Claims for Patent: 8,714,149

Summary for Patent: 8,714,149

Title:	Airflow adaptor for a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler
Abstract:	An airflow adaptor for a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler. The airflow adaptor includes a conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end allows fluid communication from a deagglomerator outlet port to the distal end of the conduit, and wherein the airflow adaptor further includes provisions for allowing air to flow from a proximal end of the adaptor to a distal end of the adaptor independently of the airflow in the conduit when a breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor.
Inventor(s):	Blair; Julian Alexander (Stradbally, IE), Buck; Daniel (Waterford, IE), Hazenberg; Jan Geert (Kilkenny, IE), Zeng; Xian-Ming (London, GB)
Assignee:	Norton Healthcare Limited (West Yorkshire, GB)
Application Number:	12/941,204
Patent Claims:	1. An airflow adaptor for a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler, the airflow adaptor comprising: a first conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end allows fluid communication from a deagglomerator outlet port to the distal end of the first conduit, at least one second conduit for allowing air to flow from a proximal end of the adaptor to a distal end of the adaptor independently of the airflow in the first conduit when a breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor, a first circumferential flange at the distal end of the first conduit, at least one aperture in the first circumferential flange, a second circumferential flange at the proximal end of the airflow adaptor, at least one aperture in the second circumferential flange, and wherein the at least one second conduit comprises a tube connecting the at least one aperture in the first circumferential flange with the at least one aperture in the second circumferential flange. 2. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 wherein a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of the at least one second conduit to the cross-sectional area of the first conduit is such that when a breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor, at least 5% of the resulting airflow is through the at least one second conduit. 3. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 wherein the first circumferential flange comprises two apertures. 4. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 wherein a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of the apertures in the second circumferential flange to the cross-sectional area of the first conduit is such that when a pressure breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor, at least 5% of the resulting airflow is through the apertures. 5. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 wherein a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of the at least one second conduit to the cross-sectional area of the first conduit is such that when a breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor, at least 20% of the resulting airflow is through the at least one second conduit. 6. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 wherein the first circumferential flange comprises four apertures. 7. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 wherein the second circumferential flange comprises four apertures. 8. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 wherein a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of the apertures in the second circumferential flange to the cross-sectional area of the first conduit is such that when a pressure breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor, at least 20% of the resulting airflow is through the apertures. 9. An airflow adaptor according to claim 1 further comprising two second conduits that are each in the form of a tube for allowing air to flow from a proximal end of the adaptor to a distal end of the adaptor independently of the airflow in the first conduit when a breath induced low pressure is applied to the distal end of the airflow adaptor. 10. A deagglomerator for a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler, the deagglomerator comprising an airflow adaptor according to claim 1. 11. A deagglomerator according to claim 10, the deagglomerator comprising: an inner wall defining a swirl chamber extending along an axis from a first end to a second end; a dry powder supply port in the first end of the swirl chamber for providing fluid communication between a dry powder delivery passageway of an inhaler and the first end of the swirl chamber; at least one inlet port in the inner wall of the swirl chamber adjacent to the first end of the swirl chamber providing fluid communication between a region exterior to the de-agglomerator and the first end of the swirl chamber; an outlet port providing fluid communication between the second end of the swirl chamber and the airflow adaptor; wherein a breath induced low pressure at the distal end of the airflow adaptor causes air to flow into the swirl chamber through the dry powder supply port and the inlet port.