EP0424790A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-dose inhaler for medicaments in powder form
Assignee: Andi-Ventis Ltd
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Filing: 1990-10-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) for medicaments in powder form comprises a container unit (24; 124) for the medicament in powder form, a withdrawal and dose preparation unit (22, 26; 122, 126) for said medicament, and a unit (16, 50; 152, 176) for mixing the dose of medicament with an air stream. The withdrawal and dose preparation unit comprises: a cup-type conveyor device (22; 122) provided with at least one cup (20; 120) for withdrawing from the container unit a certain quantity of powder and conveying it into a dispensing position, the cup (20; 120) having two coaxial identical holes (56; 156); and a plunger-type dispensing device (36; 106) disposed above the mixing unit, the plunger (36; 106) being insertable as an exact fit into and withdrawable from the holes (56; 156) in the cup (20; 120) when this latter is in the dispensing position, to cause a dose of medicament in powder form to fall into the mixing unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Salvatore Cocozza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0065; A61M15/0068; A61M15/007; A61M15/0071; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/06; A61M2202/064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) for medicaments in powder form, comprising a container unit (24; 124) for the medicament in powder form, a withdrawal and dose preparation unit (22, 26; 122, 126) for said medicament, and a unit (16, 50; 152, 176) for mixing the dose of medicament with an air stream which is generated within a duct (48; 152, 172) as a result of sucking by the user, characterised in that the withdrawal and dose preparation unit comprises: a cup-type conveyor device (22; 122) provided with at least one cup (20; 120) for withdrawing from the container unit (24; 124) a certain quantity of powder and conveying it into a dispensing position, the cup (20; 120) having two coaxial identical holes (56; 156); and a plunger-type dispensing device (36; 106) disposed above the mixing unit, said plunger (36; 106) being insertable as an exact fit into and withdrawable from said holes (56; 156) in the cup (20; 120) when this latter is in said dispensing position, to cause a dose of medicament in powder form to fall into the mixing unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) for medicaments in powder form, comprising a container unit (24; 124) for the medicament in powder form, a withdrawal and dose preparation unit (22, 26; 122, 126) for said medicament, and a unit (16, 50; 152, 176) for mixing the dose of medicament with an air stream which is generated within a duct (48; 152, 172) as a result of sucking by the user, characterised in that the withdrawal and dose preparation unit comprises: a cup-type conveyor device (22; 122) provided with at least one cup (20; 120) for withdrawing from the container unit (24; 124) a certain quantity of powder and conveying it into a dispensing position, the cup (20; 120) having two coaxial identical holes (56; 156); and a plunger-type dispensing device (36; 106) disposed above the mixing unit, said plunger (36; 106) being insertable as an exact fit into and withdrawable from said holes (56; 156) in the cup (20; 120) when this latter is in said dispensing position, to cause a dose of medicament in powder form to fall into the mixing unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a wall (19; 119) separates the withdrawal and dose preparation unit from the mixing unit, an aperture (55; 155) being automatically openable in said wall to enable the dose of medicament in powder form to fall into the mixing unit following operation of the plunger (36; 106) when the conveyor device (22; 122) is in the dispensing position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by being provided with means (64, 66; 123; 164, 166) for producing vibrations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the vibration-producing means (64, 66; 123; 164, 166) are operated by the movement of the conveyor device (22; 122).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the conveyor device (22; 122) is manually operated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the conveyor device (22; 122) is manually operated by a knob (12; 112) which operates the conveyor device (22; 122) by way of a coaxial shaft (14; 114).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A multi-dose inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the conveyor device is motorized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A multi-dose inhaler as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the motorized operation of the conveyor device is obtained by an electric micro-motor of stepping type powered by batteries contained within the inhaler body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multi-dose inhaler as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the batteries are of rechargeable type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plunger dispensing device (36; 106) is manually operated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the device for manually operating the plunger dispensing device (36; 106) comprises a knob (38; 138) to be pressed by the fingers which is fixed to the plunger (36; 106), and a return spring (40; 140) for the plunger which returns this latter into its rest position when the finger action ceases on the knob (38; 138).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
An inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 and 7 to 9, characterised in that a microprocessor means is provided to control all or part of the motorized devices of the inhaler in accordance with a predetermined program.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A multi-dose inhaler (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising a conventional device (190, 192) for indicating depletion of the medicament in the container (124).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised by being rechargeable with medicament in powder form.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multi-dose inhaler as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that recharging is done by replacing the container unit, which is removable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A multi-dose inhaler as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if the dose of medicament in powder form is to be administered nasally, the inhaler is provided with an adaptor shaped to adapt to the nostril of the patient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that means (50; 176) are provided in the mixing unit to disintegrate any medicament particle agglomerates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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