Inhalation device

Abstract

An actuator for an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising: a main body ( 2 ) comprising a tubular member ( 8 ) for receiving a canister ( 7 ) containing medicament and having a valve stem ( 11 ) extending therefrom; and an outlet assembly ( 4 ), as a part formed separately of the main body ( 2 ), comprising a mouthpiece for guiding medicament to the mouth of a user and a nozzle block ( 20 ) for receiving the valve stem ( 11 ) of the canister ( 7 ) and delivering medicament from the canister ( 7 ) into the mouthpiece; wherein at least a part of at least one of the main body ( 2 ) and the outlet assembly ( 4 ) is configured so as to deform or break on separating the outlet assembly ( 4 ) from the main body ( 2 ) so as to prevent re-use of the actuator; characterized in that the main body ( 2 ) and the outlet assembly ( 4 ) are composed of materials having different constitution.

1 . An actuator for an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising: 
 a main body ( 2 ) comprising a tubular member ( 8 ) for receiving a canister ( 7 ) containing medicament and having a valve stem ( 11 ) extending therefrom; and an outlet assembly ( 4 ), as a part formed separately of the main body ( 2 ), comprising a mouthpiece for guiding medicament to the mouth of a user and a nozzle block ( 20 ) for receiving the valve stem ( 11 ) of the canister ( 7 ) and delivering medicament from the canister ( 7 ) into the mouthpiece;    wherein at least a part of at least one of the main body ( 2 ) and the outlet assembly ( 4 ) is configured so as to deform or break on separating the outlet assembly ( 4 ) from the main body ( 2 ) so as to prevent re-use of the actuator;    characterized in that the main body ( 2 ) and the outlet assembly ( 4 ) are composed of materials having different constitution:    
     
     
         2 . The actuator according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member ( 8 ) includes a lateral opening ( 14 ) at one end thereof for receiving the outlet assembly ( 4 ) at an angle transverse to the length thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The actuator according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the tubular member ( 8 ) includes an opening ( 10 ) at one end thereof through which a canister ( 7 ) is in use fitted.  
     
     
         4 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the main body ( 2 ) further comprises a foot ( 12 ) at one end of the tubular member ( 8 ) thereof which is configured such that, with a canister ( 7 ) fitted therein, the actuator will stand unsupported with the tubular member ( 8 ) extending generally vertically.  
     
     
         5 . The actuator according to  claim 4 , wherein the bottom surface of the foot ( 12 ) includes a recess ( 12   a ) for receiving a thumb or a finger of a user.  
     
     
         6 . The actuator according to  claim 5 , wherein the recess ( 12   a ) is concave.  
     
     
         7 . The actuator according to  claim 4 , wherein the bottom surface of the foot ( 12 ) is flat.  
     
     
         8 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  7 , further comprising a breath actuation mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  8 , further comprising a compliance monitor, in particular a dose counter.  
     
     
         10 . The actuator according to  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the main body ( 2 ) comprises one or both of the breath actuation mechanism and the compliance monitor.  
     
     
         11 . The actuator according to  claim 10  when appendant upon any of  claims 4  to  7 , wherein the foot ( 12 ) comprises one or both of the breath actuation mechanism and the compliance monitor.  
     
     
         12 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  11 , wherein the outlet assembly ( 4 ) is formed as a single integral moulding.  
     
     
         13 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  12 , wherein the nozzle block ( 20 ) includes a bore ( 40 ) having an opening for receiving the valve stem ( 11 ) of a canister ( 7 ) and a spray orifice ( 42 ) configured to direct a spray into the mouthpiece.  
     
     
         14 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  13 , wherein the outlet assembly ( 4 ) is configured to deform or be broken in being separated from the main body ( 2 ).  
     
     
         15 . The actuator according to  claim 14 , wherein a connection between the mouthpiece and the nozzle block ( 20 ) is configured at least in part to break on separating the outlet assembly ( 4 ) from the main body ( 2 ).  
     
     
         16 . The actuator according to  claim 15 , wherein the connection between the mouthpiece and the nozzle block ( 20 ) comprises at least one member ( 36 ) connecting a lower part of the mouthpiece with a lower part of the nozzle block ( 20 ) and at least one member ( 38 ) connecting an upper part of the mouthpiece with an upper part of the nozzle block ( 20 ), with the at least one member ( 36 ) connecting a lower part of the mouthpiece with a lower part of the nozzle block ( 20 ) being configured to break on separating the outlet assembly ( 4 ) from the main body ( 2 ).  
     
     
         17 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  16 , wherein the main body ( 2 ) and the outlet assembly ( 4 ) are configured so as to snap-fit together.  
     
     
         18 . The actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  17 , wherein the main body ( 2 ) and the outlet assembly ( 4 ) are of different colour.  
     
     
         19 . An inhaler comprising the actuator according to any of  claims 1  to  18  and a canister ( 7 ) containing medicament.  
     
     
         20 . The inhaler according to  claim 19 , wherein the inhaler is a pressurised metered dose inhaler.