Capsule inhalers and methods of using same
The present disclosure describes a capsule inhaler. The capsule inhaler includes a main body including an inner cavity, a mouth section coupled to or integral with the main body and in fluid communication with the inner cavity, an actuator coupled to the main body, at least four longitudinally spaced apart nozzles residing within the main body positioned and configured to direct airflow into the inner cavity, and a cover coupled to the main body. The inner cavity is sized and configured to receive a capsule containing a dry powder formulation. One or more of the inner cavity, elongate member, and cover each are configured to engage with the capsule when inserted into the inner cavity and assist in separating the capsule to release the dry powder formulation into the inner cavity of the inhaler for inhalation by a subject. At least two of the nozzles are positioned and configured to direct airflow received from the at least one air intake port into separated segments of the capsule and at least another two of the nozzles are positioned and configured to direct bypass airflow received from the at least one air intake port into the inner cavity. Methods of using a capsule inhaler are also described herein.
1 . A capsule inhaler, comprising:
a main body comprising an inner cavity, a backwall, and at least one air intake port, wherein the inner cavity is sized and configured to receive a capsule containing a dry powder formulation;
a mouth section coupled to or integral with the main body and in fluid communication with the inner cavity;
an actuator coupled to the main body, the actuator comprising an elongate member attachable to an end portion of the capsule, wherein the actuator is configured to move between first and second positions to separate the capsule within the inner cavity;
at least four longitudinally spaced apart nozzles residing within the main body and in fluid communication with the inner cavity, wherein each of the nozzles extends between the inner cavity and backwall of the main body and opposite the mouth section terminating adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the backwall leaving a gap between the nozzles and the backwall; and
a cover coupled to the main body,
wherein one or more of the inner cavity, elongate member, and cover each are configured to engage with the capsule when inserted into the inner cavity and assist in separating the capsule to release the dry powder formulation into the inner cavity of the inhaler for inhalation by a subject, and
wherein at least two of the nozzles are positioned and configured to direct airflow received from the at least one air intake port into separated segments of the capsule and at least another two of the nozzles are positioned and configured to direct bypass airflow received from the at least one air intake port into the inner cavity.
2 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the at least four longitudinally space apart nozzles consists of four nozzles.
3 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally spaced apart nozzles comprises a first pair of nozzles and second pair of nozzles, wherein a first nozzle of the first pair of nozzles is configured to direct airflow only into a first capsule segment and a first nozzle of a second pair of nozzles is configured to direct airflow only into a second capsule segment, wherein the second nozzle of the first pair of nozzles is configured to direct airflow across the inner cavity over a first sub-length of the inner cavity and the second nozzle of the second pair of nozzles is configured to direct airflow across the inner cavity over a second sub-length of the inner cavity whereby airflow exiting from the second nozzle of the first pair of nozzles does not cross airflow exiting from the second nozzle of the second pair of nozzles.
4 . The capsule inhaler of claim 3 , wherein airflow exiting from each pair of nozzles is configured to be directed such that it does not cross an imaginary center line extending laterally across the inner cavity and between the first and second pairs of nozzles.
5 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein two of the nozzles have a narrower airpath passageway than another two nozzles.
6 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein airpath passageways of the nozzles are tapered to narrow at an exit end of the nozzles.
7 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the nozzles are configured to create a partially rotational airflow within the separated segments of the capsule.
8 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member of the actuator comprises a spring-loaded assembly that is configured to bias the actuator against the capsule when the capsule has been inserted into the inner cavity.
9 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the actuator further comprises a head portion coupled to the elongate member providing a location for a user to grip the actuator.
10 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a visually transmissive segment for allowing a user to see into the inner cavity of the inhaler when the cover is in a closed position.
11 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , further comprising the capsule, wherein the dry powder formulation within the capsule comprises a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical.
12 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity is sized to hold a size 0 capsule.
13 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity has a length between about 0.85 inch and about 1.25 inches.
14 . The capsule inhaler of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to separate the capsule within the inner cavity such that adjacent ends of the separated segments of the capsule are spaced apart a distance between about 0.60 inches and about 1 inch.
15 . A capsule inhaler, comprising:
a main body having an inner cavity formed therein, wherein the inner cavity is sized and configured to receive a capsule containing a dry powder formulation;
a mouth section coupled to or integral with the main body and in fluid communication with the inner cavity;
an actuator coupled to the main body, the actuator comprising an elongate member attachable to an end portion of the capsule, wherein the actuator is configured to move between first and second positions to separate the capsule within the inner cavity;
a first pair of nozzles and a second pair of nozzles, each pair of nozzles residing longitudinally spaced apart within the main body and in fluid communication with the inner cavity, wherein the first and second pair of nozzles extend between the inner cavity and a backwall of the main body and opposite the mouth section terminating adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the backwall leaving a gap between the pairs of nozzles and the backwall; and
a cover coupled to the main body,
wherein one or more of the inner cavity, elongate member, and cover each are configured to engage with the capsule when inserted into the inner cavity and assist in separating the capsule to release the dry powder formulation into the inner cavity of the inhaler for inhalation by a subject, and
wherein one of each of the pairs of nozzles is sized and configured to direct airflow into a capsule segment, wherein the other of each of the pairs of nozzles is sized and configured to direct bypass air into and/or across the inner cavity.
16 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein a first nozzle of the first pair of nozzles is configured to direct airflow only into a first capsule segment and a first nozzle of the second pair of nozzles is configured to direct airflow only into a second capsule segment, wherein the second nozzle of the first pair of nozzles is configured to directs airflow across the inner cavity over a first sub-length of the inner cavity and the second nozzle of the second pair of nozzles is configured to direct airflow across the inner cavity over a second sub-length of the inner cavity whereby airflow exiting from the second nozzle of the first pair of nozzles does not cross airflow exiting from the second nozzle of the second pair of nozzles.
17 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein airflow exiting from each pair of nozzles is configured to be directed such that it does not cross an imaginary centerline extending laterally across the inner cavity and between the two pairs of nozzles.
18 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein two of the nozzles have a narrower airpath passageway than the other two nozzles.
19 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein airway paths of the nozzles are tapered to narrow at an exit end of the nozzles.
20 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the pairs of nozzles are configured to creates a partially rotational airflow within separated segments of the capsule.
21 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the elongate member of the actuator comprises a spring-loaded assembly that is configured to bias the elongate member against the capsule when the capsule has been inserted into the inner cavity.
22 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the actuator further comprises a head portion coupled to the elongate member providing a location for a user to grip the actuator.
23 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the cover comprises a visually transmissive segment for allowing a user to see into the inner cavity of the inhaler when the cover is in a closed position.
24 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , further comprising the capsule, wherein the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical contained within the capsule is in a dry powder form.
25 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the inner cavity is sized and configured to receive a capsule having a length between about 0.5 inches and 1 inch.
26 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the inner cavity has a length between about 0.85 inch and about 1.25 inches.
27 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the inner cavity is sized to hold a size 0 capsule.
28 . The capsule inhaler of claim 15 , wherein the actuator is configured to separate the capsule within the inner cavity such that adjacent ends of separated segments of the capsule are spaced apart a distance between about 0.60 inches and about 1 inch.