US5347999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inhalation device free from propellant gas having brush abrading powder from tablet
Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
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Filing: 1991-08-13
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Granted: 1994-09-20
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Expires: 2011-08-13
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a propellent-free inhalation device having a supply of solidified medicinal substance to be inhaled, a manually operable metering device for removing a given dose of the medicinal substance for the inhalation process and having a mouthpiece for actively breathing in and an air space for distributing the particular dose of medicinal substance in the air stream. An abrasion device, in the form of a brush comprising a plurality of bristles, is used to abrade the medicinal substance to form the dose.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Poss
- 👤 Jurgen Wittekind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0091; A61M15/0065; A61M15/0068; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/06; A61M2202/064; A61M2202/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A propellant free inhalation device for use with a solid tablet of a medicinal substance, comprising: a housing; a holder for containing the tablet; a manually operated means for dispensing and metering a dose from the tablet for inhalation by a user, said means for dispensing and metering the dose comprising a shaft and a brush having means for mechanically abrading the tablet, said means for mechanically abrading the tablet including a plurality of bristles, said bristles, responsive to manual operation of said dispensing and metering means by a user, mechanically abrading the tablet and generating the dose for inhalation; an air chamber within said housing, said air chamber receiving the dose upon manual operation of said dispensing and metering means by a user; and a mouthpiece adapted to be engaged by a user's mouth wherein inhalation by a user through said mouthpiece causes air to flow through said air chamber and to entrain the dose.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A propellant free inhalation device for use with a solid tablet of a medicinal substance, comprising: a housing; a holder for containing the tablet; a manually operated means for dispensing and metering a dose from the tablet for inhalation by a user, said means for dispensing and metering the dose comprising a shaft and a brush having means for mechanically abrading the tablet, said means for mechanically abrading the tablet including a plurality of bristles, said bristles, responsive to manual operation of said dispensing and metering means by a user, mechanically abrading the tablet and generating the dose for inhalation; an air chamber within said housing, said air chamber receiving the dose upon manual operation of said dispensing and metering means by a user; and a mouthpiece adapted to be engaged by a user's mouth wherein inhalation by a user through said mouthpiece causes air to flow through said air chamber and to entrain the dose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a spring biased against said holder; and means for limiting the dose to a predetermined amount comprising an adjustable stop, wherein said adjustable stop limits the movement of said holder responsive to said spring biased against said holder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 2, further comprising: a drive mechanism connected to said means for dispensing and metering, and means for manually tensioning said drive mechanism, said manual tensioning means comprising a push button.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive mechanism connected to said means for dispensing and metering, and means for manually tensioning said drive mechanism, said manual tensioning means comprising a push button.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 4, further comprising: switching means for automatically triggering said drive mechanism disposed within said housing and responsive to low pressure in said air chamber generated by user inhalation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein said switching means comprises: a spring-loaded valve which extends at right angles to the air stream in said air chamber; a bent lever mechanism connected to said spring-loaded valve; and a disengaging device for said drive mechanism operatively connected to said bent lever mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 6, wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a spindle having first and second ends, said first end connected to said push button, and said second end connected to said housing; a drive spring surrounding said spindle, said drive spring being tensioned responsive to translatory movement of said spindle; and a drive-wheel mounted on said spindle, said drive wheel being separated from said abrasion device responsive to tensioning of said drive spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 4, wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a spindle having first and second ends, said first end connected to said push button, and said second end connected to said housing; a drive spring surrounding said spindle, said drive spring being tensioned responsive to translatory movement of said spindle; and a drive-wheel mounted on said spindle, said drive wheel being separated from said abrasion device responsive to tensioning of said drive spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 8, further comprising: a brush friction wheel operatively connected to said drive wheel, said drive wheel being released from said brush friction wheel responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 8: wherein said drive wheel comprises a pinion operatively connected in driving mode to said abrasion device, said drive wheel being released from said abrasion device responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein said switching means comprises: a trigger-piston which actuates in response to low pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 5, wherein said drive mechanism comprises: a spindle having first and second ends, said first end connected to said push button, and said second end connected to said housing; a drive spring surrounding said spindle, said drive spring being tensioned responsive to translatory movement of said spindle; and a drive-wheel mounted on said spindle, said drive wheel being separated from said abrasion device responsive to tensioning of said drive spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 12, further comprising: a brush friction wheel operatively connected to said drive wheel, said drive wheel being released from said brush friction wheel responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 12, wherein said drive wheel comprises a pinion operatively connected in driving mode to said abrasion device, said drive wheel being released from said abrasion device responsive to translatory movement of said spindle against said drive spring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said abrasion device is separable from the solidified medicinal substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said holder is configured to contain solidified medicinal substance in the form of a square tablet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said bristles are disposed radially about said shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 17, wherein said shaft is horizontally disposed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A propellant free inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said brush is cup-shaped and said shaft is vertically disposed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |