Patent ID: 8555877
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A device for delivering a substance to the nasal airway of a subject, comprising: a flow resistor; and a delivery unit for delivering a substance in a gas flow to a nostril of the subject, wherein the delivery unit comprises a nosepiece shaped and sized for insertion into a nostril of the subject, a delivery channel fluidly connected to the nosepiece and configured to receive the substance to be delivered to the nostril, the nosepiece comprising an outlet through which a substance may be delivered into the nasal airway of the subject and a sealing member configured to seal the one nostril of the subject to the outlet, the sealing member including a frusto-conical portion and having a first, distal end and a second, proximal end and being enlarged towards the proximal end to cause an anterior region of the nasal cavity into which the nosepiece is inserted to be enlarged, and a dispensing unit driven by an exhalation air flow of the subject so as to supply a metered dose of substance from the dispensing unit into the delivery channel; wherein the device is configured to create a positive pressure differential between the oral cavity of the subject and the nasal airway of the subject when the subject exhales against the flow resistor, thereby indirectly achieving closure of the oropharyngeal velum of the subject, and the device is configured to deliver a substance entrained in a gas flow having a flow rate in the nasal airway of at least 20 liters per minute.