Dry powder inhaler

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler comprising: - a body (110) and a mouthpiece (120) having a delivery orifice (121) through which the user inhales, - a chamber (111), - a reservoir (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and having a lateral outlet orifice (11), said reservoir (10) being disposed within said chamber (111), the diameter of said reservoir (10) being smaller than the diameter of said chamber (111), said reservoir (10) having an external profile (15) defining an inscribed volume forming an external volume of the reservoir greater than the internal volume of the reservoir containing the powder. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Dry powder inhaler

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

[0002] Powder inhalers are well known in the prior art. There are different kinds of them.

[0003] A first type of multi-dose inhaler contains a reservoir holding multiple doses of powder. The inhaler is equipped with dosing means that, with each actuation, separate one dose of this powder from the reservoir and deliver it to an expulsion channel for distribution to the user. These devices require complex and therefore costly dosing means, and the accuracy and reproducibility of the dosage are not guaranteed. Furthermore, there is a risk of contamination of the powder in the reservoir as the inhaler is used.

[0004] Another type of multi-dose inhaler consists of several individual reservoirs, each containing a dose of powder, and then opening one of these reservoirs each time the inhaler is activated. This design ensures better sealing of the powder, since each dose of powder is only exposed to the atmosphere upon expulsion. Various methods have already been proposed for creating these sets of individual reservoirs, such as blister strips or discs. Regarding the opening of the individual reservoirs, peeling or detaching the blister seal has been suggested. This presents the disadvantage of making it difficult to control the forces applied to ensure complete opening without risking opening the next reservoir, particularly if the opening mechanism is activated by inhalation.Another solution is to pierce the blister's sealing membrane with each actuation, which requires complex and therefore expensive drilling equipment.

[0005] The multidose inhalers described above also have the problem of not guaranteeing optimal distribution efficiency, with a significant portion of the dose actually penetrating the user's lungs to have a beneficial therapeutic effect.

[0006] To create less complex and therefore less expensive devices, single-dose inhalers have been proposed, comprising a single individual reservoir, such as a blister or a capsule, which is loaded into the inhaler just before use. The advantage of these single-dose devices is that it is not necessary to store all the doses inside the device, so it can be smaller. On the other hand, use is more complicated for the user, since they are obliged to load a blister or a capsule into the inhaler. before each use. Furthermore, other drawbacks specific to these single-dose inhalers exist. For example, a blister or capsule does not allow for the delivery of large doses, typically exceeding 100 mg. In addition, opening them, particularly capsules or blisters that require piercing, necessitates the use of complex piercing tools and carries the risk of perforations in the dispensed powder. Moreover, the reservoir's emptying performance is not always optimal, as some powder may remain inside the reservoir during inhalation.

[0007] To address these drawbacks, a single-dose inhaler was proposed in document WO9826828. This inhaler comprises a cylindrical reservoir with a lateral opening, arranged in a larger-diameter cylindrical chamber, such that during inhalation, the reservoir moves within the chamber in an orbital motion, causing the powder to be expelled. This design effectively improves delivery efficiency, with the reservoir being almost completely emptied and a larger portion of the dose actually reaching the lungs. However, a disadvantage of this device is that the reservoir's dimensions must be closely matched to those of the chamber to ensure proper orbital movement.However, unless the inhaler is modified, which would be very costly, this does not allow for easy variation of the powder dose, whereas it may be desirable to be able to use the same inhaler with reservoirs containing different dosages.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a powder inhaler that does not reproduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0009] In particular, the present invention aims to provide such an inhaler which improves the efficiency of distribution, by allowing the distribution of almost all of the powder contained in the reservoir and by increasing the portion of the dose which will reach the user's lungs.

[0010] The present invention also aims to provide such an inhaler which optimizes the movement of the reservoir in the chamber during actuation.

[0011] The present invention also aims to provide such an inhaler which reduces the complexity of use for the user and which ensures better safety of use.

[0012] The present invention also aims to provide such an inhaler which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0013] The present invention therefore relates to a dry powder inhaler comprising: - a body and a mouthpiece provided with a dispensing orifice through which the user inhales, - a chamber, - a reservoir containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and having a lateral outlet orifice, said reservoir being disposed in said chamber, the diameter of said reservoir being less than the diameter of said chamber, said reservoir having an external profile defining an inscribed volume forming an external volume of the reservoir greater than the internal volume of the reservoir which contains the powder.

[0014] Advantageously, said tank is formed of an upper tank part and a lower tank part, which are assembled after filling with the dose of powder.

[0015] Advantageously, each part of the tank has its respective profile.

[0016] Advantageously, said lower part of the reservoir includes said lateral outlet orifice.

[0017] Advantageously, said external profile comprises a plurality of ribs extending radially on an external wall of said tank.

[0018] Advantageously, said mouthpiece includes a grid upstream of said distribution orifice.

[0019] Advantageously, said chamber is arranged between an inhalation air inlet and said mouthpiece.

[0020] Advantageously, the diameter of said reservoir is less than the diameter of said chamber.

[0021] Advantageously, tangential channels bring an inhalation airflow tangentially into said chamber, which generates an orbital displacement of said reservoir in said chamber.

[0022] Advantageously, said reservoir contains a dose of powder greater than 50 mg, in particular greater than 100 mg.

[0023] Advantageously, the volume occupied by said tank in said chamber in the loaded position is greater than 50% of the volume of said chamber.

[0024] Advantageously, the radial diameter of said reservoir is greater than its axial height.

[0025] Advantageously, said chamber is arranged in a loading member mounted movable, in particular pivotable, on said body between an unloaded position, in which a reservoir can be disposed in said chamber, and a loaded position, in which said chamber and said reservoir are disposed inside said body of the inhaler.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the chamber is disposed in said body, said inhaler comprising an actuation member that can be moved axially relative to said body to move said reservoir from an uncharged position to a charged position.

[0027] Advantageously, said actuating member comprises at least one oblique groove receiving at least one respective lug formed on said body or on an element integral with said body, so that during its axial movement, said actuating member performs a rotation in said body.

[0028] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which

[0029] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of an inhaler according to a First advantageous embodiment, before insertion of the reservoir into the inhaler,

[0030] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1], after assembly of the reservoir but in an unloaded position

[0031] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2], in the loaded position,

[0032] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inhaler according to a second advantageous embodiment, in a loaded position,

[0033] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic view from below of the tank in the chamber, in loaded position

[0034] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic top view of the mouthpiece,

[0035] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective view of the reservoir, before closing,

[0036] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reservoir of the [Fig.7]

[0037] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a schematic perspective view of the reservoir, after closure, and

[0038] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the reservoir in [Fig. 9].

[0039] In the description below, the terms "superior", "inferior" and "lateral" refer to the upright position of the device shown in [Fig. 4]. The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis A of the device.

[0040] Figures 1 to 3 describe a first advantageous embodiment.

[0041] In this first embodiment, the inhaler comprises a body 110 and a mouthpiece 120 having a delivery orifice 121 through which the user inhales. A loading member 130 containing a chamber 111 is mounted movable, advantageously pivotable, on the body 110, between an unloaded position and a loaded position. In the unloaded position, a reservoir 10 can be disposed in the chamber 111, and in the loaded position, shown in [Fig. 3], the chamber 111 and the reservoir 10 are inside the body 110 of the inhaler.

[0042] Advantageously, as seen in [Fig.6], the mouthpiece 120 has a grid 125 upstream of the distribution orifice 121.

[0043] Preferably, the chamber 111 is disposed between an inhalation air inlet and said mouthpiece 120, so that when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 120, the airflow will pass through said chamber 111.

[0044] The inhaler includes a reservoir 10 containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and having a lateral outlet 11.

[0045] The diameter of the reservoir 10 is smaller than the diameter of said chamber 111, so that in the loaded position, the reservoir 10 can move within the chamber 111. Advantageously, tangential channels 115a, 115b, 115c bring said inhalation airflow tangentially into the chamber 111, which will cause an orbital displacement of the reservoir 10 within the chamber 111, the reservoir 10 rotating on its own axis while rotating around the periphery of the chamber 111 along its lateral wall. This movement will allow the expulsion of the powder contained in the reservoir 10, which is carried by the inhalation airflow towards the mouthpiece and the delivery port.

[0046] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 can contain a dose of powder exceeding 50 mg, in particular exceeding 100 mg. In some cases, very large doses can be considered, in particular exceeding 500 mg.

[0047] Advantageously, the volume occupied by the reservoir 10 in the chamber 111 in the loaded position is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber 111.

[0048] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the reservoir 10 is greater than its axial height.

[0049] Advantageously, the tank 10 is formed from an upper part of tank 10a and a lower reservoir portion 10b, which are assembled after filling with the powder dose. Advantageously, it is the lower reservoir portion 10b that has the lateral outlet port 11. Advantageously, the lateral outlet port 11 is arranged in an axially centered manner.

[0050] Advantageously, the reservoir 10 is symmetrical, so that it can be inserted into the chamber 111 indifferently in either direction.

[0051] Figure 4 describes a second advantageous embodiment.

[0052] In this second embodiment, the inhaler comprises a body 110 containing a chamber 111 and a mouthpiece 120 provided with a distribution orifice 121 through which the user inhales.

[0053] Advantageously, the body 110 is formed of two body parts, an upper body part comprising the mouthpiece 120 and a lower body part comprising a cylindrical sleeve 112, the chamber 111 being defined by these two body parts fixed to each other.

[0054] The inhaler also includes an actuation member 130 for moving said reservoir 10 from its unfilled position to its filled position. This member The actuation 130 is axially movable relative to the body 110 to push the tank 10 from its unloaded position to its loaded position.

[0055] Advantageously, the axial displacement of the actuating member 130 is achieved by a rotation of the actuating member 130 in the body 110, for example by means of lug(s) of the body 110 disposed in one(s) oblique groove(s) 150 of the actuating member 130.

[0056] According to the invention, the reservoir 10 has an external profile 15 defining an external volume of the reservoir greater than the internal volume of the reservoir containing the powder. This embodiment optimizes the external dimension of the reservoir 10 relative to the dimension of the chamber 111, in order to ensure proper orbital movement of the reservoir 10 during actuation. At the same time, the internal volume of the reservoir can be modified while maintaining the same external volume, thus allowing the use of reservoirs with different powder dosages in the same inhaler.

[0057] Advantageously, each part of the tank 10a, 10b has its respective profile 15a, 15b.

[0058] Advantageously, the external profile 15 comprises a plurality of ribs 16 extending radially over the external wall of the reservoir 10. The number of ribs can be arbitrary, as long as they define an inscribed volume forming the external volume of the reservoir.

[0059] The device of the invention is simple and effective. It consists of a small number of parts, making it inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, and reliable in use. It allows for optimal powder distribution through the orbital movement of the reservoir during actuation, while guaranteeing the integrity of the powder until it is used.

[0060] It should be noted that the inhaler is rechargeable, by removing the empty reservoir and replacing it with a full one.

[0061] Various modifications are also possible for a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A dry powder inhaler comprising: - a body (110) and a mouthpiece (120) having a delivery orifice (121) through which the user inhales, - a chamber (111), - a reservoir (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and having a lateral outlet orifice (11), said reservoir (10) being disposed in said chamber (111), the diameter of said reservoir (10) being less than the diameter of said chamber (111), so that in the loaded position, said reservoir (10) can move within said chamber (111), said body (110) having tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) adapted to bring an inhalation airflow tangentially into said chamber (111), which, during inhalation, generates an orbital displacement of said reservoir (10) within said chamber (111) in the loaded position,characterized in that said reservoir (10) comprises an external profile (15) defining an inscribed volume forming an external volume of the reservoir greater than the internal volume of the reservoir containing the powder, said external profile (15) comprising a plurality of ribs (16) extending radially over an external wall of said reservoir (10).

2. Inhaler according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir (10) is formed of an upper reservoir part (10a) and a lower reservoir part (10b), which are assembled after filling with the dose of powder.

3. Inhaler according to claim 2, wherein each reservoir part (10a, 10b) has its respective profile (15a, 15b).

4. Inhaler according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said lower reservoir part (10b) comprises said lateral outlet orifice (H).

5. Inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said mouthpiece (120) has a grid (125) upstream of said distribution orifice (121).

6. Inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said chamber (111) is disposed between an inhalation air inlet and said mouthpiece (120).

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

8. Inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume occupied by said reservoir (10) in said chamber (111) in the loaded position is greater than 50% of the volume of said chamber (111).

9. Inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radial diameter of said reservoir (10) is greater than its axial height.

10. Inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said chamber (111) is disposed in a loading member (130) mounted movable, in particular pivotable, on said body 110 between an unloaded position, in which a reservoir (10) can be disposed in said chamber (111), and a loaded position, in which said chamber (111) and said reservoir (10) are disposed inside said body (110) of the inhaler.

11. Inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said chamber (111) is disposed in said body (110), said inhaler comprising an actuating member (130) movable axially relative to said body (110) to move said reservoir (10) from an uncharged position to a charged position.

12. Inhaler according to claim 11, wherein said actuating member (130) has at least one oblique groove (150) receiving at least one respective lug formed on said body (110) or on an element integral with said body (110), so that during its axial movement, said actuating member (130) performs a rotation in said body (110).

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