Blister packages with frames for dry powder drug containment

Abstract

Dry powder blister packages include sealed blisters with a piezoelectric active layer that flexes to vibrate the dry powder in a blister to facilitate active dispersion.

1 . A multi-dose blister package adapted for use in an inhaler, comprising:
 a frame member having a plurality of spaced apart apertures;   a ceiling having a corresponding plurality of spaced apart projections, the ceiling disposed under the frame member and oriented relative to the frame member so that a respective ceiling projection extends through and rises above a respective frame aperture;   a flexible floor underlying and attached to the ceiling, wherein the ceiling and floor define a plurality of spaced apart sealed blisters; and   a quantity of dry powder held in at least some of the blisters,   wherein the frame member has a thickness that is at least five times greater than that of the ceiling and floor.   
   
   
       2 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame member has a first set of circumferentially spaced apart concentric apertures and a second set of circumferentially spaced apart concentric apertures, the second set of apertures residing radially spaced apart a distance from the first set of apertures. 
   
   
       3 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame member has a circular substantially planar body, and wherein the frame member has sufficient rigidity to remain substantially planar during operation, wherein the ceiling is a substantially continuous layer that is sized and configured to extend over the floor under the frame member with the projections aligned to reside in the frame member apertures. 
   
   
       4 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises neighboring concentric and radially spaced apart pairs of sealed blisters. 
   
   
       5 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 4 , wherein the neighboring blisters are sized and configured to, in operation and in position in an inhaler, release dry powder to a user. 
   
   
       6 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 4 , wherein the neighboring blisters comprise a different dry powder, and wherein, in operation and in position in an inhaler, the neighboring blisters release their dry powders in combination substantially concurrently to a user upon inhalation. 
   
   
       7 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the ceiling comprises foil. 
   
   
       8 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor comprises foil. 
   
   
       9 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame member comprises a molded polymer body. 
   
   
       10 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame member has a substantially flat circular shape with a center aperture and comprises a polymer material. 
   
   
       11 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the blisters have a perimeter shape when viewed from the top, wherein the frame member apertures have substantially the same blister perimeter shape when viewed from the top, and wherein a respective frame member aperture surrounds a corresponding blister perimeter shape. 
   
   
       12 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 11 , wherein the blister perimeter shape is substantially circular when viewed from the top. 
   
   
       13 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 11 , wherein the blister has an elongate perimeter shape. 
   
   
       14 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , wherein the dry powder is a low-density dry powder. 
   
   
       15 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable gear having circumferentially spaced apart gear teeth, the gear disposed in a window of the frame member so that the blister package rotates with the gear. 
   
   
       16 . A multi-dose blister package according to  claim 13 , wherein the pairs of neighboring blisters are configured to reside closer together than other adjacent blisters. 
   
   
       17 . An inhaler with a multi-dose blister package, comprising:
 an inhaler body; and   a circular blister package held in the inhaler body, wherein the blister package comprises:
 a frame member having a plurality of spaced apart apertures; 
 a flexible ceiling; 
 a frame member configured to hold blisters having a flexible floor and flexible ceiling that define a plurality of spaced apart sealed blisters, wherein the frame member has a thickness that is at least five times greater than that of the ceiling and floor; and 
 a quantity of dry powder held in at least some of the blisters, 
 wherein the blister package has a first set of circumferentially spaced apart concentric blisters and a second set of circumferentially spaced apart concentric blisters, and wherein the second set of blisters reside radially spaced apart a distance from the first set of blisters. 
   
   
   
       18 . An inhaler according to  claim 17 , wherein the blisters are arranged in blister pairs defined by one of the blisters in the first set of blisters and one of the blisters in the second set of blisters, wherein the blister pairs are sized and configured to cooperate to release dry powder to a user.