Support Structure for a Medicament

Abstract

A support structure ( 1 ) for a medicament comprising a base ( 2 ) with at least one cavity ( 3 ) for the medicament and a lid ( 4 ) for sealing the medicament within the cavity ( 3 ). Each moisture permeable region of the structure ( 6 ) is protected against the ingress of mositure by a moisture absorbing sink ( 7 ) between that region and the ambient air outside the structure ( 1 ).

1 . A support structure for a medicament comprising a base with at least one cavity for the medicament and a lid for sealing the medicament within the cavity, each moisture permeable region of the structure being protected against the ingress of moisture by locating a moisture absorbing sink between that region and the ambient air outside the structure, characterised in that each moisture permeable region comprises an inner moisture permeable barrier located adjacent to the cavity and an outer moisture permeable barrier, the moisture absorbing sink being located between the inner and outer barriers thereby reducing the relative humidity (RH) of the air passing through it to substantially the relative humidity (RH) of the air within the cavity so that there is minimal diffusion of moisture from the sink to the cavity. 
   
   
       2 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base and the lid are moisture impermeable and the moisture permeable region of the structure is located where the lid is sealed to the base. 
   
   
       3 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the moisture absorbing sink between the lid and the base is spaced from the periphery of the cavity thereby forming an inner moisture permeable region and an outer moisture permeable region, the sink breaking the moisture ingress path so that there is minimal diffusion of moisture through the inner moisture permeable region to the cavity. 
   
   
       4 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the moisture absorbing sink comprises a channel in the base surrounding the cavity which contains dry air. 
   
   
       5 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising a plurality of cavities each having a channel filled with dry air. 
   
   
       6 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each channel is connected to a single desiccant source which dries the air in all the channels. 
   
   
       7 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the moisture absorbing sink comprises a polymer ring surrounding the cavity and located between the lid and the base. 
   
   
       8 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 7 , comprising a plurality of cavities each having a polymer ring. 
   
   
       9 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein both the base and the lid have an aluminium layer for moisture impermeability, the lid being heat sealed to the base. 
   
   
       10 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lid is moisture impermeable and the base material is moisture permeable, the moisture permeable regions being located where the lid is sealed to the base and within the base material of the cavity walls. 
   
   
       11 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a first moisture absorbing sink is located between the lid and the base and is spaced from the periphery of the cavity and a second moisture absorbing sink is located within the base material of the cavity walls thereby forming inner moisture permeable barriers and outer moisture permeable barriers, the sink breaking the moisture ingress path so that there is minimal diffusion of moisture through the inner moisture permeable barriers to the cavity. 
   
   
       12 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the moisture absorbing sink comprises a channel containing dry air surrounding the cavity opening where the lid is sealed to the base and passing through the cavity walls. 
   
   
       13 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising a plurality of cavities each having a channel containing dry air. 
   
   
       14 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein each channel is connected to a single desiccant source which dries the air in all the channels. 
   
   
       15 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the base is injection moulded and the lid has an aluminum layer for moisture impermeability, the lid being heat sealed to the base. 
   
   
       16 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the base comprises cooperating stackable elements, each element having a plurality of cavities, the cavities within one of the elements sitting between the cavities within another element when stacked, a moisture absorbing sink being formed by the spacing between the cooperating elements. 
   
   
       17 . A support structure for a medicament substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.