Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber, optionally including one or more beads. A blister is supported adjacent to the dispersion chamber. A mouthpiece cover is removable from a mouthpiece, with movement of the mouthpiece cover causing the blister to open. An air flow path extends past or under the blister and into the dispersion chamber. As a result, the blister remains sealed until the inhaler is ready for use. The blister is then automatically opened when the mouthpiece cover is removed from the mouthpiece. Pharmaceutical dry powder is released from the blister and entrained in air flow through the inhaler, when the user inhales on the mouthpiece. The powder is dispersed in air within the dispersion chamber.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater airflow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.

Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler includes a chamber housing containing a powder dispersion chamber. A chamber tube extends from the dispersion chamber into the mouthpiece. A cover or cup is rotatably attached to the chamber housing. A dose of a dry powder is contained at a powder location in the chamber housing. An air passageway leading from the powder location to the dispersion chamber is closed off by the cover. When the cover is rotated to an open position, the air passageway is opened. The user inhales on the mouthpiece drawing air through the powder location, the air passageway, the dispersion chamber and the chamber tube, through the mouthpiece and into the users lungs. The unit dose of dry powder is stored directly in, or is part of, the inhaler.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler includes an actuator pivotably mounted on a base. Movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position drives the a dobber to open a blister. A dispersion engine sub-assembly has a blister hood positioned over a blister opening position. A powder pathway connects from the blister hood into a powder dispersion engine. Upon inhalation, air flow draws powder up and out of an opened blister, into the blister hood and to the powder dispersion engine. Movement of the actuator causes the dobber to shear open a blister and also to press the blister hood down over the blister. This increases air flows up and around the open blister, carrying the pharmaceutical powder up and out of the blister and into the dispersion engine.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater airflow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.

Abstract: A unit dose dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber, optionally including one or more beads. A blister is supported adjacent to the dispersion chamber. A mouthpiece cover is removable from a mouthpiece, with movement of the mouthpiece cover causing the blister to open. An air flow path extends past or under the blister and into the dispersion chamber. As a result, the blister remains sealed until the inhaler is ready for use. The blister is then automatically opened when the mouthpiece cover is removed from the mouthpiece. Pharmaceutical dry powder is released from the blister and entrained in air flow through the inhaler, when the user inhales on the mouthpiece. The powder is dispersed in air within the dispersion chamber.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from the larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater air flow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.

Abstract: In a method for creating an immune response, a vaccine is prepared in the form of a dry powder. The powder particles have an aerodynamic particle size range from 1-100 microns. A dose of powder is loaded into a dry powder inhaler. The dose is inhaled with an inspiratory flow rate of less than 60 liters per minute. A mucosal immune response is created via particles of the vaccine material depositing on the upper respiratory tract. A systemic immune response is created via particles of the vaccine material depositing into the deep lung. The vaccine material is size reduced by e.g., jet milling, into the desired range, yet vaccine potency is retained.