Nasal delivery device

Abstract

A breath-actuated nasal delivery device, comprising: a mouthpiece through which a user in use exhales to actuate the delivery device; a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of the user through which a substance is in use delivered; a substance supply unit actuatable to deliver a dose of a substance through the nosepiece; a loading unit operable to load the substance supply unit with an actuation force; and a release mechanism for enabling actuation of the substance supply unit in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece; wherein the release mechanism comprises a locking unit which is movable: between a locking configuration in which the substance supply unit is locked in a non-actuated position when loaded by the loading unit and a release configuration in which the substance supply unit is actuatable by the loading unit, and a trigger member for releasing the locking unit from the locking configuration to the release configuration in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece and thereby enabling actuation of the substance supply unit.

1 . A nasal delivery device, comprising:
 a mouthpiece through which a user in use exhales to actuate the delivery device;   a nosepiece for fitting in or to a nostril of the user;   a substance supply unit actuatable to deliver a dose of a substance through the nosepiece; and   a trigger mechanism for actuating the substance supply unit in response to exhalation through the mouthpiece.   
   
   
       2 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a pressure-sensitive element in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. 
   
   
       3 . The delivery device of  claim 2 , wherein the pressure-sensitive element comprises a resilient element. 
   
   
       4 . The delivery device of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient element is configured to be deformable by the exhalation breath of the user on exhalation through the mouthpiece to operate the trigger mechanism and actuate the substance supply unit. 
   
   
       5 . The delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises at least one pivot pin which is configured to be rotated by the deformable resilient element. 
   
   
       6 . The delivery device of  claim 5 , wherein the trigger mechanism further comprises a locking assembly, and wherein the pivot pin is configured to engage and release the locking assembly, thereby operating the trigger mechanism and actuating the substance supply unit. 
   
   
       7 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger mechanism actuates the substance supply unit at a predeterminable pressure. 
   
   
       8 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow path fluidly connecting the nosepiece and the mouthpiece, whereby an air flow developed by exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece is delivered through the nosepiece. 
   
   
       9 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the nosepiece and the mouthpiece are fluidly isolated. 
   
   
       10 . A nasal drug delivery system comprising:
 a container containing a substance to be delivered into the nasal passages of a user;   a nasal shaft extending from the drug delivery system for placement in or at the nose of user, said nasal shaft in fluid communication with a valve of said container;   an oral shaft, extending from the drug delivery system for placement in the mouth of a user; and   a pressure activated diaphragm trigger means, wherein upon application of pressure to the oral shaft the diaphragm trigger means releases a predetermined amount of said substance from said container to said nasal shaft.   
   
   
       11 . The nasal drug delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the oral shaft is in fluid communication with said nasal shaft. 
   
   
       12 . The nasal drug delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure activated diaphragm trigger means comprises a follower. 
   
   
       13 . The nasal drug delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure activated diaphragm trigger means comprises a follower assembly. 
   
   
       14 . The nasal drug delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein the pressure activated diaphragm trigger means comprises a cam. 
   
   
       15 . The nasal drug delivery system of  claim 10 , further comprising an activation spring. 
   
   
       16 . A method of delivering a predetermined amount of medication to the nasal epithelia of a user comprising the steps of:
 providing a drug applicator having a container containing a substance to be delivered, a nasal shaft, extending from the drug applicator for placement in or at the nose of user, with said nasal shaft in fluid communication with a valve of said container, an oral shaft extending from the drug applicator for placement in the mouth of a user, and a pressure activated diaphragm trigger means;   inserting the oral shaft into the mouth of a user;   inserting the nasal shaft into or at the nose of a user pressurizing the oral shaft which activates the diaphragm trigger means; and   releasing a predetermined amount of medicament from the container into the nasal shaft and into the nasal passage of the user.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the drug applicator further includes a lumen connecting the nasal shaft and the oral shaft and further comprising a step of causing an airflow from said oral shaft to said nasal shaft. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the airflow assists in dispersing the medication into the nasal passage of the user. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein pressurizing of the oral shaft displaces a diaphragm. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the displacement of the diaphragm displaces a cam. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein displacement of the cam releases a follower and triggers release of the medicament.