Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products flowably dispense meted amounts of dry powders using a flexing piezoelectric layer to transmit a vibratory signal to the dry powder to facilitate fluidic flow through a flow channel. The apparatus for dispensing dry powders can include: (a) an elongate flow channel having a width, length, and depth, the flow channel having axially spaced apart inlet and outlet ports, wherein the elongate flow channel is configured to extend in an angular orientation of between about 10–75 degrees relative to the axial direction of flow; (b) a flexible piezoelectric layer configured to overlie the flow channel so that, in operation, the piezoelectric layer is able to flex upwardly away from the lowermost portion of the underlying flow channel; and (c) a signal generator operatively associated with the piezoelectric layer, wherein, in operation, the signal generator is configured to output a signal for flexing the piezoelectric layer in the elongate flow channel.

Abstract: Methods for flowably dispensing dry powders from a hopper having a dispensing port and a dry powder flow path can include: (a) generating a first non-linear vibration input signal, the first non-linear input signal comprising a plurality of different selected frequencies that correspond to a first dry powder formulation; (b) applying the first non-linear vibration input signal to a dispensing hopper having at least one dispensing port while the first dry powder formulation is flowing therethrough; and (c) dispensing a first meted quantity of the first dry powder through the dispensing port to a receiving member. Related devices and computer program products for dispensing dry powders are also described.

Abstract: The present invention includes dry powder inhalers and associated multi-dose dry powder packages for holding inhalant formulated dry powder substances and associated fabrication and dispensing methods. The multi-dose package can include a platform body comprising at least one thin piezoelectric polymer material layer defining at least a portion of a plurality of spatially separated discrete elongate dry powder channels having an associated length, width and height; and a metallic material attached to selected portions of the piezoelectric polymer material including each of the regions corresponding to the elongate dry powder channels to, in operation, define active energy releasing vibratory channels. In operation, the elongate channels can be selectively individually activated to vibrate upon exposure to an electrical input.