Patent ID: 8127763

Claim:
A dry powder inhaler for delivering medicament to a patient, the inhaler comprising: a housing defining a chamber for receiving a dose of powdered medicament; an inhalation port in fluid communication with the chamber; at least one airflow inlet providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the housing; an aeroelastic element in the chamber and associated with a dose of powdered medicament; and a tensioning assembly including a first tensioning arrangement and a second tensioning arrangement on opposite sides of the chamber with the aeroelastic element extending therebetween, the first and second tensioning arrangements being configured to apply a first amount of tension to the aeroelastic element such that the aeroelastic element is capable of vibrating in response to airflow through the chamber so as to aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament, and a third tensioning arrangement movable relative to the aeroelastic element, the third tensioning arrangement being configured to apply a second amount of tension to the aeroelastic element, the second amount of tension being greater than the first amount of tension.