POWDER CONDITIONING OF UNIT DOSE DRUG PACKAGES
The invention provides techniques for treating or conditioning powders subsequent to their packaging to facilitate extraction of the powders from their packaging.
1 . A method of conditioning contents of at least one unit dose drug package prior to a unit dose drug package finishing step, comprising:
effecting a contact between at least one ultrasonic probe and at least one unit dose drug package to produce a vibration and at least partially deagglomerate the contents of at least one unit dose drug package.
2 - 3 . (canceled)
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe generates a vibration frequency ranging from about 5 kHz to about 100 kHz.
5 . (canceled)
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe generates a vibration amplitude of about 0.0005 inch to about 0.005 inch.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein vibration from the ultrasonic probe is applied for a variable period of time.
8 - 11 . (canceled)
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vibration is adjusted by tuning at least one of a frequency and amplitude of the ultrasonic probe.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one unit dose drug package is urged into contact with the ultrasonic probe by a member.
14 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is positioned beneath, above, or on a side of at least one unit dose drug package.
17 . (canceled)
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises:
actuating a hold-down device between an engaged position in which the hold-down device directly or indirectly contacts at least one unit dose drug package, and a disengaged position in which the hold-down device does not contact a unit dose drug package.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the contacting comprises:
vertically actuating a hold-down device between an engaged position in which the hold-down device directly or indirectly contacts at least one unit dose drug package, and a disengaged position in which the hold-down device does not contact a unit dose drug package.
20 . (canceled)
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contents comprise a dry powder medicament.
22 . (canceled)
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the unit dose drug package comprises at least one blister pack.
24 - 29 . (canceled)
30 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
filling a cavity of at least one unit dose drug package with the contents; and
sealing the filled unit dose drug package cavity to form the unit dose drug package.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the sealing of at least one filled unit dose drug package comprises sealing a lid to the unit dose drug package cavity to form the unit dose drug package.
32 - 44 . (canceled)
45 . A method of conditioning contents of at least one unit dose drug package prior to a unit dose drug package finishing step, comprising:
contacting the at least one unit dose drug package with an ultrasonic bath to at least partially deagglomerate the contents of at least one unit dose drug package.
46 - 58 . (canceled)
59 . An apparatus for conditioning contents of at least one unit dose drug package prior to a unit dose drug package finishing step, comprising:
at least one ultrasonic probe that vibrates at least one unit dose drug package to at least partially deagglomerate the contents of the unit dose drug package.
60 . The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a probe tip that vibrates of at least one unit dose drug package.
61 - 62 . (canceled)
63 . The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the unit dose drug package is a web comprising a plurality of unit dose drug packages, and wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a plurality of ultrasonic probes structured and arranged to apply ultrasonic energy to the web comprising a plurality of unit dose drug packages.
64 - 70 . (canceled)
71 . A method of aerosolizing contents of at least one unit dose drug package, comprising:
conditioning at least one unit dose drug package according to claim 1 , prior to a unit dose drug packaging step;
packaging the unit drug package; and
aerosolizing the contents of the unit dose drug package.
72 . (canceled)