Abstract: An inhaler operable to control a temperature of a medicament of the inhaler includes a medicament reservoir being configured to store a medicament therein. A medicament ejector is operably coupled to the medicament reservoir and is configured to eject the medicament from the reservoir to deliver the medicament to a patient. A controllable thermal source is in thermal communication with at least an inside portion of the medicament reservoir and is operable to controllably affect a temperature of the medicament. A thermal control system is in operable communication with the controllable thermal source and is configured to control the thermal source to maintain the medicament within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: An inhalation device includes an ejector head having one or more drop generator(s). A reservoir, adapted to contain a pharmaceutically active ingredient therein, is in selective fluid communication with the drop generator(s). Electronic circuitry is in electronic communication with, and operatively controls the drop generator(s). Further, the electronic circuitry is responsive to either a predetermined fault condition or an operational condition. The electronic circuitry deactivates the drop generator(s) in response to the predetermined fault condition, and the electronic circuitry activates the drop generator(s) in response to the operational condition.

Abstract: A method of making a pharmaceutically active ingredient abuse-prevention device includes providing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and providing an antagonist of the pharmaceutically active ingredient. The antagonist is in selective fluid communication with the pharmaceutically active ingredient. Electronic circuitry is configured to selectively operate the fluid communication between the antagonist and the pharmaceutically active ingredient so as to mix the pharmaceutically active ingredient with the antagonist upon recognition of one or more predetermined fault conditions. Mixing the pharmaceutically active ingredient with the antagonist renders the pharmaceutically active ingredient substantially ineffective.

Abstract: A silicon die having an orifice layer with plural openings formed therein defines a drop ejection device for use in a handheld inhaler. An underlying control layer defines fluid chambers, each carrying a heat transducer. A control system energizes selected heat transducers to heat fluid in the chambers, vaporizing the fluid, which is ejected through the orifices in small droplets.

Abstract: A medication dispenser includes a thermal drop generator ejector head. Medication is maintained in a pressurized container connected to a valve under the control of control electronics and to a compliant chamber. Fluid flows from the container to the chamber and to the ejector head. In a first mode the dispenser is operable to dispense aerosolized medication. In a second mode the ejector head is purged with fluid from the container to maintain the ejector head.

Abstract: A medicament dispenser that includes a medicament supply, an ejector, and a controller configured to actuate the ejector, where the controller is configured to use an operational parameter to produce a plurality of medicament drops having a target drop characteristic, and the operational parameter includes a correction factor that is based on a performance characteristic of the ejector.

Abstract: An inhalation system is disclosed that, in an exemplary embodiment, includes an ejector that ejects medicated droplets during an activation event, a conduit fluidically coupled to the ejector and configured to transport the droplets to a patient during an in-breath, and a particle detection system configured to determine whether the droplets have properly passed through the conduit and to the patient during an activation event. Also disclosed are methods for detecting particles in an inhaler system, with an exemplary method including generating a dose of medicament particles from an inhaler system; detecting particles emitted in the inhaler system; and determining if a desired particle flux has been achieved for inhalation by a patient.

Abstract: Inhaler systems and method of use thereof are disclosed. One exemplary inhaler system, among others, includes an inhalation/exhalation structure including an inhalation/exhalation orifice. In addition, the inhaler system includes a medicament supply system having a medicament ejector disposed adjacent the inhalation/exhalation orifice. The medicament supply system controllably ejects medicament droplets from the medicament ejector. Further, the inhaler system includes a flow control system in fluidic communication with the medicament ejector. The flow control system is configured to entrain the medicament droplets and pass the medicament droplets to the inhalation/exhalation orifice when the patient applies an in-breath to the inhalation/exhalation structure. In addition, the flow control system is configured to impede a flow of air from the inhalation/exhalation orifice to the medicament ejector when the patient applies an out-breath into the inhalation/exhalation structure.