Patent ID: 7926482
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A pressurised metered dose inhaler comprising: a reservoir for containing pressurised product, a valve having an inlet communicating with the reservoir and an outlet through which product is dispensed in use, a piece of magnetisable material, an armature extending into proximity with the valve, and an electromagnet surrounding at least a portion of the armature, wherein the armature is coupled to, or forms part of, the valve such that controlled energisation of the electromagnet causes the armature to be either attracted to or repelled from the piece of magnetisable material one or more times to operate the valve for a controlled time period to effect dispensation of a metered dose of pressurised product from the reservoir through the valve outlet of the pressurised metered dose inhaler, wherein the valve comprises a valve stem axially movable within a valve body between open and closed positions, wherein with the valve stem in the open position dispensation of product through the valve outlet is enabled, wherein the armature is coupled to, or forms part of, the valve stem, wherein the valve stem comprises one or more flanges and wherein the armature engages the valve stem by contact with the one or more flanges.