Pressure barrier drug delivery device

Abstract

A beneficial agent dispensing device comprises a dispenser body comprising a pressure chamber and at least one dispensing port. A flexible primary container stores the beneficial agent contained within the body. The arrangement is such that pressure in the pressure chamber depress the flexible primary container to expel the beneficial agent through the dispensing port. The beneficial agent dispenser can be configured to deliver the beneficial agent intranasally.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A dispensing device for dispensing a beneficial agent comprising:
 a pressurized fluid source configured to contain a pressurized fluid,   a pressure chamber with an internal volume and comprising a primary container adapted to store a beneficial agent, and   a fluid barrier between the internal volume and an ambient environment;   wherein a fluid pathway from the primary container is provided responsive to providing a pressurized fluid into the pressure chamber from the pressurized fluid source, and   wherein the pressurized fluid source is disposed through the fluid barrier such that an internal end of the pressurized fluid source is exposed to the internal volume and an external end of the pressurized fluid source is exposed to the ambient environment.   
     
     
         23 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the pressurized fluid source comprises a canister configured to contain a pressurized fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The dispensing device of  claim 23 , wherein the pressurized fluid includes any of liquified carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide gas, nitrogen gas, and argon gas. 
     
     
         25 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the internal end of the pressurized fluid source is configured to open to provide the pressurized fluid to the internal volume upon opening. 
     
     
         26 . The dispensing device of  claim 25 , wherein the internal end of the pressurized fluid source is configured to rupture to open. 
     
     
         27 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , further comprising the primary container comprising a beneficial agent, and wherein the fluid pathway from the primary container is adapted to expel the beneficial agent through a dispensing port. 
     
     
         28 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the pressurized fluid source is configured to move relative to the fluid barrier from a first position where the internal end is unopened to a second position where the internal end is opened to provide the pressurized fluid to the internal volume. 
     
     
         29 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the ambient environment includes an activation mechanism confronting the external end and configured to actuate the pressurized fluid source upon actuation. 
     
     
         30 . The dispensing device of  claim 29 , wherein the actuation of the pressurized fluid source brings the internal end into an interaction with a fluid source opening element such that the internal end opens to provide the pressurized fluid to the internal volume. 
     
     
         31 . The dispensing device of  claim 30 , wherein the internal end includes a rupturable membrane, and the fluid source opening element comprises a rupturing pin configured to rupture the rupturable membrane. 
     
     
         32 . The dispensing device of  claim 29 , wherein the activation mechanism is configured to prevent movement of the pressurized fluid source away from the internal volume of the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         33 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the pressurized fluid source comprises an abutment feature configured to prevent movement of the pressurized fluid source away from the internal volume of the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         34 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the fluid barrier comprises any of a seal, an o-ring, or a tight fit between the fluid barrier and at least a section of the pressurized fluid source. 
     
     
         35 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , further comprising a connecting section of the pressurized fluid source connecting the internal end to the external end, wherein the fluid barrier is configured to seal against the connecting section. 
     
     
         36 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the internal volume contains a dispensing assembly. 
     
     
         37 . The dispensing device of  claim 36 , wherein the dispensing assembly includes piston configured to move when a pressurized fluid is provided to the internal volume. 
     
     
         38 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , wherein the pressurized fluid source is configured to move in an axial direction relative to the fluid barrier. 
     
     
         39 . The dispensing device of  claim 22 , further comprising a bleed path configured to controllably release the pressurized fluid from the internal volume of the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         40 . The dispensing device of  claim 39 , wherein the fluid barrier is configured to provide the bleed path responsive to the pressurized fluid source providing a pressurized fluid to the internal volume of the pressure chamber.