Metered dose delivery device for liquid and powder agents

Abstract

A delivery device for the delivery of an agent to the mouth, nose or other bodily site of a user. The delivery device includes an aerosol canister that is actuated to expel propellant, which captures and disperses the agent. In a preferred embodiment, the propellant captures and disperses the agent into the mouth or nose of a user, and inhalation by the user directs the agent to the lungs of the user. The delivery device is particularly suitable for the treatment of bronchial asthma, respiratory conditions and for the delivery of systemically absorbed agents.

1 - 71 . (canceled)  
   
   
       72 . A device for delivery of two or more agents comprising: 
 a body member having at a first end a canister housing a propellant and a second end adapted for insertion into the mouth or nose of a user;    a container within the body member positioned between the canister and the second end;    the container housing two or more agents, wherein the two or more agents are separated from each other with piercable material;    a mechanism for exposing the agents in the container to the propellant, the mechanism positioned between the canister and the container;    whereby as the canister is moved towards the container, the mechanism exposes the two or more agents in the container to the propellant and the canister is actuated to expel the propellant and agents into the mouth or nose of the user.    
   
   
       73 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the container comprises one or more compartments, each compartment being sealed at a bottom and top end with a piercable material, each compartment housing the two or more agents.  
   
   
       74 . The device of  claim 73  wherein the compartments house two or more agents in layers, the layers being separated from each other with piercable material.  
   
   
       75 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the canister further houses a dose of agent in suspension or solution.  
   
   
       76 . The device of  claim 75  wherein the dose of agent is selected from flavoring agents, surfactants, water, alcohol or other solvents, and medicinal agents.  
   
   
       77 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the mechanism passes through the container thereby carrying the agents towards the second end.  
   
   
       78 . The device of  claim 77  wherein the mechanism is sized to carry precise doses of agents to the second end.  
   
   
       79 . The device of  claim 77  wherein the size of the mechanism controls the doses of agents delivered by the device.  
   
   
       80 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the mechanism is a piercing member.  
   
   
       81 . The device of  claim 80  whereby as the canister is moved towards the container, the piercing member passes through the container, thereby carrying the agents towards the second end.  
   
   
       82 . The device of  claim 80  wherein at least the tip portion of the piercing member is hollow and the agents are picked up within the hollow portion of the piercing member.  
   
   
       83 . The device of  claim 82  wherein the inner diameter of the piercing member is sized to pick up precise doses of the agents.  
   
   
       84 . The device of  claim 82  wherein the size of the inner diameter of the piercing member controls the doses of agents delivered by the device.  
   
   
       85 . The device of  claim 80  wherein the piercing member is a blade or blade-like member.  
   
   
       86 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the propellant is a chlorofluorocarbon or hydrofluoroalkane propellant.  
   
   
       87 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the propellant is selected from hydrofluoroalkane  134   a  and hydrofluoroalkane 227.  
   
   
       88 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the canister includes a valve stem through which propellant is expelled, and wherein the valve stem comprises the mechanism.  
   
   
       89 . The device of  claim 74  wherein the mechanism comprises a piercing member and wherein the piercing member passes through the piercable material at the top end of the container, passes through the layers of agents and piercable material separating the layers of agents, and passes through the piercable material at the bottom end thereby carrying the agents towards the second end.  
   
   
       90 . A device for delivery of an agent for treating diabetes comprising: 
 a body member having at a first end a canister housing a propellant and a second end adapted for insertion into the mouth or nose of a user; and    a container within the body member, for holding an agent effective in treating diabetes, wherein the container is positioned between the canister and second end;    whereby as the canister is moved towards the container, the canister is actuated to expel the propellant and agent into the mouth of a user, whereby device delivers a respirable fraction of agent that is effective in treating diabetes.    
   
   
       91 . A device for delivery of an agent comprising: 
 a body member having at a first end a canister housing a propellant and a second end adapted for insertion into the mouth or nose of a user; and    a container within the body member, for holding the agent, wherein the container is positioned between the canister and second end;    whereby as the canister is moved towards the container, the canister is actuated to expel the propellant and agent into the mouth or nose of the user, and    wherein the device delivers a respirable fraction of agent of at least about 60%.    
   
   
       92 . The device of  claim 91  wherein the respirable fraction is at least about 65%.  
   
   
       93 . The device of  claim 91  wherein the respirable fraction is at least about 70%.  
   
   
       94 . The device of  claim 91  wherein the respirable fraction is at least about 75%.  
   
   
       95 . The device of  claim 91  wherein the respirable fraction is at least about 80%.  
   
   
       96 . The device of  claim 91  wherein the respirable fraction is at least about 85%.