Dry powder inhalation system

Abstract

Dry powder inhaler systems for pulmonary delivery of pharmaceuticals are disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An inhalation system for pulmonary delivery comprising:
 a dry powder inhaler comprising a housing and a mouthpiece, said housing including an inlet and an outlet port;   a cartridge adapted to said dry powder inhaler and containing a dry powder medicament for inhalation;   said dry powder inhaler system comprising air conduits configured to have a predetermined airflow distribution around and through said cartridge operably configured to mix the medicament with air forming a powder plume for delivery to a patient's pulmonary system; wherein said predetermined airflow distribution through said cartridge ranges from about 10 to 30% of total airflow volume entering said dry powder inhaler during inhalation.   
     
     
         2 . The inhalation system of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined airflow distribution around said cartridge ranges from about 70 to 90% of total airflow volume. 
     
     
         3 . The inhalation system of  claim 1 , wherein the dry powder medicament comprises a diketopiperazine and a pharmaceutically active ingredient selected from a peptide, a protein, a hormone, analogs thereof or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The inhalation system of  claim 1 , wherein the inhaler and cartridge are configured to provide an airflow resistance ranging from 0.08 and 0.15 √kPa/liters per minute. 
     
     
         5 . The inhalation system of  claim 1 , wherein said housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall;
 a mouthpiece engaging section, a mouthpiece storage section, and an air intake section having a conduit with a first opening to allow ambient air intake and a second opening in communication with the mouthpiece engaging section which allows air flow therethrough;   said mouthpiece being separable from said housing and comprising a chamber structurally configured to house said cartridge and to engage with said mouthpiece engaging section of said housing; an oral placement section extending from said chamber and having an air inlet which communicates with said chamber and an air outlet in communication with ambient air.   
     
     
         6 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein said mouthpiece engaging section of said  5  housing has an outer wall, an inner wall and a bottom wall contiguous with the said first side wall, said second side wall and bottom walls respective of said housing, and configured to adapt to said mouthpiece chamber of said mouthpiece. 
     
     
         7 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein said mouthpiece engaging section further comprises a protrusion from said bottom wall configured to receive and hold the medicament containing cartridge. 
     
     
         8 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein the mouthpiece engaging section further comprises a securing mechanism from said inner wall structurally configured to engage said mouthpiece chamber of said mouthpiece. 
     
     
         9 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein the mouthpiece chamber further comprises a flange having gaps which mate said protrusions or projections from the inner wall of the mouthpiece engaging section. 
     
     
         10 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein said mouthpiece is moveable from a storage position to a cartridge loading position to an inhalation position, and comprises a mixing chamber configured to hold the medicament containing cartridge and to have an opening which aligns with the second opening of the intake section in said inhalation position. 
     
     
         11 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein the mouthpiece chamber comprises an air inlet and is configured to secure the medicament containing cartridge, and has an indicator to allow proper cartridge placement in the inhaler. 
     
     
         12 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises a cap over the chamber, movable from a closed to an open position, having an anvil which engages with the cartridge in a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein the housing further comprises an air flow control mechanism comprising a check valve. 
     
     
         14 . The inhalation system of  claim 5 , wherein said dry powder inhaler system in use has the predetermined air flow distribution around and through said cartridge of air flow volume entering said chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The inhalation system of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined air flow distribution through said cartridge ranges from about 10% to about 30% of the air flow volume entering the mixing section and from about 70% to about 90% of the air flow volume entering the mouthpiece chamber.