Dry powder inhaler

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler comprising:-a body (110) comprising a chamber (111) and a suction nozzle (120),-a dry powder reservoir (10) provided with a lateral outlet opening (11) and movable between an unloaded position in which the dry powder reservoir is completely disposed within said chamber, and a loaded position in which the dry powder reservoir is completely disposed within said chamber, the invention relates to a suction device (100) comprising:-a body (110) comprising a tangential channel (115a, 115b, 115c) adapted to introduce a flow of suction air tangentially into said chamber, said tangential channel (115a, 115b, 115c), upon suction, creating a revolving displacement of said reservoir in said chamber,-actuation means (130) for moving said reservoir from its unloaded position to its loaded position, the reservoir comprises a closing element (12) movable and / or deformable relative to the reservoir.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to dry powder inhalers.

[0002] Dry powder inhalers are well known in the art. There are various types.

[0003] The first type of multi-dose inhaler comprises a reservoir for receiving a multi-dose powder, the inhaler being provided with a dosing device so that a dose of the powder can be separated from the reservoir at each actuation so as to be brought into the discharge duct so that it can be distributed to the user. Such a device requires a complicated and therefore expensive dosing device and does not guarantee the accuracy and reproducibility of the dose. In addition, when using the inhaler, there is a risk that the powder disposed in the reservoir is contaminated.

[0004] Another type of multi-dose inhaler comprises several independent reservoirs that are provided, and each reservoir holds a certain dose of powder, and then opens a reservoir in these reservoirs when the inhaler is actuated at each time. This implementation ensures that the powder is better sealed, because the powder of each dose is only exposed to the atmosphere when it is discharged. In order to produce such a group of independent reservoirs, different modifications have been proposed, such as blister strips or trays. About opening a single reservoir, it has been proposed to peel off or not adhere to the sealing layer of the blister. Its shortcoming is that it is difficult to control the force to be applied to ensure that it is fully opened and there is no risk of opening the next reservoir, particularly when the device needs to be actuated by suction. Another solution is to pierce the closed membrane of the blister when actuated at each time, which requires complicated and therefore expensive piercing devices.

[0005] Furthermore, the above-mentioned multi-dose inhalers suffer from the problem of not ensuring optimal dispensing effectiveness, in which a large portion of the dose effectively penetrates into the lungs of the user to have a beneficial therapeutic effect.

[0006] In order to make the device less complicated and therefore cheaper, a single-dose inhaler has been proposed, which comprises a single independent reservoir, such as a blister or a capsule, which must be loaded into the inhaler before the inhaler is used. The advantage of this single-dose device is that all doses do not need to be stored in the device, thereby the size of the device can be reduced. By contrast, it is more complicated for the user to use, because they must load the blister or capsule into the inhaler before each use. In addition, there are other disadvantages unique to these single-dose inhalers. Therefore, the blister or capsule do not allow the distribution of a large dose that is usually greater than 100mg. In addition, particularly for capsules or blisters to be pierced, it is necessary to open and use a complicated piercing device, and there is also a risk of the residue of the pierced film in the distributed powder. In addition, the emptying performance of the reservoir is not always optimal, because a part of the powder may remain in the reservoir during suction.

[0007] In order to attempt to overcome these shortcomings, document WO 98 / 26828 proposes a single-dose inhaler, which comprises a tubular reservoir provided with a lateral opening, which is arranged in a tubular chamber with a larger diameter, so that during suction, the reservoir is displaced in the chamber according to a circumferential motion, which causes powder to be discharged. This implementation effectively makes it possible to improve distribution efficiency, wherein the reservoir is emptied substantially completely and a larger portion of the dosage effectively penetrates into the lungs. However, the shortcoming of this device is that the lateral opening of the reservoir must be opened before the reservoir is placed in the device, which has the risk of losing powder or contaminating powder during this placement, particularly when the device is not used quickly after the reservoir is placed.

[0008] Documents WO2008001132A1, WO03075988A1, US2014182587A1 and WO2013008037A1 describe other devices of the prior art.

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

[0010] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler of this type which improves the dispensing efficiency by allowing dispensing of substantially all of the powder contained in the reservoir and by increasing the portion of the dose that will reach the lungs of the user.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide an inhaler of this type which limits or even avoids the risks of contamination and / or staining of the powder.

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

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

[0014] Therefore, the present invention provides a dry powder inhaler, the dry powder inhaler comprising:

[0015] - a body containing the chamber and a mouthpiece provided with a dispensing orifice through which the user inhales,

[0016] a reservoir containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a lateral outlet opening, said reservoir being movable between a non-loading position in which it is at least partially arranged outside said chamber and a loading position in which it is completely arranged in said chamber, said reservoir having a diameter smaller than that of said chamber so that in the loading position it can be moved in said chamber, said body comprising a tangential channel suitable for introducing a flow of inhaled air tangentially into said chamber, said tangential channel generating, in the loading position, a pivoting movement of said reservoir in said chamber during inhalation,

[0017] - an actuating member for moving the reservoir from its non-loading position towards its loading position,

[0018] The reservoir comprises a closing element which can be displaced and / or deformed relative to the reservoir between a closed position of the lateral outlet opening and an open position of the lateral outlet opening, wherein the closing element is in the closed position when the reservoir is in the non-loading position and in the open position when the reservoir is in the loading position.

[0019] Advantageously, said closing element comprises an asymmetric radial protrusion.

[0020] Advantageously, the closing element comprises at least one second radial projection extending axially over a portion of the axial height of the closing element.

[0021] Advantageously, the reservoir is formed by an upper reservoir part and a lower reservoir part which are assembled after being filled with a dose of powder.

[0022] Advantageously, said lower reservoir portion comprises said lateral outlet opening.

[0023] The present invention also provides a dry powder inhaler, which comprises:

[0024] - a body comprising the chamber and a mouthpiece provided with a dispensing orifice through which the user inhales,

[0025] a reservoir containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a lateral outlet opening, said reservoir being movable between a non-loading position in which it is at least partially arranged outside said chamber and a loading position in which it is completely arranged in said chamber, said reservoir having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said chamber,

[0026] - an actuating member for moving the reservoir from its non-loading position towards its loading position,

[0027] The reservoir comprises an upper reservoir portion provided with an upper lateral opening and a lower reservoir portion provided with a lower lateral opening, wherein the upper reservoir portion is axially movable relative to the lower reservoir portion, wherein the upper lateral opening and the lower lateral opening are axially offset when the reservoir is in a non-loading position, and wherein the upper lateral opening and the lower lateral opening are aligned to form an open lateral opening when the reservoir is in a loading position.

[0028] Advantageously, the body comprises two body parts, an upper body part comprising the suction nozzle and a lower body part comprising the cylindrical sleeve, the chamber being defined by these two body parts fixed to each other.

[0029] Advantageously, said mouthpiece comprises a mesh upstream of said dispensing orifice.

[0030] Advantageously, the chamber is arranged between the suction air inlet and the suction nozzle.

[0031] Advantageously, the reservoir contains a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg.

[0032] Advantageously, in the loading position, the volume occupied by the reservoir in the chamber is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber.

[0033] Advantageously, the reservoir has a radial diameter greater than its axial height.

[0034] Advantageously, the actuation member is axially displaceable relative to the body in order to displace the reservoir from its non-loading position towards its loading position.

[0035] Advantageously, the actuating member comprises at least one inclined groove receiving at least one corresponding lug formed on the body or on an element fixed to the body, so that the actuating member achieves rotation in the body during its axial displacement.

[0036] These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly during the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given as non-limiting examples and in which:

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inhaler according to a first advantageous embodiment in a non-loaded position,

[0038] Figure 2 is in loading position with Figure 1 Similar views,

[0039] Figure 3 is based on the non-loading position Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of another cross-sectional plane of the distribution device,

[0040] Figure 4 is in loading position with Figure 3 Similar views,

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a reservoir in a chamber in a loading position, viewed from below,

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram viewed from above the nozzle.

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic vertical cross-section of the reservoir in the non-loaded position,

[0044] Figure 8 is in loading position with Figure 7 Similar views,

[0045] Fig. 9 is in the non-loaded position and viewed from another perspective. Figure 7 A similar diagram,

[0046] Fig.10 is in loading position with Fig. 9 Similar views,

[0047] Figures 11 to 13 are schematic vertical cross-sectional views of three other advantageous variant embodiments of the reservoir in a non-loading position,

[0048] Figures 14 to 16 are schematic vertical cross-sectional views of a container according to another embodiment before assembly, in a non-loading position, and in a loading position, respectively,

[0049] Fig.17 is a perspective schematic diagram of a reservoir, showing a reservoir according to another embodiment in a loading position,

[0050] Fig.18 and Fig.19 In the non-loading position and in the loading position respectively Fig.17 A schematic diagram of a vertical cross section of a reservoir,

[0051] Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a closing element according to another advantageous variant,

[0052] Fig.21 Picture shows Fig.21possible assembly of the closing elements in the correct orientation, and

[0053] Fig. 22 Picture shows Fig.21 Assembly of the closure elements in the wrong orientation is impossible.

[0054] In the following description, the terms "upper", "lower" and "lateral" are relative to Figures 1 to 4 The terms "axial" and "radial" are relative to the Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is with respect to the longitudinal centre axis A of the device shown.

[0055] Figures 1 to 10 A first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0056] In this first embodiment, the inhaler comprises a body 110 comprising a chamber 111 and a mouthpiece 120 provided with a dispensing orifice 121 through which the user inhales.

[0057] Advantageously, the body 110 is formed of two body parts, namely an upper body part comprising the suction nozzle 120 and a lower body part comprising the cylindrical sleeve 112, the chamber 111 being defined by these two body parts being fixed to each other.

[0058] Advantageously, if Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the mouthpiece 120 comprises a mesh 125 upstream of the dispensing orifice 121 .

[0059] Preferably, the chamber 111 is disposed between the suction air inlet and the mouthpiece 120 , so that when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 120 , the air flow will pass through the chamber 111 .

[0060] The inhaler comprises a reservoir 10 containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a lateral outlet opening 11. The reservoir 10 is displaceable between a non-loading position, in which the reservoir is at least partially arranged outside the chamber 111, and a loading position, in which the reservoir is completely arranged in the chamber 111.

[0061] 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 a rotating manner in the chamber 111, the reservoir 10 rotating itself while rotating around the periphery of the chamber 111 along the side wall of the chamber 111. This movement will allow the powder contained in the reservoir 10 to be discharged, which is entrained by the inhaled air flow towards the mouthpiece and the dispensing orifice.

[0062] 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.

[0063] Advantageously, 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 .

[0064] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the reservoir 10 is greater than its axial height.

[0065] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 is formed of an upper reservoir portion 10a and a lower reservoir portion 10b which are assembled after being filled with the dose of powder.

[0066] The inhaler further comprises an actuation member 130 for displacing the reservoir 10 from its non-loading position towards its loading position. The actuation member 130 is axially displaceable relative to the body 110 so as to push the reservoir 10 from its non-loading position towards its loading position.

[0067] Advantageously, the axial displacement of the actuation member 130 is produced by rotation of the actuation member 130 in the body 110 , for example by means of one or more lugs of the body 110 , which are arranged in one or more inclined grooves of the actuation member 130 .

[0068] according to Figures 1 to 10 In the first embodiment of the invention presented in , the reservoir 10 comprises a lateral outlet opening 11 which is closed by a closure element 12 when the reservoir 10 is not in its loading position.

[0069] Advantageously, the lower reservoir portion 10b comprises a lateral outlet opening 11 .

[0070] This closure element 12 protects the powder contained in the reservoir until it is dispensed by actuation of the inhaler.

[0071] Thus, according to the first aspect of the invention, the closing element 12 is displaceable and / or deformable relative to the reservoir 10 between a closed position and an open position of the lateral outlet opening 11, wherein the closing element 12 is in the closed position when the reservoir 10 is in the non-loading position and in the open position when the reservoir 10 is in the loading position.

[0072] Advantageously, in the non-loading position, the closure element 12 abuts or is fixed to a portion of the body 110 , so that when the reservoir 10 is displaced towards its loading position, the closure element 12 remains locked in the body, thereby opening the lateral outlet opening 11 .

[0073] exist Figures 1 to 10 In the example of , the closing element 12 comprises a radial protrusion 13 which cooperates with a shoulder 113 of the cylindrical sleeve 112 .

[0074] Advantageously, radial projection 13 is arranged on a side of closing element 12, so that closing element is not symmetrical.Therefore, when closing element 12 is in closed position on reservoir 10, reservoir 10 is not symmetrical either; This forms the infallible key for inserting reservoir 10 in the body 110 of inhaler, and this insertion is possible only on the single orientation of reservoir 10.As in the example in the accompanying drawings, when the outer shape of reservoir 10 is roughly symmetrical but lateral outlet opening 11 is not arranged at the axial center of reservoir 10, this is particularly advantageous.In fact, in this case, in order to realize optimal operation, reservoir 10 needs to be correctly positioned in inhaler, and the asymmetrical shape of closing element makes it possible to realize this function.

[0075] Figure 20 to Figure 22 Another variant is shown in which the closing element 12 comprises at least one second radial projection 13' extending axially over a portion of the height of the closing element 12, advantageously between the axial edge and said radial projection 13. This makes it possible to avoid any risk of assembling the reservoir 10 upside down, as Fig.21 and Fig. 22 As shown. Fig.21 In the embodiment, the orientation is correct and the reservoir 10 + closure element 12 assembly can be assembled in the body 110, while in Fig. 22 In the orientation of , this assembly is made impossible by the presence of the second radial protrusions 13 ′. In the example shown, there are two second radial protrusions 13 ′ diametrically opposed, but any number is possible.

[0076] Obviously, if the reservoir 10 is symmetrical and the lateral outlet opening 11 is axially centered, the closing element 12 does not need to be asymmetrical. In contrast, a closing element 12 that forms a symmetrical unit with the reservoir 10 will allow the user to insert the unit into the inhaler in two orientations without any risk of malfunction or less efficient powder dispensing.

[0077] A variant embodiment of the closing element 12 is Figures 11 to 13 Presented in.

[0078] Figures 14 to 16A second embodiment is illustrated.Here, the closure element is formed directly by the upper reservoir part 10a and there is no need to provide a separate closure element.

[0079] In this second embodiment, the upper reservoir portion 10a is provided with an upper lateral opening 11a and the lower reservoir portion 10b is provided with a lower lateral opening 11b. The upper reservoir portion 10a is axially movable relative to the lower reservoir portion 10b, wherein the upper lateral opening 11a and the lower lateral opening 11b are axially offset when the reservoir 10 is in the non-loading position and are aligned to form an open lateral opening when the reservoir 10 is in the loading position.

[0080] Figures 17 to 19 The third embodiment is shown. Here, the closing element 12 is formed by a flexible band fixed or glued around the reservoir 10 to close the lateral outlet opening 11. In this case, the inhaler includes a device for fixing the free end of the flexible band so that when the reservoir 10 moves from its non-loaded position toward its loaded position, the closing element 12 is removed from the reservoir 10. For example, the reservoir 10 and the actuating member 130 can be rotated to separate the flexible band. In a modification, a preload spring connected to the flexible band can be provided, and the preload spring is released to pull the flexible band when the reservoir moves axially toward its loaded position.

[0081] The device of the invention is simple and effective. It consists of a small number of parts and is therefore inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and reliable in use. Thanks to the rotary motion of the reservoir during actuation, it allows optimal distribution of the powder while guaranteeing the integrity of the powder before its use.

[0082] It should be noted that the inhaler can be refilled by opening the body 110 to remove the empty reservoir and replace it with a full reservoir.

[0083] 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 inhaler, comprising: a body (110) comprising a chamber (111) and a mouthpiece (120) provided with a dispensing orifice (121) through which the user inhales, - a reservoir (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a lateral outlet opening (11), the reservoir (10) being movable between a non-loading position, in which the reservoir (10) is at least partially arranged outside the chamber (111), and a loading position, in which the reservoir (10) is completely arranged in the chamber (111), the diameter of the reservoir (10) being smaller than the diameter of the chamber (111). (111) such that in the loading position the reservoir (10) is movable in the chamber (111), the body (110) comprising tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) adapted to introduce the inhaled air flow tangentially into the chamber (111), the tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) generating a rotational movement of the reservoir (10) in the chamber (111) in the loading position during inhalation, an actuating member (130) for moving the reservoir (10) from a non-loading position of the reservoir (10) towards a loading position of the reservoir (10), Characterized in that the reservoir (10) comprises a closing element (12), which can be shifted and / or deformed relative to the reservoir (10) between a closed position of the lateral outlet opening (11) and an open position of the lateral outlet opening (11), and the closing element (12) is in the closed position when the reservoir (10) is in the non-loading position, and is in the open position when the reservoir (10) is in the loading position.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein The closing element (12) comprises an asymmetric radial protrusion (13).

3. The inhaler according to claim 2, wherein The closing element (12) comprises at least one second radial projection (13') extending axially over a portion of the axial height of the closing element (12).

4. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The reservoir (10) is formed of an upper reservoir part (10a) and a lower reservoir part (10b) which are assembled after being filled with a dose of powder.

5. The inhaler according to claim 4, wherein The lower reservoir portion (10b) comprises the lateral outlet opening (11).

6. A dry powder inhaler comprising: a body (110) comprising a chamber (111) and a mouthpiece (120) provided with a dispensing orifice (121) through which the user inhales, a reservoir (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a lateral outlet opening (11a, 11b), the reservoir (10) being movable between a non-loading position in which the reservoir (10) is at least partially arranged outside the chamber (111) and a loading position in which the reservoir (10) is completely arranged in the chamber (111), the diameter of the reservoir (10) being smaller than the diameter of the chamber (111), an actuating member (130) for moving the reservoir (10) from a non-loading position of the reservoir (10) towards a loading position of the reservoir (10), Characterized in that the reservoir (10) comprises an upper reservoir portion (10a) provided with an upper lateral opening (11a) and a lower reservoir portion (10b) provided with a lower lateral opening (11b), the upper reservoir portion (10a) being capable of axially moving relative to the lower reservoir portion (10b), the upper lateral opening (11a) and the lower lateral opening (11b) being axially deviated when the reservoir (10) is in the non-loading position, and being aligned to form an open lateral opening when the reservoir (10) is in the loading position.

7. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The body (110) comprises two body parts, namely an upper body part comprising the suction nozzle (120) and a lower body part comprising a cylindrical sleeve (112), and the chamber (111) is defined by the two body parts fixed to each other.

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

9. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The chamber (111) is arranged between the suction air inlet and the suction nozzle (120).

10. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The reservoir (10) contains a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg.

11. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein In the loading position, the reservoir (10) occupies a volume in the chamber (111) that is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber (111).

12. An inhaler according to any preceding claim, wherein The radial diameter of the reservoir (10) is greater than the axial height of the reservoir (10).

13. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The actuation member (130) is axially displaceable relative to the body (110) in order to displace the reservoir (10) from a non-loading position of the reservoir (10) towards a loading position of the reservoir (10).

14. The inhaler of claim 13, wherein: The actuating member (130) comprises at least one inclined groove which receives at least one corresponding lug formed on the body (110) or on an element fixed to the body (110) in such a way that the actuating member (130) is rotated in the body (110) during axial displacement of the actuating member (130).

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