Dry powder inhaler

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler comprising:-a body (110) comprising a chamber (111) and a containment sleeve (120); -a storage unit for removable insertion into said sleeve and comprising: (i) a dry powder reservoir (10) provided with a transverse outlet (11) and movable in said inhaler between a non-loaded position in which the reservoir is arranged in said sleeve and a loaded position in which the reservoir is completely arranged in said chamber; (ii) a closing ring (12) movable relative to the reservoir (10) between a closed position and an open position of the transverse outlet; and (iii) an actuating member (130) for forming a suction nozzle for moving the reservoir from its unloaded position to its loaded position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dry powder inhaler.

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

[0003] The first type of multidose inhaler comprises a reservoir for containing multiple doses of powder, the inhaler being provided with a dosing device so that, at each actuation, a dose of this powder can be separated from the reservoir in order to be conveyed to a discharge duct so that it can be distributed to the user. This device requires a complex and expensive dosing device and does not guarantee the accuracy and reproducibility of the dose. In addition, there is a risk of contamination of the powder in the reservoir when the inhaler is used.

[0004] Another type of multi-dose inhaler comprises providing several separate storages, each storage containing a dose of powder, and then opening one of the storages each time the inhaler is started. This embodiment ensures that the powder is better sealed, because the powder of each dose is only exposed to the atmosphere when discharged. In order to produce this separate storage assembly, different variants have been proposed, such as blister strips or trays. About opening a separate storage, it has been proposed to peel off or loosen the closed layer of the blister. Its disadvantage is that it is difficult to control the force applied to ensure full opening without risking opening the next storage, particularly if it is necessary to actuate the opening device by suction. Another solution is to pierce the closed membrane of the blister at each actuation, which requires a complicated and expensive piercing device.

[0005] Furthermore, the above-mentioned multi-dose inhalers have the problem that they do not ensure an optimal dispensing effect in which a large part of the dose penetrates effectively into the lungs of the user to obtain a beneficial therapeutic effect.

[0006] In order to make the device less complicated and thus less costly, a single-dose inhaler has been proposed, which includes a single separate storage, such as a blister or a capsule, which must be loaded into the inhaler before use. The advantage of this single-dose device is that it is not necessary to store all doses in the device, so that the device size can be reduced. In contrast, since the user must load the blister or capsule into the inhaler before each use, it is more complicated for the user to use. In addition, there are other disadvantages peculiar to these single-dose inhalers. Therefore, the blister or capsule does not allow the distribution of large doses generally 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 open, and there is also a risk of leaving piercing film residues in the distributed powder. In addition, because a part of the powder may remain in the storage during the inhalation process, the emptying performance of the storage is not always optimal.

[0007] In order to overcome these shortcomings, patent documentation WO9826828 proposes a single-dose inhaler, which comprises a cylindrical storage device provided with a transverse opening, and the storage device is arranged in a cylindrical cavity with a larger diameter, so that during the inhalation process, the storage device moves in the cavity in the mode of orbital motion, so that powder is discharged. This embodiment effectively improves the distribution efficiency, the storage device is emptied substantially completely, and most of the doses are effectively infiltrated into the lungs. However, the shortcoming of this device is that before the storage device is placed in the device, the transverse opening of the storage device must be opened, which has the risk of losing powder or contaminating powder during placement, particularly if the device is not used quickly after the storage device is placed. In addition, if the inhaler is reused together with another storage device, the part forming the mouthpiece may be contaminated in the previous use, particularly the protective grille arranged at the upstream of the inhaler distribution hole.

[0008] Patent documents WO2013008037A1, WO2012163704A2, WO2008001132A1 and WO9826828A2 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, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inhaler of this type which can easily be reused with multiple reservoirs without any risk of contaminating or soiling the inhaler.

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

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

[0015] - a body comprising a chamber and a receiving sleeve,

[0016] - a storage unit, which is used to be removably inserted into the receiving sleeve, the storage unit comprising:

[0017] (i) a reservoir containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a lateral outlet, said reservoir being movable in said inhaler between a non-loaded position in which the reservoir is disposed in said receiving sleeve and a loaded position in which the reservoir is completely disposed in said chamber,

[0018] (ii) a closure ring movable relative to the reservoir between a closed position at the transverse outlet and an open position at the transverse outlet, the closure ring being 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] (iii) an actuating member forming a mouthpiece for moving the reservoir from its non-loading position to its loading position, the actuating member defining a dispensing orifice of the inhaler.

[0020] Advantageously, said actuation member comprises a grid situated upstream of said dispenser orifice.

[0021] Advantageously, the chamber is arranged between the suction inlet and the receiving sleeve.

[0022] Advantageously, the diameter of the reservoir is smaller than the diameter of the chamber.

[0023] Advantageously, the tangential channel brings the suction airflow into the chamber in a tangential manner, which causes an orbital displacement of the reservoir in the chamber.

[0024] Advantageously, the reservoir contains a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg.

[0025] Advantageously, in the loading position, the volume occupied by the reservoir in the chamber is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber.

[0026] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the reservoir is greater than its axial height.

[0027] Advantageously, the housing sleeve comprises on its outer surface a visual marking, for example a coloured line, which is visible to the user when the reservoir is in the non-loading position and which is not visible when the reservoir is in the loading position.

[0028] These and other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly in the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are shown by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inhaler according to a preferred embodiment before the reservoir is inserted into the inhaler;

[0030] Figure 2is the memory in assembled but non-loaded position similar to Figure 1 's view;

[0031] Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 's view;

[0032] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the reservoir in the chamber in a loading position; and

[0033] Figure 5 is a top view of the nozzle in the loading position.

[0034] In the following description, the terms "upper", "lower" and "lateral" are relative to Figures 1 to 3 The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the Figure 1 The longitudinal centre axis A of the device is shown.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the inhaler comprises a main body 110, which comprises a chamber 111 and a receiving sleeve 120 adapted to receive a detachable storage unit. Preferably, the chamber 111 is arranged between the inhalation inlet and the receiving sleeve 120, so that when the user inhales, the airflow will pass through the chamber 111.

[0036] The reservoir unit comprises a reservoir 10 , a closing ring 12 and an actuating member 130 forming a mouthpiece and defining a dispensing orifice 121 .

[0037] The reservoir 10 contains a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprises a lateral outlet 11. The reservoir 10 is suitable for being arranged in an inhaler. Figure 2 Non-loaded position shown and Figure 3 In the non-loading position, the reservoir 10 is at least partially arranged outside the chamber 111 , which is located in the receiving sleeve 120 . In the loading position, the reservoir 10 is completely arranged in the chamber 111 .

[0038] The reservoir 10 is inserted into a closure ring 12 adapted to close the transverse outlet 11. This insertion is preferably carried out by force fit, so that the reservoir 10 is retained in the closure ring 12 by friction. Thus, the closure ring 12 protects the powder contained in the reservoir 10 until the powder is dispensed by actuating the inhaler. The closure ring 12 is movable and / or deformable relative to the reservoir 10 between a closed position and an open position of the transverse outlet 11, the closed position being when the reservoir 10 is in the non-loaded position and the open position being when the reservoir 10 is in the loaded position.

[0039] The closing ring 12 is fixed in an axially movable manner in an actuating member 130, which is used to move the reservoir 10 from its non-loading position towards its loading position. The actuating member 130 is axially movable relative to the body 110 so as to push the reservoir 10 from its non-loading position towards its loading position. Advantageously, the actuating member 130 comprises two coaxial walls 131, 132 between which the closing ring 12 can slide between its closed position and its open position. Advantageously, as Figure 5 As shown, the actuation member 130 comprises a grille 125 situated upstream of the dispenser orifice 121 and in contact with the reservoir 10 .

[0040] Thus, before the storage unit is inserted into the inhaler, the reservoir 10 is arranged in the closure ring 12 in the closed position.

[0041] When the storage unit is inserted into the inhaler, the lower edge of the closure ring 12 abuts against the radial projection 113 of the body 110. The reservoir 10 is then in a non-loading position, the lateral outlet 11 still being closed by the closure ring 12.

[0042] When the user wishes to use the inhaler, the user moves the actuating member 130 axially downward relative to the receiving sleeve 112 to push the reservoir 10 from its non-loading position to its loading position. Since the closure ring 12 is axially blocked by the radial protrusion 113, the reservoir 10 is withdrawn from the closure ring 12 in the loading position into the chamber 111, while the lateral outlet 11 is opened.

[0043] Advantageously, the housing sleeve 120 may include a visual mark, such as a colored line, on its outer surface, which is visible to the user when the reservoir 10 is in the non-loading position and which is not visible when said reservoir 10 is in the loading position. This makes it possible to inform the user that the actuation member 130 has been correctly moved. Thus, as long as the visual mark remains visible, the user knows that the reservoir 10 is not yet in the loading position and he cannot inhale, and only when the visual mark is obscured by the actuation member 130 and is no longer visible, the user will inhale.

[0044] 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 moved in the chamber 111. Advantageously, the tangential channels 115a, 115b, 115c bring the inhalation airflow into the chamber 111 in a tangential manner, thereby causing the orbital displacement of the reservoir 10 in the chamber 111, the reservoir 10 rotating around itself while rotating along its side walls around the periphery of the chamber 111. This movement will allow the powder contained in the reservoir 10 to be discharged, the powder being brought towards the mouthpiece and the dispensing orifice by the inhalation airflow.

[0045] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 can contain a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg. Alternatively, very large doses, in particular greater than 500 mg, can be envisaged.

[0046] 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 .

[0047] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the reservoir 10 is greater than its axial height.

[0048] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 is formed of an upper reservoir part and a lower reservoir part, assembled together after being filled with the powder dose. Advantageously, the lower reservoir part comprises a lateral outlet 11 .

[0049] The advantage of the storage unit is its asymmetry, which forms the key to inserting the reservoir 10 into the inhaler body 110, which can only be done in a single orientation of the reservoir 10. This is particularly advantageous when the outer shape of the reservoir 10 is substantially symmetrical, but the transverse outlet opening 11 is not arranged in the axial center of the reservoir 10. In fact, in this case, in order to achieve optimal operation, it is necessary to correctly position the reservoir 10 in the inhaler, and the asymmetric shape of the storage unit makes it possible to achieve this function.

[0050] 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. Due to the orbital movement of the reservoir during actuation, it enables optimal dispensing of the powder while ensuring the integrity of the powder before use.

[0051] It should be noted that the inhaler can be easily refilled by replacing a storage unit with an empty storage unit with a full storage unit. Thus, after each use of the inhaler, the grid 125 and the actuating member 130 forming the mouthpiece are replaced together with the storage unit, so that the inhaler does not risk being contaminated or soiled by previous use.

[0052] Various modifications may also be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A dry powder inhaler, comprising: - a body (110) comprising a chamber (111) and a receiving sleeve (120), - a storage unit, which is used to be detachably inserted into the receiving sleeve (120), the storage unit comprising: (i) a reservoir (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and comprising a lateral outlet (11), said reservoir (10) being movable in said inhaler between a non-loading position in which said reservoir is arranged in said receiving sleeve (120) and a loading position in which said reservoir is completely arranged in said chamber (111), (ii) a closing ring (12) movable relative to the reservoir (10) between a closed position of the transverse outlet (11) and an open position of the transverse outlet (11), the closing ring (12) being 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, (iii) an actuating member (130) forming a mouthpiece for moving the reservoir (10) from its non-loading position to its loading position, the actuating member defining a dispensing orifice of the inhaler.

2. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein The actuating member (130) comprises a grid (125) located upstream of the dispensing orifice (121).

3. The inhaler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The chamber (111) is arranged between the air suction inlet and the accommodating sleeve (120).

4. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The diameter of the reservoir (10) is smaller than the diameter of the chamber (111).

5. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) bring the inhaled airflow into the chamber (111) in a tangential manner, so that the reservoir (10) performs orbital displacement in the chamber (111).

6. 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.

7. An inhaler 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).

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

9. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The receiving sleeve (120) includes visual markings, such as colored lines, on its outer surface, which are visible to the user when the reservoir (10) is in the non-loading position and invisible when the reservoir (10) is in the loading position.

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