Metered dose inhaler applicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016129206-A1
Application number	US-201514849083-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 9, 2015
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A metered dose inhaler (“MDI”) applicator is disclosed that includes a carrier, a housing, an adjuster and a lever. The carrier defines an aperture configured to receive a boot of a MDI. The housing is configured to be assembled with the carrier and to move in a vertical direction within the MID applicator relative to the carrier. The adjuster is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the adjuster is in the locked position, the adjuster is configured to prevent the carrier and the housing from moving in one or more directions relative to one another. The lever is pivotally connected to the housing and is configured to transfer a force applied to the lever to a canister of the MDI and to actuate the MDI to dispense an aerosolized medicine.

First claim

1 - 5 . (canceled)

6 . A metered dose inhaler applicator comprising:
a housing defining a cavity shaped to receive a medicament canister; and a lever pivotally connected to the housing about a pivot axis, the lever comprising a protuberance adapted to engage the medicament canister, wherein the lever is extendable relative to the housing between a first position, wherein the lever is spaced apart from the housing and is pivotable relative to the housing, and a second position, wherein the lever is positioned adjacent the housing and is prevented from being pivoted relative to the housing.

7 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 6 wherein the lever comprises a first portion pivotally connected to the housing, and a second portion extendably connected to the first portion, wherein the protruberance extends downwardly from the first portion, wherein the second portion is extendable relative to the first portion between the first and second positions.

8 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 7 further comprising a detent holding the first and second portions in the first and second positions.

9 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 7 wherein the second portion is slidably connected to the first portion.

10 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 6 further comprising the medicament canister holding a medicine disposed in the housing, wherein the protuberance is positioned against an end of the canister.

11 . A metered dose inhaler applicator comprising:
a housing defining a cavity shaped to receive a medicament canister, the housing comprising a first bottom; and a lever pivotally connected to the housing, the lever pivotal relative to the housing between an open, use position and a closed, storage position, the lever comprising a second bottom, wherein the first and second bottoms in combination define a co-planar surface when the lever is in the closed, storage position, wherein the co-planar surface is adapted to hold the applicator in an upright position on a flat surface.

12 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 11 further comprising a carrier moveably coupled to the housing, wherein the carrier is moveable relative to the housing in a vertical direction.

13 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 12 wherein the first and second bottoms are positioned below a bottom surface of the carrier when the lever is in the closed, storage position.

14 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 11 wherein the lever comprises a protuberance.

15 . The metered dose inhaler applicator of claim 14 further comprising the medicament canister holding a medicine disposed in the housing, wherein the protuberance is positioned against an end of the canister.

16 . A method of using a metered dose inhaler applicator comprising:
disposing a canister of medication in a cavity defined by a housing; extending a lever from a storage position, wherein the lever is positioned adjacent the housing and is prevented from being pivoted relative to the housing, to a use position, wherein the lever is spaced apart from the housing; and pivoting the lever relative to the housing, when in the use position, about a pivot axis; and engaging an end of the canister with a protuberance disposed on the lever and thereby moving the canister relative to the housing.

17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the lever comprises a first portion pivotally connected to the housing, and a second portion extendably connected to the first portion, wherein the protruberance extends downwardly from the first portion, and wherein extending the lever from the storage position to the use position comprises extending the second portion relative to the first portion.

18 . The method of claim 17 further comprising holding the first and second portions in the storage and use positions with a detent.

19 . The method of claim 17 wherein the second portion is slidably connected to the first portion.

20 . A method of using a metered dose inhaler applicator comprising:
disposing a canister of medication in a cavity defined by a housing, wherein the housing has a first bottom; pivoting a lever relative to the housing between an open, use position and a closed, storage position, wherein the lever comprises a second bottom, wherein the first and second bottoms in combination define a lowermost co-planar surface when the lever is in the closed, storage position; and disposing the co-planar surface on a flat support surface and thereby holding the applicator in an upright position on the flat surface.

21 . The method of claim 20 further comprising moving a carrier relative to the housing to secure the canister in the housing.

22 . The method of claim 21 further comprising maintaining the first and second bottoms below a bottom surface of the carrier when the lever is in the closed, storage position.

23 . The method of claim 20 wherein the lever comprises a protuberance, and further comprising pivoting the lever relative to the housing when in the open, use position and thereby moving an end of the canister with the protuberance.

Assignees

• Trudell Medical Int

Inventors

• Engelbreth Daniel

Classifications

• A61M11/08

  Pocket atomisers of the injector type {(aerosol cans A61M15/009)} · CPC title

• A61M2205/586

  Ergonomic details therefor, e.g. specific ergonomics for left or right-handed users · CPC title

• A61M2205/276

  preventing unwanted use · CPC title

• A61M15/0065

  Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices (A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52) · CPC title

• A61M15/0001 Primary

  Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof · CPC title