Dry powder inhalation device

Abstract

A dry powder inhalation device comprising:-a body (10) and a mouthpiece (120) provided with a dispensing opening (121) through which a user sucks,-a chamber (111),-a reservoir (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and having a side outlet opening (11), said reservoir being arranged within the chamber, the diameter of the reservoir being smaller than the diameter of the chamber, -said reservoir comprises an outer contour (15) defining an inscribed volume forming the outer volume of the reservoir, the outer volume of the reservoir being larger than the inner volume of the reservoir containing powder,-said body comprises tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) adapted to bring a flow of suction air tangentially into said chamber, thus, the reservoir performs orbital motion in the chamber during suction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a dry powder inhalation device. Background Art

[0002] Dry powder inhalation devices are well known in the prior art. There are various types of dry powder inhalation devices.

[0003] A first type of multidose inhalation device contains a reservoir for receiving a plurality of doses of powder, the inhalation device being provided with dosing means so that at each actuation a dose of powder can be separated from the reservoir to be brought into the discharge duct so that it can be dispensed to the user. Such devices require complex and therefore expensive dosing means and do not ensure dose accuracy and repeatability. Furthermore, there is a risk that the powder in the reservoir may be contaminated when the inhalation device is used.

[0004] Another type of multi-dose inhalation device is provided with several separate reservoirs, each of which contains a dose of powder, and then one of these reservoirs is opened at each start of the inhalation device. This implementation ensures that the powder is well sealed, because the powder of each dose is only exposed to the atmosphere when discharged. In order to make this grouped separate reservoir, different modifications have been proposed, such as blister strips or discs. About opening a single reservoir, a closure layer of peeling or tearing off the blister has been proposed. Its disadvantage is that it is difficult to control the force applied, to ensure full opening, while the next reservoir will not be accidentally opened, especially when the opening device needs to be started by suction. Another solution is to pierce the closed membrane of the blister at each start, which requires a complicated and therefore expensive piercing device.

[0005] Furthermore, the multi-dose inhalation devices described above suffer from the problem of not being able to ensure an optimal dispensing effect, ie not being able to ensure that a substantial portion of the dose effectively penetrates into the lungs of the user to produce a beneficial therapeutic effect.

[0006] In order to make the device less complicated, thereby reducing costs, a single-dose inhalation device has been proposed, which includes a single separate reservoir, such as a blister or a capsule, which must be loaded into the inhalation device before use. The advantage of this single-dose device is that all doses do not need to be stored inside the device, so that the size of the device can be reduced. On the contrary, it is more complicated for the user to use, because the user must load the blister or capsule into the inhalation device before each use. In addition, these single-dose inhalation devices also have other unique disadvantages. Therefore, the blister or capsule cannot be dispensed with a larger dose, which is usually greater than 100 mg. In addition, in particular for capsules or blisters to be pierced, it is necessary to use a complex piercing device to achieve opening, and there is also a risk that the pierced film remains in the powder to be dispensed. In addition, the emptying performance of the reservoir is not always optimal, because during suction, a portion of the powder may remain inside the reservoir.

[0007] In order to overcome these shortcomings, document WO9826828 proposes a single-dose inhalation device, which includes a columnar reservoir provided with a side opening, which is arranged in a columnar chamber with a larger diameter, so that the reservoir is displaced in the chamber according to the orbital motion during suction, thereby discharging the powder. This implementation can effectively improve the distribution efficiency, while the reservoir is basically completely emptied, and a larger portion of the dose effectively penetrates into the lungs. However, the disadvantage of this device is that the size of the reservoir must be well adapted to the size of the chamber to ensure good orbital motion. However, unless the inhalation device is modified (the cost is very high), the dose of the powder cannot be easily changed, and it may be desirable to enable the same inhalation device to be used to accommodate reservoirs with different doses.

[0008] Documents WO02085281A1, WO03075988A1, WO2009121020A1, WO2013008037A1 and WO2008001132A1 describe other devices in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a powder inhalation device which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0010] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inhalation device of this type which improves the dispensing efficiency by allowing the powder contained in the reservoir to be dispensed almost completely and by increasing the portion of the dose that reaches the lungs of the user.

[0011] The present invention also aims to provide an inhalation device of this type which optimizes the displacement of the reservoir in the chamber during actuation.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an inhalation device of this type which reduces the complexity of use for the user and ensures greater safety of use.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide an inhalation device of this type which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0014] The invention therefore provides a dry powder inhalation device comprising: - a body and a mouthpiece provided with a dispensing orifice, through which a user inhales, - a chamber, - a reservoir containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a side outlet opening, the reservoir being arranged in the chamber, the diameter of the reservoir being smaller than the diameter of the chamber so that in a loaded position the reservoir can move in the chamber, the body comprising a tangential channel adapted to bring a flow of inhaled air tangentially into the chamber so that the reservoir in the loaded position performs an orbital motion in the chamber during inhalation, the reservoir comprising an outer contour defining an inscribed volume forming an outer volume of the reservoir, the outer volume of the reservoir being larger than an inner volume of the reservoir containing the powder.

[0015] Advantageously, the reservoir is formed by an upper reservoir part and a lower reservoir part which are assembled together after filling with a dose of powder.

[0016] Advantageously, each reservoir portion has a respective profile.

[0017] Advantageously, said lower reservoir portion comprises said side outlet opening.

[0018] Advantageously, the outer profile comprises a plurality of ribs extending radially on the outer wall of the reservoir.

[0019] Advantageously, said mouthpiece comprises a grid upstream of said dispensing orifice.

[0020] Advantageously, the chamber is arranged between the intake air inlet and the mouthpiece.

[0021] Advantageously, the reservoir is capable of containing a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg.

[0022] Advantageously, in the loading position, the reservoir occupies a volume in the chamber that is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber.

[0023] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the reservoir is greater than the axial height of the reservoir.

[0024] Advantageously, the chamber is arranged in a loading member which is mounted to be movable on the body between a non-loading position and a loading position, in particular the loading member is mounted to be pivotable on the body between a non-loading position and a loading position, in which the reservoir can be arranged in the chamber, and in the loading position the chamber and the reservoir are arranged inside the body of the inhalation device.

[0025] According to an advantageous variant, the chamber is arranged in the body, the inhalation device comprising an operating member axially displaceable relative to the body in order to displace the reservoir from a non-loading position towards a loading position.

[0026] Advantageously, the operating member comprises at least one oblique slot receiving at least one corresponding lug formed on the body or on an element fixed to the body, thereby enabling rotation of the operating member in the body during its axial displacement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inhalation device according to a first advantageous embodiment before a reservoir is inserted into the inhalation device, Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 after assembly of the reservoir but in a non-loaded position, Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 The view in the loading position, Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inhalation device according to a second advantageous embodiment in a loaded position, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a reservoir located in a chamber in a loading position, viewed from below, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mouthpiece viewed from above. Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the reservoir before closing, viewed from below. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a reservoir in FIG. Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the reservoir after closing, and Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Schematic cross-sectional view of a reservoir in FIG.

[0028] In the following description, the terms "upper", "lower" and "side" are relative to Figure 4 The terms "axial" and "radial" are relative to the longitudinal center axis A of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figures 1 to 3 A first advantageous embodiment is described.

[0030] In this first embodiment, the inhalation device comprises a body 110 and a mouthpiece 120 provided with a dispensing orifice 121 through which the user draws. A loading member 130 comprising a chamber 111 is mounted to move (advantageously pivot) on the body 110 between a non-loading position and a loading position. In the non-loading position, the reservoir 10 can be arranged in the chamber 111, and in the loading position, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the chamber 111 and the reservoir 10 are located inside the body 110 of the inhalation device.

[0031] Advantageously, if Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the mouthpiece 120 comprises a grid 125 located upstream of the dispensing orifice 121 .

[0032] Preferably, the chamber 111 is arranged between the inhalation air inlet and said mouthpiece 120 , so that when the user draws air through the mouthpiece 120 , airflow will flow through said chamber 111 .

[0033] The inhalation device comprises a reservoir 10 containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a side outlet opening 11 .

[0034] The diameter of the reservoir 10 is smaller than the diameter of the chamber 111, so that in the loading position, the reservoir 10 can be displaced in the chamber 111. The tangential channels 115a, 115b, 115c bring the inhaled air flow tangentially into the chamber 111, so that the reservoir 10 moves in an orbital manner in the chamber 111, and the reservoir 10 rotates while rotating around the periphery of the chamber along the side wall of the chamber 111. This movement causes the powder contained in the reservoir 10 to be entrained and discharged by the inhaled air flow toward the mouthpiece and the dispensing orifice.

[0035] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 can contain a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg. Alternatively, very large doses can be envisaged, in particular doses greater than 500 mg.

[0036] Advantageously, in the loading position, the reservoir 10 occupies in the chamber 111 a volume greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber 111 .

[0037] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the reservoir 10 is greater than its axial height.

[0038] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 is formed by an upper reservoir part 10a and a lower reservoir part 10b which are assembled together after being filled with a dose of powder. Advantageously, the lower reservoir part 10b comprises a lateral outlet opening 11. Advantageously, the lateral outlet opening 11 is arranged in an axially centered manner.

[0039] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 is symmetrical so as to be able to be inserted into the chamber 111 equally well in both directions.

[0040] Figure 4 A second advantageous embodiment is described.

[0041] In this second embodiment, the inhalation device comprises a body 110 including a chamber 111 and a mouthpiece 120 provided with a dispensing orifice 121 through which a user draws.

[0042] Advantageously, the body 110 is formed of two body parts, namely an upper body part including the mouthpiece 120 and a lower body part including the cylindrical sleeve 112, the chamber 111 being defined by these two body parts fixed to each other.

[0043] The inhalation device further comprises an operating member 130 for displacing the reservoir 10 from the non-loading position towards the loading position. The operating member 130 is axially displaceable relative to the body 110 so as to push the reservoir 10 from the non-loading position towards the loading position.

[0044] Advantageously, the axial displacement of the operating member 130 is produced by rotation of the operating member 130 in the body 110 , for example by means of arranging one or more lugs of the body 110 in one or more oblique slots 150 of the operating member 130 .

[0045] According to the invention, the reservoir 10 comprises an external profile 15 defining an external volume of the reservoir which is greater than the internal volume of the reservoir containing the powder. This implementation makes it possible to optimize the external dimensions of the reservoir 10 relative to the dimensions of the chamber 111 to ensure a good orbital movement of the reservoir 10 during activation. At the same time, the internal volume of the reservoir can be modified while always maintaining the same external volume, which makes it possible to use reservoirs with different powder doses in the same inhalation device.

[0046] Advantageously, each reservoir portion 10a, 10b has a respective profile 15a, 15b.

[0047] Advantageously, the outer profile 15 comprises a plurality of ribs 16 extending radially on the outer wall of said reservoir 10. The number of ribs may be any number as long as the inscribed volume they define forms the outer volume of the reservoir.

[0048] The device of the invention is simple and effective. It consists of a relatively small number of components and is therefore both cheap to manufacture and assemble and reliable in use. The reservoir enables the device to achieve optimal powder dispensing due to the orbital movement performed during activation while ensuring the integrity of the powder before use.

[0049] It should be noted that the inhalation device is refillable by removing the empty reservoir and replacing it with a full reservoir.

[0050] Various modifications may also be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhalation device, comprising: - a body (110) and a mouthpiece (120) provided with a dispensing orifice (121) through which the user draws, - Chamber (111), - a reservoir (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a side outlet opening (11), the reservoir (10) being arranged in the chamber (111), the diameter of the reservoir (10) being smaller than the diameter of the chamber (111) so that in the loading position the reservoir (10) can move in the chamber (111), the body (110) comprising tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) adapted to allow the inhaled air flow to enter the chamber (111) tangentially so that the reservoir (10) in the loading position performs an orbital movement in the chamber (111) during inhalation, The invention is characterized in that the reservoir (10) comprises an outer contour portion (15), wherein the outer contour portion defines an inscribed volume, wherein the inscribed volume forms an outer volume of the reservoir, and the outer volume of the reservoir is larger than an inner volume of the reservoir for accommodating powder.

2. An inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein The reservoir (10) is composed of an upper reservoir part (10a) and a lower reservoir part (10b), which are assembled together after being filled with the dose of powder.

3. An inhalation device according to claim 2, wherein Each of the reservoir portions (10a, 10b) has a respective contoured portion (15a, 15b).

4. An inhalation device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The lower reservoir portion (10b) comprises the side outlet opening (11).

5. An inhalation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The outer profile (15) comprises a plurality of ribs (16) extending radially on the outer wall of the reservoir (10).

6. An inhalation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The mouthpiece (120) comprises a mesh (125) located upstream of the dispensing orifice (121).

7. An inhalation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The chamber (111) is arranged between the intake air inlet and the mouthpiece (120).

8. An inhalation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The reservoir (10) is capable of containing a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg.

9. An inhalation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein In the loading position, the volume occupied by the reservoir (10) in the chamber (111) is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber (111).

10. An inhalation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The radial diameter of the reservoir (10) is greater than the axial height of the reservoir.

11. An inhalation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The chamber (111) is arranged in a loading member (130), which is mounted to be movable on the body 110 between a non-loading position and a loading position, in particular, the loading member is mounted to be pivotable between the non-loading position and the loading position, in which the reservoir (10) can be arranged in the chamber (111) and in which the chamber (111) and the reservoir (10) are arranged inside the body (110) of the inhalation device.

12. An inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein The chamber (111) is arranged in the body (110), and the inhalation device comprises an operating member (130) which is movable in the axial direction relative to the body (110) to move the reservoir (10) from a non-loading position towards a loading position.

13. An inhalation device according to claim 12, wherein The operating member (130) comprises at least one inclined slot (150) which receives at least one corresponding lug formed on the body (110) or on an element fixed to the body (110), thereby enabling the operating member (130) to rotate in the body (110) during axial displacement.

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