Receptacles to facilitate the extraction of powders

DESCRIPTION

RECEPTACLES FOR EASY POST EXTRACTION

The present invention generally relates to techniques for extracting powdered medicaments from receptacles during the aerosol production process.

One promising way of administering various drugs to a patient is pulmonary delivery through which a patient inhales a dispersion or aerosol drug to enable the active drug incorporated into the dispersion to reach the distal or alveolar regions of the lung. Pulmonary drug administration has been especially promising because it has been observed that some drugs are readily absorbed in the period of copulation with the blood. For example, pulmonary administration may be a useful method for proteins and polypeptides that are difficult to administer by other routes of administration.

In the pulmonary administration of drugs, various techniques have been used including liquid nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, and the like. Dry powder dispersing devices, which are capable of aerosolizing powdered patient inhalation drugs, are of particular interest to the present invention. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,458,135, 5,775,320,

740 794, 5,785,049, 6,089,228, and 6,257,233, disclose exemplary apparatus for aerosolizing powder medicaments.

U.S. Patent No. 5,239,991 discloses an inhalation drug delivery device consisting of a receptacle according to the pre-characterization content of appended claim 1.

At least some of the apparatuses described in the above references use a high pressure gaseous stream to draw dust into the extraction tube where it is degassed, dragged by the high pressure gaseous stream, and exits as a suitable inhalation aerosol . In some cases, such apparatus may utilize a receptacle having a penetrable lid. The extraction tube is inserted through the cap and a vent is also formed therein. Then the high pressure gas stream draws air into the receptacle and the extraction tube. When combined with the high pressure gaseous stream the air drawn into the receptacle extracts the dust to form the aerosol.

The present invention relates to alternative processes of extracting powders from the receptacles containing them. The present invention also relates to the design of such receptacles to facilitate dust removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a receptacle for storing fine powders as defined in claim 1, which information will be transmitted below. Embodiments of this aspect of the present invention are defined in the appended dependent claims 2 to 5, which information will be given below.

This configuration is advantageous in that it allows circulating air to remain adjacent to the interior wall of the cavity until it is drawn into the extraction tube. Thus, a laminar air flow is generally established in the cavity walls until the extraction tube is reached to provide a shear stress on the walls. In this way, the air flow acts as a mop capable of removing dust from the walls from which it can be drawn into the extraction tube.

In one embodiment, the curved inner wall in association with the raised central region forms a generally semitoroidal geometry in the cavity. With such a configuration, when air is drawn into the cavity, it adheres to the walls and circulates smoothly along the raised central region and within the extraction tube. Alternatively, the walls may bend to form a loop configuration. Where appropriate, a portion of the lower end of the receptacle may be flat in geometric shape to facilitate the necessary support of the receptacle on a flat surface and accurate vertical positioning thereof. In another embodiment, the receptacle body may comprise a pair of opposing curved walls and a pair of generally flat opposing walls that at least partially form the cavity. Where convenient, the receptacle body may further include a tongue extending beyond the cavity to facilitate handling of the receptacle, for example, as when inserting the receptacle into an aerosol generating device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is a method for aerosolizing powdered medicaments as defined in appended claim 6, which information will be transmitted below. Embodiments of this aspect of the present invention are defined in the appended dependent claims 7 to 14, which will be transmitted below. The gaseous stream that causes the dispersion of the powder in aerosol form is not produced by the patient.

The use of the raised central region is advantageous in that it forms channels of or causing air to converge towards the extraction tube to prevent dust from remaining in the center of the cavity.

In one embodiment, the receptacle has one or more curved interior walls. In this way, air circulates along the wall fundamentally along the entire length of the cavity to essentially remove all dust from the receptacle. By providing a wall with a continuous curvature, the amount of movement of the circulating air is altered which causes the air flow to remain adjacent to the wall, causing dust adjacent to the wall to be drawn into the extraction tube.

In another embodiment, the air drawn in by the gas stream circulates through a progressively smaller circulation area. In this process air is accelerated as it circulates through the receptacle and the extraction tube to further assist in effectively removing all dust from the receptacle.

In yet another embodiment, a hole is drilled in the upper end of the receptacle to allow insertion of the extraction tube into the cavity through said hole in the upper end. In one option, the gaseous stream may be introduced into the extraction tube at a position separate from the lower end of that extraction tube. The gaseous stream may further be introduced at an acute angle to the central axis of the extraction tube. In this process, the circulation area in the receptacle and the extraction tube can be controlled to accelerate air through the receptacle. Alternatively, an orifice may be formed in the lower end of the receptacle body, and the gaseous stream may circulate through the orifice in the lower end and thereafter through the extraction tube, and air from the outside is drawn into the cavity through one or more vents to move dust into the extraction tube. In another embodiment, a circulation support device may be provided to control the positioning of the extraction tube relative to the receptacle. In this process, the circulation area through the receptacle and the extraction tube may be controlled to accelerate air in the receptacle.

To produce a high pressure gaseous stream which is used to extract dust from the receptacle, an amount of gas, preferably pressurized, is released.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for aerosolizing a powdered medicament as defined in appended claim 15, which information will be transmitted below. Embodiments of this aspect of the present invention are defined in the appended dependent claims 16 to 18, which will also be transmitted below.

The system may further include a pressure source for producing a high pressure gas stream within at least a portion of the extraction tube. In this process, air may be drawn through the vents to move the dust from the cavity into the extraction tube where the dust is entrained by the gaseous stream to form an aerosol.

In one embodiment, a circulation support device may be provided for controlling the positioning of the extraction tube relative to the receptacle. In addition, a circulation support device in association with the vents and the extraction tube may be used to accelerate air circulation through the receptacle. For example, respirators may be configured to form a first circulation area, and a space between the extraction tube and the lower end of the receptacle may define a second circulation area. A cross section of the extraction tube may define a third circulation area. In this process, the bracket may be configured to move the receptacle relative to the lower end of the extraction tube, or vice versa.

<td>such that</td><td>first</td><td>area</td><td>in</td><td colspan="2">circulation is very</td><td>bigger</td><td>of</td>

<td>that the second</td><td>area</td><td colspan="3">circulation, and</td><td>the second</td><td>area</td><td>in</td>

<td>circulation is</td><td colspan="2">much bigger</td><td>of</td><td>that</td><td>third</td><td>area</td><td>in</td>

<td>circulation.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Still in</td><td>another</td><td>form</td><td>in</td><td>realiz</td><td>action may</td><td colspan="2">preform</td>

curved tongues or blades are formed at the upper end of the receptacle body to create a vortex within the cavity as air circulates therein. In this process, the removal of basically all dust from the receptacle is facilitated. In another aspect, a portion of the lower end of the receptacle may, in geometric shape, be flat to facilitate its arrangement on the support.

In another alternative embodiment, the receptacle may have a central orifice and vents around the periphery of the cavity. A removable lid can be attached to the upper end of the receptacle. In this process, after insertion of the receptacle into the aerosol producing apparatus, the receptacle cap may be removed to allow insertion of the extraction tube into the central orifice and expose the vents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a receptacle for packaging a powder according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side section of the receptacle of Fig. 1 taken along lines 2-2.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle of Fig. 1 showing vents formed at the upper end and the extraction tube inserted into the upper end in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of an exemplary method for extracting powders from the receptacle of Fig. 3 according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a partial top view of another example of a receptacle with curved tongues or blades for producing a vortex in the receptacle when extracting dust according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a partial side view of one of the receptacle tabs of Fig. 5.

<td></td><td>THE</td><td>Fig. 7</td><td colspan="3">represents a top view in a way</td><td>in</td>

<td colspan="2">performs</td><td colspan="2">: alternative installation of a receptacle</td><td>in</td><td>a deal with</td><td>The</td>

<td colspan="3">present invention</td><td>:to.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>THE</td><td>Fig. 8A</td><td>represents a side cut</td><td>of</td><td>receptacle</td><td>gives</td>

<td>Fig.</td><td> 7</td><td>captured</td><td>along AA lines.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>THE</td><td>Fig 8B</td><td>represents a side cut</td><td>of</td><td>receptacle</td><td>gives</td>

<td>Fig.</td><td> 7</td><td>captured</td><td>along the BB lines.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>THE</td><td>Fig. 9</td><td>represents a view in</td><td colspan="2">perspective of</td><td>one</td>

receptacle into which an extraction tube is inserted, and illustrates the various circulation areas through which air circulates when dust is extracted from that receptacle.

Fig. 10 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of an aerosol-producing device that can be used to disperse an aerosolized powder.

Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of a receptacle and an extraction tube and illustrates an alternative technique for extracting dust.

Fig. 12 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of an aerosol generating device.

Fig. 13 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of a receptacle with a removable lid.

Fig. 14 is a side section of the receptacle of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a schematic side view of an aerosol-producing device acting through breathing.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides exemplary techniques and equipment for extracting the dust contained in the receptacle, especially in a hermetically sealed cavity. In one aspect, a high pressure gaseous stream drags the extracted powder to disperse it as an aerosol so that the patient can properly inhale it. Of course, the present invention can be used with any type of receptacle within which the powder is hermetically sealed. Simply by way of example, one type of receptacles which may be used in the present invention are presented as very affordable blister packs. Examples of other types of receptacles are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,740,794. However, it is understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to such specific types of receptacles.

The powders according to the present invention may be extracted by creating an opening or an access way into the receptacle and then circulating air or other gases in the receptacle to move the dust outwardly through the access way. . To facilitate air circulation through the receptacle, one or more respirators may also be readily created in this receptacle. An exemplary way to draw air from the receptacle is through the extraction tube which is inserted into the cavity. A high pressure gaseous stream is flowed through at least a portion of the extraction tube to cause air to be drawn from the receptacle into the lower end of the extraction tube where dust is entrained by the high pressure gas stream to form an aerosol. U.S. Patent No. 5,740,794 describes examples of techniques using one of these extraction tubes. In addition, to induce air aspiration through the receptacle, various techniques for generating the gas stream under pressure may be employed. For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,740,794, 6,089,228, and 6,257,233 describe various techniques for producing the gas stream under high pressure. The gases that can be used to produce the gas stream include air, C0₂, HFCs, CFCs, and the like.

To draw air from the receptacle and into the lower end of the extraction pipe, the high pressure gaseous stream may be introduced into the extraction pipe in a separate position from the lower end of the extraction pipe. For example, the high pressure gaseous stream may enter the extraction tube at an acute angle as generally described in U.S. Patent No. 5,740,794. Alternatively, a hole may be formed in the lower end of the receptacle together with one or more breathers, and thus the extraction tube inserted in the upper end of the receptacle is generally aligned with the orifice. Thereafter, the high pressure gaseous stream may flow through the orifice and into the extraction tube to induce suction air through the vents, into the receptacle and into the lower end of the extraction tube.

To facilitate dust extraction using circulating air through the receptacle, various schemes may be used, individually or in combination. For example, to evenly scrub the side surfaces of the cavity, one technique applies the use of air or other gases. More specifically, air may circulate adjacent the inner wall or walls (s) until it exits the receptacle through the extraction tube. In this process, a shearing effort is provided essentially along the entire inner wall to assist in the removal of any dust that adheres to that wall so that it can move within the extraction tube. The walls may be constructed of various geometric shapes to facilitate laminar flow therethrough so that such flow does not separate from the walls when circulating in the receptacle. In this process, uniform scrubbing of the walls is provided. Simply by way of example, a suitable aspect of the shape of the walls is to prepare them with a degree of curvature so that they continuously bend to the extraction tube. Such a continuous curved surface allows laminar flow essentially along the total wall surface and up to the extraction tube. The curvature of the walls also tends to induce instabilities that manifest as a large number of counter-rotation vortices, sometimes called Taylor-Goertler vortices, having axes of rotation locally parallel to the curved walls. These vortices are used to scrub dust from the walls. Conveniently, the receptacle includes a raised region at its center such that the walls incline to the extraction tube. In this process, no dead space is provided in the middle of the receptacle and the flow remains adjacent to the walls until it exits the extraction tube.

<td>An</td><td>another technique</td><td>to facilitate removal of the</td><td>powder</td>

<td>It consists</td><td>in accelerating the</td><td>airflow into the receptacle.</td><td>a</td>

<td>process</td><td>convenient for</td><td>accelerate air flow consists of</td><td>in</td>

progressively reduce the area through which air passes when circulating in the receptacle and out of the extraction tube. Progressively reducing the circulation area accelerates air as it circulates in the receptacle and inside the extraction tube.

Yet another technique for facilitating dust removal is to vortex the cavity to allow air to sweep the side surfaces of the receptacle as it rotates around the cavity and into the extraction tube. To initiate the vortex when drawing air into the receptacle, it is convenient to form curved ends, tongues or blades at the upper end of that receptacle.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the receptacles may be constructed to have preformed holes and / or vents. In this process, the upper surface of the receptacle does not need to be punctured when the extraction tube is inserted or the vents fail. Conveniently, a removable lid may be placed over the end of the receptacle. After insertion into the aerosol dispenser, the receptacle lid can be removed to expose the nozzles and / or vents. Thereafter, the extraction tube may be inserted into the receptacle and the powder extracted as described herein.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a receptacle 10 will be described. A receptacle 10 comprises a receptacle body 12 with an upper end 14 and a lower end 16 (see Fig. 2). Conveniently, to facilitate handling of the receptacle 10, a tongue 18 may be provided. The receptacle body 12 defines a cavity 20 into which a powder is hermetically packed. Suitably, the receptacle body 12 may naturally be constructed of any type of material that is compatible with the powder packaged in cavity 20. Examples of materials which may be used include metals such as aluminum, compounds, plastics and the like. A useful process for constructing a receptacle 10 is to provide a thin strip of a metal or compound and to form the cavity 20 then by compression using a die. Another thin metal strip can then be attached to the cavity for wrapping and sealing, using ultrasonic welding or heat sealing for the two metal strips to adhere to each other. However, it is understood that to construct receptacle 10 other techniques and materials may be used. In addition, a series of receptacles can be molded into a single production line for multiple dose aerosol delivery devices.

strip where you graduated to conveniently you can

The cavity 20 has a circularly circumferential outer peripheral region 22 and is comprised of an always curved wall 24 which forms an elevated central region 26 at or near the center of the receptacle. In this process, a semitoroidal interior is usually formed.

Referring now to Fig. 3, an extraction tube 28 is inserted into the cavity 20. The extraction tube 28 has a lower end 30 which generally when inserted into the receptacle 10 is aligned with a raised central region 26. Conveniently , the lower end 30 of the extraction tube 28 may include a pointed end to facilitate its entry into the cavity 20. Alternatively, a pre-orifice 14 may be created.

-formed at the upper end 14 to allow the extraction tube 28 to enter the cavity 20. The lower end 30 is positioned separate from the lower end 16 of the cavity 20. In this process, a space is provided between the end lower end 30 and lower end 16 to allow air to circulate in that space. Also depicted in Fig. 3 are a large number of vents 32 that form around the periphery 22. In one aspect, such vents 32 may be formed such that they are positioned close to each other in an attempt to form a ring around peripheral zone 22. In this process, air may be introduced into cavity 20 essentially around the whole periphery 22.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a technique for extracting powders from the receptacle 10 will be described using an extraction tube 28. Near the part of the extraction tube 28 at a location above the lower end 30, as generally described in FIG. U.S. Patent No. 5,740,794, a high pressure gas stream is flowed (not shown). This causes air to be drawn into the receptacle 10 by the vents 32 as illustrated by the arrows. Air circulates in the cavity 20 until it enters the lower end 30 where it proceeds through the extraction tube 28. Finally, the air containing the dust joins the high pressure gaseous stream that deagglomerates the dust and drags it into an aerosol.

As shown in Fig. 4, wall 24 has a continuous curvature such that air circulating in cavity 20 generally remains adjacent to that wall 24 by means of a laminar flow. In this process, a shear effort is created essentially along the entire wall 24 to remove any dust that has adhered to the wall surface 24. In addition, the central region 26 directs the air to the lower end 30 so that essentially no dead space exists in the cavity 20. Thus, all dust is actually drawn into the extraction tube 30. It will be appreciated that the size of the cavity 20 as well as the degree of curvature of the wall 24 may vary depending upon a large number of aspects including, for example, the volume and velocity of air circulating in the cavity 20, the amount and the type of powder packaged in the same cavity 20, and the like.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, another example of a receptacle will be described. A receptacle 34 comprises a receptacle body 36 that forms a cavity 38 (represented by the imagery). Cavity 38 has a generally circular outer peripheral region 40 and may optionally include a raised central region as described in association with other embodiments. Formed at the upper end 42 of the housing body 36 there are a large number of vents 44. At the upper end 42 a central hole 46 is also formed which is configured to receive an extraction tube. Thus, air can be drawn through the vents 44 into the cavity 38 and the extraction tube from the receptacle in a similar manner as previously described for other embodiments.

One aspect of receptacle 34 is that it includes curved blades 48 in each of the vents 44. As best shown in Fig. 6, blades 48 extend into cavity 38 to thereby produce a vortex within cavity 38 when air is drawn through the vents 44. This is generally illustrated by the arrows in Fig. 5. By creating a vortex within cavity 38, circulating air is dispersed around the interior walls defining cavity 38 to aid in the removal of dust adhering to the walls. Favorably, the vortex causes air acceleration to further assist in removing dust from the receptacle. In addition, large dust agglomerates can be trapped within the vortex 38 and thrown radially outward due to the centripetal acceleration coinciding with their larger mass compared to that of the smallest dust particles. Thus, statistically, the largest clusters are most likely to affect the pipe surface to induce dislomeration.

Figs 7, 8A and 8B illustrate another embodiment of a receptacle 50. A receptacle 50 comprises a receptacle body 52 having an upper end 54, a lower end 56 and a tongue 58. A receptacle body 52 defines a cavity 60 into which a powder is packed. Cavity 60 is defined by two sidewalls 62 and two outerwalls 64 to form an arcuate configuration. A raised central region 66 extends into cavity 60 in a similar manner to raised central region 26 of receptacle 10.

For extracting dust from a receptacle 50, an extraction tube (not shown) may be inserted through an upper end 54 and aligned over the raised center region 66 in a similar manner to that described above with respect to receptacle 10. Vents may then be formed at the upper end 54 adjacent the curved walls 64. According to this process, the air will be drawn through the vents and next to the curved wall 64 where the air will converge using the raised central region 66 into the lower end of the extraction tube. Provided by the curved walls 64, air will tend to circulate along these walls to assist in removing adhering dust in a similar manner to that described above with respect to receptacle 10.

Another technique that can be used to facilitate dust extraction is to accelerate air flow into the cavity. Fig. 9 illustrates a technique for accelerating air flow in the cavity. Fig. 9 shows a receptacle 68 consisting of a receptacle body 70 with an upper end 72 and a lower end 74. The receptacle body 68 forms a cavity 76 which is defined by the inner wall 78. Cavity 76 may be configured to be generally open or may have a raised central region as described above with respect to other embodiments. At the upper end 72 around the peripheral zone of the cavity 76 a large number of vents 79 are formed. At the upper end 72 a central hole 80 is also provided to allow, as shown, the insertion of an extraction tube 82 in the cavity 76. 0 The extraction tube 82 has a lower end 84 and an upper end 86. Eventually, the extraction tube 82 may exhibit a small cross-sectional area at the upper end 86 to facilitate aerosolized powder dispersion as generally described in the art. U.S. Patent No. 5,740,794. Despite the non-representation, it will be understood that a high pressure gaseous stream may circulate near a portion of the extraction tube 82 in a separate position from the lower end 84 in a similar manner to that described above. Alternatively, the high pressure gas stream may flow through a hole in the lower end 74 and then into the extraction tube 82 as described below. In any case, the use of such a high pressure gas stream causes air to be drawn into the cavity 76 through the vents 79 where the dust travels to the extraction tube 82 through the lower end 84 where it is drawn by the gas stream under high pressure and disperses as an aerosol.

Each of the vents 7 9 forms a circulation area Αχ. When used simultaneously, areas Ai form a total inflow area A_T. As air passes through the cavity 76, it circulates through a space created between the lower end 84 of the extraction tube 82 and the lower end 74 of the cavity 76. This circulation area can be calculated by multiplying the extent of space by the diameter of the extraction tube 82 at the lower end · 84. This area is called area A_G from space. When air circulates through the extraction tube 82, the circulation area is restricted near the upper end 86 as shown. This area is area A_O cross section of the extraction tube. To accelerate air circulation through cavity 76, areas A_If THE_G and the_O can be configured such that A₂ &gt; A_G &gt; A_O . In this way, the circulation area decreases progressively as air passes through the system. As such, air circulation is accelerated as it passes through the cavity 76. Although various proportions of areas may be used, a specific proportion is that where A₄= 2, A_G= 1.5, and A_O= 1. It is understood, however, that other ratios may be used.

In the following Fig. 10, an embodiment of an aerosol production apparatus will be described.

90 An apparatus 90 comprises a base 92 which forms a housing for several of its components. Enclosed in a base 92 is a bracket 94 for engaging a receptacle. By way of illustration, receptacle 10 of Fig. 1 is shown packed in a base 92. It will be understood, however, that with the apparatus 90 other types of receptacles may be used. In the holder 94 a button 96 is provided to allow the holder to move up and down within the holder 92 as indicated by the arrows. As shown, the holder 94 has a generally flat surface. As described above, a receptacle body 12 with a flat portion at the lower end 16 may be included to facilitate its placement on the holder 94. However, it will be appreciated that the holder 94 may be constructed to have different geometric shapes to facilitate the holding of the receptacle 10, as well as to facilitate the insertion and removal of the same receptacle 10.

Positioned above the receptacle 10 is an aerosol generating mechanism 98 which includes an extraction tube 100 that can be inserted into the cavity 20 of the receptacle 10. Eventually, the lower end 102 of the extraction tube 10D may include a pointed end. or another perforating structure to form a hole in the upper end of receptacle 10 to facilitate its introduction into cavity 20. In association with an extraction tube 100 at an acute angle with respect to the central axis of that extraction tube 100 (and relative to the lower end 102) there is a pair of channels 104. Within these channels 104 a pressure source is used. 106 to produce a gaseous stream under high pressure. The high pressure gaseous stream is fed into the extraction tube 100 to provide air that aspirates into the lower end 102 from the cavity 20 as generally described in U.S. Patent No. 5,740,794. Pressure source 106 may be any of a variety of pressure sources, including manually activated plungers, compressed gases, fluorocarbons, and the like as generally described in the foregoing patents. Accordingly, it is understood that the pressure source 106 is simply shown schematically for convenience of illustration. Although not shown, a drive mechanism may be used to release pressurized gas from the pressure source 106 when the patient is ready to disperse the aerosol drug.

The aerosol generating mechanism 98 includes a lower end 108 acting as a stop or a circulation aid to control the space between the lower end 102 of the extraction tube 100 relative to the lower end 16 of the receptacle 10. In that process, when the knob 96 is moved upwardly, the upper end of the receptacle 10 engages the lower end 108 to secure the distance of the extraction tube 100 from the lower end of the receptacle 10. The use of such a support device for circulation is advantageous since area A_G The space gap (see Fig. 9) can be precisely controlled to facilitate air acceleration through the cavity 20 in a similar manner to that described above in association with Fig. 9.

Extending beyond the lower end 108 are a large number of piercing elements 110 that are configured to produce vents in the receptacle around the periphery of cavity 20. In this process air can be drawn in through the vents when the gas stream is released. under high pressure from the pressure source 106.

Coupled to base 92 is a capture chamber 112. The capture chamber 112 is configured to capture aerosolized dispersed medicament leaving the extraction tube 100. The capture chamber 112 includes one. nozzle 114 through which the patient may inhale the captured medicament.

Accordingly, an apparatus 90 may be used to disperse an aerosol medicament by inserting a receptacle 10 into the base 92. The holder 94 is then raised to insert the extraction tube 102 into the cavity 20 and to pierce the elements 110 to form vents in the receptacle 10. The pressure source 106 is actuated to release an amount of pressurized gas which causes air to be drawn into and through the vents and along the cavity walls 20 until it enters the extraction tube 100. When the dust moves inside From the extraction tube 100, it finds the high pressure gaseous stream that deagglomerates the dust and expels it into the capture chamber 112 in aerosol form. Although the holder 94 is shown to move vertically upwards, it is understood that the extraction tube 100 and / or the piercing elements 110 may be configured to move downwardly to insert into the cavity 20 In addition, for the production of aerosols alternative mechanisms 98 such as those described herein may be used.

Referring next to Fig. 11, an alternative technique for drawing air through the receptacle to displace dust within the receptacle into an extraction tube will be described. Schematically shown in Fig. 11 is a receptacle 116 with an upper end 118 and a lower end 120. The receptacle 116 includes a cavity 122 with a raised central region 124. To allow air to be drawn into cavity 122, a large number of vents 126 are formed at the upper end 118. In cavity 122 an extraction tube 128 is inserted, with the lower end 130 being separated from the raised central region 124 as shown. . At the lower end 120 of receptacle 116 a lower hole 132 is formed. In that process, a high pressure gaseous stream may flow through a lower bore 132 and then through the lower end 130 of an extraction tube 128, as shown by the arrows. During such a procedure, air is drawn through the vents 126 and through the cavity 122 where it enters the lower end 130 of the extraction tube 128 as shown by the arrows. When air circulates through the cavity 122, it moves the dust into the extraction tube 128 in a similar manner to that previously described in association with other embodiments.

Schematically depicted in Fig. 12 is an aerosol generating apparatus 134 which may be used to aerosolize a powdered medicament using the techniques just described with respect to Fig. 11. An apparatus 134 comprises a base 136 having a support 138 for supporting a receptacle 140. The support 138 includes a button 142 to allow the receptacle 140 to move up and down as shown by the arrows.

Also included within the base 136 is an extraction tube 144 with a lower end 146. By moving the knob 142, the extraction tube 144 may be inserted into the receptacle 140 as shown. Alternatively, a movable extraction tube 144 may be constructed so that it can move into receptacle 140.

Positioned below a support 138 is a pressure source 148 and an introduction tube 150. The pressure source 148 and / or the introduction tube 150 may move vertically upwards as illustrated by the arrows to puncture the receptacle 140 and insert introduction tube 150 into or near said receptacle 140. An amount of pressurized gas may then be released from the pressure source 150 where it flows through the hole in the lower end of the receptacle 140 and into the lower end 146 of the extraction tube 144. As an alternative, the holder 142 may lower while pressure source 148 remains stationary to form a hole in the lower end of receptacle 140. Although not shown, it is understood that a piercing mechanism may be used to form one or more vents in receptacle 140 (or receptacle 140 may include preformed vents). In this process, the outside air may circulate inside the receptacle through the vents to aid the movement of dust within the tube 144.

Positioned at base 136 is a capture chamber 152 with a nozzle 154. With such a configuration, receptacle 140 can be placed in bracket 138 and the extraction tube 144 inserted into receptacle 140. Next, it can be formed. a hole in the lower end of the receptacle 140 and a pressurized gas is released from the pressure source 148 to give a high pressure gas stream to flow through the extraction tube 144. In this procedure, air is drawn into and through the receptacle and into the extraction tube 144 where aerosolized powder is dispersed and expelled into the capture chamber 152.

An alternative embodiment of a receptacle 156 is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. A receptacle 156 comprises a receptacle body 158 with an upper end 160 and a lower end 162. The receptacle body 158 forms a cavity 164 which it holds a powder 166. extending beyond the cavity 164 is a tongue 168 for ease of handling the receptacle. Formed around the periphery of cavity 164 are a large number of vents 170 extending through the upper end 160. Extending through the upper end 160 in the center of cavity 164 is a port 172 which is adapted to receive an extraction tube (not shown) in a similar manner to that described in the previous embodiments.

Attached to the upper end 160 at a location above cavity 164 is a cap 174. Cap 174 is attached to upper end 160 such that vents 170 and orifice 172 are covered to seal the dust. 166 within cavity 164. As shown, cavity 164 includes a raised central region 176. The lid 174 folds over itself and extends again over the tongue 168. In this process, the cap 174 extends generally outside the aerosolization apparatus. As such, when the user is ready to disperse the medicament as an aerosol, the receptacle 156 is inserted into the aerosol generating apparatus and the upper end cap 174 is pulled. In that process, the respirators 170 and hole 172 are exposed. Thereafter, an extraction tube may be inserted through hole 172 in a similar manner as previously described. By pre-forming the vents 170 and 172, it is not necessary to pierce the upper end 160 while inside the aerosol generating apparatus.

Fig. 15 schematically depicts an aerosol generating apparatus 200 that can be used to disperse a powdered medicament in the form of an aerosol. An apparatus 200 comprises a base 202 with a holder 204 for supporting a receptacle 206, which is representative of any of the receptacles described herein. Bracket 204 includes a button 208 to allow receptacle 206 to move up and down as shown by the arrows. Also included within the base 202 is an extraction tube 210 with a lower end 212. By moving knob 208, the extraction tube 210 may be inserted into receptacle 206 as shown. Alternatively, the removable extraction tube 210 may be constructed so that it can move into the receptacle 206. Conveniently, a piercing mechanism 214 may be positioned below the bracket 204 to allow a hole to be drilled in the lower region of the receptacle 206 when the knob 208 is lowered. Positioned at the top of the base 202 is a nozzle 216 over which the patient can put their mouth on when they are ready to receive the dose of medication.

Optionally, the extraction tube 210 may have one or more bends 218 to facilitate the deagglomeration of the powder as it passes through the extraction tube 210. As another option, one or more obstacles (1) may be placed ( s) 220 within the extraction tube 210 to facilitate dust de-agglomeration. In addition, it is understood that bends and obstacles may be provided in the extraction tubes of the other aerosol generating devices described herein.

For the sake of clarity of understanding, the present invention has already been described in detail. However, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.