EP1067981A1 — Inhalation device with a dose counting unit

USPTO Abstract

An inhaler for administering medicament by inhalation, comprising: an inhalation channel ( 24 ); a rotatable dosing unit ( 16 ) which includes at least one dosing element ( 18 ) for providing a dose of medicament to the inhalation channel ( 24 ); and a dose counting unit ( 42 ) which comprises an electronic display ( 57 ), an electrical circuit for counting each dose of medicament provided to the inhalation channel ( 24 ) and driving the display ( 57 ) so as to provide an indication as to the usage of the inhaler, the electrical circuit including at least one switch which comprises a contact element which is one of opened or closed when a dose of medicament is provided to the inhalation channel ( 24 ), and a rotatable member ( 45 ) connected to the dosing unit ( 16 ) so as to be rotatable therewith, the rotatable member ( 45 ) including at least one cam surface ( 51, 52 ) which includes at least one cam ( 51 a , 52 a), each cam ( 51 a , 52 a) on each cam surface ( 51, 52 ) being configured, on rotation of the dosing unit ( 16 ) to provide a dose of medicament to the inhalation channel ( 24 ), such as to cause movement of the contact element of the respective at least one switch and one of open or close the same.