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 flow governor assembly for use with a medicinal inhaler. The assembly can include a housing that defines an air flow path; a flow governor positioned in the air flow path to govern air flow in the air flow path to a target governing volumetric flow rate; and a constriction in the air flow path. The flow governor can be configured to provide a variable, or dynamic, resistance to air flow in the air flow path as a function of air pressure drop between an inlet and an outlet of the flow governor. The constriction can be configured to provide a fixed, or static, resistance to air flow in the air flow path.

Abstract: A refill assembly (129) for use in a medicinal inhaler (100). The refill assembly includes a patient port (110), and an adapter (118) configured to cause a dose of medicament to be released. The adapter is movable between a first position in which a dose of medicament is not released and a second position in which a dose of medicament is released. The refill assembly further includes a lockout mechanism positioned to lock the adapter in its first position, and a lockout override actuator (223). The lockout override actuator is movable between a first position in which the lockout mechanism is in a first locked state, and a second position in which the lockout mechanism is in a second unlocked state and the adapter is movable from its first position to its second position even when the refill assembly is not coupled to a reusable assembly.

Abstract: A refill assembly (129) for use in a medicinal inhaler (100). The refill assembly includes a patient port (110), and an adapter (118) configured to cause a dose of medicament to be released. The adapter is movable between a first position in which a dose of medicament is not released and a second position in which a dose of medicament is released. The refill assembly further includes a lockout member (117) movable between (i) a first (locked) position in which the adapter is not movable from its first position to its second position, and (ii) a second (unlocked) position in which the adapter is movable from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: An auto-reset dose release firing system (101) and a method of using same. The system can include an a stored energy device (109); a first plunger (103) movable between first, second, and third positions, the first plunger configured to be operatively coupled to a medicament canister (51); and a second plunger (104) movable between first and second positions; the first and second plunger being movable with respect to one another and shaped to define an evacuable chamber (185) therebetween. The first plunger and the second plunger can move together from their respective first positions to their respective second positions, due to a reduced pressure in the chamber, to cause a dose release valve (54) to fire. After firing, air can be allowed to move into the chamber to allow the first plunger to move with respect to the second plunger to its third position to allow the dose release valve to reset.

Abstract: A dose release firing system (101) for use in a medicinal inhaler (100). The firing system can include a plunger (103), and a stored energy device (109) configured to drive the plunger from a first position to a second position. The firing system can further include a guideway (121) and a projection (114) dimensioned to be received in the guideway, the guideway or the projection being fixedly coupled to the plunger. At least a portion of the guideway can have a helical shape, including a first portion with a first helix angle, and a second portion with a second helix angle, the second helix angle being less than the first helix angle. The projection and the guideway can be movable with respect to one another to cause the projection to be cammed along the guideway when the stored energy device drives the plunger to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a medicinal inhaler, the inhaler comprising: a patient port; a canister actuable by the drive mechanism to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the drive mechanism comprising: a follower which moves between a first position in which the mechanism is primed for use and a second position in which the follower engages the canister to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the follower being carried on a rocker plate which pivots as the follower moves between its first and second position, wherein the rocker plate engages a switch when the follower is in its second position to indicate that a dose of medicament has been delivered to the patient port.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a medicinal inhaler, the inhaler comprising: a patient port; a canister actuable by the drive mechanism to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the drive mechanism comprising: a follower which moves between a first position in which the mechanism is primed for use and a second position in which the follower engages the canister to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, the follower being carried on a rocker plate which pivots as the follower moves between its first and second position, wherein the rocker plate engages a switch when the follower is in its second position to indicate that a dose of medicament has been delivered to the patient port.

Abstract: A dose release firing system (101) for use in a medicinal inhaler (100). The firing system can include a plunger (103), and a stored energy device (109) configured to drive the plunger from a first position to a second position. The firing system can further include a guideway (121) and a projection (114) dimensioned to be received in the guideway, the guideway or the projection being fixedly coupled to the plunger. At least a portion of the guideway can have a helical shape, including a first portion with a first helix angle, and a second portion with a second helix angle, the second helix angle being less than the first helix angle. The projection and the guideway can be movable with respect to one another to cause the projection to be cammed along the guideway when the stored energy device drives the plunger to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A refill assembly (129) for use in a medicinal inhaler (100). The refill assembly includes a patient port (110), and an adapter (118) configured to cause a dose of medicament to be released. The adapter is movable between a first position in which a dose of medicament is not released and a second position in which a dose of medicament is released. The refill assembly further includes a lockout member (117) movable between (i) a first (locked) position in which the adapter is not movable from its first position to its second position, and (ii) a second (unlocked) position in which the adapter is movable from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: A refill assembly (129) for use in a medicinal inhaler (100). The refill assembly includes a patient port (110), and an adapter (118) configured to cause a dose of medicament to be released. The adapter is movable between a first position in which a dose of medicament is not released and a second position in which a dose of medicament is released. The refill assembly further includes a lockout mechanism positioned to lock the adapter in its first position, and a lockout override actuator (223). The lockout override actuator is movable between a first position in which the lockout mechanism is in a first locked state, and a second position in which the lockout mechanism is in a second unlocked state and the adapter is movable from its first position to its second position even when the refill assembly is not coupled to a reusable assembly.

Abstract: An auto-reset dose release firing system (101) and a method of using same. The system can include an a stored energy device (109); a first plunger (103) movable between first, second, and third positions, the first plunger configured to be operatively coupled to a medicament canister (51); and a second plunger (104) movable between first and second positions; the first and second plunger being movable with respect to one another and shaped to define an evacuable chamber (185) therebetween. The first plunger and the second plunger can move together from their respective first positions to their respective second positions, due to a reduced pressure in the chamber, to cause a dose release valve (54) to fire. After firing, air can be allowed to move into the chamber to allow the first plunger to move with respect to the second plunger to its third position to allow the dose release valve to reset.

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 medicinal inhaler. The inhaler can include a housing, and an air flow path defined by at least partially the housing and including an air inlet and an air outlet. The inhaler can further include a flow governor and a breath-actuated dose release firing system. The flow governor can be positioned in the air flow path between the air inlet and the air outlet to govern air flow in the air flow path to a governing volumetric flow rate. The breath-actuated dose release firing system can be located in the housing and can be configured to release a dose of medicament at a firing volumetric flow rate less than the governing volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A flow governor assembly for use with a medicinal inhaler. The assembly can include a housing that defines an air flow path; a flow governor positioned in the air flow path to govern air flow in the air flow path to a target governing volumetric flow rate; and a constriction in the air flow path. The flow governor can be configured to provide a variable, or dynamic, resistance to air flow in the air flow path as a function of air pressure drop between an inlet and an outlet of the flow governor. The constriction can be configured to provide a fixed, or static, resistance to air flow in the air flow path.