GB2364919A — Inhalers

USPTO Abstract

An inhaler comprises an aerosolising device 1 with an exit port 2 and a discharge means 7 and 8 (7 and 12, Fig 4; 8, Fig 5) to control the discharge of the aerosol through the exit port. The aerosolising device is arranged to aerosolise and retain an aerosol of powdered medicament in a circulating airflow (see arrows). The aerosolising device is preferably a cyclone 1 with a tangential air inlet 3 and axial outlet 4, and air is circulated by a pump 5 from the outlet to the inlet in a recirculation loop. The discharge means is preferably arranged to increase the pressure in the aerosolising device, by increasing airflow into the device or by reducing pressure at the exit port remote from the device, thereby discharging the aerosol. A drug dosing device 9 comprises a chamber arranged to receive a capsule 11 of a medicament, and a needle 11 arranged to pass right through the capsule to form entry and exit holes for the airflow. The needle may be hollow and can be withdrawn from the capsule to control the rate of entrainment of the medicament.