Abstract: Various embodiments of a metered dose inhaler that includes a metering valve are disclosed. The inhaler includes a reservoir containing a pressurized formulation of medicament and carbon dioxide. The metering valve includes a metering chamber, a metering valve stem, and a metering valve stem seal having an opening through which the metering valve stem passes to form a dynamic seal between the metering valve stem and outside atmosphere. The metering valve stem seal has a Shore D hardness of 45 to 80 and its opening is adapted to be stretched wider by the metering valve stem passing through it than it would be absent the valve stem.

Abstract: An inhaler (60) has a breath actuated trigger mechanism (100) reactive to an inhalation flow to trigger the release of a substance to be inhaled. The inhaler (60) has an inspiration flow which is subject to a higher degree of flow governing post-triggering than pre-triggering. This allows the triggering flow rate to be closer to, or even higher than, the governing flow rate of the inhaler.

Abstract: An actuator (100) for an inhaler includes a sleeve (106) having a first end (102) and a second end (104). The sleeve is substantially hollow and defines a longitudinal axis (110) along its length. A base (108) is formed at the first end of the sleeve. A mouthpiece (112) is joined to the sleeve and the base. The mouthpiece is substantially hollow and defines a delivery opening (114). The actuator includes a cover (116) removably attached to the mouthpiece for covering the delivery opening. The actuator further includes a retaining member for retaining the cover to the sleeve upon removal of the cover from the mouthpiece. The retaining member includes a ring (120) disposed around the sleeve. The ring is at least selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the sleeve. The retaining member further includes a strap (122) extending from the ring and attached to the cover.

Abstract: A pressurized medicinal composition comprising at least 40%, by weight, of liquid carbon dioxide, a fluid that forms a homogeneous solution with liquid carbon dioxide, and at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient dissolved or suspended in the composition. The composition may have a liquid to supercritical transition temperature greater than 40° C. Also, metered dose inhalers comprising an actuator, and a canister equipped with a metering valve, wherein the canister houses a reservoir comprising a pressurized carrier fluid mixture for dissolving or suspending at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient, the carrier fluid mixture comprising liquid carbon dioxide and a second component that is a liquid at room temperature and pressure.

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 breath-responsive inhaler having a trigger mechanism for triggering delivery of a medicament to a user, the trigger mechanism including a medicament source, having a primed position in which the inhaler is primed for use and an actuated position in which the medicament source is actuated to dispense a dose of medicament, a toggle mechanism for selectively permitting movement of the source from its primed position to its actuated position, the toggle mechanism comprising a vane positioned in the air flow path, the vane being pivoted about a vane pivot, and wherein the trigger mechanism is triggered by movement of the vane upon inhalation of the user to move the toggle mechanism between a primed condition in which the medicament source is maintained in its primed position by cooperation with the toggle mechanism and an actuated condition in which the toggle mechanism is disengaged from cooperation with the medicament source.

Abstract: Formulations containing pharmaceutical active agent, propellant, and water at least partially adsorbed on or absorbed within one or more nylon pellets or nylon components of, for example, an inhaler such as a metered dose inhaler. Canisters, typically sealed canisters, containing such formulations. Inhalers, such as metered dose inhalers, containing such canisters. Methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: An inhaler having an air inlet, a medicament source, and an outlet for delivering an air and medicament admixture to a user, the inhaler including a primary power supply for powering the controller and a sensor for detecting a recent shake event, wherein, the sensor is independent of the primary power source and, in use, the sensor provides the controller with a signal indicative of any recent shake event upon the powering up of the controller prior to use of the inhaler.

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: Dry powder inhaler dose counters capable of making a display move swiftly between digits, in contrast to the progressive movement that occurs in simple gearing mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web with finely divided powder in which the web is fed continuously to and through a powder filling stage including a driven roller. A method of manufacturing an elongate carrier with microdepressions containing finely divided powder comprising steps filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web as described, removing from upper surface of the web excess powder not filled within the microdepressions and remaining on areas of the surface between the depressions, and optionally slitting and/or cutting the web in width and/or length.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dose indicator for a pressure-actuated metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device. In an embodiment, the dose indicator comprises a chassis element having a viewing portion, a display element located within the chassis element, a resilient deformable element, and an indexing element having an axis, translation of the indexing element along its axis from a first position to a second position causing deformation of the resilient deformable element in the same direction as translation of the indexing element resulting in generally greater displacement of portions of the resilient deformable element nearer to the axis relative to portions thereof further from the axis, the displacement of the portions of the resilient deformable element in the same direction as translation of the indexing element inducing indexing of the display element from a current position to a subsequent position relative to the viewing portion of the chassis element.

Abstract: Dry powder inhaler dose counters capable of making a display move swiftly between digits. In contrast to the progressive movement that occurs in simple gearing mechanisms, there is provided a dry powder inhalation device comprising a housing defining a chamber, a patient port in communication with said chamber, an elongate carrier carrying medicament, an advancement mechanism for advancing a length of the elongate carrier into the chamber, a displacement sensor that advances in association with continuous advancement of the elongate carrier, and a transfer component that converts the advancement of the displacement sensor into intermittent motion of a units dose display.

Abstract: A method for filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web with finely divided powder in which the web is fed continuously to and through a powder filling stage including a driven roller. A method of manufacturing an elongate carrier with microdepressions containing finely divided powder comprising steps filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web as described, removing from upper surface of the web excess powder not filled within the microdepressions and remaining on areas of the surface between the depressions, and optionally slitting and/or cutting the web in width and/or length.

Abstract: An actuator housing (100) for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) device which comprises a housing portion (115) having a nozzle block (130) in which an actuator seat (135) and an actuator nozzle (145) are formed. The housing portion has an axis (120) which is angled with respect to a vertical plane which is perpendicular to a base portion or thumb grip (150) formed at a closed end thereof. A mouthpiece portion (125) is joined to the housing portion which has a roof section (180) and a floor section (125b). The roof section is angled upwards with respect to the floor portion, and provides a cross-piece (185) with which teeth of a patient can engage. Such an actuator housing addresses problems associated with buccal and tongue deposition of medicaments, as a spray of medicament from the actuator nozzle is directed over the tongue and into the airway.

Abstract: Described herein is an actuator housing (500) for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) device which comprises a housing portion (115) having a nozzle block in which an actuator seat and an actuator nozzle are formed, and a mouthpiece portion (525) joined to the housing portion (115). The mouthpiece portion (525) has an external surface having a first or guidance region (570) over which teeth of a patient are to be located and a second or sealing region (580) against which lips of the patient seal during dispensing of a medicament. In one embodiment, the first or guidance region (570) comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes arranged around the external surface and located adjacent to a mouthpiece end face (560). An optional annular projection (590) may be provided to define more precisely the sealing region for the patient.

Abstract: Formulations containing pharmaceutical active agent, propellant, and water at least partially adsorbed on or absorbed within one or more nylon pellets or nylon components of, for example, an inhaler such as a metered dose inhaler. Canisters, typically sealed canisters, containing such formulations. Inhalers, such as metered dose inhalers, containing such canisters. Methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: An inhaler (60) has a breath actuated trigger mechanism (100) reactive to an inhalation flow to trigger the release of a substance to be inhaled. The inhaler (60) has an inspiration flow which is subject to a higher degree of flow governing post-triggering than pre-triggering. This allows the triggering flow rate to be closer to, or even higher than, the governing flow rate of the inhaler.