Details for Patent: 6,901,929

Title:	Dry powder dispersing apparatus and methods for their use
Abstract:	The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas. A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the extended position. The second interlock remains engaged if the receptacle is only partially inserted into the carriage assembly.
Inventor(s):	Burr; John D. (Redwood City, CA), Smith; Adrian E. (Belmont, CA), Hall; Randy K. (Dublin, GA), Snyder; Herman (Pacifica, CA), Schuler; Carlos (Cupertino, CA), Axford; George S. (Pacifica, CA), Ray; Charles (Brentwood, CA)
Assignee:	Nektar Therapeutics (San Carlos, CA)
Filing Date:	Dec 19, 2002
Application Number:	10/327,633
Claims:	1. An apparatus for aerosolizing a powdered medicament, the apparatus comprising: a base adapted to house a receptacle which contains a powdered medicament; an extraction tube which is advanceable into the receptacle so that aerosolized powdered medicament may be drawn into the extraction tube; and an opening in a member that is rotatable relative to the base, the opening being in communication with the extraction tube, whereby a user may inhale through the opening to receive aerosolized powdered medicament. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the extraction tube includes a pointed tip adapted to pierce the receptacle. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the pointed tip comprises an aperture through which powdered medicament may be drawn into the extraction tube. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle is removably insertable into the base. 5. An apparatus according to the member is a mouthpiece adapted to be contacted by the user's mouth. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a capture chamber between the member and the base. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the member is rotatably attached to the capture chamber. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the member is rotatable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of the extraction tube. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the member is rotatable about an axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base. 10. A method of delivering aerosolized powdered medicament to a user, the method comprising: providing a base having a receptacle which contains a powdered medicament; advancing an extraction tube into the receptacle so that the powdered medicament may be drawn into the extraction tube; rotating a member having an opening relative to the base; and delivering the powdered medicament to the user though the opening during a user's inhalation. 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of rotating the member is performed after the step of advancing the extraction tube. 12.A method according to claim 10 wherein the extraction tube includes a pointed tip and wherein the step of advancing the extraction tube comprises piercing the receptacle with the pointed tip. 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the pointed tip comprises an aperture through which powdered medicament may be drawn into the extraction tube. 14. A method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of inserting the receptacle into the base. 15. A method according to claim 10 wherein the member is a mouthpiece and wherein the step of delivering the powdered medicament to the user comprises delivering the powdered medicament into the user's mouth. 16. A method according to claim 10 further comprising delivering the powdered medicament to a capture chamber before delivering the powdered medicament through the opening. 17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the step of rotating the member comprises rotating the member relative to the capture chamber. 18. A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of rotating the member comprises rotating the member about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis of the extraction tube. 19. A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of rotating the member comprises rotating the member about an axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base.