Drug delivery inhaler devices
An adapter for fitting to a drug delivery device, the adapter including: an outlet for communication with the mouth of a patient; an air flow path through the adapter along which air is drawn to the outlet by inhalation by the patient; an inlet adapted for connection to a mouthpiece of the drug delivery device; and an air flow rate indicator operable to indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient. A drug delivery device having, in its body, an air flow rate indicator operable to indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient.
1. A drug delivery inhaler device having:
an outlet for communication with the mouth of a patient;
an air flow path through the device along which air is drawn to the outlet by inhalation by the patient;
a drug reservoir operable to deliver a dose of aerosolized drug into the air flow path for inhalation by the patient; and
an air flow rate indicator operable to indicate, by generating an audible or visible signal, when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient,
wherein said air flow indicator is provided adjacent the drug reservoir.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device.
3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) device.
4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined minimum air flow rate through the device is at least 30 litres per minute.
5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device and wherein the predetermined minimum air flow rate through the device is at least 30 litres per minute.
6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) device and wherein the predetermined minimum air flow rate through the device is at least 30 litres per minute.
7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the air flow rate indicator is adapted to generate an audible signal.
8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the air flow rate indicator is adapted to be retrofitted to the drug delivery inhaler device.
9. A method of use of a drug delivery inhaler device to deliver a drug to a patient by inhalation, the method comprising:
the patient inhaling through an outlet of the device and thereby establishing an air flow along an air flow path through the device;
an air flow rate indicator providing an indication to the patient, by generating an audible or visible signal, when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at a predetermined minimum level suitable for delivery of the drug to the patient; and
while the air flow rate indicator provides said indication, operating a drug reservoir within the device to deliver a dose of aerosolized drug into the air flow path for inhalation by the patient,
wherein the air flow rate indictor is provided adjacent the drug reservoir.