Inhaler device for inhalable liquids
Inventors
Rowland, Greg • Linacre, Edward • Gilbert, Glenn • Legin, Viktor
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10213574-B2
Publication Date
2019-02-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides a new inhaler device for the storage and administration of inhalable liquids to a patient, such as halogenated volatile liquids, particularly methoxyflurane for use as an analgesic, the device having one or more advantages or improvements over known inhalers.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an inhaler device for the storage and delivery of an inhalable liquid to a patient. The device includes a puck-shaped body with a receptacle comprising a passive evaporation support material pre-loaded with the inhalable liquid, together with a receptacle lid, at least one air inlet opening, and at least one vapour inhalation opening.
When the receptacle lid is in a closed position, the at least one air inlet opening and the at least one vapour inhalation opening are also in a closed position for storing the inhalable liquid. As the inhalable liquid forms a vapour upon storage, the puck-shaped body forms a vapour chamber such that the stored vapour is available for direct administration to a patient when the receptacle lid is opened.
Upon opening the receptacle lid, an air/vapour pathway is provided through the vapour chamber via the at least one air inlet opening and at least one vapour inhalation opening for direct patient administration. The disclosed embodiments include a receptacle lid that may provide an integrally formed mouthpiece and may enable controlled delivery by opening and aligning openings, while maintaining vapour availability formed during storage.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covered by the provided materials is clm-00001, defining the overall inhaler device architecture and the storage-to-delivery vapour chamber mechanism. The listed dependent claims refine the device with additional structural and functional limitations, including methoxyflurane delivery, an integrally formed mouthpiece, adjustable alignment of openings, a polypropylene wicking felt support material, and internal lining or coating material selections.
Puck-shaped body with pre-loaded passive evaporation support
The puck-shaped body comprises a receptacle comprising a passive evaporation support material pre-loaded with the inhalable liquid.
Closed lid forms vapour chamber for stored vapour availability
The at least one air inlet opening and at least one vapour inhalation opening are in a closed position when the receptacle lid is closed, and as the inhalable liquid forms a vapour upon storage, the puck-shaped body forms a vapour chamber such that the stored vapour is available for direct administration when the receptacle lid is opened.
Air/vapour pathway through vapour chamber upon lid opening
When the receptacle lid is opened, the device provides an air/vapour pathway through the vapour chamber via the at least one air inlet and at least one vapour inhalation openings for direct administration to a patient.
Methoxyflurane delivery dose below 15 mL
The inhaler device delivers methoxyflurane to a patient in a delivery dose of less than 15 mL.
Integrally formed mouthpiece in receptacle lid
The receptacle lid has an integrally formed mouthpiece that delivers vapour through at least one vapour inhalation opening.
Adjustable alignment of lid and receptacle openings
Air inlet and vapour inhalation openings are formed in both the receptacle lid and the receptacle, and adjustably opening the lid by partially or fully aligning the lid openings with receptacle openings controls the air flow pathway to deliver vapour to a patient during inhalation.
Polypropylene wicking felt as passive evaporation support
The passive evaporation support material is a polypropylene wicking felt.
Internal lining or coating material selections for inhaler device
The inhaler device is manufactured from one or more polymers and has an internal lining or coating made from specified polymer and coating materials, including homopolymers, heteropolymers, polymer composites, and various oxide, resin, lacquer, and enamel materials.
Overall, the claim coverage is centered on a puck-shaped inhaler that uses a receptacle with a passive evaporation support pre-loaded with an inhalable liquid, closed air inlet and vapour inhalation openings during lid-closed storage to form a vapour chamber, and an air/vapour pathway through the vapour chamber upon lid opening for direct patient administration.
Stated Advantages
Produces stored vapour that is available for direct administration to a patient when the receptacle lid is opened.
Provides an air/vapour pathway through the vapour chamber via the at least one air inlet and at least one vapour inhalation opening for direct administration.
Prototype comparison indicates steadier, longer delivery at lower concentration versus the Green Whistle.
Documented Applications
Analgesic delivery using halogenated volatile liquids, including methoxyflurane, to a patient via an inhaler device.
Experimental comparison of methoxyflurane delivery versus the Green Whistle using a pulmonary waveform generator and a breath simulator.
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