Abstract: The present invention relates to drug delivery systems that cannot be reloaded or reused and further include a passive safety shield system.

Abstract: A microtablet dispenser is provided herein including: a microtablet reservoir disc including a plurality of wells each formed to accommodate at least one microtablet, the wells being arranged in at least one array; a screen plate having at least one opening shaped to expose all of the wells of one of the arrays when aligned therewith; and, a dose selector plate including a plurality of dosing apertures arranged in a plurality of dosing arrays of different patterns. With one of the arrays being aligned with the at least one opening of the screen plate and with a selected dosing array, the microtablets accommodated in the wells aligned with dosing apertures are free to pass through the corresponding dosing apertures so as to be dispensed therefrom, while the wells of the array not aligned with dosing apertures are obstructed by solid portions of the dose selector plate.

Abstract: A multiple dose spoon device for scooping, retaining, and delivering to a patient a specific number of mini-tablets from a container, e.g., bottle, or bulk pile, of mini-tablets. The device comprises a top housing, a bottom housing, and one or two sliders movably positioned between top housing and bottom housing, said: a) top housing having a plurality of nests, and also having a handle with an open window and slider retention notches, and b) one or two sliders with slider tabs, having a plurality of sequential whole number markings equivalent to the plurality of nests, and a plurality minus 1 of tablet blocking ribs, wherein slider movement is regulated by the slider retention notches, and wherein the plurality of nests and the plurality of whole number markings are a same number. Alternatively, the top housing does not have slider retention notches, and the one or two sliders have slider retention notches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug delivery systems that cannot be reloaded or reused and further include a passive safety shield system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug delivery systems that cannot be reloaded or reused and further include a passive safety shield system. The drug delivery devices described herein include a drug container comprising at least one bellow, a needle, wherein the needle is in liquid communication with the drug container; a plunger extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plunger is in communication with the drug container and where upon axial movement of the plunger, the drug container is compressed.

Abstract: A microtablet dispenser is provided herein including: a microtablet reservoir disc including a plurality of wells each formed to accommodate at least one microtablet, the wells being arranged in at least one array; a screen plate having at least one opening shaped to expose all of the wells of one of the arrays when aligned therewith; and, a dose selector plate including a plurality of dosing apertures arranged in a plurality of dosing arrays of different patterns. With one of the arrays being aligned with the at least one opening of the screen plate and with a selected dosing array, the microtablets accommodated in the wells aligned with dosing apertures are free to pass through the corresponding dosing apertures so as to be dispensed therefrom, while the wells of the array not aligned with dosing apertures are obstructed by solid portions of the dose selector plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device comprising a drug container having at least one bellow. The at least one bellow has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface is comprised of a first Belleville spring and the opposing second surface is comprised of a second Belleville spring, wherein the second Belleville spring has a higher spring rate than the first Belleville spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug delivery systems that cannot be reloaded or reused and further include a passive safety shield system. The drug delivery devices described herein comprise a drug container comprising at least one bellow, wherein the at least one bellow comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface is comprised of a first Belleville spring and the opposing second surface is comprised of a second Belleville spring, wherein the second Belleville spring has a higher spring rate than the first Belleville spring; or a drug container extending between distal and proximal ends, and comprises a continuous change in cross section from proximal end to distal end; a needle, wherein the needle is in liquid communication with the drug container; a plunger extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plunger is in communication with the drug container and where upon axial movement of the punger, the drug container is compressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device comprising a drug container comprising at least one bellow, wherein the at least one bellow comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface is comprised of a first Belleville spring and the opposing second surface is comprised of a second Belleville spring, wherein the second Belleville spring has a higher spring rate than the first Belleville spring.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler is provided herein which includes a dose chamber having a staging area configured to accommodate an inhalable dose of active pharmaceutical agent. A nozzle is provided having a discharge aperture with an inhalation channel communicating the staging area with the discharge aperture. The inhalation channel is configured such that sufficient negative pressure applied to the discharge aperture draws a dose from the staging area towards the discharge aperture. An arrangement is provided for evaluating the level of depletion of a dose from the staging area. Advantageously, the subject invention allows for evaluating physical depletion of a staged dose so as to recognize the level of delivery thereof.

Abstract: Dose counter assemblies are provided herein which allow for the counting of used doses of a medical inhaler. In one aspect, one dose counter ring is utilized. This provides for dose counting but with inherent limitations in the number of doses which may be counted. In a second, and preferred, aspect of the subject invention, two cooperating does counter rings are utilized which allow for adjacent digits to be displayed, thereby allowing an increased number of doses to be counted. Advantageously, with the subject invention, due to mechanical interactions, reliable dose counting can be achieved with the subject invention.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler is provided herein having a powder housing defined on an exterior by a generally cylindrical wall. Within the interior volume of the wall, a central passageway is provided through which certain components of the dry powder inhaler may pass. In addition, a powder reservoir is defined within the interior volume having a generally crescent-shaped profile formed along a substantial length of the wall. The powder reservoir terminates at end points between which is defined an isolated inhalation channel. With the configuration provided herein, the powder reservoir has a substantial working length exposed at its bottom to permit removal of medication therefrom. Advantageously, with this configuration, a relatively large amount of medication may be maintained, and obtained access to, in the powder reservoir.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide drug products and dry powder inhalers and powder dispensers with multiple reservoirs. Several embodiments provide a drug product comprising a dry powder inhaler and at least one dose of at least one active pharmaceutical agent; wherein the dry powder inhaler comprises at least two reservoirs. Other embodiments provide for a powder dispenser which includes a first powder reservoir having at least one first opening, and a second powder reservoir having at least one second outlet opening, the second outlet opening being spaced from the first outlet opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting doses of a dispenser (12) is provided which includes a housing (14) for releasably attaching to the dispenser; and, a dose counter (30) operatively connected to the housing. The dose counter displays indicia relating to doses of the dispenser. The dose counter may be manually adjusted or configured to be automatically adjusted to permit counting of the number of times the housing is separated from the dispenser. The number of separations will indicate the number of doses administered by the dispenser. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a dose counter is provided which counts doses separately from the actuation of the dispenser/ With the dose counter being separate from the dispenser, the dose counter may be reused with a plurality of dispensers. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the invention may apply to various dispensers, but is particularly well-suited for use with inhalers.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting doses of a dispenser is provided which includes a housing for releasably attaching to the dispenser; and, a dose counter operatively connected to the housing or the dispenser. The dose counter displays indicia relating to doses of the dispenser. The dose counter may be manually adjusted or configured to be automatically adjusted to permit counting of the number of times the housing is separated from the dispenser. The number of separations will indicate the number of doses administered by the dispenser. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a dose counter is provided which counts doses separately from the actuation of the dispenser. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the invention may apply to various dispensers, but is particularly well-suited for use with inhalers.