US3795244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inhalation device
Assignee: Roche Palo Alto LLC
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Filing: 1973-02-02
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1993-02-02
Abstract
Abstract An inhalation device having means to engage the free end of a powdered medicament-holding capsule as the capsule is pierced to provide outlet ports for the powdered medicament held therein. Such engagement ensures that the capsule is completely seated in the rotary member on which it is supported and thus ensures that the outlet ports are positioned at the desired locations adjacent the shoulder of the capsule. Additionally, such engagement enables the piercing operation to be conducted in any orientation of the inhalation device. The rotary member, which supports the capsule during inhalation, is itself supported by a shaft having a polygon shaped base having n sides. The rotary member has a hollow sleeve which fits over the shaft, the sleeve having a polygon shaped inner surface having at least n + 1 sides. During inhalation which causes the rotary member to spin about the supporting shaft, contact of the adjacent polygon shaped surfaces with each other positively causes the walls of the capsule to undergo repeated changes or radial acceleration whereby the powdered medicament is dispersed from the capsule.
Inventors
- 👤 R Lax
- 👤 A Herd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0028; A61M15/003; A61M15/0033; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/06; A61M2202/064; A61M2206/00; A61M2206/10; A61M2206/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An oral inhalation device comprising a hollow elongate housing having one or more passageways at each end thereof to permit the passage of air therethrough, one end thereof being adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user; a shaft supported by said housing in the hollow portion thereof, said shaft having a polygon-shaped base of n sides; and a rotary member supported by said shaft, said rotary member having, on the end thereof furthest from the end of said housing adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user, means to receive a medicament-holding capsule, said rotary member having a sleeve adapted to surround said shaft, said sleeve having on the hollow internal portion thereof a polygon-shaped surface having at least n + 1 sides; said polygon-shaped surfaces being positioned whereby contact thereof will occur during inhalation-induced rotation of said rotary member, such contact of said polygonshaped surfaces serving to positively induce said rotary member and the capsule held thereby to move in an eccentric manner such that the medicament is dispensed from the capsule through outlet ports therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An oral inhalation device comprising a hollow elongate housing having one or more passageways at each end thereof to permit the passage of air therethrough, one end thereof being adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user; a shaft supported by said housing in the hollow portion thereof, said shaft having a polygon-shaped base of n sides; and a rotary member supported by said shaft, said rotary member having, on the end thereof furthest from the end of said housing adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user, means to receive a medicament-holding capsule, said rotary member having a sleeve adapted to surround said shaft, said sleeve having on the hollow internal portion thereof a polygon-shaped surface having at least n + 1 sides; said polygon-shaped surfaces being positioned whereby contact thereof will occur during inhalation-induced rotation of said rotary member, such contact of said polygonshaped surfaces serving to positively induce said rotary member and the capsule held thereby to move in an eccentric manner such that the medicament is dispensed from the capsule through outlet ports therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The inhalation device of claim 1 wherein said polygon-shaped base of said shaft has four to six sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The inhalation device of claim 1 wherein said polygon-shaped inner surface of said sleeve has five to 12 sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inhalation device of claim 1 wherein said polygon-shaped base of said shaft has n sides and the polygon-shaped inner surface of said sleeve has n + 1 sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The inhalation device of claim 1 wherein said polygon-shaped base of said shaft has n sides and the polygon-shaped inner surface of said sleeve has n + 1 sides, where n is either 4, 5, or 6.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The inhalation device of claim 1 further including means to pierce the capsule adjacent the free end thereof, the free end of the capsule being the end thereof remote from the end of said housing adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user; and means to engage and rigidly support the free end of the capsule during piercing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The inhalation device of claim 6 wherein said engagement means is actuated by the operation of said piercing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
The inhalation device of claim 6 wherein said engagement means comprises resilient spring means terminating in a recess adapted to receive the free end of the capsule when said spring means is extended from its original position to the position where said engagement means contacts the free end of the capsule, said recess receiving the free end of the capsule prior to the piercing of the capsule by said piercing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The inhalation device of claim 8 wherein said piercing means comprises a pair of opposed piercing members connected by a bent resilient bridging member and means for urging the piercing members together for perforating a capsule held by said rotary member to provide opposed outlet ports therein; said urging means also having cam means supported thereby for causing said engagement means to extend from its original position into contact with the free end of the capsule prior to the piercing of the capsule by said piercing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
The inhalation device of claim 9 wherein said urging means comprises a tubular sleeve surrounding said hollow elongate housing and mounted for slideable movement thereon, said tubular housing having four cams on the inner periphery thereof spaced apart 90* apart, one pair of opposed cams serving to urge said piercing members together for perforating the capsule, and the other pair of opposed cams serving to urge said engagement means into contact with the free end of the capsule prior to the piercing of the capsule by said piercing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The inhalation device of claim 1 further including a mEdicament-holding capsule mounted on said rotary member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
185 words
An article intended for use with a rotary member to thereby define an oral inhalation device, the rotary member supporting a medicament-holding capsule; said article comprising a hollow elongate housing having one or more passageways at each end thereof to permit the passage of air therethrough, one end thereof being adapted for insertion into the mouth of a user of the inhalation device; a shaft supported by said housing in the hollow portion thereof, said shaft adapted to support the rotary member such that a capsule held thereby is adjacent the end of said housing remote from the end thereof adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user; means to pierce the capsule adjacent the free end thereof, the free end of the capsule being the end thereof remote from the end of said housing adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user; and means to engage and rigidly support the free end of the capsule during movement of said piercing means through the walls of the capsule during piercing and withdrawal of said piercing means from the inner portions of the capsule.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
185 words
An article intended for use with a rotary member to thereby define an oral inhalation device, the rotary member supporting a medicament-holding capsule; said article comprising a hollow elongate housing having one or more passageways at each end thereof to permit the passage of air therethrough, one end thereof being adapted for insertion into the mouth of a user of the inhalation device; a shaft supported by said housing in the hollow portion thereof, said shaft adapted to support the rotary member such that a capsule held thereby is adjacent the end of said housing remote from the end thereof adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user; means to pierce the capsule adjacent the free end thereof, the free end of the capsule being the end thereof remote from the end of said housing adapted for insertion into the mouth of the user; and means to engage and rigidly support the free end of the capsule during movement of said piercing means through the walls of the capsule during piercing and withdrawal of said piercing means from the inner portions of the capsule.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of claim 12 wherein said engagement means is actuated by the operation of said piercing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
The article of claim 12 wherein said engagement means comprises resilient spring means terminating in a recess adapted to receive the free end of the capsule when said spring means is extended from its original position to the position where said engagement means contacts the free end of the capsule, said recess receiving the free end of the capsule prior to the piercing of the capsule by said piercing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
The article of claim 14 wherein said piercing means comprises a pair of opposed piercing members connected by a bent resilient bridging member and means for urging the piercing members together for perforating a capsule held by the rotary member to provide opposed outlet ports therein; said urging means also having cam means supported thereby for causing said engagement means to extend from its original position into contact with the free end of the capsule prior to the piercing of the capsule by said piercing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
The article of claim 15 wherein said urging means comprises a tubular sleeve surrounding said hollow elongate housing and mounted for slideable movement thereon, said tubular housing having four cams on the inner periphery thereof spaced about 90* apart, one pair of opposed cams serving to urge said piercing members together for perforating the capsule, and the other pair of opposed cams serving to urge said engagement means into contact with the free end of the capsule prior to the piercing of the capsule by said piercing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of claim 12 further including a rotary member supported on said shaft, said rotary member having a medicament-holding capsule mounted thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
161 words
A rotary member for use with a hollow elongate housing to thereby define an oral inhalation device, the housing having means for rotatably supporting the rotary member in the hollow internal portion thereof; said rotary member comprising a body portion having a recess therein for receiving a medicament-holding capsule; said body portion having, on the external portion thereof, a plurality of fins for causing the rotation of said rotary member as air is drawn over and around said fins when said rotary member is positioned on the rotary member supporting means during inhalation; said body portion having, on the end thereof opposite said recess, a downwardly depending, elongated, hollow sleeve, said sleeve having on the hollow internal portion thereof a polygon-shaped surface; said polygon-shaped surface cooperating with the surface of the rotary member supporting means when said rotary member is positioned thereon to positively induce said rotary member and a capsule held thereby to move in an eccentric manner during inhalation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
161 words
A rotary member for use with a hollow elongate housing to thereby define an oral inhalation device, the housing having means for rotatably supporting the rotary member in the hollow internal portion thereof; said rotary member comprising a body portion having a recess therein for receiving a medicament-holding capsule; said body portion having, on the external portion thereof, a plurality of fins for causing the rotation of said rotary member as air is drawn over and around said fins when said rotary member is positioned on the rotary member supporting means during inhalation; said body portion having, on the end thereof opposite said recess, a downwardly depending, elongated, hollow sleeve, said sleeve having on the hollow internal portion thereof a polygon-shaped surface; said polygon-shaped surface cooperating with the surface of the rotary member supporting means when said rotary member is positioned thereon to positively induce said rotary member and a capsule held thereby to move in an eccentric manner during inhalation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The rotary member of claim 18 wherein said body member has, adjaceNt said recess, a plurality of slots for causing the walls of said body member to be sufficiently flexible to receive capsules of different diameters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rotary member of claim 18 wherein said polygon-shaped surface has five to 12 sides.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rotary member of claim 18 wherein said polygon-shaped surface has five to seven sides.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |