Inhaler For Powdered Medicaments

What is this patent about?

'761 is related to the field of inhaler devices, specifically those designed for administering powdered medicaments contained within capsules. These inhalers aim to efficiently deliver medication to a patient's respiratory system through inhalation.

The underlying idea behind '761 is to create an inhaler that uses inhaled air to both liberate powder from a capsule and deliver it to the patient. This is achieved by designing air intake passages that create a vortex within a capsule chamber, causing the capsule to spin and shake, thereby releasing the powder.

The claims of '761 focus on an inhaler comprising a body with a capsule chamber, piercing devices to perforate the capsule, and air intake passages positioned to create a rotary and shaking motion of the capsule when air is inhaled through the device.

In practice, the inhaler consists of a body and a mouthpiece, rotatably connected for capsule loading. The user inserts a capsule, closes the device, and pierces the capsule using push-buttons with spikes. Upon inhalation, air enters tangentially into the capsule chamber, creating a vortex. This vortex lifts the capsule from its resting place and spins it. The spinning and shaking action, combined with the airflow, forces the powder out of the capsule through the perforations.

Unlike prior approaches that might rely solely on airflow to draw powder from a stationary capsule, this design actively agitates the capsule to enhance powder release. The tangential air inlets and the specific dimensions of the capsule chamber, which allow for capsule movement, are key to differentiating this inhaler from simpler designs. The spinning motion ensures a more complete emptying of the capsule and a more consistent dosage.