dry powder inhaler

Abstract

A dry powder inhaler comprising a body (110) and a mouthpiece (120) provided with an outlet (121) for a user to inhale, a chamber (111) and a container (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and having a lateral outlet opening (11), said container (10) being arranged in said chamber (111) such that the diameter of said container (10) is smaller than the diameter of said chamber (111), and in the loaded position said container (10) flows through said chamber (111). a body (110) configured to move within the chamber (111) and having tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) configured to direct a flow of inhalation air tangentially, causing an orbital movement of the container (10) within the chamber (111) in the loading position during inhalation, the container (10) having an outer profile (15) defining an inscribed volume forming an outer volume of the container that is larger than the inner volume of the container containing powder.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Dry powder inhalers are well known in the art and there are many different types.

[0003] A first type of multi-dose inhaler comprises a container containing multiple doses of powder and is provided with dispensing means which, on each actuation, enable one dose of powder to be separated from the container and fed into an exhaust duct for administration to the user.

[0004] Such devices require complex and expensive dosing means, do not guarantee accurate or reproducible dosage, and there is a risk of contamination of the powder in the container during use of the inhaler.

[0005] Another type of multi-dose inhaler contains multiple individual containers, each containing a single dose of powder, and one of the containers is opened for each actuation of the inhaler, providing a tight seal on the powder, with the dose only exposed to the atmosphere upon expulsion.

[0006] Various variations have already been proposed for producing such sets of individual containers, such as blister strips or discs.

[0007] For opening the individual containers, it is suggested to peel or pull apart the blister closure layer.

[0008] However, that arrangement has the disadvantage that it is difficult to control the force that must be applied to ensure complete opening without risking opening the next container, particularly when the opening means must be actuated by inhalation.

[0009] Another solution is to pierce the closure membrane of the blister with each actuation, but this requires complex and expensive piercing means.

[0010] Furthermore, the multi-dose inhalers described above have the disadvantage that they do not ensure optimal dosing, so that a large proportion of the dose enters the user's lungs and effectively penetrates to provide beneficial therapeutic effects.

[0011] To make the device less complex and less expensive, single dose inhalers have been proposed which include a single individual container such as a blister or capsule which is loaded into the inhaler immediately prior to use.

[0012] The advantage of such single dose devices is that they can be smaller in size since multiple doses do not need to be accommodated within the device, but they can be cumbersome for the user as they must load a blister or capsule into the inhaler before each use.

[0013] Additionally, there are other drawbacks inherent to these single dose inhalers.

[0014] For example, blisters or capsules usually do not allow for large doses exceeding 100 mg. Furthermore, particularly for perforated capsules or blisters, opening requires the use of complex perforation means and also carries the risk of the perforated membrane entering the administered powder. Furthermore, the ejection performance of the powder from the container is not always optimal, as some of the powder may remain in the container during inhalation.

[0015] To overcome these drawbacks, Patent Document 1 proposes a single-dose inhaler in which a cylindrical container with a side opening is placed in a cylindrical chamber of a larger diameter, and during inhalation the container moves in an orbital motion within the chamber to expel the powder.

[0016] This configuration allows the container to be substantially completely emptied, allowing a larger dose to effectively penetrate the lungs and improve the efficacy of the administration, but the device has the disadvantage that the size of the container must be closely matched to the size of the chamber to ensure good orbital movement.

[0017] However, the powder dosage cannot be easily changed without modifying the inhaler, which would be very expensive. On the other hand, it may be desirable to be able to use the same inhaler with multiple containers containing different doses.

[0018] Other devices in the art are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,629,289, 5,729 [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0019] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 1998 / 026828 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2002 / 085281 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2003 / 075988 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2009 / 121020 [Patent Document 5] International Publication No. 2013 / 008037 [Patent Document 6] International Publication No. 2008 / 001132 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0020] The object of the present invention is to provide a powder inhaler that does not have the above drawbacks.

[0021] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inhaler that expels substantially all of the powder contained in the container, thereby improving the efficiency of administration by increasing the proportion of the dose that reaches the user's lungs.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler that optimizes the movement of the container within the chamber during actuation.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler that reduces the complexity of use for the user and ensures greater safety during use.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide an inhaler that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. [Means for solving the problem]

[0025] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a dry powder inhaler comprising: a main body and a mouthpiece provided with an outlet for a user to inhale; a chamber; and a container containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and having a lateral outlet opening, the container being disposed within the chamber, the diameter of the container being smaller than the diameter of the chamber, the container being movable within the chamber in a loaded position; the main body comprising a tangential channel configured to direct a flow of inhaled air tangentially into the chamber, causing orbital movement of the container within the chamber in the loaded position during inhalation; and the container having an outer profile defining an inscribed volume forming an outer volume of the container that is larger than the internal volume of the container containing the powder.

[0026] Advantageously, the container is formed by an upper container part and a lower container part which are assembled after being filled with a dose of powder.

[0027] Advantageously, each of said container portions has a respective profile.

[0028] Advantageously, said lower container part comprises said lateral outlet opening.

[0029] Advantageously, said outer profile comprises a plurality of ribs extending radially on the outer wall of the container.

[0030] Advantageously, the mouthpiece comprises a grid upstream of the outlet.

[0031] Advantageously, the chamber is located between the intake air inlet and the mouthpiece.

[0032] Advantageously, the container contains a dose of powder of more than 50 mg, in particular more than 100 mg.

[0033] Advantageously, in the loaded position, the volume occupied by said container within said chamber is greater than 50% of the volume of said chamber.

[0034] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the vessel is greater than the axial height of the vessel.

[0035] Advantageously, the chamber is provided in an actuating member which is movably, in particular pivotably, mounted relative to the body between an unloaded position in which the container can be placed in the chamber and a loaded position in which the chamber and the container are placed in the body.

[0036] Advantageously, the chamber is located within the body and the dry powder inhaler comprises an actuation member axially movable relative to the body to move the container from an unloaded position to a loaded position.

[0037] Advantageously, the actuating member comprises at least one oblique groove which engages with at least one respective protrusion formed on the body or on an element fixed to the body, and which rotates within the body during axial movement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] The features, advantages and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below, given by way of non-limiting example, and by reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an inhaler in a first advantageous embodiment, shown before a container is inserted into the inhaler; [Figure 2] 1, showing the container in the unloaded position after assembly; FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but shown in the loaded position. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a second advantageous embodiment of an inhaler shown in a loaded position; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the container in the chamber, showing it in the loading position. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a top view of the mouthpiece. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container before closing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container after it has been closed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In the following description, the terms "upper," "lower," and "lateral" refer to the positions of the device when it is in an upright position as shown in Figure 4. Additionally, the terms "axial" and "radial" refer to directions relative to the central longitudinal axis A of the device.

[0040] 1 to 3 show a first advantageous embodiment.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the inhaler comprises a main body 110 and a mouthpiece 120 provided with an outlet 121 for the user to inhale.

[0042] An actuating member 130 containing the chamber 111 is movably, advantageously pivotally mounted on the body 110 between an unloaded position and a loaded position.

[0043] In the unloaded position, the container 10 is located within the chamber 111, and in the loaded position, the chamber 111 and the container 10 are located within the body 110 of the inhaler, as shown in FIG.

[0044] Advantageously, the mouthpiece 120 is provided with a grid 125 upstream of the outlet 121, as shown in FIG.

[0045] Preferably, the chamber 111 is located between the inhalation air inlet and the mouthpiece 120 so that when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 120 , air flows through the chamber 111 .

[0046] The inhaler comprises a container 10 containing the dose of dry powder to be inhaled, the container 10 being provided with a lateral outlet opening 11 .

[0047] The diameter of the container 10 is smaller than the diameter of the chamber 111 so that in the loading position the container 10 can move within the chamber 111 .

[0048] The tangential channels 115a, 115b, 115c direct the flow of intake air tangentially into the chamber 111, thereby causing orbital motion of the container 10 within the chamber 111, with the container 10 rotating around the chamber 111 along the inner wall of the chamber 111 while also rotating itself.

[0049] This movement of the container 10 expels the powder contained therein, which is carried by the inhaled airflow towards the mouthpiece and outlet.

[0050] Advantageously, the container 10 can accommodate powder doses of more than 50 mg, in particular doses of more than 100 mg. Optionally, very large doses, in particular more than 500 mg, may also be envisaged.

[0051] Advantageously, the volume occupied by the container 10 in the chamber 111 in the loading position is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber 111 .

[0052] Advantageously, the radial diameter of the container 10 is greater than the axial height of the container 10 .

[0053] Advantageously, the container 10 is formed by an upper container part 10a and a lower container part 10b, which are assembled after being filled with a dose of powder.

[0054] Advantageously, the lateral outlet opening 11 is provided in the lower container part 10b.

[0055] Advantageously, the lateral outlet opening 11 is arranged axially centrally.

[0056] Advantageously, the container 10 is symmetrical so that it can be inserted into the chamber 111 in either direction without distinction.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a second advantageous embodiment.

[0058] In the second embodiment, the inhaler comprises a body 110 containing a chamber 111 and a mouthpiece 120 provided with an outlet 121 for the user to inhale.

[0059] Advantageously, the body 110 is formed from two body parts, an upper body part including the mouthpiece 120 and a lower body part including a cylindrical sleeve 112, and the chamber 111 is defined by these two body parts fixed to each other.

[0060] The inhaler also includes an actuation member 130 for moving the container 10 from the unloaded position to the loaded position.

[0061] The actuation member 130 is axially movable relative to the body 110 to urge the container 10 from the unloaded position to the loaded position.

[0062] Advantageously, axial displacement of the actuating member 130 is achieved by rotating the actuating member 130 within the body 110, for example by using a configuration in which one or more protrusions on the body 110 are positioned within one or more oblique grooves 150 provided in the actuating member 130.

[0063] According to the present invention, the container 10 comprises an outer profile 15 that defines an outer volume of the container that is larger than the inner volume of the container that contains the powder.

[0064] This implementation makes it possible to optimize the external dimensions of the container 10 relative to the dimensions of the chamber 111 in order to ensure good orbital movement of the container 10 during actuation. At the same time, the ability to vary the internal volume of the container while maintaining the same external volume makes it possible to use several containers containing different doses of powder in the same inhaler.

[0065] Advantageously, each container portion 10a, 10b has a respective profile 15a, 15b.

[0066] Advantageously, the outer profile 15 comprises a plurality of ribs 16 extending radially on the outer wall of the container 10. The number of ribs can be any number, provided that each rib defines an inscribed volume that forms the outer volume of the container.

[0067] The device of the present invention is simple and effective, has few parts, is cheap to manufacture and assemble, and is reliable in use.

[0068] The orbital movement of the container during operation allows for optimal dosing of the powder and ensures the integrity of the powder until it is used.

[0069] It should be noted that the inhaler is refillable by removing the empty container and replacing it with a full container.

[0070] Various modifications can be envisioned by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A dry powder inhaler comprising: a main body (110) and a mouthpiece (120) provided with an outlet (121) for a user to inhale; A chamber (111); a container (10) containing a dose of dry powder to be inhaled and provided with a lateral outlet opening (11); Equipped with The container (10) is arranged in the chamber (111), the diameter of the container (10) is smaller than the diameter of the chamber (111), and in a loading position, the container (10) can move within the chamber (111); the body (110) comprises tangential channels (115a, 115b, 115c) configured to direct a flow of intake air tangentially into the chamber (111), causing an orbital movement of the container (10) within the chamber (111) in the loading position during intake; The container (10) comprises an outer profile (15) defining an inscribed volume that forms an outer volume of the container that is larger than the inner volume of the container that contains the powder. A dry powder inhaler characterized by:

2. The container (10) is formed by an upper container part (10a) and a lower container part (10b) which are assembled after being filled with a dose of powder.

2. The dry powder inhaler of claim 1.

3. Each of said container portions (10a, 10b) has a respective profile (15a, 15b) 3. The dry powder inhaler of claim 2.

4. The lower container part (10b) comprises the lateral outlet opening (11).

4. The dry powder inhaler of claim 2 or 3.

5. The outer profile (15) comprises a plurality of radially extending ribs (16) on the outer wall of the container (10). The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The mouthpiece (120) is provided with a grid (125) upstream of the outlet (121). The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The chamber (111) is located between the intake air inlet and the mouthpiece (120). The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The container (10) contains a powder having a dose of more than 50 mg, in particular more than 100 mg. The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. In the loaded position, the volume occupied by the container (10) in the chamber (111) is greater than 50% of the volume of the chamber (111). The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The radial diameter of the container (10) is greater than the axial height of the container (10). The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The chamber (111) is provided in an actuating member (130), which is mounted movably, in particular pivotably, relative to the body (110) between a non-loading position in which the container (10) can be placed in the chamber (111) and a loading position in which the chamber (111) and the container (10) are placed in the body (110). The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The chamber (111) is provided in the body (110), The dry powder inhaler includes an actuation member (130) axially movable relative to the body (110) for moving the container (10) from an unloaded position to a loaded position. The dry powder inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. The actuating member (130) comprises at least one oblique groove (150) which engages with at least one protrusion formed on the body (110) or on an element fixed to the body (110), respectively, and rotates within the body (110) during axial movement.

13. The dry powder inhaler of claim 12.

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