DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PUNCTURING A CAPSULE TO RELEASE A POWDERED MEDICAMENT THEREFROM
A device for puncturing a capsule to release a powdered medicament therefrom includes a chamber for receiving the capsule. The capsule includes opposing domes and a cylindrical wall portion defined by a capsule wall radius r. The device further includes a mechanism for puncturing at least one hole in at least one dome. A center of each hole is located within an annular puncture region situated at no less than 0.4r, and a total surface area of all puncture holes is between about 0.5% and about 2.2% of a total surface area of the capsule. The annular puncture region may, for example, be situated between about 0.4r and about 0.8r, or between about 0.4r and about 0.6r.
1 . A device for puncturing a capsule to release a powdered medicament therefrom, the device comprising:
a chamber for receiving a capsule comprising opposing domes and a cylindrical wall portion defined by a capsule wall radius r; and
a mechanism for puncturing at least one hole in at least one dome, a center of each hole located within an annular puncture region situated at no less than 0.4r,
wherein a total surface area of all puncture holes is between about 0.5% and about 2.2% of a total surface area of the capsule.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the annular puncture region is situated between about 0.4r and about 0.8r.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is configured to puncture only a single dome.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the total surface area of all puncture holes is between about 3% and about 15% of a total surface area of the single dome.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the capsule has a volume of at least 0.50 cm 3 .
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the capsule houses a powdered medicament comprising levodopa as an active drug.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the capsule houses a powdered medicament having a density below 0.10 g/cm 3 .
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the capsule comprises a thickness between about 0.08 mm and about 0.12 mm.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the opposing domes and the cylindrical wall portion each comprise a material selected from the group consisting of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose and gelatin.
10 . The device of claim 1 further comprising an inhalation portion coupled to the chamber, the inhalation portion defining at least one aperture for emitting the powdered medicament therethrough.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises a wall defining a plurality of vents for introducing air into the chamber to disperse the powdered medicament released from the capsule.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for puncturing the at least one hole in the at least one dome comprises a plurality of prongs.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for puncturing the at least one hole in the at least one dome is moveable between a non-puncturing position and a puncturing position.
14 - 30 . (canceled)