Receptacle for an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation
A method of aerosolizing a pharmaceutical formulation comprises providing an aerosolization device comprising an aerosolization chamber and providing a receptacle containing a pharmaceutical formulation. The receptacle comprises a wall having a weakened portion that opens when a force is applied. By applying a force to the receptacle to create an opening at the weakened portion, the pharmaceutical formulation in the receptacle is exposed so that it may be aerosolized for delivery to a patient's respiratory tract. In one version, the receptacle is opened when a blunt force is applied.
1 . An aerosolization system comprising:
an aerosolization device comprising a chamber adapted to receive a receptacle; and
a receptacle containing a pharmaceutical formulation, the receptacle comprising a wall having a weakened portion that opens when a force is applied,
whereby an opening into the receptacle may be created at the weakened portion before, during, or after insertion of the receptacle into the chamber by applying a force to the receptacle.
2 . An system according to claim 1 wherein the weakened portion comprises a region of the wall altered so as to fracture at a force less than would be necessary without the alteration.
3 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the weakened portion comprises a scored region and/or a portion of the wall having a reduced thickness.
4 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the aerosolization device comprises a force applying member to apply a force to the weakened portion to create the opening in the receptacle.
5 . A system according to claim 4 wherein the force applying member comprises a moveable portion of the chamber.
6 . A system according to claim 5 wherein the movable portion is a flexible wall.
7 . A system according to claim 4 wherein the force applying member comprises an opening mechanism slidably moveable within the chamber.
8 . A system according to claim 7 wherein the opening mechanism comprises a opening member having a blunt tip.
9 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises a capsule.
10 . A system according to claim 9 wherein the capsule comprises a wall comprising one or more of gelatin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethyleneglycol-compounded hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyproplycellulose, and agar.
11 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the receptacle contains a powder pharmaceutical formulation.
12 . A system according to claim 11 wherein the powder pharmaceutical formulation comprises particles having a mass median diameter less than 10 μm.
13 . A system according to claim 11 wherein the powder pharmaceutical formulation has a moisture content below 5% by weight.
14 . A method of aerosolizing a pharmaceutical formulation, the method comprising:
providing an aerosolization device comprising a chamber;
providing a receptacle containing a pharmaceutical formulation, the receptacle comprising a wall having a weakened portion that opens when a force is applied;
applying a force to the receptacle to create an opening at the weakened portion;
before, during, or after applying the force to the receptacle, inserting the receptacle into the chamber; and
aerosolizing the pharmaceutical formulation in the chamber.
15 . A method according to claim 14 wherein the force is applied by a blunt member.
16 . A method according to claim 14 wherein the force is applied after the receptacle is inserted into the chamber.
17 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the force is applied by moving a wall of the chamber.
18 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the force is applied by sliding a member within the chamber.
19 . A method according to claim 14 wherein the applied force causes the weakened portion to break at a scored region.
20 . A method according to claim 14 wherein the applied force causes the weakened portion to break at a region of reduced wall thickness.
21 . A method according to claim 14 comprising aerosolizing the pharmaceutical formulation by dispersing the pharmaceutical formulation in an air or gas stream.
22 . A method according to claim 21 wherein the air or gas stream is generated by a users inhalation.
23 . A method according to claim 21 wherein the air or gas stream is from a source of pressurized gas.
24 . A method according to claim 14 wherein the receptacle comprises a capsule.
25 . A method according to claim 14 wherein the receptacle contains a powder pharmaceutical formulation.
26 . A method according to claim 25 wherein the powder pharmaceutical formulation comprises particles having a mass median diameter less than 10 μm.
27 . A receptacle for use in an aerosolization device comprising a chamber adapted to receive the receptacle, the receptacle comprising:
a wall having a weakened portion that opens when a force is applied; and
a pharmaceutical formulation within the wall,
whereby an opening may be created at the weakened portion before, during, or after insertion of the receptacle into the chamber by applying a force to the receptacle.
28 . A receptacle according to claim 27 wherein the weakened portion comprises a region of the wall altered so as to fracture at a force less than would be necessary without the alteration.
29 . A receptacle according to claim 27 wherein the weakened portion comprises a scored region and/or a portion of the wall having a reduced thickness.
30 . A receptacle according to claim 27 wherein the weakened portion is opened when a blunt force is applied.
31 . A receptacle according to claim 27 wherein the receptacle is a capsule.
32 . A receptacle according to claim 31 wherein the capsule comprises a wall comprising one or more of gelatin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethyleneglycol-compounded hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyproplycellulose, and agar.
33 . A receptacle according to claim 27 wherein the receptacle contains a powder pharmaceutical formulation.
34 . A receptacle according to claim 33 wherein the powder pharmaceutical formulation comprises particles having a mass median diameter less than 10 μm.
35 . A receptacle according to claim 33 wherein the powder pharmaceutical formulation has a moisture content below 5% by weight.