Unit dose dry powder inhaler

Abstract

A unit dose dry powder inhaler includes a chamber housing containing a powder dispersion chamber. A chamber tube extends from the dispersion chamber into the mouthpiece. A cover or cup is rotatably attached to the chamber housing. A dose of a dry powder is contained at a powder location in the chamber housing. An air passageway leading from the powder location to the dispersion chamber is closed off by the cover. When the cover is rotated to an open position, the air passageway is opened. The user inhales on the mouthpiece drawing air through the powder location, the air passageway, the dispersion chamber and the chamber tube, through the mouthpiece and into the users lungs. The unit dose of dry powder is stored directly in, or is part of, the inhaler.

1 . A unit dose dry powder inhaler comprising:
 a first part including a first air flow path having a dispersion chamber; and having second air flow path; a second part permanently attached to the first part and with the second part pivotal relative to the first part from a first position, wherein the second air flow path is substantially closed off from the first air flow path, to a second position, wherein the second air flow path is substantially connecting into the first air flow path, to allow for air flow through the second and first parts, and through the dispersion chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 1  further comprising a mouthpiece on the first part and with a dispersion chamber tube extending from the dispersion chamber to or into the mouthpiece. 
   
   
       3 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 1  further comprising one or more beads in the dispersion chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 1  further comprising a dose of a dry powder pharmaceutical contained in a bowl in the second part. 
   
   
       5 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 4  wherein the first part includes a top section joined to a base section to form a chamber housing containing the dispersion chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 5  wherein the second part comprises a cover pivotally attached to the chamber housing and with the cover having inlet and outlet slots alignable to connect the first and second air flow paths through the bowl. 
   
   
       7 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 6  with the base section including a base flange having an inlet opening and an outlet opening extending through the flange and alignable respectively with the inlet and outlet slots in the cover, when the second part is in the second position. 
   
   
       8 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 6  further including a ratchet device on at least one of the cover and the base section, to allow the cover to rotate in only one direction. 
   
   
       9 . A unit dose dry powder inhaler, comprising:
 a chamber housing;   a cover rotatably attached to the chamber housing;   a dispersion chamber in the chamber housing;   a powder storage location in or on the housing;   a dose of a dry powder pharmaceutical powder at the powder storage location;   an air flow passageway extending at least from the powder storage location through the dispersion chamber and to the mouthpiece; and   opening means for opening or closing off the air flow passageway by rotating the cover relative to the chamber housing.   
   
   
       10 . A unit dose dry powder inhaler comprising:
 a first part including a first air flow path;   a second part including a second air flow path;   a dispersion chamber associated with at least one of the first and second flow paths;   with the second part pivotally and permanently attached to the first part; and   with the second part pivotal relative to the first part from a first position, wherein the second air flow path is substantially closed off from the first air flow path, to a second position, wherein the second air flow path is substantially connected into the first air flow path, to allow for air flow through the second and first parts, and through the dispersion chamber.   
   
   
       11 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 10  further comprising a mouthpiece on the first part and with a dispersion chamber tube extending from the dispersion chamber to or into the mouthpiece. 
   
   
       12 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 10  further comprising one or more beads in the dispersion chamber. 
   
   
       13 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 10  further comprising a dose of a dry powder pharmaceutical contained in a bowl in the second part, with the bowl enclosed between the first part and the second part 
   
   
       14 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 13  with the bowl formed in a cylindrical sidewall of the second part. 
   
   
       15 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 10  wherein the second flow path enters the bowl in a first direction and exits the bowl in a second direction different from the first direction. 
   
   
       16 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 15  wherein the first direction is opposite from the second direction. 
   
   
       17 . The unit dose dry powder inhaler of  claim 15  with the second flow path entering and exiting tangentially to the bowl.