Abstract: A seal for a valve for use in a pharmaceutical dispensing device, which seal is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer including a propylene component with isotactic crystallinity.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus comprising a housing for receiving in use a dispensing container (100) containing a product, the housing comprising an outlet through which said product, in use, is dispensed, wherein the dispensing apparatus further comprises a trigger mechanism (7) for controlling actuation of a dispensing container (100) received in the housing, the trigger mechanism (7) comprising a pivotable member (74) rotatable from a first position to a second position, wherein the dispensing apparatus further comprises lock-out means movable from a locked position, in which rotation of the pivotable member from its first position to its second position is prevented, to an unlocked position, in which the pivotable member (74) is free to rotate.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a housing (1) defining a portion (2) for receiving in use a dose-dispensing container (20), the housing containing a dose counter comprising an annular counter member (40) and a driving member (41), the driving member comprising a planar ring portion (50) and first and second sets of flexible teeth (51, 52) depending from opposite sides of the planar ring portion, the first set of dependant fexible teeth (51) engaging a first series of teeth (47) formed on the annular counter member, wherein on movement of the received dose-dispensing container towards the driving member the first and second sets of dependant flexible teeth are caused to flex towards the plane of the ring portion to thereby incrementally rotate the annular counter member in a first direction relative to the housing.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for delivering an active material or drug in particular form to a targeted region of the nasal passage, such as the turbinates. The device includes a nozzle outlet (28) for the material, supported for example in an outer nozzle (20) which fits the nostril so as not to disrupt non-turbulent flow into the nostril. The particles are released from the outlet (28) into the non-turbulent flow at a similar velocity, in order to follow the airstream. Thus it is possible to predict their likely path, such that preferred release points can be calculated.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for delivering a drug aerosol to the turbinate region (4, 6, 8) of the nasal passage. The drug is delivered to the nostril in a metered volume of gas such that it reaches the turbinates, and flow into the nostril is then prevented for sufficient time to allow the particles to settle. The particles have an aerodynamic diameter below about 12.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a housing (1) defining a (2) portion for receiving in use a dose-dispensing container (20), the housing containing a dose counter comprising at least one annular counter member (141, 142), a helix-like coil (143) and transmission means (144) for operatively connecting the helix-like coil and the at least one annular counter member, wherein movement of the received dose-dispensing container acts to compress the helix-like coil to thereby rotate the transmission means and the at least one annular counter member.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a housing (1) defining a portion (2) for receiving in use a dose-dispensing container (20), the housing containing a dose counter comprising at least one annular counter member (241, 242) and a helix-like coil (243), wherein one or more projections (255) are provided on the helix-like coil for operatively connecting the helix-like coil and the at least one annular counter member, wherein movement of the received dose-dispensing container acts to compress the helix-like coil to thereby rotate the at least one annular counter member.

Abstract: A container or vial (1) for a fluid, the container (1) comprising a casing defining an interior for storage of the fluid and a closure member (2). The closure member (2) comprises a body and at least one resilient projection (7) to seal in a storage condition an outlet of the casing, wherein upon an increase in the pressure of the interior of the container (1) the at least one resilient projection (7) is deflected to accommodate outflow of fluid through the outlet. The pressure in the interior of the container (1) may be increased by displacing the closure member (2) into the container (1) or by displacing some other element such as a bung (61, 82) into the container (1). The container (1) and closure member (2) may be used in a dispenser (90) and the closure element may be used in a valve (110).

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 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: A dispensing device for dispensing a powdered product includes a housing having a first end and a second end defining a first outlet; a plunger slidably received in the first end of the housing, the housing and plunger together defining an interior of the dispensing device which is open to atmosphere; a chamber located within the plunger for housing a powdered product; a sheathing member slidably mounted on an end of the plunger proximate the second end of the housing, and having an inlet and a second outlet closed by a frangible membrane. Additionally, the plunger includes a perforating element for puncturing the frangible membrane when the plunger is moved towards the second end of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing apparatus comprising a housing (10) for receiving a pressurised container (15) containing product for dispensation, series of markings (172) indicative of quantities of product in the container, indicator means (160; 200) for indicating one of the markings of the series, and means for effecting relative movement between the indicator means and the series of markings on actuation of the pressurised container, so as to designate a subsequent marking of the series.

Abstract: A method of cleaning or purifying a polymer which is intended for medical or pharmaceutical use, which method comprises contacting the polymer with an extracting solvent comprising or consisting of an aliphatic alcohol, whereby impurities contained in the polymer are substantially extracted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable dispensing apparatus for delivering a powdered product nasally or orally. The apparatus comprises a housing (1) defining an outlet (7) and a shaft (32) having a storage chamber (33) therein for a product provided with a first inlet (34) and a first outlet (35). A sheathing means (4) is slidably mounted on the shaft and has a second inlet (42) and a second outlet closed by a frangible membrane (44). There is also provided a variable volume means (2) operatively connected to the shaft. The shaft is movable, on operation of the variable volume means to reduce the variable volume so as to pressurize gas in an interior of the variable volume means, from an initial storage position in which the first and second inlets are out of alignment so as to close a gas flow path, to a dispensing position in which the first and second inlets are brought into alignment by action of the housing against the sheathing means.

Abstract: A metering valve includes a valve stem co-axially slidable within a chamber body. The chamber body and the valve stem define a metering chamber. An outer and an inner annular seal is provided operative between a respective outer end and an inner end of the chamber body and the valve stem to seal the annular metering chamber there between. The inner seal comprises a wiper element.

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 dispensing device for dispensing a powdered product includes a housing having a first end and a second end defining a first outlet; a plunger slidably received in the first end of the housing, the housing and plunger together defining an interior of the dispensing device which is open to atmosphere; a chamber located within the plunger for housing a powdered product; a sheathing member slidably mounted on an end of the plunger proximate the second end of the housing, and having an inlet and a second outlet closed by a frangible membrane. Additionally, the plunger includes a perforating element for puncturing the frangible membrane when the plunger is moved towards the second end of the housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inhalation apparatus for dispensing an inhalable substance and, in particular, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for use in the delivery of therapeutic substances to the human lung. There is provided and apparatus for dispensing an aerosol of electrostatically charged droplets including a housing having an open end duct in which are located a first electrode having an upper surface lying in a generally longitudinal plane of the duct and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode. The apparatus further includes means for delivering a metered quantity of liquid to the upper surface of the first electrode for atomization, and charging means for applying a higher potential to the second electrode with respect to the first electrode to effect atomization.