Delivery Devices

Abstract

A breath-actuated delivery device includes a mouthpiece through which a subject in use exhales, an air channel which is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece, and a flexible diaphragm which is disposed in the air channel. The diaphragm provides for at least a restricted air flow through the air channel until a predeterminable actuation pressure is developed in the mouthpiece, and, on generation of the predeterminable actuation pressure in the mouthpiece, provides for an air flow through the air channel.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A delivery device, comprising:
 a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a release valve, the release valve operable to permit an exhalation flow through the housing when a pressure in the housing is above a predetermined pressure and to prohibit the exhalation flow through the housing when the pressure in the housing is below the predetermined pressure;   a mouthpiece fluidly connected to the inlet of the housing, the mouthpiece configured for a subject to exhale through;   a nosepiece fluidly connected to the outlet of the housing; and   a delivery unit disposed within the housing and actuatable to deliver a substance from a container unit through the nosepiece in response to application of a delivery force to the delivery unit.   
     
     
         9 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , wherein the release valve is a flap valve. 
     
     
         10 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , wherein the release valve is a flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         11 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises one or more apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , wherein the exhalation flow acts to close a velum of the subject and drive an air flow through a nasal cavity of the subject, with the air flow passing into a first nasal passage of the subject and out of a second nasal passage of the subject, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow. 
     
     
         13 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , wherein the substance is delivered through the nosepiece and into a nasal cavity of the subject by the exhalation flow. 
     
     
         14 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , wherein the container unit contains a dose of the substance. 
     
     
         15 . The delivery device of  claim 8 , further comprising a loading unit configured to selectively apply the delivery force, the loading unit including a drive member operative to transmit the delivery force, a biasing element for loading the drive member with the delivery force, a restraining member for restraining the drive member in a loaded position, and a loading member operative to load the biasing element to provide the delivery force. 
     
     
         16 . The delivery device of  claim 15 , wherein the restraining member comprises a tether configured to be selectively cut by a cutter element to release the restraining member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the substance is a liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the substance is a powder. 
     
     
         19 . A method of delivering a substance to a subject, the method comprising:
 fitting a mouthpiece to a mouth of the subject, the mouthpiece fluidly connected to an inlet of a housing;   fitting a nosepiece to a first nostril of the subject, the nosepiece fluidly connected to an outlet of the housing;   causing the subject to exhale through the mouthpiece; the exhalation generating an exhalation flow through the housing via a release valve operable to permit the exhalation flow through the housing when a pressure in the housing is above a predetermined pressure and to prohibit the exhalation flow through the housing when the pressure in the housing is below the predetermined pressure;   applying a delivery force to a delivery unit via a loading unit within the housing; and   delivering the substance from the delivery unit, through the nosepiece, and into a nasal cavity of the subject.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the substance is delivered through the nosepiece and into a nasal cavity of the subject by the exhalation flow. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the exhalation flow acts to close a velum of the subject and drive an air flow through the nasal cavity of the subject, with the air flow passing into a first nasal passage of the subject and out of a second nasal passage of the subject, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the release valve is a flexible diaphragm, the method further comprising deflecting the flexible diaphragm when a pressure in the housing exceeds the predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising causing the subject to grip the mouthpiece between the teeth of the subject. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising latching the loading unit in a loaded position. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , the delivery unit comprising a container unit containing a dose of the substance. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the substance is a liquid. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the substance is a powder.