Patent ID: 6240918
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: A61M,G06M

Abstract:
A powder dispenser comprising:a supply holder for holding a supply of powdered material to be dispensed;an inhalation conduit extending in a first direction and positioned in displaced relation to said supply holder;a device for carrying a predetermined amount of said powdered material from said supply holder to said inhalation conduit; anda nozzle for reducing particle sizes of agglomerates of powdered material from the inhalation conduit to form micronized powdered material and for mixing said micronized powdered material with suction air, said nozzle including:a swirl cavity for changing the direction of flow of said powder from said first direction of said inhalation conduit to a second direction different from said first direction and for substantially continuously changing the direction of flow of said powder in said second direction therein, said swirl cavity being defined by a top wall and a skirt connected to a periphery of said top wall, said top wall having an opening therein; anda supply chimney extending from said top wall in surrounding relation to said opening for changing the direction of flow of said powder from said second direction of said swirl cavity substantially back to said first direction, said supply chimney extending along an axial direction thereof and including an inner tubular wall surface having vertically oriented irregularities extending in said axial direction.