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EP0178925A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Improvements in or relating to a dispenser

Assignee: University of Auckland
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Filing: 1985-10-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-10-16
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Abstract

Abstract A dispenser and a method of using the dispenser which comprises a supply means (1) for supplying inhalable material in inhalable form. the supply means (1) being in connection with atmosphere and a mouth piece (3). Flow controls means (8) are provided which allow or substantially prevent the flow between the supply means (1) and the mouth piece (3) and supply means (11 ) and the atmosphere. A signalling means (24) which indicates to the user when to inhale and detection means (14) to detect the commencement of inspiration and/or expiration and to cause the flow control means to cause or allow the inhalable material to move from the supply means (1) to the mouth piece (3) during a selected part of the period of inspiration.

Inventors

  • 👤 Brian William Edgar
  • 👤 Robert Bartlett Elliott

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 06:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0065; A61M15/0068; A61M15/008; A61M11/00; A61M11/06; A61M15/0085; A61M16/00; A61M16/0003; A61M2016/0015; A61M2016/0018; A61M2016/0024

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim 56 words
A method of dispensing inhalable material characterised by comprising, in combination, the steps of indicating to a patient that a breath should be taken, detecting the state of breathing and causing or allowing said inhalable material to be supplied to the mouth or nose of the patient during a selected part of the period of inspiration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 56 words
A method of dispensing inhalable material characterised by comprising, in combination, the steps of indicating to a patient that a breath should be taken, detecting the state of breathing and causing or allowing said inhalable material to be supplied to the mouth or nose of the patient during a selected part of the period of inspiration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method of dispensing inhalable material as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that said selected part of the period of inspiration is towards the beginning of the period of inspiration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method of dispensing inhalable material as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that said method further includes the step of indicating to said patient when to exhale.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 32 words
A method of dispensing inhalable material as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said method further includes the step of indicating to said patient when to inhale.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 115 words
S. A dispenser comprising a supply means (1) to supply inhalable material in inhalable form, said supply means being in connection with atmosphere and a mouth piece (3) and characterised by further including flow control means (8) to allow or substantially prevent flow between said supply means and said mouth piece and said supply means and said atmosphere, signalling means (24) to indicate to the user when to inhale, detection means (14 and 15) to detect the commencement of inspiration and/or expiration and to cause said flow control means to cause or allow said inhalable material to move from said supply means to said mouth piece during a selected part of the period of inspiration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 115 words
S. A dispenser comprising a supply means (1) to supply inhalable material in inhalable form, said supply means being in connection with atmosphere and a mouth piece (3) and characterised by further including flow control means (8) to allow or substantially prevent flow between said supply means and said mouth piece and said supply means and said atmosphere, signalling means (24) to indicate to the user when to inhale, detection means (14 and 15) to detect the commencement of inspiration and/or expiration and to cause said flow control means to cause or allow said inhalable material to move from said supply means to said mouth piece during a selected part of the period of inspiration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
A dispenser as claimed in Claim S, characterised in that said supply means comprises an aerosol generator (1).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
A dispenser as claimed in Claimed 6, characterised in that said aerosol generator comprises a nebulizer (1).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
A dispenser as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that said supply means comprises an aerosol propellant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 30 words
A dispenser as claimed in any one of the Claims 5 to 8, characterised in that said indicating means further provides an indication to a user of when to exhale.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 9, characterised in that said control means are provided to control said flow control means, at least some operations of said control means being controlled by said detection means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 71 words
A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 10, characterised in that conduits (7, 2) are provided between said supply means and an atmosphere and between said supply means and said mouthpiece and wherein a pair of branch conduits (5, 6) are provided one (5) to allow inhalation other than past said supply means and the other said further conduit (6) provided to allow breath to be exhaled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 38 words
A dispenser as claimed in Claim 6 and any claim dependent thereon, characterised that control means are provided to control said aerosol generator means at least some operations of said control means being initiated by said detection means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
A dispenser as claimed in Claim 12, characterised in that a branch conduit (6) is provided to allow breath to be exhaled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 30 words
A dispenser as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that preferably non-return valves (11, 12, 13) allow breathing in a single direction only in said conduit and said branch conduits.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 43 words
A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims S to 14, characterised in that said detection means comprise a bobbin (17) moved by the breath of the patient and a light beam positioned so that said bobbin can interrupt said light beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 53 words
A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 14, characterised in that said flow control means comprise one or more of a thermocouple or thermistor with a sensing circuit, a device to measure an increase or decrease pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, or a bobbin associated with a movement detector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 31 words
A dispenser as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 16, characterised in that said signalling means (24, 35) comprise means to generate audible or visible signals to said user.

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