Details for Patent: 7,841,337

Title:	Breath-actuated nasal delivery device
Abstract:	A breath-actuated nasal delivery device, comprising: a mouthpiece through which a user in use exhales to actuate the delivery device; a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of the user through which a substance is in use delivered; a substance supply unit actuatable to deliver a dose of a substance through the nosepiece; a loading unit operable to load the substance supply unit with an actuation force; and a release mechanism for enabling actuation of the substance supply unit in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece; wherein the release mechanism comprises a locking unit which is movable: between a locking configuration in which the substance supply unit is locked in a non-actuated position when loaded by the loading unit and a release configuration in which the substance supply unit is actuatable by the loading unit, and a trigger member for releasing the locking unit from the locking configuration to the release configuration in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece and thereby enabling actuation of the substance supply unit.
Inventor(s):	Djupesland; Per Gisle (Oslo, NO)
Assignee:	Optinose AS (Oslo, NO)
Filing Date:	Sep 06, 2002
Application Number:	10/489,187
Claims:	1. A breath-actuated nasal delivery device, comprising: a mouthpiece through which a user in use exhales to actuate the delivery device; a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of the user through which a substance is in use delivered; a substance supply unit actuatable to deliver a dose of a substance through the nosepiece; a loading unit operable to load the substance supply unit with an actuation force; and a release mechanism for enabling actuation of the substance supply unit in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece; wherein the release mechanism comprises a locking unit which is movable between a locking configuration in which the substance supply unit is locked in a non-actuated position when loaded by the loading unit and a release configuration in which the substance supply unit is actuatable by the loading unit, and a trigger member for releasing the locking unit from the locking configuration to the release configuration in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece and thereby enabling actuation of the substance supply unit. 2. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the trigger member comprises a flow-sensitive element in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. 3. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein the flow-sensitive element comprises a vane. 4. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein the flow-sensitive element includes an aperture which allows for a predetermined air flow thereover prior to actuation. 5. The delivery device of claim 2, wherein the flow-sensitive element is one or both of shaped and sized such as to allow for a predetermined air flow thereover prior to actuation. 6. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the trigger member comprises a pressure-sensitive element in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. 7. The delivery device of claim 6, wherein the pressure-sensitive element comprises a vane. 8. The delivery device of claim 6, wherein the pressure-sensitive element comprises a flexible membrane. 9. The delivery device of claim 8, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a resilient membrane. 10. The delivery device of claim 6, wherein the pressure-sensitive element comprises a flexible membrane in fluid communication with the mouthpiece and a vane operable by the flexible membrane. 11. The delivery device of claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a resilient membrane. 12. The delivery device of claim 1, further comprising: a pressure-sensitive sealing unit disposed downstream of the trigger member and being operable to vent air flow developed by the user on exhalation through the mouthpiece to atmosphere, the sealing unit being normally closed and operable such as to be opened on generation of a predetermined pressure thereat. 13. The delivery device of claim 12, wherein the sealing unit comprises an annular seal, a sealing member movable between a closed position in sealing engagement with the annular seal and an open position in which an air flow can flow through the annular seal, and a biasing element for normally biasing the sealing member to the closed position and enabling the sealing member to be opened on generation of a predetermined pressure thereat. 14. The delivery device of claim 12, wherein the sealing unit comprises a flexible membrane which is movable between a closed position and an open position in which an air flow can flow thereby. 15. The delivery device of claim 14, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a resilient membrane. 16. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the trigger member includes a pivot pin about which the same is rotatable, which pivot pin is engaged by the locking unit when in the locking configuration such that the locking unit is moved from the locking configuration to the release configuration on rotation of the pivot pin. 17. The delivery device of claim 16, wherein the locking unit includes a first, support member which abuts the substance supply unit in the locking configuration and a second, link member which engages the pivot pin of the trigger member in the locking configuration, wherein the link member is movable in relation to the support member and configured to be moved on rotation of the pivot pin to move the locking unit from the locking configuration to the release configuration. 18. The delivery device of claim 17, wherein the link member is rotatably connected to the support member. 19. The delivery device of claim 17, wherein the link member is configured to load the pivot pin radially. 20. The delivery device of claim 1, further comprising: a flow path fluidly connecting the nosepiece and the mouthpiece, whereby an air flow developed by exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece is delivered through the nosepiece. 21. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the nosepiece and the mouthpiece are fluidly isolated. 22. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit comprises a nebulizer for supplying an aerosol. 23. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit comprises an aerosol canister for supplying an aerosol. 24. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit comprises a delivery pump unit for supplying one of an aerosol or a jet. 25. The delivery device of claim 24, wherein the delivery pump unit comprises a liquid pump unit for supplying a liquid aerosol. 26. The delivery device of claim 24, wherein the delivery pump unit comprises a powder pump unit for supplying a powder aerosol. 27. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substance supply unit comprises a powder delivery unit for delivering a powder aerosol. 28. The delivery device of claim 1, further comprising: a flow-control mechanism disposed upstream of the trigger member to at least restrict an air flow to the trigger member such as to prevent actuation of the release mechanism on exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece where the delivery device is being improperly operated. 29. The delivery device of claim 28, wherein the flow-control mechanism is configured to at least restrict the air flow to the trigger member where the delivery device is in an improper orient. 30. The delivery device of claim 28, wherein the flow-control mechanism is configured to at least restrict the air flow to the trigger member where the air flow developed by the user has a rate exceeding a predetermined threshold value. 31. The delivery device of claim 28, wherein the flow control mechanism comprises a flow channel section which includes a recess, and a ball which is movably, captively disposed within the flow channel section, the ball normally, with proper operation of the delivery device, resting in the recess such as to allow a sufficient air flow to the trigger member as to enable actuation of the release mechanism, and being moved to at least partially block the flow channel section where the delivery device is being improperly operated such as to prevent actuation of the release mechanism. 32. A breath-actuated nasal delivery device, comprising: a mouthpiece through which a user in use exhales to actuate the delivery device; a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of the user through which a substance is in use delivered and being in fluid communication with the mouthpiece; a substance supply unit actuatable to deliver a dose of a substance through the nosepiece; a release mechanism for enabling actuation of the substance supply unit in response to exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece; and a flow-control mechanism disposed upstream of a trigger member to at least restrict an air flow to the trigger member such as to prevent actuation of the release mechanism on exhalation by the user through the mouthpiece where the delivery device is being improperly operated. 33. The delivery device of claim 32, wherein the flow-control mechanism is configured to at least restrict the air flow to the trigger member where the delivery device is in an improper orient. 34. The delivery device of claim 32, wherein the flow-control mechanism is configured to at least restrict the air flow to the trigger member where the air flow developed by the user has a rate exceeding a predetermined threshold value. 35. The delivery device of claim 32, wherein the flow-control mechanism comprises a flow channel section which includes a recess, and a ball which is movably, captively disposed within the flow channel section, the ball normally, with proper operation of the delivery device, resting in the recess such as to allow a sufficient air flow to the trigger member as to enable actuation of the release mechanism, and being moved to at least partially block the flow channel section where the delivery device is being improperly operated such as to prevent actuation of the release mechanism. 36. A release mechanism for enabling actuation of a substance supply unit, the release mechanism comprising: a locking unit which is movable between a locking configuration in which the substance supply unit is locked in a non-actuated position and a release configuration in which the substance supply unit is actuatable; and a trigger member for releasing the locking unit from the locking configuration to the release configuration in response to a gas flow thereat, wherein the gas flow is developed by a user's exhalation, and wherein the trigger member includes a pivot pin about which the same is rotatable, which pivot pin is engaged by the locking unit when in the locking configuration such that the locking unit is moved from the locking configuration to the release configuration on rotation of the pivot pin. 37. The release mechanism of claim 36, where in the locking unit includes a first, support member which abuts the substance supply unit in the locking configuration and a second, link member which engages the pivot pin of the trigger member in the locking configuration, wherein the link member is movable in relation to the support member and configured to be moved on rotation of the pivot pin to move the locking unit from the locking configuration to the release configuration. 38. The release mechanism of claim 37, wherein the link member is rotatably connected to the support member. 39. The release mechanism of claim 37, wherein the link member is configured to load the pivot pin radially.