Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Sofotec Gmbh & Co. Kg

Almirall, S.a.

Paul Hagedoorn

Henderik Willem Frijlink

Anne Haaije De Boer

Joachim Goede

Doetie Gjaltema

A breath actuated dry powder inhaler with a single air circulation chamber for de-agglomeration of entrained powdered medicament using the energy of the inspiratory air stream. The chamber has a substantially polygonal sidewall, a plurality of air supply channels entering the chamber substantially tangentially to its sidewall. A powder channel extends through a powder dose supply region of the inhaler tangentially into the chamber. An air outlet axially extends from a discharge and connects to a discharge channel that extends to a mouthpiece. The polygonal sidewall comprises at least six straight line segments, each straight line segments being spaced at the same first distance from an adjacent one forming the plurality of air supply channels. The air supply channels have the same width. The powder channel is defined by two straight line segments which are spaced from each other at a second distance which is larger than the first distance.

Breath actuated dry powder inhaler

A breath actuated dry powder inhaler, comprising a substantially disc shaped air circulation chamber for de-agglomeration of entrained powdered medicament using the energy of the inspiratory air stream. The chamber has a substantially circular or polygonal sidewall extending about a central axis between top and bottom walls of the chamber so that the height of the chamber is smaller than its diameter. A plurality of air supply channels disposed about the circumference of the chamber, which channels extend from joint or separate air inlets and which channels enter the chamber substantially tangentially to its sidewall. At least one of the supply channels extends through a powder dose supply region of the inhaler. The chamber further comprises an air outlet axially extending from a discharge opening in the centre of the top or bottom wall of the chamber and connects to a discharge channel that extends to a mouthpiece. The inhaler comprises at least one further air circulation chamber for de-agglomeration of entrained powdered medicament, the chambers being connected to the mouthpiece in parallel.

Dry powder inhaler and method for pulmonary inhalation of dry powder

A disperser for dry powders which can be used with different dose systems, dose weights ranging from 2 to 25 mg and different types of powder formulation. In one embodiment, the disperser acts both as a de-agglomeration (disintegration; aerosolization) means and as an air classifier for especially adhesive mixtures. Only fine drug particles are emitted whereas the larger agglomerates and carrier crystals are retained by the disperser. Another embodiment enables time controlled release of carrier crystals in these mixtures. Yet another embodiment has optimized performance with spherical pellets, containing no carrier crystals. Other possible embodiments of the invention make it possible to control the total inhaler resistance and the powder deposition in the upper respiratory tract by means of the addition of a so-called sheath flow of clean air. Modifications also enable carrier retainment in the mouthpiece and elimination of the tangential flow component of the discharge cloud.

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Assen, Netherlands

Paul Hagedoorn