US8869794 — Aerosolization apparatus with capsule puncturing member
Method of Use · Assigned to Novartis Pharma AG · Expires 2028-09-12 · 2y remaining
What this patent protects
This patent protects an aerosolization apparatus that punctures a capsule to release an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation, such as Tobi.
USPTO Abstract
An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. A puncturing mechanism is provided within the housing and comprising a puncture member. The puncture member comprises a forward end shaped to form a cutting edge that is effective in cutting the wall of the capsule to create an opening into the capsule. The puncture member also comprises a trailing end shaped so that it has a non-cutting surface that does not cut the wall of the capsule when the trailing end is inserted into the opening created by the forward end. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.
Drugs covered by this patent
- Tobi (tobramycin) · Novartis
FDA Patent Use Codes
When a patent is method-of-use, FDA lists it once per applicable indication ("U-code"). Each U-code carves out a specific therapeutic use that generic filers must either license or design around.
| Code | Description | Drug |
|---|---|---|
U-909 |
— | Tobi |
Bibliographic data sourced from FDA Orange Book + USPTO public records. Plain-English summary generated by AI grounded in source text. Patent term extensions (PTR, SPC, pediatric) may shift the effective expiry. Not legal advice.
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