Patent ID: 7810494
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A dry powder inhaler for delivering a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, the dose being contained in a medicament pack having an interior and a puncturable lid, the inhaler comprising a drug entrainment device including a drug outlet tube terminating with a primary piercing element to pierce an opening in said lid when the medicament pack is located in the inhaler, a secondary piercing member to pierce a plurality of peripheral openings in said lid and, an airflow path to enable the supply of a charge of gas into the medicament pack via said peripheral openings to scour the interior of the pierced medicament pack such that substantially all of the dose is entrained in the gas and flows out of the medicament pack via the drug outlet tube, wherein the secondary piercing member comprises a plurality of blades with a vane depending from each blade that extend towards and pierces the lid of a pack to direct a swirling flow of air therein, the vanes having arcuately shaped outer edges.