Inhalation Device

Abstract

An actuator for an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising: a main body comprising a tubular member for receiving a canister containing medicament and having a valve stem extending therefrom; and an outlet assembly, as a part formed separately of the main body, comprising a mouthpiece for guiding medicament to the mouth of a user and a nozzle block for receiving the valve stem of the canister and delivering medicament from the canister into the mouthpiece; wherein the main body is provided with an outlet opening for receiving the outlet assembly in a position wherein the mouthpiece extends outside the outlet opening and the nozzle block is inserted through the outlet opening and arranged in position for receiving the valve stem of the canister. There is also disclosed an inhaler comprising the above-described actuator and a canister containing medicament, a main body and an outlet assembly.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . An actuator for an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising:
 a main body configured to receive a canister with a valve stem extending therefrom, wherein the main body includes an end portion formed as a foot that allows the actuator to stand unsupported with the main body extending generally vertically from the foot; and   an outlet assembly formed separate from the main body, wherein the outlet assembly has a mouthpiece with a nozzle block for receiving the valve stem of the canister.   
     
     
         55 . The actuator of  claim 54 , wherein the nozzle block is supported by the end surface. 
     
     
         56 . The actuator of  claim 54 , wherein the foot includes a recess configured to receive a digit of a user. 
     
     
         57 . The actuator of  claim 56 , wherein the recess is concave. 
     
     
         58 . The actuator of  claim 54 , wherein a bottom-most surface of the foot is substantially flat. 
     
     
         59 . The actuator of  claim 54 , wherein the nozzle block has a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the main body. 
     
     
         60 . The actuator of  claim 54 , wherein the foot includes a breath actuation mechanism. 
     
     
         61 . The actuator of  claim 61 , wherein the foot includes a dose counter. 
     
     
         62 . The actuator of  claim 54 , wherein the outlet assembly includes a removable cap configured to cover at least a portion of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         63 . A disposable actuator for an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising:
 a main body having a tubular member configured to receive a canister with a valve stem extending therefrom,
 wherein the tubular member has an end surface formed as a foot configured such that the actuator will stand unsupported in an upright position with the valve stem facing downwards when receiving the canister; and 
   an outlet assembly formed separate from the main body, wherein the outlet assembly has a mouthpiece with a nozzle block for receiving the valve stem of the canister, and
 wherein the outlet assembly is configured to removably couple to part of the tubular member located adjacent to the foot. 
   
     
     
         64 . The actuator of  claim 63 , wherein the foot includes a recess configured to receive a digit of a user. 
     
     
         65 . The actuator of  claim 64 , wherein the recess is concave. 
     
     
         66 . The actuator of  claim 65 , wherein a bottom surface of the foot is substantially flat. 
     
     
         67 . The actuator of  claim 63 , wherein the foot includes an element configured to transmit a compressive force to the nozzle block. 
     
     
         68 . The actuator of  claim 67 , wherein the element and the nozzle block are located on a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. 
     
     
         69 . The actuator of  claim 63 , wherein a portion of the outlet assembly is configured to be received within a lateral opening of the tubular member and a portion of the outlet assembly is configured to extend from the lateral opening. 
     
     
         70 . An actuator for an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising:
 a main body having a tubular member configured to receive a canister containing medicament that is dispensed through a valve stem extending from the canister,
 wherein the tubular member has an end surface formed as a foot configured such that the actuator will stand unsupported with the tubular member extending generally vertically when receiving the canister; 
   a canister configured for insertion into the main body; and   an outlet assembly having a mouthpiece for guiding medicament to a mouth of a user and a nozzle block for receiving the valve stem of the canister and delivering medicament from the canister to the mouthpiece,
 wherein the outlet assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the main body and the main body includes an outlet opening configured to receive at least a portion of the outlet assembly so that the mouthpiece extends through the outlet opening, and 
 wherein when the outlet assembly is coupled to the main body, the nozzle block is located centrally in an end region of the tubular member such that a first end of the nozzle block receives the valve stem of the canister and a second end of the nozzle block is located adjacent the foot. 
   
     
     
         71 . The actuator of  claim 70 , wherein the outlet assembly includes at least one anchor mechanism configured to engage with an inner surface of the tubular member so as to couple the outlet assembly to the tubular member. 
     
     
         72 . The actuator of  claim 70 , wherein the foot includes a centrally located recess configured to receive a finger of a user. 
     
     
         73 . The actuator of  claim 70 , wherein a bottom surface of the foot is substantially flat.