Device for the administration of powdered medicinal substances

Claim 1

A powdered medicinal substance inhaler comprising: a nozzle having an aperture for permitting the passage of a respirable powdered medicinal substance when a user inhales through said aperture; a main body on which said nozzle is rotatably mounted, said main body comprising a circular storage chamber for storing said powdered medicinal substance and a base portion; a ventilation chamber located below said base of said main body for receiving said powdered medicinal substance and air, said ventilation chamber comprising a powdered medicinal substance inlet for permitting a passage of said powdered medicinal substance from said circular storage chamber to said ventilation chamber; a channel having an inlet end connected to said ventilation chamber and an outlet end connected to said nozzle for providing a passage for said powdered medicinal substance from said ventilation chamber to said nozzle; first slot means leading into said ventilation chamber for permitting, when said user inhales through said aperture, a negative pressure to be created in said ventilation chamber so as to draw air into the ventilation chamber through said first slot means, said drawn in air mixing with the powdered medicinal substance in said ventilation chamber for breaking up large aggregates of said powdered medicinal substance into small particles and conveying said powdered medicinal substance comprised of said small particles through said channel and to the user by way of said nozzle and aperture; and an external body located below said main body and having an upper portion which overlaps and circumferentially surrounds said base of the main body in a spaced manner for forming a circular space between the base of the main body and the upper portion of the external body, said first slot means being defined by said circular space and extending between the base of the main body and the upper portion of the external body, said external body comprising a lower portion which defines a lower chamber and second slot means extending between said lower chamber and said circular storage chamber, said lower chamber containing a dehumidifying means for absorbing moisture in the powder in the circular storage chamber; wherein: a size of said ventilation chamber and a length and diameter of said channel permit a localized resistance to flow of air at the inlet end of the channel where mixing of air and powder occurs, said channel having a length in a range of 2.5 to 4 cm and a diameter in a range of 3 to 5 mm.