Abstract: A pressurised metered dose inhaler (1) comprising: a reservoir (2) for containing pressurised product, a valve (9) having an inlet (11) communicating with the reservoir and an outlet (14) through which product is dispensed in use, a piece of magnetisable material (5), an armature (8) extending into proximity with the valve, and an electromagnet (7) surrounding at least a portion of the armature. Wherein the armature is coupled to, or forms part of, the valve such that controlled energisation of the electromagnet causes the armature to be either attracted to or repelled from the piece of magnetisable material one or more times to operate the valve for a controlled time period to effect dispensation of a metered dose of pressurised product from the reservoir through the valve outlet.

Abstract: A method of producing a metering valve for use with a pressurised dispensing container for dispensing medicament from said container, the metering valve having a valve stem, a valve member, and outer and inner annular seals, the method comprising assembling the metering valve so that the valve stem is co-axially slidable within the valve member, the valve member and the valve stem define an annular metering chamber with a surface of the valve member forming an internal surface of the metering chamber which, in use, comes into contact with medicament, and the outer and inner annular seals are operative between respective outer and inner ends of the valve member and the valve stem to seal the annular metering chamber therebetween; and wherein the method further comprises the step of subjecting said surface of the valve member to a cold plasma polymerisation treatment of one or more monomers to bond to the surface a layer of a cold plasma polymerised fluorinated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A valve for use with a pressurized dispensing container containing a liquid, the valve including a slidable valve stem, the valve stem including an inlet port for conveyance, in use, of liquid from the pressurized dispensing container into the valve stem, and a flange against which biases the valve stem into a non-dispensing position, wherein an external opening of the inlet port is located within the flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements to drugs delivery devices, in particular, those for dispensing a metered dose of medicament. There is provided apparatus (10, 110) for dispensing a medicament wherein at least a portion of one or more of the surfaces of components of the apparatus which come into contact with the medicament during storage or dispensing has a layer of a poly-para-xylylene polymer also known as parylene bonded to at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: A valve for use with a pressurised dispensing container (30) containing a liquid (31), the valve comprising a slidable valve stem (11), the valve stem comprising an inlet port (24) for conveyance, in use, of liquid from the pressurised dispensing container into the valve stem, and a flange (26) against which acts a biasing means (25) which biases the valve stem into a non-dispensing position, wherein an external opening of the inlet port is located within the flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in drug delivery devices, particularly devices for dispensing a metered dose of an aerosol drug formulation including a propellant and a medicament. An apparatus is provided for dispensing medicament. At least a portion of one or more of the internal surfaces of one or more components contact the aerosol drug formulation during storage or dispensing of the formulation. Such surfaces of the components include a layer of one or more cold plasma polymerized monomers bonded thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in drug delivery devices and particularly those for dispensing a metered dose of medicament. Apparatus (10, 110) is provided for dispensing medicament wherein at least a portion of one or more of the internal surfaces of components of the apparatus (10, 110) which come into contact with the medicament during storage or dispensing has a layer of one or more cold plasma preliminarised monomers bonded to at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to pressurised dispensing apparatus which includes a container for product to be dispensed, and a valve for controlling outflow of product from the container. The valve includes a valve body located within the container. The container has an open ended container body, and a closure fixedly attached to said container body for closing the open end thereof. The closure has an annular sidewall extending around at least an upper end of the container body. First and second seals are provided, wherein the first seal provides a barrier against the ingress of moisture into the container and the second seal provides a barrier against leakage of the product from the container.

Abstract: A pressurized dispensing apparatus includes a container for product to be dispensed and a valve for controlling outflow of product from the container. The valve includes a valve body (12) located within the container. The container includes an open ended container body (16) and a closure (15) fixedly attached to the container body for closing the open end thereof. The closure has an annular sidewall extending around at least the upper end of the container body. A first seal (20) is located in sealing engagement between the container body and the closure, and a second seal (25) is located in sealing engagement between the valve body and the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to metering valves for pressurised dispensing containers.The present invention provides a metering valve for use with a pressurised dispensing container. The valve comprises a valve stem (1) co-axially slidable within a valve member (2) defining an annular metering chamber (13). Outer and inner annular seals (4, 5) are operative between the respective outer and inner ends of the valve member (2) and the valve stem (1) to seal the annular metering chamber (13) therebetween. Wherein the valve member (2) comprises a main component part (17) and a liner (16) lining at least a portion of an inner surface of the main component part (17). The liner (16) is made of a material selected from, a ceramic, a metal or a glass and the main component part (17) is made of another material.

Abstract: This invention relates to metering valves for pressurised dispensing containers.The present invention provides a metering valve for use with a pressurised dispensing container. The valve comprises a valve stem (1) co-axially slidable within a valve member (2) defining an annular metering chamber (13). Outer and inner annular seals (4, 5) are operative between the respective outer and inner ends of the valve member (2) and the valve stem (1) to seal the annular metering chamber (13) therebetween. Wherein the valve member (2) comprises a main component part (17) and a liner (16) lining at least a portion of an inner surface of the main component part (17). The liner (16) is a fluoropolymer, and the main component part (17) is made of another material.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for separately storing and subsequently mixing two components of a substance to be dispensed.

Abstract: A metering valve for use with a pressurized dispensing container includes a valve stem (1) co-axially slidable within a valve member (2) defining an annular metering chamber (13). The valve stem (1) is provided with a wiper (30) extending radially therefrom to contact an inner surface of the valve member (2) such that, in use, as the valve stem (1) slides axially within the valve member (2), the wiper (30) scrapes the inner surface to remove solid matter disposed thereon.

Abstract: A metering valve for use in a pressurized dispensing container has a valve member co-axially slidable within an annular metering chamber defined between the valve member and a substantially cylindrical chamber body. The chamber volume is between 50 and 100 micro liters. The metering valve has an outer seal operable between the valve member and an outer end portion of the chamber body to seal an outlet duct of the valve member when the valve member is in an inoperative position. The valve member is slidable to an operative position in which the contents of the metering chamber are dischargeable in use via the outlet duct. The outer end portion of the chamber body comprises a first inwardly stepped shoulder, a lip having an inner surface which slopes outwardly away from the peripheral edge of the outer seal, and a second inwardly stepped-shoulder. An annular seal support associated with the outer seal has a periphery which is supported by the second shoulder.