Hovione Technology Ltd.

João Ventura

Peter Villax

William T Richardson

Daniel Caramelo

Ian McDerment

Agostinho Carvalho

Sónia Josué

A dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, comprising at least an inhaler body () and a cartridge () with a plurality of powder compartments () each including one dose of a drug. The body () has an opening () shaped for receiving the cartridge () and the plastic body recess () and the detent () to allow a controlled advancement and turning movement of the cartridge () relative to the body () for sequentially delivering each of the plurality of unit doses filled into the cartridge compartments (). The inhaler construction is suitable for filling the plurality of unit doses into the compartments () with the cartridge () assembled into the body (). The invention affords a large dose inhaler of single-use and low cost that improves industrial filling and manufacturing cost for the delivery of high dosages of inhaled medicines.

Large dose disposable inhaler and method of simple filling

A dry powder inhaler () for pulmonary or nasal use, employing capsules () containing a dose of powder for inhalation, comprising four components: a capsule tray (), a cover () and a mouthpiece () and an inhaler body (). Air is drawn by the patient via the mouthpiece () which is in communication with the capsule () and travels via air paths through the device () and through the capsule () thereby dispersing and entraining the dose of powder. The capsule () is cut by cutting means () located on the body (). The inhaler body (), the mouthpiece () and the cover () are provided with hinge segments () which when assembled together and the mouthpiece () is locked into the body (), form a single hinge () and which allows the cover () to freely pivot around the body () and the mouthpiece ().

Hinged capsule inhaler

A dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, comprising at least an inhaler bodyand a cartridgewith at least one powder compartmentincluding one dose of a drug. The body has an openingshaped for receiving the cartridgeand the means to allow a controlled sliding movement of the cartridgerelative to the bodyafter mounting. The cartridge powder compartmentcomprises at least two inlets or slits, at least one of which is a side inlet, for the admission of air, and a compartment outletto allow filling and fluid communication with an inhalation channelprovided in the body. In use, the patient slides the cartridgerelative to the bodyfrom the storage position, where the inlets in the cartridge powder compartmentare blocked and sealed by walls comprised in the body, into the inhalation position, where the compartment inlets become available for the admission of air used in the dispersion of the particles there contained and the compartment outletbecomes aligned with the inhalation channelin the bodyto allow the entrainment of the dose dispersed through the device and into the desired site of action during inhalation. The addition of one or more lateral ventsin the cartridge powder compartments induces a turbulent and swirling flow pattern that promotes improved dispersion and entrainment. The invention affords a very economical and simple device for the delivery of high dosages of inhaled medicines.

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Costa da Caparica, Portugal

João Ventura