Details for Patent: 8,511,303

Title:	Nasal delivery devices
Abstract:	An exhalation breath-actuated nasal deliver device for and a method of delivering a substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of a subject; a mouthpiece through which the subject in use exhales; and delivery unit, as one of a mechanical delivery pump or a nebulizer, for delivering a substance to the nosepiece; and an actuation mechanism for actuating the delivery unit in response to oral exhalation through the mouthpiece, and preferably when at least one or both of the pressure at or the flow rate through the nosepiece exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Inventor(s):	Djupesland; Per Gisle (Oslo, NO)
Assignee:	Optinose AS (Oslo, NO)
Filing Date:	Dec 21, 2007
Application Number:	11/963,063
Claims:	1. A nasal delivery device for delivering a substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, comprising: a nosepiece for fitting in or to a nostril of a subject; a mouthpiece into which the subject in use exhales; a substance supply unit fluidly connected to the nosepiece and actuatable to deliver a substance to 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 substance supply unit delivers a metered dose of substance on actuation thereof. 3. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit comprises a mechanical delivery pump. 4. The delivery device of claim 1, further comprising a resilient actuating element for applying an actuating force to actuate the substance supply unit. 5. The delivery device of claim 4, wherein the resilient actuating element is a spring. 6. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism includes a diaphragm which is deflected by the exhalation breath of the subject on exhalation into the mouthpiece to operate the trigger mechanism and actuate the substance supply unit. 7. The delivery device of claim 6, wherein the trigger mechanism includes at least one arm which is engaged by the diaphragm when deflected by the exhalation breath of the subject to operate the trigger mechanism. 8. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism actuates the substance supply unit at one of a predeterminable pressure or a predeterminable flow rate. 9. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is fluidly connected to the nosepiece, whereby exhaled air from an exhalation breath is in use delivered through the nosepiece. 10. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is fluidly isolated from the nosepiece, whereby exhaled air from an exhalation breath is not delivered through the nosepiece. 11. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit provides for the delivery of one of a liquid or a powder. 12. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit provides for the delivery of one of an aerosol or a jet. 13. A nasal drug delivery system comprising: a container containing a substance to be delivered into the nasal passages of a user; a nosepiece extending from the drug delivery system for placement in or at the nose of user, said nosepiece in fluid communication with a valve of said container; a mouthpiece, 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 mouthpiece the diaphragm trigger means releases a predetermined amount of said substance from said container to said nosepiece. 14. The nasal drug delivery system of claim 13 wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with said nosepiece. 15. The nasal drug delivery system of claim 14, wherein the pressure activated diaphragm trigger means comprises a follower. 16. The nasal drug delivery system of claim 15, wherein the pressure activated diaphragm trigger means comprises a follower assembly. 17. The nasal drug delivery system of claim 13, further comprising an activation spring.