Abstract: Various embodiments of a metered dose inhaler that includes a metering valve are disclosed. The inhaler includes a reservoir containing a pressurized formulation of medicament and carbon dioxide. The metering valve includes a metering chamber, a metering valve stem, and a metering valve stem seal having an opening through which the metering valve stem passes to form a dynamic seal between the metering valve stem and outside atmosphere. The metering valve stem seal has a Shore D hardness of 45 to 80 and its opening is adapted to be stretched wider by the metering valve stem passing through it than it would be absent the valve stem.

Abstract: An actuator (100) for an inhaler includes a sleeve (106) having a first end (102) and a second end (104). The sleeve is substantially hollow and defines a longitudinal axis (110) along its length. A base (108) is formed at the first end of the sleeve. A mouthpiece (112) is joined to the sleeve and the base. The mouthpiece is substantially hollow and defines a delivery opening (114). The actuator includes a cover (116) removably attached to the mouthpiece for covering the delivery opening. The actuator further includes a retaining member for retaining the cover to the sleeve upon removal of the cover from the mouthpiece. The retaining member includes a ring (120) disposed around the sleeve. The ring is at least selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve. The retaining member further includes a strap (122) extending from the ring and attached to the cover.

Abstract: A flow governor for use in a medicinal inhaler. The flow governor can include (i) a tubular element that defines at least a portion of an air flow path, the tubular element comprising at least one flexible wall configured to flex inwardly in response to an air flow in the air flow path; and (ii) an internal support structure, located within the tubular element and configured to preserve at least a predetermined cross-sectional area of the air flow path within the tubular element when the at least one flexible wall of the tubular element flexes inwardly.

Abstract: A valved-container inhaler (150) has a mechanical return assembly with a spring (214) and a transfer (212) configured to transfer stored potential energy from the spring to a canister (51) and a clutch (208, 210) in a load path of the force between the spring and the transfer, the clutch being rotatable between a first condition in which load is transferred from the spring to the transfer, and a second condition in which the spring and the transfer can move relative to one another to interrupt the load path and thereby allow the canister to resile after actuation.

Abstract: A breath-responsive inhaler having a trigger mechanism for triggering delivery of a medicament to a user, the trigger mechanism including a medicament source, having a primed position in which the inhaler is primed for use and an actuated position in which the medicament source is actuated to dispense a dose of medicament, a toggle mechanism for selectively permitting movement of the source from its primed position to its actuated position, the toggle mechanism comprising a vane positioned in the air flow path, the vane being pivoted about a vane pivot, and wherein the trigger mechanism is triggered by movement of the vane upon inhalation of the user to move the toggle mechanism between a primed condition in which the medicament source is maintained in its primed position by cooperation with the toggle mechanism and an actuated condition in which the toggle mechanism is disengaged from cooperation with the medicament source.

Abstract: An inhaler having an air inlet, a medicament source, and an outlet for delivering an air and medicament admixture to a user, the inhaler including a primary power supply for powering the controller and a sensor for detecting a recent shake event, wherein, the sensor is independent of the primary power source and, in use, the sensor provides the controller with a signal indicative of any recent shake event upon the powering up of the controller prior to use of the inhaler.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dose indicator for a pressure-actuated metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device. In an embodiment, the dose indicator comprises a chassis element having a viewing portion, a display element located within the chassis element, a resilient deformable element, and an indexing element having an axis, translation of the indexing element along its axis from a first position to a second position causing deformation of the resilient deformable element in the same direction as translation of the indexing element resulting in generally greater displacement of portions of the resilient deformable element nearer to the axis relative to portions thereof further from the axis, the displacement of the portions of the resilient deformable element in the same direction as translation of the indexing element inducing indexing of the display element from a current position to a subsequent position relative to the viewing portion of the chassis element.

Abstract: A dose indicator or dose counter is disclosed which includes an indexable first display unit indexable about a first display axis, an indexable second display unit indexable about a second display axis, the second display axis being transverse to the first display axis, and a chassis comprising a chassis frame, a displacement portion comprising a drive means to engage the first display unit, and at least one hinge means directly or indirectly connecting the displacement portion and chassis frame. The drive means is preferably configured to index the dose indicator. The dose indicator/counter has a small number of components yet is effective, reliable and compact.

Abstract: A dose indicator or dose counter is disclosed which includes an indexable first display unit indexable about a first display axis, an indexable second display unit indexable about a second display axis, the second display axis being transverse to the first display axis, and a chassis comprising a chassis frame, a displacement portion comprising a drive means to engage the first display unit, and at least one hinge means directly or indirectly connecting the displacement portion and chassis frame. The drive means is preferably configured to index the dose indicator. The dose indicator/counter has a small number of components yet is effective, reliable and compact.

Abstract: An actuator housing (100) for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) device which comprises a housing portion (115) having a nozzle block (130) in which an actuator seat (135) and an actuator nozzle (145) are formed. The housing portion has an axis (120) which is angled with respect to a vertical plane which is perpendicular to a base portion or thumb grip (150) formed at a closed end thereof. A mouthpiece portion (125) is joined to the housing portion which has a roof section (180) and a floor section (125b). The roof section is angled upwards with respect to the floor portion, and provides a cross-piece (185) with which teeth of a patient can engage. Such an actuator housing addresses problems associated with buccal and tongue deposition of medicaments, as a spray of medicament from the actuator nozzle is directed over the tongue and into the airway.

Abstract: Described herein is an actuator housing (500) for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) device which comprises a housing portion (115) having a nozzle block in which an actuator seat and an actuator nozzle are formed, and a mouthpiece portion (525) joined to the housing portion (115). The mouthpiece portion (525) has an external surface having a first or guidance region (570) over which teeth of a patient are to be located and a second or sealing region (580) against which lips of the patient seal during dispensing of a medicament. In one embodiment, the first or guidance region (570) comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes arranged around the external surface and located adjacent to a mouthpiece end face (560). An optional annular projection (590) may be provided to define more precisely the sealing region for the patient.

Abstract: A valved-container inhaler (150) has a mechanical return assembly with a spring (214) and a transfer (212) configured to transfer stored potential energy from the spring to a canister (51) and a clutch (208, 210) in a load path of the force between the spring and the transfer, the clutch being rotatable between a first condition in which load is transferred from the spring to the transfer, and a second condition in which the spring and the transfer can move relative to one another to interrupt the load path and thereby allow the canister to resile after actuation.

Abstract: An inhaler has a housing having a patient port and a cover rotatable about a cover axis between a closed position in which the cover covers the patient port, and an open position in which the patient port is accessible, a spring surrounding a medicament container in which the cover axis intersects the container, and in which the cover is configured to drive the resilient structure to store energy therein upon rotation from the closed position towards the open position.

Abstract: A breath-responsive inhaler having a trigger mechanism for triggering delivery of a medicament to a user, the trigger mechanism including a medicament source, having a primed position in which the inhaler is primed for use and an actuated position in which the medicament source is actuated to dispense a dose of medicament, a toggle mechanism for selectively permitting movement of the source from its primed position to its actuated position, the toggle mechanism comprising a vane positioned in the air flow path, the vane being pivoted about a vane pivot, and wherein the trigger mechanism is triggered by movement of the vane upon inhalation of the user to move the toggle mechanism between a primed condition in which the medicament source is maintained in its primed position by cooperation with the toggle mechanism and an actuated condition in which the toggle mechanism is disengaged from cooperation with the medicament source

Abstract: An actuator for an inhaler, in particular a nasal actuator, is disclosed, the actuator comprising a body, a stem post and fixing means for fixing the stem post in the body. The body comprises a delivery passage for delivery of a medicament and a canister opening for insertion of a canister having a metering valve with a valve stem. The stem post comprises a stem socket for receiving the valve stem of a canister and comprises an orifice for discharging a medicament to the delivery passage. The stem post and body are adapted so they cooperate to define a transition chamber when the stem post is fixed in the body. Also disclosed is a method of forming an component for an actuator for an inhaler, and a method of assembling an actuator for an inhaler by inserting the stem post through the canister opening and into the body thereby.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for a container filled with a medicinal substance or formulation, the container being suitable for administering the medicinal substance or formulation via inhalation, buccal or sublingual delivery. The dispensing assembly includes a housing (1) defining a patient port through which, in use, the medicinal substance or formulation is dispensed. The dispensing assembly further includes a cap (3) that can be engaged with and disengaged from the patient port to close and open the patient port and an adhesive tape (10) having one portion (12) affixed to the housing and a second portion (11) affixed to the cap, such that when the cap is disengaged from the patient port, the cap is still connected to the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dose indicator for a pressure-actuated metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device.

Abstract: A flow governor for use in a medicinal inhaler. The flow governor can include (i) a tubular element that defines at least a portion of an air flow path, the tubular element comprising at least one flexible wall configured to flex inwardly in response to an air flow in the air flow path; and (ii) an internal support structure, located within the tubular element and configured to preserve at least a predetermined cross-sectional area of the air flow path within the tubular element when the at least one flexible wall of the tubular element flexes inwardly.