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Publication Number
US-10099019-B2
Publication Date
2018-10-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for delivering a substance to the nasal cavity of a subject in which drawing air from a mouthpiece triggers release of a substance to a subject's nasal cavities. The device comprises a container for containing the substance in fluid communication with a nosepiece, a valve with an active configuration and an inactive configuration, and a trigger mechanism to reconfigure the valve from its inactive configuration to its active configuration and vice versa. Drawing air from the mouthpiece, e.g., when the subject takes in air by mouth, activates the trigger mechanism, thereby reconfiguring the valve from its inactive configuration to its active configuration for a predetermined period of time and delivering the substance from the device to a nasal cavity of the subject.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to an air-intake actuated device configured for delivering a substance to a nasal cavity of a subject. The device includes a container for containing the substance, a nosepiece extending from the device for placement in proximity to a nose, and a valve in fluid communication with the container via the nosepiece. The valve is characterized by at least two configurations: an active configuration that enables delivery of a predetermined amount of the substance to the nasal cavity through the nosepiece, and an inactive configuration that prevents such delivery.
The device further includes a mouthpiece extending from the device for placement in a mouth of the subject. A trigger mechanism reconfigures the valve from the active configuration to the inactive configuration, and vice versa, and the trigger mechanism is configured to be activated by the subject intaking air through the mouthpiece. In response to the subject’s intake of air, the trigger mechanism reconfigures the valve from the inactive configuration to the active configuration for a predetermined period of time, coordinating the actuation with the subject’s air intake.
Upon activation of the trigger mechanism, the substance is momentarily pressurized and delivered from the container to the nasal cavity. The description emphasizes functional coordination with swallowing and/or breathing to avoid pulmonary delivery and to improve dose delivery and compliance, including embodiments where delivery timing is associated with pressure gradient and air intake conditions. The disclosed platform also supports different trigger and valve architectures, including pressure-gradient responsive membrane actuation, timing coordinated with Venturi/spray nozzle parameters, pulsation sequencing, intermediate-compartment loading and reloading, and alternative inhaling-actuated embodiments.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims covering an air-intake actuated device and a method for delivering a substance to a nasal cavity. Across these independent claims, the core coverage centers on an air-intake triggered valve reconfiguration that momentarily pressurizes and delivers a predetermined amount for a predetermined period of time via a nosepiece, coordinated with intake through a mouthpiece.
Air-intake actuated nasal delivery device with active/inactive valve configurations
An air-intake actuated device configured for delivering a substance to a nasal cavity, including a container, a nosepiece in fluid communication with the container, and a valve mechanically connectable to the container characterized by at least two configurations: an active configuration enabling delivery of a predetermined amount via the nosepiece, and an inactive configuration preventing delivery.
Mouthpiece-triggered valve reconfiguration for a predetermined period
A mouthpiece for placement in a mouth and a trigger mechanism configured to be activated by the subject intaking air through the mouthpiece, the trigger mechanism reconfiguring the valve from the inactive configuration to the active configuration for a predetermined period of time in response to the subject’s intake of air.
Momentary pressurization delivering predetermined amount to nasal cavity
Wherein upon activation of the trigger mechanism the substance is momentarily pressurized and delivered from the container to the nasal cavity.
Method of nasal delivery using mouth air intake to activate valve reconfiguration
A method comprising providing an air-intake actuated device with a container, nosepiece, active/inactive valve, mouthpiece, and trigger mechanism activated by taking in air through the mouthpiece; placing the nosepiece in or around the nose and placing the mouthpiece in the mouth; and taking air through the mouthpiece to activate the trigger mechanism to reconfigure the valve for the predetermined period of time and fluidly connect the container to the nosepiece to enable delivery.
Method includes momentary pressurization upon activation
Wherein upon activation of the trigger mechanism the substance is momentarily pressurized and delivered from the container to the nasal cavity.
The independent claim set covers an air-intake actuated nasal delivery device and a corresponding method in which intake air through a mouthpiece activates a trigger mechanism that reconfigures an active/inactive valve for a predetermined period, such that the substance is momentarily pressurized and delivered to a nasal cavity via a nosepiece.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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