Dry powder inhalers

Abstract

Dry powder inhalers and dry powder inhaler storage cassettes including a compartment housing an elongate carrier preloaded with a plurality of doses of finely divided powder comprising a biologically active substance, the compartment being configured such that said preloaded doses are sealed within said compartment and such that the carrier may be advanced from the compartment to the chamber through an exit provided with a moisture barrier sealing system, wherein the moisture barrier sealing system is configured and arranged such that it is relaxable during advancement of the carrier, said sealing system being in sealing configuration prior to an advancement of the carrier, relaxed upon an advancement of the carrier and returned to its sealing configuration at the latest after release of the powder associated with said area of the carrier.

1 . A storage device for storing dry powder for use in a dry powder inhaler, the device comprising:
 an elongate carrier preloaded with a plurality of doses of finely divided powder comprising a biologically active substance, the powder being releasably retained on a surface of the carrier;   a first clamping system and a second clamping system,   wherein the device is configured and arranged such that during use in a dry powder inhaler wherein a portion of the carrier is advanced so that the powder associated with an advanced area can be released from the carrier for inhalation by the patient through the patient port of the inhaler, the first and second clamping systems will be moved into a clamping configuration at least prior to release of the powder associated with the area of the carrier, so that the area of the carrier will be clamped between the first and the second clamping systems during release of the powder associated with the area of the carrier, and   wherein the device further comprises a moisture barrier sealing system, wherein the device is configured and arranged such that during use in a dry powder inhaler, the first and second clamping systems are movable, the clamping systems being moved into a clamping configuration at least prior to release of the powder associated with the area of the carrier and such that the area of the carrier will be clamped between the first and second clamping systems and the moisture barrier sealing system during release of the powder associated with the area of the carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping system is configured and arranged so that when the carrier is being advanced, the first and second clamping systems are out of their clamping configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The storage device of  claim 2 , wherein the moisture barrier sealing system comprises a seal. 
     
     
         4 . The storage device of  claim 3 , wherein the seal comprises a material having a Shore A durometer value equal to or less than 75 and equal to or greater than 35; and wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric material, selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, EPDM, polypropylene blends, styrene-isoprene copolymers, combinations and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The storage device of  claim 4 , wherein the moisture barrier sealing system comprises a seal coupled to a moveable member that is engages with a spring, the spring urging the moveable member in a first direction such that the moisture barrier seal seals the compartment exit, and wherein upon advancement of the carrier under the tension associated with the advancement of the carrier the moveable member moves in the opposite direction, so that the moisture barrier seal disengages, and wherein upon cessation of advancement of the carrier, the moveable member moves in its original direction under the force of the spring, so that the moisture barrier seal creates a seal, in particular wherein the movement of the moveable member comprises a substantially rotational or linear movement. 
     
     
         6 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be inserted into the dry powder inhaler. 
     
     
         7 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device is removable from the dry powder inhaler.