INHALER DEVICE
Field of Invention:
The present invention relates to an inhaler/inhalation device for facilitating the
inhalation of medicaments.
Background & Prior Art:
Dry powder inhalation (DPI) devices are generally used for inhalation of powdered
medicament from capsules. These DPI devices may dispense either a single dose or
multiple doses of medicament. In single dose or multiple dose DPI formulations, the
medicament is pre-packaged in capsules (or blisters). Reservoir DPI formulations
involve a device containing at least a reservoir and a metering chamber to administer
an accurate dose of the medicament.
Medicament holders for inhalation devices known in the art are used for receiving and
holding a medicament, which is typically in granular or powder form encapsulated
within a capsule (or blister). The configuration of the holder is such that the
medicament or the capsule is located inside a chamber and rotated or moved up and
down by air flowing through the chamber in order to disperse the drug medicament into
air being inhaled by a user of the inhalation device.
The prior art medicament holders generally have an elongate tubular or cylindrical
shape with an air inlet and air outlet arranged coaxially at opposite ends thereof. The
air inlet is generally smaller and the outlet opening generally larger than the diameter of
the capsule. A mouthpiece is arranged axially to the air outlet. Generally, a sprung
biased piercing mechanism is provided to pierce the capsule to enable the medicament
present in the capsule to be released and inhaled. During inhalation, air passes from
the air inlet through the chamber of the holder and causes movement of the capsule.
This movement encourages medicament to be released from the capsule and be
carried by the air to the air outlet opening and mouthpiece of the inhalation device and
onwards to the lungs of the patient (user).
In a single dose DPI device, a single capsule is manually placed in the holder chamber
prior to use. Once the capsule has been pierced and the medicament dispensed
(inhaled), the empty capsule remains in the device and must be discarded from the
device manually prior to the next use of the device.
The following documents disclose known inhalation devices.
US Patent No 3,807,400 discloses an inhaler comprising an upper member comprising
a whirling chamber; a lower member comprising a capsule-receiving chamber and a
series of cams and recesses on the inner wall of the lower member; and piercing
members resiliently biased away from a capsule received in the capsule-receiving
chamber by the action of a spring. In use, rotation of upper and lower members relative
to each other causes reciprocations of the piercing members against the cams and
recesses provided on the inner wall of the lower member, so as to effect a number of
diametrically opposed piercing operations on the capsule.
US Patent No 3,795,244 discloses an inhaler comprising a housing; a rotary member
located within the housing and having at one end engagement means adapted to
receive a medicament-containing capsule; and a piercing assembly comprising
opposed arms with piercing pins mounted thereon and a tubular member slidable
relative to the housing and having cam projections from the inner wall. In use, and prior
to inhalation, the user inserts a capsule into the engagement means and is then
required to manually slide the tubular member towards the mouthpiece, so that the
cams provided on the inner wall of the tubular member push opposed piercing arms
towards the capsule, resulting in perforation of the capsule at its free end. The user is
then required to manually return the tubular member to its original position, allowing the
piercing arms to return to the non-piercing position by virtue of the normal resilient
nature of plastic material of the arms.
US Patent No 3,635,21 9 discloses a dry powder inhaler device comprising a propellerlike
member rotatably mounted in a housing and having mounting means adapted to
receive a medicament-containing capsule. In use, flow of inhaled air through the device
causes rotation and vibration of the propeller-like member and a capsule mounted
thereon, so dispensing medicament into the air stream. The device further comprises
spring-loaded piercing members mounted in the housing so as to be normally urged
into an inoperative position but which may be manually pushed inwards to perforate a
medicament containing-capsule received in the device by the action of pushbuttons or
sliding cams.
All of the abovementioned known inhalation devices require the user of the device to
open the device, insert a medicament-containing capsule, close the device, and pierce
the capsule manually by a pushing or rotating action prior to inhalation of the
medicament. The user has to perform numerous actions before actual inhalation of the
medicament. Also, the devices rely on a spring arrangement to return a piercing
member to an inoperative (non-piercing) position. This use of a spring arrangement
can complicate the assembly of the device (for example, due to the need to compress
the spring to allow assembly) and also causes the effectiveness with which a piercing
member is moved to be dependent upon to the strength of the spring.
Improved inhalers are described in applications WO 2006/051 300 and WO
2007/1 44659. Further improvements over these known devices have now been made.
Object of the Invention:
An object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler device which provides
reduced number of actions before actual inhalation of the medicament
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler device with better
improvements of the prior available devices thereby allowing easy operation.
Summary of the Invention:
According to the present invention, there is provided an inhalation/ inhaler
device for facilitating the inhalation of a medicament from a pierceable medicament
capsule, the inhaler device comprising a body ( 1) having a chamber ( 14) for receiving a
pierceable medicament capsule; piercing means (7) for piercing a medicament capsule
received in said chamber (14); an actuator (4,4') rotatably mounted to the body ( 1 ) ; and
an actuating member (3) moveable relative to the body ( 1 ) so as to rotate said actuator
(4,4'); characterised by a cam track member (5,5') being connected to the piercing
means (7) and comprising a plurality of cam track parts (200, 600, 200', 330') along
which said actuator (4,4') slides; wherein a first movement (501 ,601 ) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said actuator (4,4') along and in abutment
with a first one (200,200') of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam track
member (5,5') and thereby drive the piercing means (7) towards an extended position;
and wherein a second movement (502,602) of the actuating member (3) relative to the
body ( 1) slides said actuator (4,4') along and in abutment with a second one (600,330')
of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam track member (5) and thereby
drive the piercing means (7) towards a retracted position.
Detailed description of the Invention:
As discussed hereinabove, and according to the present invention, there is provided an
inhaler device (201 ) may be provided as mentioned above, wherein said abutment with
said first cam track part (200') is by a first cam member ( 180') of said actuator (4'), and
said abutment with said second cam track part (330') is by a second cam member
( 190') of said actuator (4'). Furthermore, an inhaler device (201 ) may be provided
wherein a third movement (603) of the actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 )
slides said second cam member ( 190') of said actuator (4') along and in abutment with
a third one (300') of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam track member
(5') and thereby drive the piercing means (7) towards a retracted position; and wherein
a fourth movement (604) of the actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said
first cam member ( 180') of said actuator (4') along and in abutment with a fourth one
(230') of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam track member (5') and
thereby drive the piercing means (7) towards the extended position. Ideally, wherein, in
this inhaler device (201 ) , said actuating member (3) is moveable back and forth
between first and second limits of movement, and wherein, movement of said actuating
member (3) from the first limit to the second limit comprises in sequence said first
movement (601 ) followed by said third movement (603) of said actuating member (3),
and wherein, movement of said actuating member (3) from the second limit to the first
limit comprises in sequence said fourth movement (604) followed by said second
movement (602) of said actuating member (3).
Alternatively, the inhaler device ( 1 00) of the present invention may be provided wherein
said abutment with said first cam track part (200) is by a first cam member ( 180) of said
actuator (4), and said abutment with said second cam track part (600) is by said first
cam member ( 1 80).
Ideally, an inhaler device ( 100) is provided wherein said actuator (4) comprises a
second cam member ( 1 90); and wherein a third movement (503) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said second cam member ( 190) along and in
abutment with a third one (330) of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam
track member (5) and drive the piercing means (7) from an extended position to a
partially retracted position, and wherein said second movement (502) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said first cam member ( 1 80) of said actuator
(4) along and in abutment with said second one (600) of said cam track parts so as to
press against said cam track member (5) and thereby drive the piercing means (7) from
said partially retracted position to a fully retracted position.
An inhaler device ( 1 00) may also be provided wherein a fourth movement (504) of the
actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said first cam member ( 180) of said
actuator (4) along and in abutment with a fourth one (230) of said cam track parts so as
to press against said cam track member (5) and thereby drive the piercing means (7)
towards an extended position; and wherein a fifth movement (505) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said first cam member ( 1 80) of said actuator
(4) along and in abutment with a fifth one (500) of said cam track parts so as to press
against said cam track member (5) and thereby drive the piercing means (7) towards
the fully retracted position; and wherein a sixth movement (506) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said second cam member ( 190) along and in
abutment with a sixth one (300) of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam
track member (5) and drive the piercing means (7) from an extended position to said
partially retracted position, and wherein said fifth movement (505) of the actuating
member (3) drives the piercing means (7) from said partially retracted position to a fully
retracted position.
An inhaler device, according to the present invention, wherein said actuating member
(3) is moveable back and forth between first and second limits of movement, and
wherein, movement of said actuating member (3) from the first limit to the second limit
comprises in sequence said first movement (501 ) followed by said sixth movement
(506) followed by said fifth movement (505) of said actuating member (3), and wherein,
movement of said actuating member (3) from the second limit to the first limit comprises
in sequence said fourth movement (504) followed by said third movement (503)
followed by said second movement (502) of said actuating member (3).
It is preferable for an inhaler device to be provided, wherein, at said first limit of
movement, the chamber ( 14) is closed by said actuating member (3) so as to retain
captive in the chamber ( 14) a medicament capsule received in said chamber ( 1 4), and
wherein, at said second limit of movement, the chamber (14) is open so as to allow
release from the chamber ( 14) a medicament capsule received in said chamber ( 14).
Preferably, said body ( 1 ) comprises means constraining movement of said cam track
member (5) to reciprocal linear movement within a single plane relative to the body ( 1 ) .
Ideally, said plurality of cam track parts (200,600,200', 330') are located in said single
plane. Also, said actuator (4) may be rotatable about an axis extending perpendicularly
to said single plane. It is also preferable for the or each cam member ( 1 80) of said
actuator is located in said single plane.
Furthermore, the piercing means (7) is ideally located in said single plane. Also, said
constraining means preferably abuts said cam track member (5) so as to constrain
movement thereof.
Additionally, said actuating member (3) may comprise a mouthpiece through which, in
use, a medicament from a pierceable medicament capsule in the chamber ( 14) is
inhaled. Also, it is preferable that, in the extended position, at least a part of the
piercing means (7) extends within said chamber ( 14) from one side of said chamber
( 14) towards an opposite side thereof.
It is more preferable for the inhaler to comprise means (800) of providing a point
contact to a medicament capsule located in the chamber (14).
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings (which in no way restrict the scope of the invention and are for
the purpose of illustration only), in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first inhalation device according to the present
invention, with piercing means (not visible) in a substantially extended position and the
inhaler mouthpiece in a partly opened position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inhalation device of Figure 1, with piercing means
(not visible) in a retracted position and the inhaler mouthpiece in a closed position;
Figure 3 is a side view of the inhalation device of Figure 1, with piercing means (not
visible) in a retracted position and the inhaler mouthpiece in a closed position;
Figure 4 is a side view of the inhalation device of Figure 1, with piercing means (not
visible) in a retracted position and the inhaler mouthpiece in an opened position;
Figure 5 is an exploded view of the parts of the inhalation device of Figure 1;
Figure 6a is an internal side view of the inhalation device of Figure 1, wherein an
actuator is located in a position corresponding to the piercing means being fully
retracted and the inhaler mouthpiece being in a fully opened position;
Figure 6b is an internal side view of the inhalation device of Figure 1, wherein the
actuator is located in a position corresponding to the piercing means being fully
extended and the inhaler mouthpiece being in a partially opened position;
Figure 6c is an internal side view of the inhalation device of Figure 1, wherein the
actuator is located in a position corresponding to the piercing means being fully
retracted and the inhaler mouthpiece being in a fully closed position;
Figure 7 is an internal perspective view of the interior of a lower body of the inhalation
device of Figure 1, wherein the actuator and piercing means are shown;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a second inhalation device according to the
present invention, with piercing means in a retracted position and the inhaler
mouthpiece in a closed position;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a retracted position and the inhaler mouthpieces in a closed
position (a first limit of movement of the mouthpiece corresponding to zero degrees);
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a partially extended position and the inhaler mouthpieces in a
partially opened position (the mouthpieces having moved from a zero degree position
through an angle of twenty five degrees);
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a fully extended position and the inhaler mouthpieces being
mid-way between fully closed and fully opened positions (the mouthpieces having
moved from a zero degree position through an angle of fifty degrees);
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a partially retracted position and the inhaler mouthpieces
being in a partially opened position (the mouthpieces having moved from a zero degree
position through an angle of seventy five degrees);
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a partially retracted position and the inhaler mouthpieces
being in a partially opened position (the mouthpieces having moved from a zero degree
position through an angle of eighty seven degrees);
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a partially retracted position and the inhaler mouthpieces
being in a partially opened position (the mouthpieces having moved from a zero degree
position through an angle of ninety degrees);
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a partially retracted position and the inhaler mouthpieces
being in a partially opened position (the mouthpieces having moved from a zero degree
position through an angle of ninety five degrees);
Figure 16 is a cross-sectional side view of both first and second inhalation devices, with
piercing means thereof in a retracted position and the inhaler mouthpieces in a fully
opened position (a second limit of movement of the mouthpiece corresponding to one
hundred degrees);
Figure 17 is a side view of a cam track member 5 of said first inhaler with six phases of
movement of the mouthpiece in moving from the closed to open and back to closed
positions being illustrated; and
Figure 18 is a side view of a cam track member 5' of said second inhaler with four
phases of movement of the mouthpiece in moving from the closed to open and back to
closed positions being illustrated.
A first embodiment 100 of an inhalation device according to the present invention is
shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
The inhalation device 100 comprises a lower body 1 and a mouthpiece 3 attached to
the lower body by a pivot 30 about which the mouthpiece 3 is rotatable relative to the
lower body 1. The pivot 30 projects laterally from an actuator 4 of the lower body 1 and
serves to connect the mouthpiece 3 to the lower body 1, and more particularly, to the
actuator 4 .
The lower body 1 includes a number of internal parts and an outer shell which houses
said internal parts.
The outer shell of the lower body 1 is most clearly shown in Figure 5 as including a
primary shell piece 69 and a discrete and transparent end shell piece 65. The primary
shell piece 69 has a conventional clip feature 67 integral therewith which either snapfits
or push-fits into the end shell piece 65 and thereby retains the two pieces 65,69 in
abutment with one another to form said outer shell. The transparent end shell piece 65
acts as a window and thereby allows a capsule holder 2 to be viewed by a user.
The primary shell piece 69 has a bottom surface 101 ' and two side walls 102 (which
are mirror images of one another, but only one of which is visible in the accompanying
drawings) upstanding from the bottom surface 10 1' . The end shell piece 65 also has a
bottom surface 101" (which adjoins the bottom surface 10 1' of the primary shell piece
69 to form a bottom surface 10 1 of the assembled outer shell) and a curved end wall
103 (which adjoins with the two side walls 102 of the primary shell piece 69 in the
assembled outer shell). The combined shape of the two pieces is such that the
assembled outer shell forms a cup-like container (for housing said internal parts) with
an opening 104 in the top thereof.
A primary air (inhalation air) inlet 7 1 of the inhalation device 100 is provided in the
bottom surface 10 1" of the end shell piece 65. The inlet 7 1 may be of any suitable
shape, for example, an oval shape.
A recess 105 is provided in a part of each wall 102 of the primary shell piece 69. The
recess 105 has a shape (side profile, as seen in Figure 5 for one wall) and depth such
that, in the assembled inhalation device 100, two legs 106 (only one of which is visible
in the accompanying drawings) of mouthpiece 3 snap-fit on the actuator 4 and locate
either side of the outer shell and in the recesses 105 so that, in a region adjacent the
end shell piece 65, there is substantially no step between the outer shell and the
mouthpiece when the mouthpiece is in a closed position (see Figure 2 in particular) - in
other words, the outer surfaces of outer shell and the mouthpiece are substantially
flush with one another. This provides the inhaler device with a smooth outer surface
and a desirable aesthetic quality as a result.
It is emphasised that the recess 105 in each wall 102 does not prevent the mouthpiece
3 from moving between opened and closed positions. This is because the walls 102 of
the primary shell piece 69 are positioned progressively closer to one another (i.e. they
converge) when moving from the end shell piece 65 towards the pivot 30 and beyond.
As such, a part-circular lower edge 107 of each leg 106 (which edge 107 is concentric
with the pivot 30) maintains a position substantially spaced from the primary shell piece
69 when the mouthpiece 3 is moved between opened and closed positions.
The primary shell piece 69 is also provided with a circular aperture 108 extending
through the full thickness of each wall 102 of the primary shell piece 69. The circular
aperture 108 of one wall 102 aligns with the aperture 108 of the other wall 102 and, in
the assembled lower body 1, the pivot 30 extends through each aperture 108 so as to
project laterally/outwardly from each wall 102 and receive (in a snap-fitting relationship
therewith, as alluded to above) the two legs 106 of the mouthpiece 3 (said legs thereby
snap-fitting on the actuator 4).
Furthermore, the primary shell piece 69 is also provided with a V-shaped aperture 109
extending through the full thickness of each wall 102. The converging walls of the Vshaped
aperture 109 converge from the opening 104 in the top of the outer shell
towards, and terminate at, the aforementioned circular aperture 108. The purpose of
the V-shaped aperture is to prevent the pivot 30 from hindering movement of said
internal parts into the outer shell. In this respect, during assembly of the inhalation
device 100, said internal parts are themselves assembled and then moved (from the
position above the primary shell piece 69 shown in Figure 5) through said opening 104
of the outer shell and into the interior of the outer shell. In moving said internal parts
into the outer shell, the pivot 30 (provided on the actuator 4) moves through the Vshaped
apertures 109. The distance between opposite walls of each V-shaped
aperture 109 at the point where they terminate at their respective circular apertures 108
has a magnitude less than that of the diameter of the pivot 30. The diameter of each
circular aperture 108 is the same as or larger than the diameter of the pivot 30, the
relative sizes of said apertures 108 and the pivot 30 being such as to allow the pivot 30
to rotate within the apertures 108 without substantial resistance. However, the relative
sizes of said V-shaped apertures 109 and the pivot 30 is such that movement of the
pivot 30 along the V-shaped apertures towards the circular apertures 108 is resisted,
but not prevented, such that the pivot 30 snap-fits into the circular apertures 108 during
assembly of the lower body 1. In the assembled lower body 1, first and second Vshaped
projections 110, extending laterally from either side of the assembled internal
parts, fill the V-shaped apertures 109 and preserve the aesthetic quality of the
inhalation device 100, particularly when in an open configuration (i.e. with the
mouthpiece 3 in a opened position).
The internal parts of the lower body 1 are shown most clearly in Figures 5 to 7 . It is to
be noted however that one of said internal parts, namely a capsule holder 2, is not
shown in Figures 6 to 7, and a further internal part (one of two cooperating actuator
case members 12 1 - see below) is not shown in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c for the
purposes of clarity.
The principal objectives of the internal parts are to hold a medicament capsule in place
and to pierce said capsule when the mouthpiece 3 is moved, and specifically, in the
present embodiment, when the mouthpiece 3 is moved from an opened position to a
closed position relative to the lower body 1.
Detail regarding said internal parts is provided below.
Firstly, the internal parts of the lower body 1 include a capsule holder 2. This holder 2
is a discrete and transparent part and comprises a chamber 14 adapted to receive a
medicament-containing capsule, such as a dry powder medicament-containing
capsule. In use of the inhalation device 100, a capsule is placed into the chamber 14,
pierced and discharged of its contents whilst remaining in the chamber 14, and then
removed from the chamber 14 .
The chamber 14 is cylindrical in shape and has an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12. It
will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in a different embodiment, the
chamber 14 may be an alternative shape, such as conical. The air inlet 11 and air
outlet 12 are located at opposite axial ends of the chamber 14 . The air inlet 11 extends
through a boss which itself extends downwardly from the bottom of the chamber 14. A
wall of the chamber 14 is provided with two openings 18 which are axially spaced from
one another along the length of the cylindrical chamber 14 so as to each receive a
different one of two piercing pins 7.
The holder 2 further comprises guide means 20 which are provided integrally with the
chamber 14, are generally cylindrical in shape, and extend laterally from the openings
18 to the exterior of the chamber 14 . The arrangement is such that said means 20
guide a back and forth movement of the piercing pins 7 into and out of the chamber 14
in response to a rotation of the mouthpiece 3 about the pivot 30. Support is thereby
provided for the piercing pins 7 at all locations of the pins 7 at and between fully
extended and fully retracted positions. The guide means 20 can be best appreciated
from Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
The capsule holder 2 is yet further provided with an annular groove 28 at an upper end
thereof, adjacent the outlet 12 . This groove 28 enables the holder 2 to be secured to
the remainder of said internal parts. Specifically, a two-piece locating ring 6 1a,61 b is
provided for locating around the upper end of the holder 2 and in the groove 28 (see
Figures 5 and 7). The two-pieces 6 1a,61 b of said ring snap-fit together by means of a
resiliently and elastically deformable clip member 62 which projects from a first 6 1a of
the ring pieces and snap-fits into an aperture 63 provided in a second 6 1b of the ring
pieces.
The aforementioned internal parts of the lower body 1 further include first and second
cooperating actuator case members 120,1 2 1 which snap-fit and press-fit to one
another to form an actuator case. The assembled actuator case 120,1 2 1 serves a
number of functions, as described below, but principally, the assembled actuator case
120,1 2 1 provides a structure for supporting the remaining internal parts and for
securing said remaining internal parts in the outer shell of the lower body 1.
More specifically, the first case member 120 is integrally formed with the first ring piece
6 1a and the second case member 12 1 is integrally formed with the second ring piece
6 1b. In the assembled actuator case, the aforementioned two-piece locating ring
6 1a,61 b is provided cantilevered from the remainder of the actuator case. The capsule
holder 2 is suspended from the ring 6 1a,61 b. Also, in the assembled actuator case
120,1 2 1, a cavity 124 (see Figure 7) is provided between the first and second
cooperating case members 120,1 2 1 in which the actuator 4 and capsule piercing
means 125 are located. The arrangement (i.e. the relative size and shape) of the
capsule piercing means 125 and the actuator case 120,1 2 1, in particularly the cavity
124, is such that the piercing means 125 is constrained by the actuator case 120,1 2 1 to
move linearly back and forth, towards and away from the capsule holder 2, without any
substantial rotational movement in any plane relative to the actuator case 120,1 2 1.
The capsule piercing means 125 includes a cam track member 5 and the
aforementioned two piercing pins 7 which extended from the cam track member 5,
parallel to one another and to the direction of linear movement of the piercing means
125, into the aforementioned guide means 20. The guide means 20 also contribute to
constraining movement of the piercing means 125 to linear movement without
rotational movement.
In the devices shown, at least the capsule piercing means 125, the actuator case
120,1 2 1 and the guide means 20 combine to form a means for constraining movement
of the cam track member 5 , 5' to reciprocal linear movement within a single plane
relative to the body 1. It should be understood that the means for constraining
movement should not be limited by these examples and may comprise one, some, all
or none of these components, and may comprise one or more additional components
or modifications which co-operate to constrain movement of the cam track member.
Each pin 7 is a discrete solid cylinder with a piercing end thereof comprising a face 56
formed by an oblique cut through the shaft of the pin 7 (see Figure 6b). Modification of
the piercing end may be made to achieve a desired shaped point. The pins 7 may also
be of any suitable size. They may be in a range between 1 mm to 2 mm in diameter,
although the pins 7 of the present embodiment have a diameter of 1.5mm +/- 10%.
The cam track member 5 comprises a closed loop of material lying in a single plane.
Although provided as a closed loop, it will be understood that the cam track member
can comprise a discontinuity so as not to be a closed loop. The piercing pins 7 lie in
the same plane. The internal surface of the closed loop is precisely shaped to define a
cam track against which cams of the actuator 4 press so as to move the cam track
member 5 (and hence the piercing pins 7) as the mouthpiece 3 is moved. As shown in
Figures 6 and 7, when the internal parts of the lower body 1 are assembled, the
actuator 4 is position within the closed loop of the cam track member 5. In this way, the
cams of the actuator 4 may be located in the same plane as the piercing pins 7 and
cam track member 5, and said cams can then press on the cam track.
Further detail of the cam track and its operation in relation to the actuator 4 will be
provided below. Prior to this further detail, the remaining features of the actuator case
120,1 2 1 will be described.
Firstly, the first and second case members 120,1 2 1 include snap-fit and press-fit
features for securing the two members 120,1 2 1 together. In this regard, and as
previously mentioned, a resiliently and elastically deformable clip member 62 projects
from the first ring piece 6 1a of the first case member 120 and snap-fits into an aperture
63 provided in the second ring piece 6 1b of the second case member 12 1 . Similarly, a
resiliently and elastically deformable clip member 130 projects from the first case
member 120 at a location between the two piercing pins 7 and snap-fits into an
aperture 13 1 provided in the second case member 12 1 (see Figure 5). Also, two
bosses 132,1 33 projecting from the first case member 120 locate with a press-fit into
cooperating apertures 134,1 35 in the second case member 12 1 (see Figure 5).
Furthermore, a resiliently and elastically deformable clip member 136 projects
downwardly from a lower edge of the first case member 120 and, in the assembled
actuator case, locates adjacent a similar resiliently and elastically deformable clip
member 137 projecting downwardly from a lower edge of the second case member
12 1. In the assembled lower body 1, the two clip members 136,1 37 snap-fit into an
aperture (not shown) provided in the bottom surface 0 1' of the primary shell piece 69.
This not only assists in securing the two case members 120,1 2 1 together, but also
assists in retaining the assembled internal parts in the outer shell of the lower body 1.
Each of the two case members 120,1 2 1 is provided with a different one of the two Vshaped
projections 110. Each of the two case members 120,1 2 1 is also provided with
a circular aperture 138 located adjacent an apex of the V-shaped projection 110 of the
case member and extending through the full thickness of the case member. In the
assembled actuator case, the pivot 30 of the actuator 4 extends through the aperture
138 of each case member 120,1 2 1. The diameter of each circular aperture 138 is the
same as or larger than the diameter of the pivot 30, the relative sizes of said apertures
138 and the pivot 30 being such as to allow the pivot 30 to rotate within the apertures
138 without substantial resistance.
In addition, each of the two case members 120,1 2 1 is provided with a straight external
groove 140 (see Figure 7). Each groove 140 receives a projection (not shown)
extending from a different one of the internal surfaces (not shown) of the two side walls
102 of the primary shell piece 69. The grooves 140 are aligned with the direction in
which the assembled internal parts are moved into the assembled outer shell and
thereby assist with a correct location of the internal parts within the assembled outer
shell.
Finally, the first case member 120 includes a top surface 142 which is generally
perpendicular to the plane in which the pins 7 are located, and which, in the assembled
lower body 1, closes the opening 104 in the assembled outer shell of said body 1.
An aperture 143 is provided in the top surface 142 with a frusto-conical shaped fluid
passageway 144 extending downwards beneath said top surface 142 from said
aperture 143 and terminates with an annular collar 145 (see Figure 7). The annular
collar 145 provides a step reduction in the internal diameter of the fluid passageway
144. The annular collar 145 lies in a plane parallel to the top surface 142. The fluid
passageway converges in a downward direction away from the top surface 142. When
the internal parts are assembled, the annular collar 145 locates above and in abutment
with the air outlet 12 of the chamber 14 and the fluid passageway 144 is thereby
connected to the air outlet 12 of the chamber 14 .
The preferred position (denoted by the reference numeral 70) of optional auxiliary vents
(inlets) is shown in Figure 4 . The auxiliary vents allow a flow of inhalation air into the
mouthpiece in addition to that entering the inhaler via the primary inlet 7 1. The vents
themselves are not shown in the drawings relating to the inhalation device 100 of
Figures 1 to 7. As suggested, the auxiliary vents are optional, and may be placed at
any position in the inhalation passage, although it is preferred to position them
upstream of medicament capsule.
The outer diameter of the annular collar 145 is greater than the outer diameter of the
portion of chamber 14 with which the collar 145 abuts. In this way, holes may be
optionally provided through the collar 145 so as to provide the aforementioned auxiliary
vents and thereby allow air (located outside the chamber 14 and beneath the collar
145) to flow into the fluid passageway. The vent holes may have a diameter of up to 1
mm. Six vent holes may be provided. The vent holes may be spaced equidistant from
one another. Alternatively, two crescent-shaped auxiliary vents may be provided in the
collar 145, located opposite each other.
Furthermore, when the mouthpiece is in the closed position in the assembled inhalation
device 100, the fluid passageway 144 also connects to a fluid passageway in said
mouthpiece 3. A continuous fluid pathway from the interior of the chamber 14 to an
outlet of the mouthpiece 3 is thereby provided.
The top surface 142 is also provided with two holes 34 located on a side of the aperture
143 opposite the pivot 30. The two holes 34, together with two resiliently and
elastically deformable projections 32 extending from the mouthpiece 3, provide latching
means for latching the mouthpiece 3 in a predetermined position relative to the lower
body 1, for example in the fully closed position. Each projection 32 is adapted to be
received by a different one of the two holes 34. The projections 32 locate in their
respective holes 34 with a snap-fit and cooperate with said holes 34, when the
mouthpiece 3 is closed, and serve to provide resistance to the mouthpiece 3 being
moved from the closed position. The mouthpiece 3 can thus be secured in the fully
closed position. The resistance of the projections 32 snap-fitted in their respective
holes 34 can nevertheless be readily overcome by the user so that the mouthpiece 3
can be moved from the closed position towards the opened position. In an alternative
embodiment, the projections 32 may instead be provided in another element of the
inhalation device, for example as an integral part of the mesh unit 9 which is located in
the mouthpiece 3. Other commonly used methods of retaining the mouthpiece in the
closed position non-permanently can also be used.
In addition to the lower body 1, the inhalation device 100 includes a closure means for
closing the capsule chamber 14 and thereby preventing a capsule from falling from the
chamber 14 or being sucked therefrom by a user. The closure means is the
mouthpiece 3 in the present embodiment 100 of the invention.
In an embodiment of the invention, the closure means may function as an actuating
member, which moves the actuator 4 . This is the arrangement shown in the
accompanying drawings. In an alternative embodiment, the closure means may be a
component other than a mouthpiece. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the
invention, an actuating member may be provided which is neither a closure means nor
a mouthpiece.
The mouthpiece 3 includes a cover 8 (for closing an opening (air outlet) 72 of the
mouthpiece 3 when not in use) and a discrete mesh unit 9 (for filtering inhalation air
during use).
The mouthpiece 3 has two legs 106 (only one of which is shown in the accompanying
drawings) extending from the sides thereof. Each leg 106 has an aperture 40 therein,
with each aperture having opposing flat surfaces 40a,40b which enable the mouthpiece
3 to connect to an opposing pair of flats 58a,58b (i.e. flat surfaces) provided on a
cylindrical portion 58 of the actuator 4. The legs 106 of the mouthpiece 3 are resiliently
and elastically deformable, and, in the assembled device, snap-fit onto either side of
the lower body 1, specifically with each aperture 40 locating about a different opposite
end of the cylindrical portion 58 of the actuator 4 . A torque associated with a rotary
movement of the mouthpiece 3 relative to the lower body 1 is transmitted to the
actuator 4 by abutment of the flat surface denoted by reference numeral 40a with the
flat surface denoted by reference numeral 58a, and similarly, by abutment of the flat
surface denoted by reference numeral 40b with the flat surface denoted by reference
numeral 58b. Rotary movement of the actuator 4 results in a linear movement of the
piercing means 125, as will be described in greater detail below.
As mentioned above, the mouthpiece 3 comprises an opening (air outlet) 72 through
which medicament is inhaled by the user. Means for receiving air from an outlet 12 of
the lower body 1 extends downwards from the opening 72 within the mouthpiece. In the
present embodiment, said means for receiving air is a tube 90.
The aforementioned mouthpiece cover 8 is rotationally attached to the remainder of the
mouthpiece 3 by pivot means 150. The cover 8 is rotatable relative to the mouthpiece
3 between a closed position, in which the cover 8 closes the air outlet 72, and an open
position, in which the cover 8 is spaced from the air outlet 72 so as to allow a user to
place his or her mouth about the outlet 72 and inhale medicament in the chamber 14 .
The cover 8 is retained in the closed position and in the open position by suitable
means, for example by an over-centre spring bias arrangement. In the present
embodiments, the over-centre spring bias arrangement comprises a projection 15 1 on
either side of the cover 8, adjacent the pivot means 150, which presses on an
associated cooperating projection 152 on the remainder of the mouthpiece 3. As the
cover 8 moves from the open position or from the closed position and a projection 15 1
on the cover 8 presses on the projection 152, rotation of the cover 8 is thereby resisted
and the cover 8 tends to be biased back towards its original position. This resistance is
sustained until the projection 15 1 on the cover 8 rides over and passed the projection
152 on the remainder of the mouthpiece 3.
The means for retaining the cover 8 in the closed position presents less resistance to
movement than is provided by the projections 32, so that, when a user applies an
opening force to the cover 8 in an attempt to open the mouthpiece, the cover 8 tends to
be moved relative to the opening 72, rather than the mouthpiece (including the cover 8)
being moved towards the opened position.
The aforementioned mesh unit 9 (see Figures 1 and 5) is positioned in the mouthpiece
3 so as to align with the aperture 143 in the top surface 142 of the lower body 1 when
the mouthpiece 3 is in the fully closed position. When the mouthpiece 3 is in the closed
position (as shown in Figures 2 and 3) and the mesh unit 9 is positioned over said top
surface aperture 143 and said chamber outlet 12, the mesh unit 9 retains a capsule
received in the chamber 14, preventing the capsule from falling out of the inhalation
device 100, or being sucked into the outlet/mouthpiece upon inhalation by the user.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5 , projections 32' can be provided as a part of an
alternative mesh unit 9' to retain the mouthpiece in the closed position as described
above. When the projections 32' are provided as part of the mesh unit 9', the mesh
unit may further comprise a planar element 9c projecting from the mesh unit 9'. The
projections 32' may be provided on a lower surface of the planar element 9c such that
the projections 32' engage the aforementioned holes 34 when the mouthpiece is
moved to the closed position. The planar element may be provided with a snap-fit
component 9a on its upper surface that engages a complimentary element 9b provided
on an alternative mouthpiece 3' in order to secure the mesh unit 9' and projections 32'
in place on the mouthpiece 3'. The retaining force of the snap-fit component to the
mouthpiece 3' is preferably greater than the retaining force of the projections 32' to the
holes 34. The snap-fit component 9a may take the form of a resiliently deformable jaw
that grips a complimentary element 9b, such as a ridge, provided on the mouthpiece 3'.
The mesh of the mesh unit 9 can be of any suitable size but is preferably in the order of
0.5mm X 0.5mm square to 2mm X 2mm square. More preferably, the mesh size is
1mm X 1mm square +/- 10%.
When the mouthpiece 3 is in the closed position (as in Figures 2 and 3), the inhalation
device 100 defines an inhalation passage extending through the capsule chamber 14
between inlet 7 1 and a final air (inhalation air) outlet 72 (located in the mouthpiece 3).
Referring particularly to Figures 3, 4, 6a, 6b and 6c, during use of the inhalation device
100, the mouthpiece 3 is rotated to a fully opened position in order to open the inhaler
100 (and specifically the chamber 14) and allow a capsule to be readily inserted into
the lower body 1 (and, specifically, into the chamber 14). The mouthpiece 3 is then
rotated to a fully closed position to close the chamber 14 and position the mouthpiece
correctly for inhalation of medicament from the inhaler device.
Rotation of the mouthpiece 3 causes rotation of the actuator 4, which rotation in turn
drives movement of the capsule piercing means 125 comprising the cam track member
5 and piercing pins 7.
When the mouthpiece 3 is in either the fully closed or fully opened position, the piercing
pins 7 are in a fully retracted, non-piercing position. In other words, the piercing pins 7
do not extend into the chamber 14 so as to hinder the positioning of a medicament
capsule therein. In the present embodiment, the piercing pins 7 are entirely removed
from the interior of the chamber 14 and are supported (and guided) when in this
position by the guide means 20.
When the mouthpiece 3 is partially opened/partially closed, in a position midway
between closed (i.e. fully closed) and opened (i.e. fully opened) positions, the piercing
pins 7 are located in a fully extended piercing position in which they extend into the
chamber 14 from one side thereof to the other. A partially opened position or a partially
closed position is a position between, but not at either of, the fully closed and fully
opened positions (at first and second limits of movement of the mouthpiece 3
respectively). Similarly, a partially extended position or a partially retracted position is a
position between, but not at either of, the extended (i.e. fully extended) and retracted
(i.e. fully retracted) positions.
Movement of the mouthpiece 3 from a fully opened to a fully closed position causes
movement of the piercing pins 7 from a fully retracted position (when the mouthpiece 3
is in the fully opened position) to a fully extended piercing position (when the
mouthpiece 3 is in a position substantially midway between fully closed and fully
opened) and back to a fully retracted position (when the mouthpiece 3 is in the fully
closed position). Similarly, movement of the mouthpiece 3 from a substantially fully
closed position to a substantially fully opened position causes movement of the piercing
pins 7 from a fully retracted position to a fully extended piercing position (when the
mouthpiece 3 is in a partially opened/partially closed position) and back to the fully
retracted position from the fully extended piercing position. Although in a preferred
embodiment the pins are fully extended when the mouthpiece 3 is about midway
between the opened and closed positions, it will be understood that the fully extended
position of the pins may be achieved when the mouthpiece 3 is at any position between
the opened and closed positions, depending on the precise design of the device, in
particular, of the cam track member 5 and actuator 4 .
The arrangement of the cam track member 5 and the actuator 4, and the way in which
they cooperate to achieve the abovementioned movement of the piercing means will
now be described. In this regard, particular reference should be had to Figures 6a, 6b
and 6c. In the following description, the cam track member 5 is considered to comprise
six cam track parts - a first track part 200, a second track part 600, a third track part
330, a fourth track part 230, a fifth track part 500, and a sixth track part 300 as shown
in Figure 6.
The actuator 4 includes a cylindrical portion 58 which acts as a rotary shaft and
cooperates with and extends through the circular apertures 138 of the case members
120,1 2 1 and circular apertures 108 of the outer shell. Two cam members 180,1 90
extend from the cylindrical portion 58 and lie in the plane in which the piercing pins 7
are located. The cam members 180,1 90 are arranged so as to abut the internal
surface of the closed loop of the cam track member 5. This internal surface of the
closed loop is precisely shaped to define a cam track against which cam members
180,1 90 slide and press the cam track member 5. Different cam members 180,1 90
abut and press against different parts of the cam track.
In this latter regard, first and fourth track parts 200,230 are arranged for abutment with
the first cam member 180, and sixth and third track parts 300,330 are arranged for
abutment with the second cam member 190. The second cam member 190 can be
considered to include two sub cam members 190a,1 90b. The first sub cam member
190a abuts and presses the sixth track part 300, and the second sub cam member
190b abuts and presses the third track part 330.
With reference to Figure 6c of the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the cam
track is symmetrical about a broken line 160, which line 160 is coincident with the axis
170 of rotation of the cylindrical portion 58 and parallel with both the piercing pins 7 and
the constrained direction of linear travel/movement of the cam track member 5.
Also, with reference to Figures 6a, 6b and 6c of the accompanying drawings, it will be
seen that the mouthpiece 3 and actuator 4 rotate through an angle 250 of 100 degrees
in moving between opposite extremes/limits of movement (i.e. between a position
corresponding to the mouthpiece 3 being in a closed position, as shown in Figure 6c,
and a position corresponding to the mouthpiece 3 being in an opened position, as
shown in Figure 6a). In moving from the first limit of movement to the second limit of
movement and back to the first limit of movement, there may be considered to be six
movements 501 ,502,503,504,505,506 of the mouthpiece (as shown in Figure 17).
The first track part 200 is that part of the cam track located between broken lines 16 1
and 160a. As the mouthpiece 3 moves from the fully closed position to a position
midway between the closed and opened positions, the actuator 4 is moved from the
position shown in Figure 6c as a result, so that the first cam member 180 abuts and
presses against the first track part 200, linearly displacing/moving the piercing cam
track member 5 in a first direction. As a consequence, the piercing pins 7 are moved
from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein the actuator 4 is moved to
the position shown in Figure 6b. The second cam member 190 does not abut the sixth
and third track parts 300,330 during this phase of movement. It will be appreciated that
as the actuator 4 moves in a rotary fashion and the track member 5 is constrained to
move in a linear fashion and, as such, during the above phase of movement, the
actuator 4 moves along the first track part 200 in sliding abutment therewith. In the
above phase of movement, the mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 50 degrees in a
first movement 501 of the mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 17.
The sixth track part 300 is that part of the cam track located between broken line 160b
and point 164 shown in Figure 6c. As the mouthpiece 3 moves towards the fully
opened position from a position midway between the closed and opened positions, the
actuator 4 is moved from the position shown in Figure 6b as a result, so that the first
sub cam member 190a abuts and presses against the sixth track part 300, linearly
displacing/moving the piercing cam track member 5 in an opposite direction to said first
direction. As a consequence, the piercing pins 7 are moved from the extended position
towards the retracted position, wherein the actuator 4 is moved towards, although not
all the way to, the position shown in Figure 6a. In the above phase of movement, the
mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 37 degrees in a sixth movement 506 of the
mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 17.
It will be seen that in the position shown in Figure 6a, a space is present between the
second cam member 190 and the sixth and third track parts 300,330. The cam track
member 5 is moved in said opposite direction to create this space by the first cam
member 180 pressing on a fifth track part 500 (see Figure 6c). The first cam member
180 moves along but does not press against the fourth track part 230 (or first track part
200) during this phase of movement. In the above phase of movement, the
mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 13 degrees in a fifth movement 505 of the
mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 17.
It will be appreciated that as the actuator 4 moves in a rotary fashion and the track
member 5 is constrained to move in a linear fashion and, as such, during the above
phases of movement, the actuator 4 moves along the sixth track part 300 and the fifth
track part 500 in sliding abutment therewith.
The fourth track part 230 is that part of the cam track located between broken lines 162
and 160a. As the mouthpiece 3 moves from the fully opened position to a position
midway between the closed and opened positions, the actuator 4 is moved from the
position shown in Figure 6a as a result, so that the first cam member 180 abuts and
presses against the fourth track part 230, linearly displacing/moving the piercing cam
track member 5 in said first direction. As a consequence, the piercing pins 7 are
moved from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein the actuator 4 is
moved to the position shown in Figure 6b. The second cam member 190 does not abut
the sixth and third track parts 300,330 during this phase of movement. It will be
appreciated that as the actuator 4 moves in a rotary fashion and the track member 5 is
constrained to move in a linear fashion and, as such, during the above phase of
movement, the actuator 4 moves along the fourth track part 230 in sliding abutment
therewith. In the above phase of movement, the mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of
50 degrees in a fourth movement 504 of the mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 17.
The third track part 330 is that part of the cam track located between broken line 160b
and point 163 shown in Figure 6c. As the mouthpiece 3 moves towards the fully closed
position from a position midway between the closed and opened positions, the actuator
4 is moved from the position shown in Figure 6b as a result, so that the second sub
cam member 190b abuts and presses against the third track part 330, linearly
displacing/moving the piercing cam track member 5 in an opposite direction to said first
direction. As a consequence, the piercing pins 7 are moved from the extended position
towards the retracted position, wherein the actuator 4 is moved towards, although not
all the way to, the position shown in Figure 6c. In the above phase of movement, the
mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 37 degrees in a third movement 503 of the
mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 17.
It will be seen that in the position shown in Figure 6c, a space is present between the
second cam member 190 and the sixth and third track parts 300,330. The cam track
member 5 is moved in said opposite direction to create this space by the first cam
member 180 pressing on a second track part 600 (see Figure 6a). The first cam
member 180 moves along but does not press against the first track part 200 (or fourth
track part 230) during this phase of movement. In the above phase of movement, the
mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 13 degrees in a second movement 502 of the
mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 17.
The actuator 4 moves in a rotary fashion, and the track member 5 is constrained to
move in a linear fashion. As such, during the above phase of movement, the actuator 4
moves along the third track part 330 and the second track part 600 in sliding abutment
therewith.
The first and fourth track parts 200,230 are arranged relative to the actuator 4 so as to
produce a linear movement of the piercing pins 7 of 7 millimeters.
A different movement of the piercing pins 7 can be provided by changing the profile of
the cam track (see below).
It will be appreciated that the piercing pins 7 are directly driven by the rotation of the
mouthpiece 3, both when extending and retracting the piercing pins. The piercing pins
7 are unlikely therefore to become irreversibly trapped in the extended position when
piercing a medicament capsule in the inhaler chamber 14 . The actuating/drive
arrangement also has a small number of components and links between the
mouthpiece 3 and the piercing pins 7, reducing the likelihood of components or links
failing.
A second inhalation device 201 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 8.
The second inhalation device 201 is similar to the first inhalation device 100 in many
respects and like features between the two inhalers 100,201 are denoted herein with
like reference numerals. A principal difference between the two inhalers is in the
shapes of the track parts of the cam track members 5,5' and in the shapes of the
actuators 4,4'. The complimentary shapes of the cam track member 5' and actuator 4'
of the second inhalation device 201 is such that (i) the first (forward) cam member 80'
abuts the cam track member 5' only to drive the cam track member 5' and piercing pins
7 into the extended position, and (ii) the second (rear) cam member 90' abuts the cam
track member 5' only to drive the cam track member 5' and piercing pins 7 into the
retracted position. This arrangement has been found to reduce the risk of the cam
track member twisting and becoming resistant to sliding with the required linear motion.
A comparison of the movement of the second inhalation device 201 with an inhalation
device substantial identical with the device 100 of Figures 1 to 6 is provided in Figures
9 to 18.
In the following description, the cam track member 5' is considered to comprise four
cam track parts - a first track part 200', a second track part 330', a third track part 300',
and a fourth track part 230'.
The first track part 200' is that part of the cam track located between broken lines 16 1
and 160a shown in Figure 8. As the mouthpiece 3 moves from the fully closed position
to a position midway between the closed and opened positions, the actuator 4' is
moved from the fully closed position shown in Figures 8 and 9 as a result, so that the
first cam member 180' abuts and presses against the first track part 200', linearly
displacing/moving the piercing cam track member 5' in a first direction. As a
consequence, the piercing pins 7 are moved from the retracted position to the extended
position, wherein the actuator 4' is moved through the position shown in Figure 10 to
the position shown in Figure . The second cam member 190' does not abut the cam
track member 5' during this phase of movement. It will be appreciated that as the
actuator 4' moves in a rotary fashion and the track member 5' is constrained to move in
a linear fashion and, as such, during the above phase of movement, the actuator 4'
moves along the first track part 200' in sliding abutment therewith. In the above phase
of movement, the mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 50 degrees in a first
movement 601 of the mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 18.
The third track part 300' is that part of the cam track located between broken line 160b
and point 164 shown in Figure 8. As the mouthpiece 3 moves towards the fully opened
position from a position midway between the closed and opened positions, the actuator
4' is moved from the position shown in Figure 11 as a result, so that the second cam
member 190' (specifically, a first sub cam member 190a') abuts and presses against
the third track part 300', linearly displacing/moving the piercing cam track member 5' in
an opposite direction to said first direction. As a consequence, the piercing pins 7 are
moved from the extended position all the way to the retracted position, wherein the
actuator 4' is moved through the positions shown in Figures 12 to 15 (including that of
Figure 13 wherein, for the equivalent position in the first inhaler, the first cam member
begins to drive the retraction of the piercing pins) in to the position shown in Figure 16.
In the above phase of movement, the mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 50
degrees in a third movement 603 of the mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 18.
The actuator 4' moves in a rotary fashion, and the track member 5' is constrained to
move in a linear fashion. As such, during the above phases of movement, the actuator
4' moves along the third track part 300' in sliding abutment therewith.
The fourth track part 230' is that part of the cam track located between broken lines 162
and 160a shown in Figure 8. As the mouthpiece 3 moves from the fully opened
position to a position midway between the closed and opened positions, the actuator 4'
is moved from the position shown in Figure 16 as a result, so that the first cam member
180' abuts and presses against the fourth track part 230', linearly displacing/moving the
piercing cam track member 5' in the first direction. As a consequence, the piercing pins
7 are moved from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein the actuator
4' is moved to the position shown in Figure 11. The second cam member 190' does not
abut the cam track member 5' during this phase of movement. It will be appreciated
that as the actuator 4' moves in a rotary fashion and the track member 5' is constrained
to move in a linear fashion and, as such, during the above phase of movement, the
actuator 4' moves along the fourth track part 230' in sliding abutment therewith. In the
above phase of movement, the mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 50 degrees in a
fourth movement 604 of the mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 18.
The second track part 330' is that part of the cam track located between broken line
160b and point 163 shown in Figure 8. As the mouthpiece 3 moves towards the fully
closed position from a position midway between the closed and opened positions, the
actuator 4' is moved from the position shown in Figure 11 as a result, so that the
second cam member 190' (specifically, a second sub cam member 190b') abuts and
presses against the second track part 330', linearly displacing/moving the piercing cam
track member 5' in an opposite direction to said first direction. As a consequence, the
piercing pins 7 are moved from the extended position all the way to the retracted
position, wherein the actuator 4' is moved to the position shown in Figure 9 . In the
above phase of movement, the mouthpiece 3 rotates through an arc of 50 degrees in a
second movement 602 of the mouthpiece 3 shown in Figure 18.
It will be appreciated that as the actuator 4' moves in a rotary fashion and the track
member 5' is constrained to move in a linear fashion and, as such, during the above
phases of movement, the actuator 4' moves along the second track part 330' in sliding
abutment therewith.
Furthermore, In the second inhalation device 201 , the inlet 7 1' is T-shaped wherein the
upright of the T-shape is a first discrete aperture and the crossbar of the T-shape is a
second discrete aperture, material 521 of the end shell piece separating the two
discrete apertures (see Figure 8).
Also, in the second inhalation device 201 , the first case member 120 is integrally
formed with a third ring piece 6 1c and the second case member 12 1 is integrally
formed with the fourth ring piece (not shown). In the assembled actuator case, the third
ring piece 6 1c and the fourth ring piece locate adjacent one another to form a two-piece
locating ring which is cantilevered from the remainder of the actuator case and is
positioned about the boss of the chamber 14 inlet.
In this way, means are provided for supporting the lower end of the chamber 14. More
specifically, the supporting means limits or prevents lateral movement of the chamber
14 at the lower end of the chamber 14, by keeping the lower end captive. The resulting
reduction in movement assists in ensuring the two piercing pins 7 remain aligned with
the guide means 20 and do not tend to press against the guide means 20 in a way that
hinders their movement.
The mesh unit 9 includes an element 800 extending downwardly therefrom into the
chamber 14 . The element 800 has a conical shape with the apex thereof located
lowermost within the chamber 14 . A means is thereby provided for presenting a point
contact for abutment with a medicament capsule in the chamber 14 . In use, when a
user inhales through the mouthpiece 3, the flow of inhalation air through the chamber
14 can tend to lift the medicament capsule and move said capsule upwards in the
chamber 14 towards the mesh 3, which effectively closes the chamber 14 so as to
retain the capsule captive in the chamber 14. If not for said point contact means, the
capsule tends to press against the mesh and adhere to the mesh. However, due to the
small surface area presented for abutment with the capsule, the point contact means
reduces the tendency for the capsule to become adhered to the mesh.
The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Alternative
arrangements and suitable materials will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art.
For example, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the inhalation device 100
could be modified by providing a less complex actuator 4 . Specifically, the actuator 4
can be modified so as to remove the second (rear) cam member 190 to leave only the
first (forward) cam member 180. Whilst the design of the actuator 4 will then be
relatively simple, the movement on the cam track member 5 will be less smooth and
there is an increased risk of the cam track member 5 twisting and becoming resistant to
sliding with the required linear motion. The piercing pins 7 would nevertheless move
from the retracted position to the extended position and then back to the retracted
position as the mouthpiece is moved from the closed position to the opened position.
The piercing pins 7 would also move from the retracted position to the extended
position and then back to the retracted position as the mouthpiece is moved from the
opened position to the closed position.
The cam track member 5 of the first inhalation device 100 may be modified so that the
first cam member 180 cannot abut the fifth track part 500 to return the piercing pins 7 to
the retracted position. In this embodiment, only the first, second and third movements
501 ,502,503 of the mouthpiece 3 drive movement of the piercing pins 7, i.e. when
moving the mouthpiece between zero degrees and fifty degrees. The fourth, fifth and
sixth movements 504,505,506 of the mouthpiece 3 do not then drive any movement of
the piercing pins 7. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, at some position of the
mouthpiece between zero degrees and fifty degrees, the extension of the piercing pins
7 and the opening of the chamber 14 must be such that a medicament capsule may be
positioned in the chamber 14 prior to being pierced upon further movement of the
mouthpiece towards the fifty degree position.
In a further alternative embodiment (not shown), the chamber 14 comprises turbulence
generating means, for example projections, on the interior wall of the chamber 14 . The
projections have a dual function: they both hold a capsule received within the chamber
14, and generate turbulence in fluid flow through the chamber 14 and around a capsule
received therein. The arrangement (relative sizing of the projections/chamber and the
capsule) is such that, when a capsule is received in the chamber 14, the projections
loosely hold the capsule within the chamber 14. During use of the alternative
embodiment, as air is inhaled by the user from the chamber 14 through the outlet 12
and mouthpiece 3, the projections generate turbulence in the air flow within the
chamber 14. Turbulence in the air flowing around the capsule causes vibration of the
capsule within the chamber 14, and this vibration enhances the dispersion of
medicament contained within the capsule. Accordingly, less forceful inhalation by the
user is required to liberate a full dose of medicament from the capsule.
The projections may be of various shapes, such as grooves, ridges, helixes, rings or
spheres, or any other shape suitable for generating turbulence in a fluid flow.
CLAIMS:
1. An inhaler device ( 1 00) for facilitating the inhalation of a medicament from a
pierceable medicament capsule, the inhaler device comprising a body ( 1 ) having a
chamber ( 14) for receiving a pierceable medicament capsule; piercing means (7) for
piercing a medicament capsule received in said chamber (14); an actuator (4,4')
rotatably mounted to the body ( 1 ) ; and an actuating member (3) moveable relative to
the body ( 1 ) so as to rotate said actuator (4,4'); characterised by a cam track member
(5,5') being connected to the piercing means (7) and comprising a plurality of cam track
parts (200,600,200', 330') along which said actuator (4,4') slides; wherein a first
movement (501 ,601 ) of the actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said
actuator (4,4') along and in abutment with a first one (200,200') of said cam track parts
so as to press against said cam track member (5,5') and thereby drive the piercing
means (7) towards an extended position; and wherein a second movement (502,602)
of the actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said actuator (4,4') along and
in abutment with a second one (600,330') of said cam track parts so as to press against
said cam track member (5,5') and thereby drive the piercing means (7) towards a
retracted position.
2. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said abutment with said first
cam track part (200') is by a first cam member (180') of said actuator (4'), and said
abutment with said second cam track part (330') is by a second cam member ( 190') of
said actuator (4').
3. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a third movement (603) of the
actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said second cam member (190') of
said actuator (4') along and in abutment with a third one (300') of said cam track parts
so as to press against said cam track member (5') and thereby drive the piercing
means (7) towards a retracted position; and wherein a fourth movement (604) of the
actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said first cam member (180') of
said actuator (4') along and in abutment with a fourth one (230') of said cam track parts
so as to press against said cam track member (5') and thereby drive the piercing
means (7) towards the extended position.
4 . An inhaler device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said actuating member (3) is
moveable back and forth between first and second limits of movement, and wherein,
movement of said actuating member (3) from the first limit to the second limit comprises
in sequence said first movement (601 ) followed by said third movement (603) of said
actuating member (3), and wherein, movement of said actuating member (3) from the
second limit to the first limit comprises in sequence said fourth movement (604)
followed by said second movement (602) of said actuating member (3).
5. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said abutment with said first
cam track part (200) is by a first cam member ( 180) of said actuator (4), and said
abutment with said second cam track part (600) is by said first cam member ( 1 80).
6. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said actuator (4) comprises a
second cam member ( 1 90); and wherein a third movement (503) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said second cam member ( 190) along and in
abutment with a third one (330) of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam
track member (5) and drive the piercing means (7) from an extended position to a
partially retracted position, and wherein said second movement (502) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said first cam member ( 1 80) of said actuator
(4) along and in abutment with said second one (600) of said cam track parts so as to
press against said cam track member (5) and thereby drive the piercing means (7) from
said partially retracted position to a fully retracted position.
7. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a fourth movement (504) of the
actuating member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said first cam member ( 180) of said
actuator (4) along and in abutment with a fourth one (230) of said cam track parts so as
to press against said cam track member (5) and thereby drive the piercing means (7)
towards an extended position; and wherein a fifth movement (505) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said first cam member ( 180) of said actuator
(4) along and in abutment with a fifth one (500) of said cam track parts so as to press
against said cam track member (5) and thereby drive the piercing means (7) towards
the fully retracted position; and wherein a sixth movement (506) of the actuating
member (3) relative to the body ( 1 ) slides said second cam member ( 190) along and in
abutment with a sixth one (300) of said cam track parts so as to press against said cam
track member (5) and drive the piercing means (7) from an extended position to said
partially retracted position, and wherein said fifth movement (505) of the actuating
member (3) drives the piercing means (7) from said partially retracted position to a fully
retracted position.
8. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said actuating member (3) is
moveable back and forth between first and second limits of movement, and wherein,
movement of said actuating member (3) from the first limit to the second limit comprises
in sequence said first movement (501 ) followed by said sixth movement (506) followed
by said fifth movement (505) of said actuating member (3), and wherein, movement of
said actuating member (3) from the second limit to the first limit comprises in sequence
said fourth movement (504) followed by said third movement (503) followed by said
second movement (502) of said actuating member (3).
9. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 4 or 8, wherein, at said first limit of
movement, the chamber (14) is closed by said actuating member (3) so as to retain
captive in the chamber ( 14) a medicament capsule received in said chamber ( 14), and
wherein, at said second limit of movement, the chamber (14) is open so as to allow
release from the chamber ( 14) a medicament capsule received in said chamber ( 14).
10. An inhaler device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said body
( 1 ) comprises means constraining movement of said cam track member (5,5') to
reciprocal linear movement within a single plane relative to the body ( 1 ) .
11. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said plurality of cam track
parts (200,600,200', 330') are located in said single plane.
12. An inhaler device as claimed in any of claims 10 and 11, wherein said actuator
(4) is rotatable about an axis extending perpendicularly to said single plane.
13. An inhaler device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the or each cam member
( 1 80) of said actuator is located in said single plane.
14 . An inhaler device as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the piercing
means (7) is located in said single plane.
15. An inhaler device as claimed in any of claims 10 to 14, wherein said constraining
means abuts said cam track member (5,5') so as to constrain movement thereof.
16. An inhaler device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said
actuating member (3) comprises a mouthpiece (72) through which, in use, a
medicament from a pierceable medicament capsule in the chamber ( 14) is inhaled.
17. An inhaler device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein in the
extended position, at least a part of the piercing means (7) extends within said chamber
( 14) from one side of said chamber ( 14) towards an opposite side thereof.
18. An inhaler device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein means
(800) of providing a point contact to a medicament capsule is located in the chamber
( 14).
19. An inhaler device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising
means for supporting a lower end of the chamber (14), preferably wherein the
supporting means limits or prevents lateral movement of the chamber ( 14) at the lower
end of the chamber (14).
20. An inhaler device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and
as shown in the accompanying drawings.