilators, for example, ipratropium bromide and the like; glucocorticosteroids, for example, beclomethasone, fluticasone, budesonide, tipredane, dexamethasone, betamethasone, fluocinolone, triam
• Fig. 1 shows parts of a delivery device in an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the top of a delivery device in an embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 1 shows details of a delivery device according to one embodiment of the invention.
• the delivery device comprises a body 1 with a smooth top, and a chamber at least partly defined by a mouthpiece insert 3, and dislodging means 4 comprising a helical member and a dislodging member 4c.
• the dislodging member 4c may be of any suitable shape, such as a wiper arm.
• the mouthpiece insert 3 and the dislodging means 4 are mounted relatively rotatable in relation to one another.
• the dislodging means 4 is firmly attached to the body, whilst the mouthpiece insert 3 is attached to the mouthpiece insert holder 2.
• the mouthpiece insert 3 When the mouthpiece insert holder 2 is unscrewed and thus undergoes a rotational movement, the mouthpiece insert 3 also undergoes a rotational movement and the mouthpiece insert 3 and the dislodging means 4 are rotated relative to one another.
• the helical member is arranged in close contact with the inside of a portion 3b of the mouthpiece insert 3, and the dislodging member 4c is arranged in close contact with the inside of another portion 3b of the mouthpiece insert.
• the helical member is wiping off any powder left on the inside of the portion 3b of the mouthpiece insert.
• the dislodging member 4c is wiping off any powder left on the inside of the portion 3 a of the mouthpiece.
• the helical member has two intertwined helical sections (4a, 4b).
• Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the top of the device.
• the device comprises an insert holder 2 and an insert 3 with a channel, and dislodging means 4 comprising a helical member and a dislodging member 4c 3 in this embodiment shown as a wiper arm.
• The. helical member and the dislodging member 4c are used for cleaning the portion 3b of the mouthpiece insert 3, and the portion 3a of the mouthpiece insert 3, respectively.
• the dislodging means 4 is in this embodiment firmly attached to the body 1 by a protruding member 4d, arranged to engage with a cut out (not shown) in the body 1.
• the mouthpiece insert 3 is attached to mouthpiece insert holder 2 and therefore rotates automatically in relation to the dislodging means 4 when the moutihpiece insert holder 2 is unscrewed and thus undergoes a rotational movement.
• the body 1 has a smooth top to minimize dead ends.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Pulmonology (AREA)
• Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
• Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
• Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (17)

Citations (4)

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• 2006
  • 2006-12-21 EP EP06835881A patent/EP1965848A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-12-21 CN CN2006800489242A patent/CN101346158B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-12-21 JP JP2008547168A patent/JP4934678B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-12-21 WO PCT/SE2006/001466 patent/WO2007073302A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2006-12-21 US US12/097,969 patent/US8025051B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (5)

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