Inhalation device and method

Abstract

Inhalation device and associated method for facilitating inhalation by a patient of powder medicaments contained in a receptacle. The inhalation device has a chamber for receiving the receptacle. A ring is circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of the chamber to achieve a higher reproducible emitted dose of medicament from the receptacle. The inhalation device also includes an improved implement for puncturing the receptacle, requiring less force and experiencing fewer failures.

1 . A device for emitting powder contained in a receptacle, comprising: 
 a first casing portion;    a cylindrical chamber, defined by a straight wall of circular cross-section, coupled to said first casing portion, said chamber having a proximal end and a distal end and configured to receive the receptacle therein, said chamber comprising a ring circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of said chamber, wherein an inner diameter of said ring is less than an inner diameter of said chamber whereby emitted dose from said powder inhalation device is improved compared to a device with no ring; and    a second casing portion removably coupled to said first casing portion, said second casing portion comprising an inhalation portion disposed at the proximal end of said chamber when said first and said second casing portions are coupled, said inhalation portion comprising a hemispheric region defining a plurality of apertures configured to emit powder therethrough.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a substantially U-shaped staple comprising a rounded portion and two prongs that define a non-planar inner edge and a non-planar outer edge of said staple, wherein said staple is formed from a rectangular length having two end surfaces and four planar side surfaces that intersect to form four non-planar edges, wherein said inner edge of said staple is one of said non-planar edges and said outer edge is another of said non-planar edges that is opposite said one non-planar edge, wherein each end surface is an angled diamond-shaped surface.    
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said ring is disposed at approximately a midpoint of said chamber.  
     
     
         4 . A method for efficient dose delivery of a medicament contained in a receptacle, comprising: 
 providing a powder inhalation device, the device comprising 
 a first casing portion,  
 a cylindrical chamber, defined by a straight wall of circular cross-section, coupled to said first casing portion, said chamber having a proximal end and a distal end and configured to receive the receptacle therein, said chamber comprising a ring circumferentially coupled to an inner surface of said chamber, wherein an inner diameter of said ring is less than an inner diameter of said chamber whereby emitted dose from said powder inhalation device is improved compared to a device with no ring, and  
 a second casing portion removably coupled to said first casing portion, said second casing portion comprising an inhalation portion disposed at the proximal end of said chamber when said first and said second casing portions are coupled, said inhalation portion comprising a hemispheric region defining a plurality of apertures configured to emit powder therethrough.  
   inhaling the emitted dose through said plurality of apertures at a flow rate less than about 15 L/min.