Abstract: A dry powder inhaler (101) comprises an inhaler body (110), including an air passageway, and a medicament container (120). The medicament container (120) holds a dose of medicament and is provided with at least one dispensing aperture (123) through which the medicament may be drawn from the medicament container (120). The medicament container (120) is displaceable from a first position, in which the dispensing aperture (123) is occluded, to a second position, in which the dispensing aperture (123) is open and air is able to flow along the air passageway. When the medicament container (120) is in the first position, the air passageway is occluded by the medicament container (120).

Abstract: A medicament package (10,30) comprises a vessel (12,32) adapted to hold a quantity of a liquid vehicle. The vessel (12,32) has an opening formed therein, to which opening is bonded a deformable enclosure (18,38). A medicament container (20) that contains a unit dose of a medicament is received within the enclosure (18,38), such that by deformation of the enclosure (18,38) the container(20) may be dislodged from the enclosure (18,38) into the vessel (12,32), whereby the medicament may escape from the container (20) and mix with the liquid vehicle. The medicament contained within the medicament container (20) is most preferably in admixture with sodium chloride.

Abstract: A medicament package comprises a vessel adapted to hold a quantity of a liquid vehicle. The vessel has an opening formed therein. The opening engages a deformable enclosure which receives a medicament container that contains a unit dose of a medicament. The entire medicament package is sterile and is arranged such that by deformation of the enclosure the container may be dislodged from the enclosure into the vessel whereby the medicament may escape from the container and mix with the liquid vehicle. The medicament container is formed with one or more dispensing apertures through which the medicament may exit the container and/or liquid can enter the container. The medicament container may be formed as two or more components, the integrity of the container being maintained by its engagement with the enclosure and that integrity being lost once the container is released from the enclosure.

Abstract: A medicament container (10) is disclosed which comprises at least two compartments (21, 22). Each of the compartments (21, 22) is adapted to contain a dose of a medicament in powdered form and is provided with at least one opening (23) through which, in use, the medicament can be dispensed. The container (10) is preferably cylindrical in form, the diameter of the cylinder being greater than its depth such that the container (10) has the form of a squat drum.

Abstract: A medicament package comprises a medicament container (10) and a holder (20) within which the medicament container (10) is closely received. The holder (20) comprises a support (25) of a rigid material. The support (25) has an opening, to the periphery of which an enclosure (21) is bonded. The medicament container (10) is closely received within the enclosure (21) such that the material of the enclosure (21) seals openings formed in the container (10). The container (10) can be dispensed from the package into a delivery device by pressure applied to the enclosure (21).

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the administration of a powdered medicament by inhalation. The system comprises a container (20, 60, 120) containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, the container (20, 60, 120) having at least one dispensing aperture (21), and a device (10, 50, 100) having a chamber (19, 56, 110) adapted to receive said container (20, 60, 120). The device (10, 50, 100) further comprises air inlet means (12, 12a, 13, 13a, 112, 113) by which air may be drawn into the chamber (19, 56, 110) and means (11, 111) by which air and entrained medicament may be drawn out of the chamber (19, 56, 110). The system is arranged such that the container (20, 60, 120), in use, is stationary within the chamber (19, 56, 110).

Abstract: A medicament container (10) is disclosed which comprises at least two compartments (21, 22). Each of the compartments (21, 22) is adapted to contain a dose of a medicament in powdered form and is provided with at least one opening (23) through which, in use, the medicament can be dispensed. The container (10) is preferably cylindrical in form, the diameter of the cylinder being greater than its depth such that the container (10) has the form of a squat drum.

Abstract: A system for the administration of a powdered medicament by inhalation comprises a container (21) containing a unit dose of medicament in powder form, and a device (10) having a chamber (16) adapted to receive the container (21). The device (10) has air inlets (19, 20) by which air may be drawn into the chamber (16) and a mouthpiece (14) by which air and entrained medicament may be drawn out of the chamber (16). The chamber (16) is substantially circular or annular in form and, in use, the container (21) follows an orbital path within the chamber (16), medicament being dispensed from the container (21) through at least one opening in the container (21). Also described are novel forms of packaging for powdered medicaments which are particularly suitable for use in the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic atomizer device (2) for a fluid (60), in particular a bronchospasmolytic agent, in which a propelling element (10) operable by an electronic circuit (6) to deliver the fluid to an atomization surface (28) that is also supplied with ultrasound waves from the electronic circuit (6) is provided in a housing (4), the propelling element (10) having a coupling member (32) which is meshing with a further coupling member (34) of a replaceable dosating unit (14) for transferring propelling power to the dosating unit (14) to effect a linear movement (68) of a piston (66) arranged in an ampoule (28) within the dosating unit (14). The invention also relates to a system comprising a device (2) as described and a dosating unit (14) inserted into that device (2).

Abstract: A device for the administration of powdered inhalation medicament contained initially in a capsule having at least one aperture formed therein, comprising a swirl chamber (1) adapted to receive the medicament capsule; a mouthpiece (2) communicating with the swirl chamber (1) and separated therefrom by a grid (4); at least one air inlet (5) in tangential communication with the swirl chamber (1) whereby air can be drawn through the device via the mouthpiece (2) to cause a swirling air flow through the swirl chamber (1); and a cover member (7), having a continuous substantially planar inner surface, provided on the base of the swirl chamber (1) remote from the mouthpiece (2); said cover (7) being moveable between a first position in which the capsule can be inserted into the swirl chamber (1) and a second position in which the capsule is retained in the swirl chamber (1) and rotates upon air being drawn through the device, thereby dispensing the medicament contained therein.