Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhaler which comprises a durable unit and a replaceable (cartridge) unit, and which comprises systems, subsystems and elements to provide an “open-inhale-close” user experience. A durable unit comprises a breath-actuated trigger mechanism, and optionally electronics for providing user feedback, and telehealth can capability. A replaceable unit comprises a mouthpiece, blister strip, aerosol path dose counter and a blister piercing and aerosolization engine assembly assembly. A lockout mechanism may be provided to prevent further use of the cartridge when the dose counter reaches a preselected limit, such as zero.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.

Abstract: Embodiments of an inhaler device include a housing, a withdrawing assembly disposed within the housing for facilitating withdrawal of medicament from a target blister of a blister strip, the withdrawing assembly including an opening element adapted for opening the target blister of the blister strip while the target blister is positioned in the withdrawing assembly, and a dispensing element adapted for directing the withdrawn medicament toward the exterior of the inhaler device. A blister track is disposed within the housing for guiding each blister of the blister strip to the withdrawing assembly in succession, an advancing mechanism for advancing the blister strip by a predetermined distance each time the advancing mechanism is engaged, and an engaging element for engaging the advancing mechanism to advance the blister strip. The blister track includes a primary coil structure, a secondary coil structure, and a tertiary coil structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the pulmonary delivery of a composition, such as methods and apparatuses for dispersing dry powder medicaments for inhalation by a patient. Elements or aspects of the apparatuses, including receptacle puncturing, mechanisms, deoccluding devices, receptacle impacting devices, and receptacle lock devices or systems.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhaler which comprises a durable unit and a replaceable (cartridge) unit, and which comprises systems, subsystems and elements to provide an “open-inhale-close” user experience. A durable unit comprises a breath-actuated trigger mechanism, and optionally electronics for providing user feedback, and telehealth can capability. A replaceable unit comprises a mouthpiece, blister strip, aerosol path dose counter and a blister piercing and aerosolization engine assembly assembly. A lockout mechanism may be provided to prevent further use of the cartridge when the dose counter reaches a preselected limit, such as zero.

Abstract: Embodiments of an inhaler device include a housing, a withdrawing assembly disposed within the housing for facilitating withdrawal of medicament from a target blister of a blister strip, the withdrawing assembly including an opening element adapted for opening the target blister of the blister strip while the target blister is positioned in the withdrawing assembly, and a dispensing element adapted for directing the withdrawn medicament toward the exterior of the inhaler device. A blister track is disposed within the housing for guiding each blister of the blister strip to the withdrawing assembly in succession, an advancing mechanism for advancing the blister strip by a predetermined distance each time the advancing mechanism is engaged, and an engaging element for engaging the advancing mechanism to advance the blister strip. The blister track includes a primary coil structure, a secondary coil structure, and a tertiary coil structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of an inhaler device include a housing, a withdrawing assembly disposed within the housing for facilitating withdrawal of medicament from a target blister of a blister strip, the withdrawing assembly including an opening element adapted for opening the target blister of the blister strip while the target blister is positioned in the withdrawing assembly, and a dispensing element adapted for directing the withdrawn medicament toward the exterior of the inhaler device. A blister track is disposed within the housing for guiding each blister of the blister strip to the withdrawing assembly in succession, an advancing mechanism for advancing the blister strip by a predetermined distance each time the advancing mechanism is engaged, and an engaging element for engaging the advancing mechanism to advance the blister strip. The blister track includes a primary coil structure, a secondary coil structure, and a tertiary coil structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the pulmonary delivery of a composition, such as methods and apparatuses for dispersing dry powder medicaments for inhalation by a patient. Elements or aspects of the apparatuses, including receptacle puncturing, mechanisms, deoccluding devices, receptacle impacting devices, and receptacle lock devices or systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the pulmonary delivery of a composition, such as methods and apparatuses for dispersing dry powder medicaments for inhalation by a patient. Elements or aspects of the apparatuses, including receptacle puncturing mechanisms, deoccluding devices, receptacle impacting devices, and receptacle lock devices or systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the pulmonary delivery of a composition, such as methods and apparatuses for dispersing dry powder medicaments for inhalation by a patient. Elements or aspects of the apparatuses, including receptacle puncturing mechanisms, deoccluding devices, receptacle impacting devices, and receptacle lock devices or systems.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the chamber is sized to receive a capsule containing a pharmaceutical formulation. A puncturing member is moveable within the chamber to contact the capsule and to provide an opening in the capsule, and a feedback mechanism provides an indication, such as a tactile indication, to a user when the puncturing member has been moved to a position where it provides the opening into the capsule. When air flows through the inlet, the pharmaceutical formulation is aerosolized and the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation is delivered through the outlet.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a body defining a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. The chamber is sized to receive a receptacle containing a pharmaceutical formulation in a manner which allows the receptacle to move within the chamber. The chamber comprises a longitudinal axis, and the chamber has a cross-section orthogonal to its longitudinal axis that is non-circular. When a user inhales, air enters into the chamber through the inlet to cause the receptacle to move within the chamber so that the pharmaceutical formulation exits through an opening in the receptacle and is aerosolized for delivery to the user through the outlet.