Abstract: A multi-dose insufflator for the nasal administration of medicaments in fine or micronized powder form comprises a reservoir unit (34), a unit (60, 64) for withdrawing and metering the medicament contained in the reservoir unit, and an insufflation unit (42, 26) comprising a manually operated pump (42) for generating an air stream within a channel (26) for conveying an individual dose of medicament into the nasal cavity of the patient. The withdrawal and metering unit comprises a conveyor device (60) provided with at least one cup (64) for withdrawing a dose of medicament from the reservoir (34) and conveying it into an insufflation position. The cup (64) has a coaxial base hole (66) through which the air stream generated by the pump passes when the cup is in the insufflation position. The hole (66) has a size substantially smaller than the mouth of the cup (64) and such as to prevent the powder medicament falling through the hole, by virtue of the "arching" effect.

Abstract: An inhaler (10) of the multiple single-dose type for administering doses of medicament in very fine or micronized powder form contained in blisters (30) in a blister sheet (60) comprises means (18) for bringing the blisters (30) of the blister sheet one after another into a piercing position, means (62) for piercing the individual blister, a delivery channel through which the patient exerts the inhalation action, and an air intake which communicates with the delivery channel (82) when a blister has been pierced. The blister sheet (60) is in the form of a strip with the blisters (30) aligned. A connection channel (22) is provided to connect the delivery channel (82) to the air intake (28). The blister (30) when in its piercing position is interposed between the delivery channel (82) and the connection channel (22). In this latter there is provided a cup (46) coaxial with the connection channel (22) and with its concavity facing the blister in the piercing position.

Abstract: A multi-dose inhaler (1; 2) for medicaments in powder form comprises a container unit (24; 124) for the medicament in powder form, a withdrawal and dose preparation unit (22, 26; 122, 126) for the medicament, and a unit (16, 50; 152, 176) for mixing the dose of medicament with an air stream. The withdrawal and dose preparation unit comprises: a cup-type conveyor device (22; 122) provided with at least one cup (20; 120) for withdrawing from the container unit a certain quantity of powder and conveying it into a dispensing position, the cup (20; 120) having two coaxial identical holes (56; 156); and a plunger-type dispensing device (36; 106) disposed above the mixing unit, the plunger (36; 106) being insertable as an exact fit into and withdrawable from the holes (56; 156) in the cup (20; 120) when the latter is in the dispensing position, to cause a dose of medicament in powder form to fall into the mixing unit.

Abstract: An insufflator for administering pre-dosed powder drugs contained into opercola, which comprises a body having an air-inlet opening and a substantially vertical outlet channel for the air carrying the powder drug, and a device with opposite pins of a known kind for puncturing the operculum, said operculum being placed in a suitable seat. The latter is provided in a member that is turnable relative to said body. Said turnable member can take at least two different positions: a first position, where the operculum can be axially punctured by the above-mentioned opposite, substantially horizontal pins; and a second position, turned 90.degree. relative to said first position, where the opposite holes that have been pierced in the operculum are coaxial with said air-outlet channel.

Abstract: A device, comprising a detachably connected mouthpiece and body, for powdered substances contained in a capsule which is longitudinally inserted into the cylindrical bore of a pivotably mounted carrier member for pivoting into a transversly disposed recess in the body of the device. A pair of cutting blades is fixedly attached to the body at opposite ends of the recess for severing the ends of the capsule during the pivoting movement. A bore in the mouthpiece and body coincides with the bore of the carrier member and with holes in the blades so that air can be drawn longitudinally through the severed capsule for inhalation or insuffation.

Abstract: An inhaler for powdered medicaments contained in a capsule which is inserted when needed into an elongated recess by rotatably moving two component portions out of register, perforated by means of biasedly attached piercing devices, and emptied by spinning within a cylindrical spinning chamber when air is drawn through tangentially disposed intake passages, the component portions being held in register by a latching device.