Delivery Devices
A breath-actuated delivery device includes a mouthpiece through which a subject in use exhales, an air channel which is in fluid communication with the mouthpiece, and a flexible diaphragm which is disposed in the air channel. The diaphragm provides for at least a restricted air flow through the air channel until a predeterminable actuation pressure is developed in the mouthpiece, and, on generation of the predeterminable actuation pressure in the mouthpiece, provides for an air flow through the air channel.
1 - 7 . (canceled)
8 . A delivery device, comprising:
a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a release valve, the release valve operable to permit an exhalation flow through the housing when a pressure in the housing is above a predetermined pressure and to prohibit the exhalation flow through the housing when the pressure in the housing is below the predetermined pressure;
a mouthpiece fluidly connected to the inlet of the housing, the mouthpiece configured for a subject to exhale through;
a nosepiece fluidly connected to the outlet of the housing; and
a delivery unit disposed within the housing and actuatable to deliver a substance from a container unit through the nosepiece in response to application of a delivery force to the delivery unit.
9 . The delivery device of claim 8 , wherein the release valve is a flap valve.
10 . The delivery device of claim 8 , wherein the release valve is a flexible diaphragm.
11 . The delivery device of claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises one or more apertures.
12 . The delivery device of claim 8 , wherein the exhalation flow acts to close a velum of the subject and drive an air flow through a nasal cavity of the subject, with the air flow passing into a first nasal passage of the subject and out of a second nasal passage of the subject, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow.
13 . The delivery device of claim 8 , wherein the substance is delivered through the nosepiece and into a nasal cavity of the subject by the exhalation flow.
14 . The delivery device of claim 8 , wherein the container unit contains a dose of the substance.
15 . The delivery device of claim 8 , further comprising a loading unit configured to selectively apply the delivery force, the loading unit including a drive member operative to transmit the delivery force, a biasing element for loading the drive member with the delivery force, a restraining member for restraining the drive member in a loaded position, and a loading member operative to load the biasing element to provide the delivery force.
16 . The delivery device of claim 15 , wherein the restraining member comprises a tether configured to be selectively cut by a cutter element to release the restraining member.
17 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the substance is a liquid.
18 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the substance is a powder.
19 . A method of delivering a substance to a subject, the method comprising:
fitting a mouthpiece to a mouth of the subject, the mouthpiece fluidly connected to an inlet of a housing;
fitting a nosepiece to a first nostril of the subject, the nosepiece fluidly connected to an outlet of the housing;
causing the subject to exhale through the mouthpiece; the exhalation generating an exhalation flow through the housing via a release valve operable to permit the exhalation flow through the housing when a pressure in the housing is above a predetermined pressure and to prohibit the exhalation flow through the housing when the pressure in the housing is below the predetermined pressure;
applying a delivery force to a delivery unit via a loading unit within the housing; and
delivering the substance from the delivery unit, through the nosepiece, and into a nasal cavity of the subject.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the substance is delivered through the nosepiece and into a nasal cavity of the subject by the exhalation flow.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the exhalation flow acts to close a velum of the subject and drive an air flow through the nasal cavity of the subject, with the air flow passing into a first nasal passage of the subject and out of a second nasal passage of the subject, thereby achieving a bi-directional air flow.
22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the release valve is a flexible diaphragm, the method further comprising deflecting the flexible diaphragm when a pressure in the housing exceeds the predetermined pressure.
23 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising causing the subject to grip the mouthpiece between the teeth of the subject.
24 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising latching the loading unit in a loaded position.
25 . The method of claim 19 , the delivery unit comprising a container unit containing a dose of the substance.
26 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the substance is a liquid.
27 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the substance is a powder.