Device for the inhalation of medicaments

A device for the inhalation of medicaments

הכשיר לשאיפת תרופות , t»

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The invention relates to devices for the inhalation of medicaments, which may be in the form of a solid powder or in the form of a liquid.

It is known that for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract, for example, bronchial asthma and rhinitis, powdered or liquid medicaments are used.

These medicaments may be applied by atomizing them with the aid of compressed air, hot steam or propellent gas, to give the medicament in aerosol form so that it can be inhaled. How10 ever, this method of application has the disadvantage that a substantial and variable part of the medicament does not enter the respiratory tract with the result that accurate dosing of the medicament is not possible. Furthermore, this method of application has the disadvantage that a considerable amount of the medicament passes into the gastrointestinal tract, where it is absorbed and may then cause undesired side effects. Also, because of the use of a propellent gas, the organism is burdened with an additional substance. In order to avoid this there have been developed devices for the inhalation of powdered medicaments, wherein the powdered medicament is atomized only when the patient inhales air through the apparatus containing the medicament (see Belgian Patent Specification No. 804»645 and U.S. Patent Specification 3,795»244).

These known devices have moving, generally propeller-like, parts driven by the respiratory air being inhaled, which cause atomization of the powdered medicament, With the use of these devices it is possible to cause a large proportion of the .' - 2 powdered medicament to enter the respiratory tract. However, these known devices have disadvantages.

As a considerable amount of the air inhaled serves to operate the parts of the device that effect atomization, it is necessary for the patient to inhale very strongly, which often causes considerable discomfort.

Furthermore, the adhesion of a part of the powdered medicament during inhalation to the movable parts of the device cannot be avoided, so that accurate dosing of the medicament

10. is difficult.

Furthermore, the manufacture of devices provided with movable parts is relatively expensive and this is an important consideration having regard to the large number of sufferers from diseases of the respiratory tract.

Finally, the known devices have the disadvantage that there can only bo used in them powdered medicaments contained in perforated capsules and that with these devices an adequate dispersion of the medicament is ensured only when it has a sufficiently large particle size.

These known devices aro not suitable for the inhalation of powdered mioroaised or liquid medicaments.

The present invention provides a device for the inhalation of medicaments, which is characterised by a housing shaped like a venturi tube and provided with an inhalation aid and a con25 tainer to receive the medicament and of which the opening for discharge of the mediaament terminates in front of the diffuser portion of the housing shaped like a venturi tube.

The term inhalation aid is used throughout the specification to mean means for providing coimunicationbetweaithe interior of the venturi-shaped portion and the bronchial tract of the user. Usually, it will comprise means which can be inserted into one or both of the nasal cavities of the user or into the mouth of the user.

The invention also provides a device for the Inhalation of medicaments, which comprises a portion which is open at both, ends and of which the interioris generally venturi-shaped, an inhalation aid in communication with one end of the generally venturi-shaped portion, and means for introducing a solid medicament in powder form or a liquid medicament into the said portion and/or for locating a solid medicament in powder form at or a liquid medicament, in the said portion/or just upstream of the throat or constriction of the said portion so that, when air is caused to flow through the venturi-shaped portion by inhalation, the medicament so introduced and/or located becomes entrained in the air stream.

The expressions generally venturi-shaped housing and housing shaped like a venturi tube are each used, throughout the specification to mean a housing that is so shaped that the air fl rnring through the housing has approximately the same flow pattern as is characteristic of a gas flowing in a venturi tube, at least to the extent that the velocity of air flowing through the housing is increased by reason of the air flowing through a throat portion or other constriction, and preferably also to the extent that there is good pressure recovery on the downstream side of the throat or constriction.

The venturi-like shape of the housing and the fact that the discharge opening of the medicament-receiving container is arranged in front of the diffuser portion of the housing tend to promote optimum dispersion for the purpose of inhalation and atomisation of the medicament.

The terms ’^,front and rear” are used throughout the specification to refer to parts of the device that, when the ! device is in use, are respectively further from and nearer to the user of the device.

The device of the invention not only enables medicaments of a certain particle size to be used, but also permits the use of powdered micronised or liquid medicaments.

Depending on the construction of the apparatus there may be used medicaments contained in capsules or those not contained in capsules.

The term medicament is used throughout the specification to mean a therapeutically active substance or a substance containing a therapeutically active ingredient.

Basically the housing of the device shaped like a venturi tube may consist of a chamber open at its front end, which is connected at its rear end with an annular or tube-shaped constrict! or!, which in turn is connected to an inhalation aid. In or directly beside the constriction is the opening of the container leading to the diffusing portion oi the housing.

The chamber open at its front end may have a cylindrical, ellipsoidal, spherical, pear-shaped or funnel-like form. It may have at its front end one or more openings which are so dimensioned that the total opening of the chamber has an area about 1 to 100 times as great as the smallest area of the hollow space of the constriction. The chamber itself advantageously has a maximum internal diameter that is 2 to 10 times as great as the smallest internal diameter of the constriction.

For producing a good flow pattern the chamber is advantageously so formed that it has in the direction of the con- ! striction a funnel-shaped form.

Tho annular or tube-shaped, constriction connected to the chamber preferably has a length of 1 mm to 20 mm and an internal diameter at its narrowest part of 1 mm to 5 mm.

The inhalation aid situated at the constriction may be tube-shaped or preferably widens like a funnel in the outward (that is to say forward) direction. When the apparatus of the invention is to be used for the application of a medicament into the nasal cavities, the inhalation aid preferably widens like a funnel in an outward direction and is provided with a preferably removable application tube bent upwardly, which has at its end an optionally removable conical enlargement, which has a shape suitable for nasal application.

When the apparatus of the invention is to be used for inhalation of a medicament through the mouth, the inhalation aid is advantageously so shaped as to widen like a funnel and then, to narrow towards the mouth like a truncated cone casing, and it is especially advantageous to flatten the upper and lower sides of the conical narrowing portion so that the inhalation aid hue an elliptical or quasi-rectangular opening, This special fci'n of the opening causes the user of the apparatus to push his tongue unconsciously under the inhalation aid, whereby good inhalation is promoted.

The container to receive the medicament may be provided with a dosing device, and so connected to the housing shaped • like a venturi tube that the discharge opening of the container or the dosing device terminates in front of the diffuser por- , ;

1Q tion of the housing shaped like a venturi tube. ;

Basically, it is possible for this apparatus to use a very wide variety of containers provided with a dosing device, when it is provided with a container-holder which is firmly connected : to the housing shaped like a venturi tube and 37hich has a dis- j charge opening that terminates in front of the diffuser portion;

of the housing formed like a venturi tube. The shape o! tne container-holder,- of the medicament holder and of the structural parts of the device for dosing, which together fora the con- tainer to receive tho medicament, is dependent inter alia on.

whether a powdered or a liquid medicament is to be applied by means of the device.!

Thus, the medicament container may be provided, for example, !

I with two to twenty-four dosing compartments, each of which can be supplied with a definite quantity of a powdered medicament, ;

and is movably mounted by means of the usual devices on a j medicament holder in such a manner that by moving the medicament container one of the dosing compartments is situated over the i

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Ill — - --’־*־ opening of the container holder, while the remaining dosing compartments are covered by the container holder or by a cover plate fixed to the container holder and provided with a perforation brought over the opening.

A preferred container to receive powdered medicament is, for example, constructed as follows* The medicament container is a cylindrical member, which has two to twenty-four cylindrical or cone-shaped perforations equally spaced, from the centre of the cylinder and. each serving as a dosage compartment, which !

perforations are arranged, preferably together with a discharge position on the cylinder, symmetrically about the centi'e of the cylinder. These dosing compartments are given an accurately defined capacity which is so chosen that it enables the desired individual doses of medicament to be administered. The container may be provided with, a rotatable cover disc having an opening that enables a dose of medicament to be discharged, since the opening is situated at the same distance from the centre of the cover disc as are the perforations from th© centre of the container. for this form of container and cover disc the container holder preferably has a cylindrical cavity, in which the container together with the cover disc can be rotatably inserted, and the cover disc and container holder are provided with means that enable the cover disc to engage in the cavity of t he container holder. A passage through the container holder leads to the interior of the housing formed like a venturi tube, which passage is so arranged that upon rotation of the medicament carrier it enables a dose of medicament to be discharged, since it is situated at the seme distance iron the centre of׳ the cavity as are the perforations from the centre of the container,

The device described serves to apply a definite number of individual doses of a powdered medicament. After application of the individual doses, the empty container must, if it is desired to administer further doses, be replaced by a new container charged with medicament. The device therefore enables those medicaments to be applied the use of which would be hazardous ’without accurate control of the quantity applied, ,

If the device of the invention is to serve also to enable the application of a larger number of individual doses of a powdered medicament without having to change the medicament container, the medicament container may be constructed in the form of a bottle or box.

The medicament container may be connected with the container holder, which is in turn arranged on the housing shaped like a venturi tube, the container holder or the medicament container being provided with a movable dosing plate containing 1 to 20 dosing compartments and a cover closing a part of the container opening, which are so constructed that by moving the dosing plate a dosing compartment can be brought over t he opening of the container holder and under the cover, while the remaining dosing compartments are shut off from tho container holder.

A possible form of the apparatus described may be constructed, for example, as follows, A box-shaped medicament container is closed at its lower side by a cover, which has an opening remote from the centre of the cover, A movable shaft passes through the centre of the medicament container, which shaft is provided with a hand-wheel and/or a stirrer, and is fixed to a dosing disc under the cover end which disc has 1 to 20 dosing compartments, which are at the same distance iron the centre of the dosing disc as is the opening of the cover plate from the centre of the latter.

A container holder connected to the housing shaped like a venturi tube and having a dice-shaped upper surface, has a discharge opening that is at the sane distance from the centre of tho disc as are the dosing compartments from the centre of the dosing disc. The container holder and/or the modicanent containor also has the usual annular or knob-shaped means, which enable the medicament container to be so mounted on the container holder that the dosing disc rests on the disc-shaped surface of tho holder and that the opening of the holder and the opening of the cover are displaced relatively to one another.

A further possible form of the device described may be constructcd, for example, as follows. A container holder connected to the housing shaped like a venturi tube has a disc-shaped up^or side having a pin fixed in the centre of the disc and remote from the discharge opening. On the pin is rotatably arranged a dosing disc provided with 1 to 20 dosing compartments, which are at the same distance from the centre of the disc as is the opening from the centre of the disc-shaped upper side of the container holder. The.dosing disc is provided with a holding ring, on which can be mounted the box-shaped medicament container. On the.pin is rigidly fixed a cover which is 60 constructed that it shuts off a dosing compartment above the opening from the contents of the medicament container.

The devices described may also be provided with a receiving plate 10aated in the constriction and arranged below the dis5 charge opening, which plate is so shaped that the medicament issuing from.''the opening is kept on the plate even when the device is held in an, inclined position and during inhalation undergoes on the receiving plate a pre-whirling motion before the subsequent after-whirling motion in the diffuser portion.

Tor this purpose the receiving plate lias a trough-shaped depress sion in the longitudinal direction of the plate and a front edge projecting above the surface of the plate that forms an angle of 30° to 120° with the underside of the plate.

In addition, the devices described may be provided with the 15 usual means that cause the container or the dosing plate upon rotation to notch or click into engagement when a dosing compartment is directly above the opening.

A device suitable for the application of liquid medicament may be constructed, for example, as follows. The housing shaped 20 like a vonturi tube is connected to a container holder, which has a cylindrical cavity serving as a dosing compartment and a tube-shaped opening serving for discharge, which projects into the cavity. By means of a holding device a bottle-shaped medicament container of elastic material can be mounted on the 25 holder, which container is closed by a plug through which extends a tubular opening that, when the container is mounted in position, projects into the cavity in the holder.

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On the other hand, the container to receive the medicament may ;?.100 be open at Loth ends, and be 50 arranged that the opening serving to discharge the container terminates directly in front of the diffuser portion of the housing shaped like a venturi tube.

This container may be tubular, funnel-shaped, spherical or pear-shaped and is provided at its two ends with on© or more openings, '?he interior of this member may be provided with stays, knobs or swellings which are especially advantageous when the device is to be used with medicaments contained in capsules.

The container for receiving the medicament may then be so arranged as to be between the chamber and the constriction and is connected directly with ths constriction.

When this container is to be used to receive medicament contained in capsules, it is advantageously so dimensioned that it lias an internal diameter 1.0 to 2.0 times as large as the capsule diameter said a length 0,6 to 1.2 times as great as .the length of the capsule to be inserted,

Furthermore, the container open at both ends serving to receive the medicament may also be so shaped, that it constitute a funnel to receive the medicament, which funnel is provided with a capillary-like outlet of which the opening terminates in or directly in front of the constriction.

The capillary-like outlet of this container advantageously has an internal opening of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. It may extend in a straight line, and the funnel (advantageously provided with a tubular front piece) is advantageously arranged in the middle of the chamber and is connected with the latter by stays.

On the other hand, the capillary-like outlet may be bent and the funnel fixed laterally to a chamber wall so that it projects from the exterior into the latter.

this type of container is advantageously so dimensioned that it is suitable for receiving a medicament capsule or is suitable fox receiving 1 mg to 1000 mg of powdered or liquid medicament.

The material of ^,which the device is made is of no importance with regard to its operation. It may be of glass, ceramic, synthetic plastics or metal. To ensure simple manufacture of the device, the device is preferably made of synthetic plastics material that is easy to work.

To enable patients to control the corpse of the inhalation it is advantageous to make the device of transparent, optionally lightly coloured, synthetic plastics material.

Ϊ0 prevent the device becoming electrostatically charged, the housing shaped like a venturi tube may, if desired, be promaterial vided with a conductive coating or made from a synthetic plastics/ !lined with a conductive implant.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the device in accordance with the.invention nay, if required, also be provided with means'that'facilitate the use of the device. Thus, there may be attached to the chamber of the housing shaped like a venturi tube, for example, means that enable inhalation to take place with the aid of compressed air, propellent gas or hot steam. On the other hand, the device may also be provided with needle- or knife-shaped members that are so airangod as to perforate a medicament capsule inserted in the device.

, A number of devices for the inhalation of medicament8 will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a first form of device;

Fig. 2 is a pion, view of the device shown. in Fig, 1 with a part of the device removed;

Fig. J is a section taken on the line I-I in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view of the underside of the part of the first fora of device removed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a part of the device shown in Fig. 1 on a larger scale than Figs. 1 to 4;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation, on the same scale as Fig. 5*

I r of the part of the device shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a second form of device;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, on the same scale as Figs. 1 to 4, of a third form of device with a part of tho device removed;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation, on the same scale as Fig. 8, 20 of the part of third form of the device removed in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, on tlie sane scale as Figs. 1 to 4, of a fourth form of device;

Fig. 11 is a plan view, on ths same scale as Fig. 10, of the fourth form of device with a part of the device removed.

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Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a fifth form of device;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal axial section taken through a sixth form of device;

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal axial section taken through a seventh form of device;

Fig. 15 is partly a longitudinal axial section taken through, and partly an exploded perspective view of, an eigth form of device; and

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal axial section taker! through a ninth form of device*

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, the first form of device comprises a housing 1 which is generally venturi-shaped and which is provided with an inhalation aid 2, a container holder 13 and a receiving plate 20, a dosing disc 17 and a medicament container 14, each of which is made of thermoplastic transparent, pale green, synthetic plastics materiel.

The housing 1 consists of two truncated conical casings connected together'at their narrower ends, which form a chamber 6 and a funnel-like enlargement 10, respectively. Formed by the namu ends of the chamber 6 and the funnel-like enlargement 10 is a constriction 7. On the outer end of the funnel-shaped enlargement 10 is an inhalation aid 2, which consists of a truncated conical casing 11, which is bounded on the upper side and the lower side by a segment—like cover plate 12, so that a quasi—rectangular mouth opening is formed. This has the advantage that tho user of the device unconsciously pushes his tongue under the inhalation aid 2, which tends to promote optimum inhalation.

In the horizontal plane of symmetry of the housing 1, there is provided a wedge-shaped receiving plate 20 (see Fig. 2) so arranged that it extends inlo the chamber 6 and terminates flush the with/side walls of the chamber. This receiving plate 20 lias, at its front edge an upwardly extending flange of which the front surface is inclined with respect to the underside of the plate at an angle within the range of from 50° to 120° (see Fig. 5) and has a longitudinally extending trough-like depressionformed in its (see Fig. 6) upper surface/ The construction of the receiving plate 20 selves two purposes. First, the upwardly extending flange at the front 20 of the plate/serves to prevent powdered medicament from falling off the plate in a forward direction during use. Secondly, the upwardly extending flange, with its inclined front surface, together with tho longitudinally extending trough-like depression in tho upper surface of the plate cause a preliminary whirling motion to be imparted to the powdered medicament during inhalation. This whirling motion precedes, and is in addition to, the whirling motion that is imparted to the powdered medicament as the result of the air flow pattern within the constriction 7 or what may be referred to as the diffuser portion of the generally venturi-shaped housing 1.

On the chamber 6 is mounted a container holder 15, which is so shaped as to lie flush on the upper half of the chamber 6 and which terminates at the top in a cyclinfiricul disc that is provided with an annular rim. In the container holder 15 is a vertical bore 5 of which the axis is spaced from the centre of the cylindrical disc, and which boro extends through the container 15 into tho chamber 6 and terminates directly in front of the constriction 7. Diametrically opposite to the bore 5 is a bore 21, which is also formed in the Container holder 13*

Mounted on the container holder 13 is a cylindrical . container 14 for the isedicament. The upper half of the container 14 is provided with an annular rim that has a fluted side edge* The medicament container 14 is recessed on its lower side to form a cylindricalcavity. In the recessed under surface are five conical bores 15 (see Pig. 3), which serve as dosing compartments and are arranged with their axes equidistant from the axis of the container 14 and equally spaced around that axis so that tney are 60° apart from one another. The distance separating .the axes of ., tho conical bore 15 from the axis of the container 14. is eoutu. to the distance separating the axis of the bore 5 from the axis of the container 14.

In the cavity of tho container 14 there is loosely located a dosing disc 17, which, has a bore of which the axis is the same distance from the axis of tho disc as the axes of tnc conical boros 15 are from the axis of the container 14 and of which the diameter is equal to the maximum diameter of eacn of ״he conical bores 15. The disc 17 also has a downwardly extending holding pin 22, which is situated diametrically opposite to the bore in the disc 17 and which is capable of entering the bore 21 in the container holder 13 to prevent the disc from rotating about its axis and to ensure tliat the bore in the disc remains in register with the bore 5 in tho container holder*

In operation, the container 14, provided with the dosing disc 17 and having in each of its five conical bores 15 charged with powdered medicament, is so inserted in the container holder that the holding pin 22 of the dosing .disc 17 engages in the bore 21. Then, by each rotation of the container 14 through an angle of 60° about its axis, the medicament contained in one of the conical bores 15 is discharged onto the receiving plate 20 and can be inhaled.

As an example of suitable dimensions for the first form of device, the linear dimensions of the device may.be one half of the dimensions shown in Pigs. 1 to 4 of the drawings. Thus, the diameter of tho constriction 7 nay be 4 nm. The mouth opening of the inhalation aid 2 may be 6 mm high and 20 mm long. The receiving plate/may be 17 mm long and have a thicJcnoss of 2 nm, and it nay extend a distance of 12 mm into P5 the clwmber 6. The angle of inclination of the front surface of the upstanding flong© at the front edge of the receiving plate 20 may be as shown in 1’ig. 5» fhc vertical bore 5 in the container holder 13 may have a diameter of 3.5 mm and the axis of that bore may be separated from the axis of the cylindrical 20 disc at the top of the container holder 13 by a distance of 6 mm. The diameter of each of the five conical bores 15 at the bottom face of tho container 14» that is to soy» the maximum diameter of each of these bores, will then (having regard to ' the diameter of the boro 5) be 3.5 mm and the height of each 25 of the ^r- ־l boros may bo 8 mm. iach of the conical bores 15 can then readily hold a quantity of powdered medicament having a bulk volume of 20 cm .

Referring to Fig. 7» the second form of devico consists of a generally venturi-shaped housing 1, which is provided with an inhalation aid 2, a container holder 13 and a receiving plate 20, and a container 3 provided with.a dosing device 4, which may be made of polycarbonate,

The housing 1, the inhalation aid 2 and the receiving plate 20 have the same shape and may have the same size as the corresponding parts of the first form of device,

The container holder 13 of the second form of device differs from that of the first form of device only in that the cylindrical disc has, instead of the annular rin, an annular recess and, instead of the bore 21, a central bore 23.

The container 3 provided with the dosing device 4 consists of the medicament container 14, a shaft 26 provided with a stirrer 24, a dosing plate 17, a hand-wheel 25» and a cover plate 18.

The medicament container 14 is a hollow cylinder closed, at the top and in the base Of which is a central bore. In this central bore is situated the shaft 20 on which there is provided a hand-wheel 25 and the stirrer 24 which is twisted in the shape of a screw, Beneath the stirrer is the cover plate 18 provided with a central bore and so located in the medicament container that the container has a ria extending downwardly beneath the cover plate. The cover plate 18 is also formed with a bore which is displaced from the centre of the cover plate. Closely 5 under the cover plate 18 there is fixed to the shaft 26 a dosing disc 17 that has two bores 15 which serve as dosing compartments and are arranged diametrically opposite to each other and at the same distance from the centre of the dosing disc.

The distance separating the axis of the eccentric bore 10 in the cover plate 18 from the centre of the cover plate is equal both to the distance separating the axis of the bore 5 from the centre of the cylindrical disc at the top of the container holder 13 and to the distance separating the axis of each of boros 15 from the centre of the dosing disc 17. Also the diameters 15 of the bore 5, the diameter of the eccentric bore in the cover plate IB and tho diameter of each of the bores 15 are equal to one another.

In operation, the container 3 charged with a powdered medicament is so located on the container holder 13 tnat the bore 20 in the cover plate 18 is located away from the discharge opening 5 of tho container holder 13. The interior of the container 3 is then not in communication with the bore or discharge opening 5 in the container holder 13. If now the hand-wheel 25 is rotated through an angle of 180°, just one of the two bores 15 must pass 25 through a position in which it is in register with the eccentric bore in the cover plate, so that it can be filled with powdered medicament from the container 3 and just one of the two bores 15 mist pass through a position in which it is in register with the bore 5 so that the contents of that bore 15 can be dis¢.¾--01 onto the receiving plate 20 wherein it can be inhaled, ^,׳.’hus, in general (that is to say, except initially ׳״hen a rota5 tion of more than 180° may be required to effect delivery of the first dose), rotation of the hand-wheel through an angle of 180^q causes a quantity of powdered medicament having a bulk volume equal to the volune of one of the bores 15 to be discharged onto the receiving plate 20.

The linear dimensions of the.second form of device may be one half of those shown in Fig. 7 and nay be the same ns those stated hereinbefore to be suitable for the corresponding parts of the first form of device. It then follows, for example, that each of the bores 15 will have a dieiiotcr of 3.5 rn and that the axis of each of those bores will be situated at a distance of 6 ma from the centre of the dosing disc 17. The thickness of the dosing disc 17 may be 2.6 an and the voluse of each x of the bores 15 is then almost exactly 25 mm.

Referring to Fig. 8, tho third form of device, which is intended for the administration of liquid medicaments, comprises a generally venturi-shaped housing 1 which is provided with an inhalation aid 2 and a container holder 13. Thio part of the device may; bo 111c.de of polycarbonate.

Tho housing 1 and tho adjoining inhalation aid 2 have the oame shape and may be of the same size as the corresponding.parts of tho first form of device.

The container holder 13 consists of a hollow cylinder 4>

which is covered by a portion that is co secured to tho housing! that the axis of the hollow cylinder is located below the constriction 7 of the housing •1. Through the base of the chamber 6 there passes a metal tube 5 which. is spaced from the axis of the hollow cylinder 4, which tube extends into tho hollow cylinder.

and is so Lent in the interior of the chamber that it extends through the constriction 7 and terminates behind the constriction 7.

?.eforring to Fig. 9! which shows a container J removed, from tho remainder of tho third form of 'device, the medicament ‘ container consists of’ a ;nedictaaent bottle 14 which may be made of polyethylene. In the neck of the ncdicnrient bottle 14 a plug 27 whic’i iaay ’00 made of polyethylene, is inserted so that it projects above the rim of tho bottle. 3paced from the axis of the. plug 27, a metal tube 28 extends through the plug and projects above th© plug. ׳, '

Above the.neck of tho bottle is mounted an annular holder 29 mad© of elastic synthetic plastics and provided with eight ; . r- .,י-^, .י«.*.^,'. ׳ «. .- .:־ Al*, ' יר :. י. ׳״.⁴ — ;,.י . «-. ״ ί *. t --0* ׳ t. 1:4 . -..״ - ״v ״ ןי,ג‘V’** *?.p&lt;

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”;׳. י - ?2 -י. יי. י*־. י־ י י longitudinally extending slots to confer the required flexibility on the holder and the resulting prongs have inwardly extending portions at their upper ends (see Pig. 9) for releasable engagementwith the shoulder formed at the top of the cylinder 4 (see Fig. 8).

In operation, the housing 1 is mounted on the upright container 3 by inserting the portion of the plug 27 that extends above the rim of the bottle 14 into the lower portion of the hollow cylinder 4. The upper portion of the hollow cylinder 4 io filled with liquid medicament by squeezing the medicament bottle 14. The medicament bottle 14 is then released and the medicament in the upper portion of the hollow cylinder can flow through the tube 5 and be inhaled. The hollow cylinder 4 thus acts, in conjunction with the tube 5, as a dosing device.

As an example of suitable dimensions for the third form of device, the linear dimensions of the device may be one half the linear dimensions shown in Figs. 8 and 9 Of the drawing. Thus, the hollow cylinder 4 may be 9 mm high and have an internal diameter of 12 tarn. The metal tube 5 may have an internal diameter of 1 its axis may be spaced a distance of 4 mm from the axis of the hollow cylinder 4, it may extend a distance of 3.5 mm into the hollow cylinder and it may terminate 1 mm behind the constriction 7. The medicament bottle 14 may have a capacity of 10 ml and the plug 27 may extend a distance of 5 מט above the rim of the bottle. The motal tube 28 may have an internal diameter of 1 mm said extend a distance of 3.5 מט above the top of the plug 27.

Referring to Pigs. 10 and 11, the fourth form of device, which is intended for nasal administration of a solid medicament in powder form, comprises a generally venturi-shaped housing 1, which is connected to an inhalation aid 2, a dosing device 4» and a medicament container 14» each of which may be made of a thermoplastic transparent synthetic plastics material.

The housing 1 is a tubular structure that is narrowed internally so that it has behind its front opening a constriction 7.

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An applicdor tube 8 connected to the rear end of the housing 1 is bent upwardly as shown in Fig. 10. The free end of the applicator tube 8 is chamfered and carries a removable conical cap 30 having a bore. On the housing 1 there is arranged by means of a base a disc-shaped support 1? of which the central axis is in front of the constriction 7. In the centre of the support 13 there is fixed rn upwardly extending pin 31. Spaced from its axis the support 15 has a bore 5 which terminates in the enlargement or rear portion 10 of the housing 1. Liamotrically opposite to the bore 5 there is in the support 13 a cavity 32 in which there is a spiral spring arranged to act in compression between the support and tho lower end of a stop pin 33. On the support 13 is rotatably mounted a dosing disc 17, which has the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11 (the medicament container having been removed in Fig. 11) and has a central bore and also three bores 15, which serve as dosing compartments and are displaced 120° apart from one another about the axis of the disc-1. The diameter of each of the three bores 15 is equal to the diameter of the bore 5 and the axis of each of the three boros 15 is spaced from tho axis of the dosing disc 17 by a distance ecu.al to the. distance separating the axis of the -5 »סט from the axis of the support 13. ^{Cn tke} underside of the dosing disc 17 there are arranged three hemispherical depressions 34 each of which is spaced from the centre of the disc and in each of which the stop pin 3J cab releasably engage. Each of the degressions 34 is situated diametrically opposite to a different one of the bores 15. It f011037s that, when the stop pin is engaged in one of the depressions 34, the bore 15 that is diametrically opposite to that depression is in register with the bore 5 so that the contents of that bore 15 can be discharged through the bore 5 into the housing 1 ready for inhalation.

!mediately above the dosing disc 17 there is arranged a sector-like cover plate 18 (see Fig. 11) which is fixed to the and covers pin 31, which, extends up through the cover plate 18/any 01' the bores 15 that is in the vicinity cf the bore 5. Accordingly, the bore 15 can fill with medicament from the container 14 only when they axe angularly spaced from the bore 5״

She medicament container 14 itself is a box-shaped member which can be mounted on the dosing disc 17. The device serves for inhaling a given bulk volume of a powdered medicament each time.

As an example of suitable dimensions for the fourth fora of device, the linear dimensions of the device may be one half the linear dimensions shown in Figo. 10 and 11. Thus, the front opening of the housing 1 may be separated from tne constriction 7 by a distance of 22 mm and the constr.:.ctj.on 7 may have a diamotex ' of 2 ma. The central axis of the support 13 may be situated 4 mm in front Of the constriction 7. The boro 5 may be 3.5 mm in diameter and its axis may be spaced a distance of 6 mm .from the axle of the support 1?. The centre of each of the three hemispherical depressions 34 may be spaced a distance of 9 mm from the centre of ί th© dosing disc 17. The thickness of the dosing disc may be such ;

׳ ί that tiie bulk volume of powdered medicament in each dose is 20 mnr. i

Referring to Fig, 12, the fifth form of device, which is.

intended for oral administration of asolid medicament in powderj form, comprises a venturi-like housing 1, an inhalation aid 2 andj a receiving plate 20, all as described in connection with the firstj form of device. The device also comprises a container holder 13! f 10 a dosing device 4 and a medicament container as described inן connection with the fourth ‘form of device. T?1e use of the other ' ' 4 . f ' -1 reference numerals in Fig. 12 corresponds to the use of the same j reference numerals in Figs. 1 to 6! 10 and 11, and the dimensions:

stated to be suitable for tho first and fourth forms of the device.

are also suitable for the fifth form of the device,l.

Referring to Fig. 13, the sixth form of device, which is intended for oral administration of a solid medicament in the form of a power contained in a capsule, is in the form of a transparent glass tube.

2q Tho glass tube is shaped to form a generally venturi-shaped housing which is indicated genei’ally by the reference numeral 1, i and an inhalation aid 2. The central portion of the tube is of both reduced diameter and foras/the constriction 7 af the venturi and a tubular container 3, situated immediately in front of the constriction, for locating a capsule of a solid !;odicament in powder form. At the back of tho device, the outwardly flared portion 10 of the venturi-shaped housing 1 and the inhalation aid 2 together form a generally spherical chamber leading to a short almost cylindrical mouthpiece. At the front of the device there is a paar-shapod chamber 6. The part of the glass tube that forms the container 3 has three -annular ridges on its rear surface (which correspond to annular recesses on its outer surface, the wall of the tube being of substantially uniform thickness) to hold a capsule.

In operation, a capsule containing the powdered medicament to be inhaled is inserted in the container 3 and perforated so that the contents of the capsule- are drawn into the air stream ' through the device during inhalation.

As an example of suitable dimensions for the sixth form of device, the overall length of the device may be 90 mm. fne generallj׳ spherical chamber forced by the outwardly flared portion and the inhalation aid 2 may have a maximum internal diameter of 25 rmi and the diameter of the opening at the back a&amp;y be ra, The constriction 7 may have an internal diameter of 6 am and a length of 20 mm. The pear-shaped chamber 6 may have a length of 40 mm and a maximum internal diameter (in a direction perpendicular to the axio of the device) of 25 mm. The device is suitable for use with a capsule having an external diameter of 6 nrn and a length of 18 mm.

If desired, the sixth form of device may be modified tc provide it with an inhalation aid similar to that of the first form of device described with ί-oferenoo to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings or with an inhalation aid similar to that of the fourth form of device described with reference to Figs. 10 and of the drawings.

lieferring to Fig. 14 of the drawings, the seventh form of device, which is intended for use with a powdered or a liquid nediccu_ent that is contained in a storage vessel provided with a dcsing device, is made of glass and comprises a generally venturi-shaped housing, which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The housing 1 consists of a back funnelshaped portion which serves as part of the venturi and as an inhalation aid 2, and also a front funnel-shaped portion 6. ).‘here the two funnel-shaped portions 2 and 6 meet, there is formed a constriction 7.

1q A glass tube is provided and this constitutes a container to receive the medicament. Over a part of its length, the tube 3 is of constant diameter, but the remainder of tho tube is narrowed in a funnel-like manner and drawn out to form a capillary having a reduced internal diameter.

!5 The latter part of the tube is curved and. turns through a total angle of about 60°. Tho curved part of the tube 3 passes through an Opening in the housing 1 and has been fused to the housing around tho opening to form a seal. The free end part of the tube is coaxial with the constriction 7«

An an example of suitable dimensions for the seventh form of device, the back funnel-shaped portion, which serves as part of the venturi and as the inhalation aid 2, may have a י. eng th of 25 mm and a maximum internal diameter of 25 am. The front funnel-shaped portion 6 may have a length of 35 בעז and a maximum ' internal diameter of 58 mm, The constriction may have a minimum internal diameter of 5 mm. That part of the tube 3 that is of constant, and larger, diameter nay have an internal diameter of 6 חת and. a length of 13 and the part of the tube that is dra׳.;n out to form a capillary nay have an internal diameter of 1 mm and a length of 25'ימם

If desired, the seventh form of device nay be modified to provide it with an inhalation aid similar to that of the first form of device described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings or with an inhalation aid similar to that of the fourth form of device described 1/ith reference to Figs. 10 and 11 Cu the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 15 of the accompanying drawings, the eighth fona of device,which is intended for use with a solid medicameat in powder form contained in a perforated capsule and which may be made of Plexiglas, comprises a goner ally venturishaped housing, which is inaico-tso. generally by tne roivr^nce rubral 1. Tse housing 1 includes a funnel-shaped portion which serves to form both part of a venturi and an inhalation aid 2. xho funnel-shaped portion is integral with a roughly tubular constriction,7.

Ths constriction 7 io in turn integral with a pear-shaped chamber 6. At its front end, the chamber 6 has a circular opening, which is interrupted by two stays 9 extending towards each other ayiinetrically with respect to tho centre of ths opening. To the stays 9 is fixed a tubular container 3 which serves to receive the i.iodicament and which is coaxial with the housing 1. towards its rear end, tho container 3 io formed with a runnel-shaped constriction that leads to a capillary which extends into the . middle of tho constriction 7.

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In operation, a capsule is inserted in the container 3 and perforated, and the contents of the capsule are caused to flow through the capillary'during inhalation.

As an example of suitable dimensions for the eighthform of device, the funnel-shaped portion may have a length of 20 m and a maximum internal diameter of 13 min. The constriction 7 may have a length of 4 ram and an internal diameter of 4 im. The pear-shaped chamber 6 may have a length of >0 mm and a maximum internal diameter of 25 mra, The circular opening at the front end of the pear-shaped chamber 6 may have a diameter of 23 mm. The tubular container 3 may have a length of 41 mm and an internal diameter of 6 m. The capillary may have an internal diameter of 1 am. The device is then suitable for use with a perforated capsule having a length of 18 mai and a diameter of 6

Referring to Fig. IS of the drawings, the ninth form of device, ^,.bich is intended for use with a medicament contained in a capsule and which may be made of polyvinyl chloride, comprises a tube 16. Situated within, and towards one end of, the tube 16, there is a cylindrical member 35 which is formed with an axial passage of varving diameter. Starting from tne outer end of the member 35, the diameter of the passage first diminishes to form a frusto-conical or funnel-snaped. portion, then remains constant to form a throat or constriction, then increases to form another, short frusto-conical or funnel-shaped portion and .fו n-71 by remains constant to form a cylindrical capsule-receiving portion. Thus, the member 35 can be regarded as constituting a generally venturi-shaped housing. Also situated within the tube 16 is a short hollow member 36 which has a cylindrical extension, but a 1’rusto-conical interior, and is open at both ends. The member 36 is situated close to the inner end of the member 35 and its minimums internal diameter, which is reached at the end of the member 36 that is adjacent to the end of the member 35» is slightly smaller than the diameter of the capsule-receiving portion of the passage in the member 35. Accordingly, the member 36 can serve to retain a capsule in the aforesaid capsule-receiving portion.

After insertion of a medicament-containing capsule into the aforesaid capsule-retaining portion, the tube 16 is closed at its end by two plugs, to each of which there is fixed a pin 37 which extends coaxially within the tube 16. The length of the pine 31 are such that, when the plugs to which they are fixed are inserted into the end portions of the tube 16, the pins perforate the capsule.

Zifter removing the two plugs, the medicament in the capsule can be inhaled through the constriction and tho outer end portion of the passage in the member 35. After use, the device is discarded.

As an example of suitable dimensions for the ninth form of device, the tube 16 may have a length of 60 mm, an external diameter of 21 mm and an internal diameter of 19 mm. Ths member 35 may be situated fit a distance of 25 מט from one end of the tube 16 and may itself have a length of 25 ran. The capsulereceiving portion of the passage in the member 35 may be 13 ran long and 8 mm in diameter, and the throat or constriction may have

״ 32 ο &amp; diameter of 4 mm. Each of the pins 37 may have a diameter of 2 גז□. i'ho device is then suitable for use with a capsule having a diameter of 6 mm. *