The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 19, 2019
Filed:
Apr. 09, 2004
Michael John Dunkley, Nottingham, GB;
Jon David Tuckwell, Cambridgeshire, GB;
Edward William Vernon-harcourt, Cambridge, GB;
Mark Glusker, San Mateo, CA (US);
Steve Paboojian, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Michael John Dunkley, Nottingham, GB;
Jon David Tuckwell, Cambridgeshire, GB;
Edward William Vernon-Harcourt, Cambridge, GB;
Mark Glusker, San Mateo, CA (US);
Steve Paboojian, Menlo Park, CA (US);
BGP Products Operations GmbH, , CH;
Abstract
An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule. The alignment guide allows for more consistent puncturing of the capsule and a longer lifetime of the apparatus.