Abstract: A refill assembly configured to be removably coupled to a reusable assembly of a medicinal inhaler is disclosed and includes a patient port, a canister actuable by the reusable assembly to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, and a sleeve which is selectively actuable by a user independently of the reusable assembly so as to act on the canister to deliver a dose of medicament. The refill assembly further includes an override element which engages the sleeve, the override element being moveable from a first position in which the sleeve is retained in a first position by the override element and a second position in which the sleeve is permitted to move to a second position upon depression of the sleeve by a user to cause a dose of medicament to be delivered to the patient port.

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 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 refill assembly for use in a medicinal inhaler, the refill assembly being configured to be removably coupled to a reusable assembly of a medicinal inhaler, the refill assembly comprising: a patient port; a canister actuable by the reusable assembly to deliver a dose of medicament to the patient port, a sleeve which is selectively actuable by a user independently of the reusable assembly so as to act on the canister to deliver a dose of medicament, the sleeve having a first position in which the sleeve cannot be actuated to cause a dose of medicament to be released from the canister and a second position in which the sleeve is actuable to cause a dose of medicament to be delivered to the patient port; the refill assembly further comprising: an override element which engages the sleeve, the override element being moveable from a first position in which the sleeve is retained in its first position by the override element and a second position in which the sleeve is permitted to move to its second position upon

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 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 dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, employing capsules containing a dose of powder for inhalation, comprising two operating components and an optional cover. Air is drawn by the patient via a mouthpiece or nosepiece which is in communication with the capsule and travels via air paths through the device and through the capsule thereby dispersing and entraining the dose of powder. The capsule is cut by cutting means located on one of the components, in a manner which eliminates or minimizes capsule debris and minimizes powder leakage during use. The inhaler body and capsule cutting blades comprise a single operating component and they may be manufactured in a single unitary step. The invention affords a very economical and simple device for the delivery of pulmonary medicines.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler for pulmonary or nasal use, employing capsules containing a dose of powder for inhalation, comprising two operating components and an optional cover. Air is drawn by the patient via a mouthpiece or nosepiece which is in communication with the capsule and travels via air paths through the device and through the capsule thereby dispersing and entraining the dose of powder. The capsule is cut by cutting means located on one of the components, in a manner which eliminates or minimizes capsule debris and minimizes powder leakage during use. The inhaler body and capsule cutting blades comprise a single operating component and they may be manufactured in a single unitary step. The invention affords a very economical and simple device for the delivery of pulmonary medicines.