Patent EA-002193-B1 (EA)
Title: Inhaler for powdered medicanents
Inventor: KELDMANN ERIK
IPC: A61M15/08
Filed: 1998-05-26
Abstract: The material of claim 4, wherein the top layer is a thin film of a composite material formed by co- sequentially or reactively depositing the anti-microbial metal by vapour deposition in a matrix with atoms or molecules of a different material to create atomic disorder in the matrix, said different material being selected from the group consisting of biocompatible metals, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, boron, sulphur or halogens, or an oxide,1. A device for applying a powdered or particulate substance to a mucous membrane within a nostril of a user, said device comprising a tubular body defining an inner flow passage extending longitudinally between a nasal piece at a first end of the tubular body to be inserted into the nostril of the user and an opposite second end of said body, characterized in that the length and the shape of the tubular body being such that  its second end may be positioned between the user's lips, whereby the user may blow into the mouthpiece end of the flow passage and transfer the powdered or particulate substance arranged within the flow passage of the tubular body to the nostril in a dispersed condition. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body comprises an intermediate bent and/or bendable section. 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the bent and/or bendable section comprises adjacent, peripherally extending corrugations. 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the corrugations have a substantially serrated outline when viewed in a longitudinal, axial section. 5. A device according to claim 2, wherein the bent section comprises a separate part forming sockets therein for removably receiving a separate mouthpiece and at least one separate nasal piece. 6. A device according to any of the claims 2-5, wherein the bent section may be opened so as to allow insertion of a capsule containing a dose of said substance into the tubular body, means being provided for cutting or piercing the wall of the capsule when inserted in the tubular body. 7. A device according to any of the claims 3-6, comprising a dose of a powdered or particulate substance arranged within the flow passage. 8. A device according to any of the claims 2-7, wherein the mouthpiece and the nasal piece coextending and having their free ends positioned closely adjacent prior to use of the device. 9. A device according to any of the claims 1-8, wherein the flow passage of the tubular body has a cross-sectional area not exceeding 75 mm<2>, preferably not exceeding 70 mm<2>, and most preferably not exceeding 50 mm<2>. 10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the crosssectional areas of the flow passage are 7-35 mm<2>, preferably about 20 mm<2>. 11. A device according to any of the claims 1-10, comprising turbulence inducing means within the tubular body. 12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the turbulence inducing means comprise a helical thread-like member arranged within the tubular body. 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the turbulance inducing means comprises a helical part having one or more turns or windings arranged in the bent section. 14. A device according to any of the claims 1-13, comprising at least one venting opening defined in the tubular body wall at or adjacent to the mouthpiece at said first end. 15. A device according to any of the claims 1-13, comprising restriction means forming at least one crossectional restriction within the inner cavity of the tubular body, a dose of powdered or particulate substance being arranged downstream of said restriction means before the device is used. 16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the restriction means are yieldable so as to be movable between a first restricting position and a second position in which the restriction defined by the restriction means is substantially less. 17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the restriction means comprise a flap which in said first position covers at least part of the cross-section of the inner cavity of the tubular body. 18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the flap is cut from the tubular body wall and bent inwardly into the inner cavity of the tubular body so as to define a venting opening immediately upstream of the flap. 19. A device according to claim 15, wherein the restriction means comprise inwardly compressible or pinchable parts of the tubular body wall. 20. A device according to any of the claims 16-19, wherein the restriction means are adapted to move from their first restricting position to their second, less restricting position when a user is blowing into the first end of the tubular body so as to create a pressure difference between said first and second ends of the tubular body exceeding a predetermined value. 21. A device according to claim 1, wherein cross-sectional restriction means are arranged within the flow passage upstream of the dose of active substance, the restriction means (24,27,28,32) being movable between a first closing or restricting position and a second position in which no or substantially less restriction is defined by the restriction means, the restriction means being adapted to move from their first restricting position to their second, less restricting position when a user is blowing into the mouthpiece end of the tubular body so as to create a pressure difference between said mouthpiece and nasal piece ends of the tubular body exceeding a predetermined value.