Abstract: A physiological monitoring system comprising a sensor device for attachment to the skin of a subject, the sensor device comprising at least a first sensor for sensing a physiological parameter of the subject and a processing device configured for analysing data sensed by the sensor by means of a predetermined algorithm to estimate whether the data is indicative of a disease condition, and on detecting such a condition to generate an alert. It is further described a method for monitoring a plurality of subjects comprising the step of providing each subject with a sensor device as referred to above and then analysing data sensed by the sensors such as to preferentially generate an alert if the data received from multiple ones of the sensors demonstrate a contemporaneous trend indicative of a disease condition.

Abstract: A passive inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is proposed. The inhaler includes an impaction element onto which the air stream can impact together with entrained inhalation formulation for better deagglomeration. Alternatively, the inhaler includes an oscillating and/or vibrating device for better de-agglomeration of the inhalation formulation. Alternatively or additionally, the inhaler includes one or two mixing means for generating swirls, preferably with opposite rotation directions.

Abstract: An inhaler for producing an inhalable aerosol of powdered medicament is disclosed. The inhaler includes an aerosolizing device having a chamber of substantially circular cross-section, inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of the chamber for the flow of drug laden air through the chamber between said ports and, a bypass air inlet for the flow of clean air into the chamber. The bypass air inlet is configured so that air entering the chamber through said inlet forms a cyclone in the chamber that interacts with the drug laden air flowing between the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: In an inhaler for administering a powdery medicament in the form of an inhalable substance, substance formulation or mixture, a blister cavity to be opened by piercing elements (11) is mounted in the lower part (1) of a housing (2), which has an upper part (6), designed as mouthpiece and with an inhalation channel (16), and of the lower part (1), which has an air inlet opening (9). The inhalation channel (16) of the upper part (6) of the housing has a unit (15) for dispersing the powdery medicament, said unit (15) being connected to the piercing elements (11), wherein the upper part (6) of the housing can be moved relative to the lower part (1) of the housing in order to open the blister cavity.

Abstract: A passive inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is proposed. The inhaler comprises an impaction element onto which the air stream can impact together with entrained inhalation formulation for better deagglomeration. Alternatively, the inhaler comprises an oscillating and/or vibrating device for better de-agglomeration of the inhalation formulation. Alternatively or additionally, the inhaler comprises one or two mixing means for generating swirls, preferably with opposite rotation directions.

Abstract: An inhaler for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip with a plurality of blister pockets is proposed. A flexible guiding element receives the used blisters strip.

Abstract: An inhalation device comprising a base having a slot for insertion of a single blister containing a dose of medicament to be inhaled into the base is disclosed. The inhaler has a mouthpiece pivotably mounted to the base which carries a blister piercing element operable to pierce a blister received in said slot when the mouthpiece is pivoted relative to the base. When a user inhales on the mouthpiece, the dose is entrained in an airflow and flows out of the blister through the mouthpiece and into the user's airway.

Abstract: An inhaler (1) for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip (2) with a plurality of blister pockets (3) is proposed. A flexible guiding element (20) receives the used blisters strip.

Abstract: A passive inhaler (1) for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip (2) with a plurality of blister pockets (3) is proposed. The inhaler comprises an impaction element (31) onto which the air stream can impact together with entrained inhalation formulation for better deagglomeration. Alternatively, the inhaler comprises an oscillating and/or vibrating device (35) for better de-agglomeration of the inhalation formulation. Alternatively or additionally, the inhaler comprises one or two mixing means for generating swirls, preferably with opposite rotation directions.

Abstract: A powder inhaler includes a container for storing powdered medicament. A metering member has a dosing recess and is moveable between a filling position in which the dosing recess is in alignment with an opening of the container, and an inhalation position in which it is in alignment with an inhalation channel. A mouthpiece is in communication with the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of powdered medicament when in the inhalation position. A protective member provided between the metering member and the inhalation channel is moveable between a closed position in which the protective member covers the dosing recess, thereby preventing powdered medicament contained in the dosing recess from entering the inhalation channel, and an open position in which the protective member does not cover the dosing recess, thereby exposing the dosing recess to the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of the powdered medicament.

Abstract: An inhaler (1) for the delivery of a dose of powdered medicament for inhalation by a user comprising a housing (2) containing a cylinder (5) defining a chamber (5a) and a piston (6) movably received in the cylinder to enable a user to generate a charge of compressed air in the chamber to entrain a dose when the charge is released, wherein the cylinder and the piston include co-operating means (8, 9) thereon operable to draw the piston into the cylinder to compress a charge of air in the chamber in response to rotation of the piston.

Abstract: An inhaler (1) for the delivery of a dose of powdered medicament for inhalation by a user comprising a housing (2) containing a cylinder (5) defining a chamber (5a) and a piston (6) movably received in the cylinder to enable a user to generate a charge of compressed air in the chamber to entrain a dose when the charge is released, wherein the cylinder and the piston include co-operating means (8, 9) thereon operable to draw the piston into the cylinder to compress a charge of air in the chamber in response to rotation of the piston.

Abstract: An inhaler for producing an inhalable aerosol of a powdered medicament includes an aerosolizing device in the form of a vortex chamber 1. The vortex chamber 1 has a tangential inlet port 3 and an axial port 2. The ratio of the diameter of the vortex chamber 1 to the diameter of the exit port 2 is between 4 and 12. The length of the exit port 2 is less than its diameter. The cross-section of the inlet port 3 is rectangular and is defined at the bottom and at the radially outermost edge by the walls of the vortex chamber 1. The cross-sectional area of the inlet conduit 7, which supplies the medicament in a gas flow to the inlet port 3, decreases in the direction towards the vortex chamber 1. The inlet conduit 7 may be curved. The inhaler is capable of repeatably producing an aerosol of a medicament with a high proportion of particles in the range 1 to 3 microns, while using a 20 relatively small amount of energy.

Abstract: A powder inhaler includes a container for storing powdered medicament. A metering member has a dosing recess and is moveable between a filling position in which the dosing recess is in alignment with an opening of the container, and an inhalation position in which it is in alignment with an inhalation channel. A mouthpiece is in communication with the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of powdered medicament when in the inhalation position. A protective member provided between the metering member and the inhalation channel is moveable between a closed position in which the protective member covers the dosing recess, thereby preventing powdered medicament contained in the dosing recess from entering the inhalation channel, and an open position in which the protective member does not cover the dosing recess, thereby exposing the dosing recess to the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of the powdered medicament.

Abstract: An inhaler for producing an inhalable aerosol of a powdered medicament comprises a cyclone (1) with a tangential air inlet (3) and an axial air outlet (4). The cyclone (1) aerosolises and retains an aerosol of powdered medicament in an airflow circulating between the inlet (3) and the outlet (4). The cyclone (1) has an exit port (2) which is open to atmosphere. When the aerosol is to be inhaled, the pressure in the cyclone (1) is increased by increasing the airflow to the inlet (3) which causes the aerosol to discharge through the exit port (2). The inhaler has the advantage that the rate of discharge of the aerosol can be controlled independently of the rate of airflow required to aerosolise the medicament.

Abstract: An inhaler for producing an inhalable aerosol of a powdered medicament includes an aerosolising device in the form of a vortex chamber 1. The vortex chamer 1 has a tangential inlet port 3 and an axial port 2. The ratio of the diameter of the vortex chamber 1 to the diameter of the exit port 2 is between 4 and 12. The length of the exit port 2 is less than its diameter. The cross-section of the inlet port 3 is rectangular and is defined at the bottom and at the radially outermost edge by the walls of the vortex chamber 1. The cross-sectional area of the inlet conduit 7, which supplies the medicament in a gas flow to the inlet port 3, decreases in the direction towards the vortex chamber 1. The inlet conduit 7 may be curved. The inhaler is capable of repeatably producing an aerosol of a medicament with a high proportion of particles in the range 1 to 3 microns, while using a 20 relatively small amount of energy.