WO2011071845A1

WO2011071845A1 - Powder delivery device and methods of making the same

Info

Publication number: WO2011071845A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/059172
Authority: WO
Inventors: John D. Parsons
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Calmar Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-07
Publication date: 2011-06-16

Abstract

An inhaler device (100) including an inhaler (110) configured to receive a blister package (140) containing a powder or other product and to break or open the blister upon actuation thereby releasing the powder or other product for inhalation by a user.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

POWDER DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/267,620, entitled "POWDER DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME," filed 8 December 2009, and incorporates the same herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to inhalation devices and methods for using and making the same and more particularly to powder inhalation devices.

[0003] State of the Art: Inhalers and inhalation devices are well known and many different varieties are used to deliver powders or medicaments to a user during an inhalation process. While many different types of inhalers are available, many inhalers are complex devices which employ multiple parts and are expensive to make. The cost of such devices may restrict the use of such devices with certain medications or in certain locations, such as in third world countries. Therefore, it is desirable to develop simple inhalation devices which may be readily distributed and used and which may be cheaper to manufacture and distribute as compared to the devices currently available.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to certain embodiments of the invention, an inhaler device may include a hand-held inhaler containing a blister having a blister peel extending outside of the inhaler. The blister peel may be pulled to remove the blister peel from a blister on an interior of the inhaler such that a powder or product contained within the blister is exposed. When a user inhales with their mouth on the inhaler, air enters the inhaler and mixes with the powder or other product from the blister and is ingested into the user's mouth and lungs. In some embodiments of the invention, the inhaler may be reused by placing another blister in the inhaler and repeating the use process.

[0005] According to other embodiments of the invention, an inhaler device may include an inhaler having a blister breaker and a position into which a blister may be inserted into the inhaler. Once a blister is inserted into the inhaler, the blister breaker may be used to break the blister and empty the contents of the blister into an interior portion of the inhaler. A user may insert an open end of the inhaler into their mouth and inhale, thereby drawing air into the inhaler where it mixes with the powder or other product from the blister and is ingested into the user's mouth and lungs. In some embodiments of the invention, the inhaler may be reused by placing another blister in the inhaler and repeating the use process.

[0006] According to still other embodiments of the invention, a blister breaker configured with an inhaler may be used to punch a hole through, tear, or otherwise empty a blister when the blister breaker is pushed into an interior portion of the inhaler.

[0007] An inhaler device according to some embodiments of the invention may be formed, sized, or otherwise shaped as a whistle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates an inhaler device and blister according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention; [0017] FIG. 9 illustrates an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention; and

[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates an inhaler device according to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] According to embodiments of the invention, an inhaler device 100 may include a handheld device configured with a breakable blister containing a powder or other product for inhalation. When the blister is broken, or the powder or other product contained by the blister is released into the handheld device, a user may inhale on the inhaler device 100, drawing the released powder or other product into the user's body or lungs.

[0022] An inhaler device 100 according to certain embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. As illustrated, the inhaler device 100 may include an inhaler 110 and a blister 140. The inhaler 110 may include one or more air intake holes 120 A and one or more inhaler holes 120B. The blister 140 may include a blister peel 150, a blister body 152 and one or more compartments 155 formed in the blister body 152. The blister 140 may be sealed within the inhaler 110 and a portion of the blister peel 150 may extend through the inhaler 110 to an exterior thereof.

[0023] In operation, a user may grip, support, or otherwise hold the inhaler 110. The blister peel 150 may be removed or separated from the blister body 152 by applying a force to the blister body 152 away from the inhaler 1 10 or by other conventional means. As the blister peel 150 is removed from the blister body 152, the compartment 155 is exposed and a powder or other product contained in the compartment 155 is also exposed. Once the blister peel 150 is removed, the user may place their mouth over the one or more inhaler holes 120B and inhale. As a user inhales, air flows through the one or more intake holes 120 A into the inhaler 110 where turbulence mixes the air with a powder or other product in the compartment 155 and the powder and air mixture is inhaled into the user's mouth and lungs.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the invention, the inhaler 110 may include one or more walls on an interior portion of the inhaler 110. The one or more walls may be positioned to accomplish any of the following: secure the blister 140, support the blister 140, direct the blister peel 150 removal, create turbulence upon inhalation, or for any other purpose as desired.

[0025] According to various embodiments of the invention, an inhaler device 100 may include a top portion 111 and a bottom portion 115 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The top portion 111 and the bottom portion 115 may meet along a joint 113. The joint 113 may be positioned or located in any desired location. The top portion 111 and bottom portion 115 may be sealed, glued, fitted, welded, or otherwise joined together along at least a portion of the joint 113.

[0026] An inhaler device 100 according to embodiments of the invention may be constructed by supporting a blister 140 on a bottom portion 115 or top portion 111 of the inhaler 110 and positioning the opposite portion of the inhaler 1 10 over the blister 140 such that at least a portion of the blister peel 150 extends out a hole formed in the inhaler 110. The top portion 1 11 and the bottom portion 115 may then be joined, such as by glue, weld, seal, snap fit, or other method as desired.

[0027] In some embodiments of the invention, the top portion 111 and the bottom portion 115 may be removeably fitted together such that the top portion 111 and the bottom portion 115 may be separated to allow a user to insert a blister 140 into the inhaler 110. In such embodiments, the inhaler 110 may be used multiple times. The user may also wash or otherwise sterilize each of the top portion 111 and bottom portion 115 when separated to allow for multiple uses of the inhaler 110 as desired.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the invention, multiple compartments 155 may be formed in the blister 150 such that when the blister peel 150 is peeled away from the blister compartments 155, multiple powders or other products are exposed or released. In other embodiments, two or more blisters 152 may be contained within the inhaler 110 and two or more blister peels 150 may be removed from the two or more blisters 152 at the same time to reveal two or more compartments 155. In such embodiments, two or more powders or other products may be mixed together during the inhalation or use of the inhaler device 100.

[0029] According to certain embodiments of the invention, the number of air intake holes 120 A, the number of inhaler holes 120B or the number of both the air intake holes 120 A and the inhaler holes 120B may be optimized to provide a desired air flow through the inhaler 1 10. The sizes of air intake holes 120 A, inhaler holes 120B, or both air intake holes 120 A and inhaler holes 120B may be altered to provide a desired air flow through the inhaler 110.

[0030] An inhaler 110 according to embodiments of the invention may be molded from a resin or plastic material or formed from any other desired material. For example, a top portion 1 11 and a bottom portion 115 of the inhaler 110 may be molded from a resin and then assembled with a blister 140 to form the inhaler device 100.

[0031] While a particular shape for an inhaler 100 according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, it is understood that other shapes may be used as well and that an inhaler 100 of any shape and size may be configured according to

embodiments of the invention.

[0032] An inhaler device 200 according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 12. The inhaler device 200 may include an inhaler 210 and a blister 240. The inhaler 210 may be configured in the shape of a whistle or any other configuration. The inhaler 210 may also include one or more shelves, walls, supports, or other configurations on an interior of the inhaler 210 such that the one or more shelves, walls, supports, or other configurations may support a blister 240 when inserted in the inhaler 210 or direct airflow through the inhaler 210. A blister 240 may include a blister body 252 and one or more compartments 255 formed in the blister body 252. A blister peel 250 or covering may be secured to the blister body 252 and may cover the one or more compartments 255 such that a medication or other product may be contained in the one or more compartments 255. For example, a powdered medication may be retained in a blister 240 compartment 255 by the blister peel 250.

[0033] An inhaler device 200 according to certain embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. As illustrated, the inhaler device 200 includes an inhaler 210 shaped as a whistle. A hole in a rear portion of the inhaler 210 allows a blister 240 to be inserted into an interior of the inhaler 210. The hole in the inhaler 210 where the blister 240 may be inserted may also allow air to flow into an interior of the inhaler 210. This is especially true when a user sucks on an open end of the inhaler 210 or inhales with the inhaler 210 in their mouth. While the hole in the inhaler 210 is illustrated in a rear portion of the inhaler 210, it is understood that the hole for inserting the blister may be positioned in other portions of the inhaler 210.

[0034] The inhaler 210 may include one or more flexible blister breakers 280. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, a blister breaker 280 may be integrated with a top portion of the inhaler 210. While the blister breaker 280 configuration illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 may be used, other blister breaker 280 configurations, placements, or positioning may also be used. A blister breaker 280 may be used to break, open, tear, or otherwise empty the contents of a blister 240 into an interior portion of the inhaler 210 where it may mix with air and be inhaled by a user.

[0035] For example, the inhaler device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 may be used in the following manner: A user may insert a blister 240 containing a powder or other product into a hole in a rear portion of the inhaler 210. Once inserted, the blister 240 may be broken or torn when a user presses on the blister breaker 280. A user may supply sufficient force to the blister breaker 280 required to break or tear the blister 240. Once torn or broken, the contents of the blister 240 are dumped or dropped into an interior portion of the inhaler 210. The user may suck on, or inhale, with the open front portion of the inhaler 210 in their mouth. The inhalation by the user may pull air through the hole in which the blister 240 is inserted or other access hole or vent, and mix the air and powder or product. The turbulent air and powder mixture is inhaled into the user's mouth and lungs.

[0036] According to embodiments of the invention, the inhaler device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 may be reused as desired. Once a blister 240 is inserted, it may be removed from the inhaler 210. Once the contents of the inhaler 210 are inhaled or otherwise disposed of, the inhaler 210 may be cleaned and reused, sterilized and reused, or reused by inserting another blister 240 into the inhaler 210 and repeating the use.

[0037] An inhaler 210 as illustrate in FIGS. 5 through 7 may be formed of one or more molded parts. For instance, a top portion including the blister breaker 280 may be molded and fitted to, welded, snapped, glued, or otherwise attached to a bottom portion. Alternatively, the inhaler 210 may be molded in other configurations and assembled as desired.

[0038] An inhaler device 200 according to other embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 12. The inhaler 210 of the inhaler device 200 may include a blister breaker 280 configured to tear through or punch through a blister 240 as illustrated. The blister breaker 280 may be configured as a button that a user may press to break the blister 240 or a compartment 255 within a blister 240. The blister breaker 280 may also include one or more holes configured to allow air to pass into an interior of the inhaler 210 once the blister 240 is broken. A blister breaker 280 may also include one or more ridges or clips which retain the blister breaker 280 in a de-activated position and require a user to exert a certain pre-determined force to overcome the ridges or clips. The force required to overcome the ridges or clips may be sufficient to supply enough force to a blister 240 to release the powder or product from the blister 240. In addition, the blister breaker 280 may include one or more ridges or clips which will retain the blister breaker 280 in an activated position once the blister breaker 280 is activated.

[0039] According to embodiments of the invention, the inhaler device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 12 is configured to be a monodose-type device, or single-use device. The inhaler 210 may be configured to contain a blister 240 such that the blister 240 is not removable. Once used, the inhaler device 200 may be disposed of as desired.

[0040] An inhaler device 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 12 may be used by a user in the following manner: A user may activate the inhaler device 200 by pressing on the blister breaker 280 such that the blister 240 contained inside the inhaler 210 is broken and its contents are released into an interior of the inhaler 210. An open end of the inhaler 210 may be placed in the user's mouth and the user may inhale. The act of inhaling may draw air into an interior of the inhaler 210 through the holes in the blister breaker 280 and the air may be mixed with the powder or product released from the blister 240. The turbulent air and powder mixture may exit the inhaler 210 through the open end into the user's mouth and lungs.

[0041] According to embodiments of the invention, the inhaler 210 illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 12 may be molded or formed of multiple parts such that a blister 240 may be inserted into the inhaler 210 and removed after use. The inhaler 210 may then be cleaned, sterilized, or otherwise made suitable for repeat use and a new blister 240 may be inserted into the inhaler 210.

[0042] According to embodiments of the invention, blisters 240 used with the inhaler devices 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 12 may include one or more compartments 255 or partitions such that two or more powders or products may be mixed upon the breakage of the blister 240 within the inhaler 210.

[0043] Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, Figures, or notes and descriptions found in the Figures, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the various embodiments of the invention include all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention embodiments as described and illustrated.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An inhaler device, comprising:

an inhaler, comprising:

at least one air intake hole;

at least one inhaler hole;

at least one blister hole; and

an interior space;

a blister positioned in at least a portion of the interior space of the inhaler, the blister comprising:

a blister body;

at least one compartment defined in the blister body;

a blister peel covering the at least one compartment and removably sealed to the blister body.

2. The inhaler device of claim 1, wherein the blister peel extends through the at least one blister hole to an exterior of the inhaler.

3. The inhaler device of claim 1, further comprising at least one medication contained in the at least one compartment of the blister.

4. The inhaler device of claim 3, wherein the at least one medication comprises a powder.

5. An inhaler device, comprising:

an inhaler, comprising:

an open end;

a hole in the inhaler;

a blister breaker; and

a blister inserted in the hole in the inhaler.

6. The inhaler device of claim 5, wherein the inhaler device has the shape of a whistle.

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7. The inhaler device of claim 5, wherein the blister further comprises:

at least one compartment;

a blister peel covering the at least one compartment; and

at least one powder contained in the at least one compartment.

8. The inhaler device of claim 7, wherein the blister breaker is configured to break the blister and release the at least one powder upon actuation.

9. The inhaler device of claim 7, wherein the blister breaker is configured to break the blister peel upon actuation.

10. The inhaler device of claim 5, wherein the blister is configured to be removed from the inhaler.

11. The inhaler device of claim 5, wherein the inhaler is configured to be used multiple times.

12. An inhaler device, comprising:

an inhaler, comprising:

an open end;

a blister breaker;

an interior space; and

a blister in at least a portion of the interior space.

13. The inhaler device of claim 12, wherein the blister further comprises:

at least one compartment;

a blister peel covering the at least one compartment; and

at least one powder contained in the at least one compartment.

14. The inhaler device of claim 13, wherein the blister breaker is configured to break the blister and release the at least one powder upon actuation. 21836

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15. The inhaler device of claim 13, wherein the blister breaker is configured to break the blister peel upon actuation.