MXPA01003002A - Inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

An inhaler such as a breath-actuated inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising a housing for receiving a canister of medicament actuatable to deliver a dose of medicament, a detector for detecting actuation of a received canister, a timer responsive to the detector to measure the elapsed time from actuation of the canister, and an indicator means responsive to the timer to indicate when a predetermined time has elapsed during which the user should maintain inhalation or delay exhalation. This allows the inhaler to provide an indication of how the user should breathe to properly receive a dose of medicament. The indicator means may be further responsive to the timer to indicate when a second predetermined time has elapsed.

Description

INHALER TO SUPPLY A MEDICINE The present invention relates to an inhaler, such as an inhaler that is activated by breathing, to deliver the medicament by inhalation. The known inhalers receive a can or canister of medicament, which can be operated to deliver a dose of medicament. For several medications, the user requires to synchronize the inhalation and exhalation with the action of the can or jar. Normally, it is recommended that the user inhale for a given period of time after the delivery of a dose. However, this practice can be difficult for the user who will frequently breathe incorrectly, resulting in an inhalation of an incorrect dose or a dose not properly reached in the throat or lungs of the user. This can be particularly a problem for the user in an emergency, when it may be more vital than usual, to supply an appropriate dose. It is known to provide an inhaler that acts by respiration, which includes a drive mechanism that can be operable to operate REF. DO NOT. 127948 the can or pot after inhalation by the user. This ensures that the dose of the medicament supplied in the can or can drive is supplied while the user is inhaling. However, the problem remains of the user's need to synchronize the restoration of this inhalation with the delivery of a dose, in particular how long the user should maintain the inhalation or delay the exhalation. This is particularly difficult in the case of a breath-operated inhaler, because the user does not always recognize at what point during inhalation, the breath-operated mechanism operates the can or canister to deliver a dose of medicament. The present invention is proposed to assist or assist the user in synchronized breaths with the delivery of a dose. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an inhaler for the delivery of a medicament by inhalation, comprising: a housing for receiving a can or bottle of medicament which is for delivering a dose of medicament; a detector for detecting the actuation of a received can or can; a timer or responsible timer with the detector, to measure the time elapsed from the actuation of the can or can; and a means indicator, responsible with the timer or timer to indicate when a predetermined time has elapsed during which the user must maintain the inhalation or delay the exhalation. As a result, the user is provided with an indication of the time by which he must maintain the inhalation or delay of inhalation which allows the user to fully synchronize his breathing with the supply of a dose. This helps to make sure that the dose is properly inhaled by the user. The present invention is advantageous, because it overcomes the difficulties for the user in determining when the current actuation of the can or can has occurred, especially in an inhaler that is operated by breathing. As the inhaler detects the inhalation and indicates when the predetermined time has elapsed, relieves the user of this task and allows him to breathe properly to ensure the proper supply of a dose. Typically, the time period is 0.2 to 15 seconds. The indicating means may comprise means for indicating the period of time by visual indication, audible indication or by physically interacting with the user. To provide a visual indication, the indicator means may be a screen. The screen can be positioned to alter the presented information, such as a representation of the dose number, after the predetermined time has elapsed. Another way of providing a visual indication is by the indicating means comprising means for automatically repositioning the drive mechanism, for example by moving buttons or other means to mechanically introduce energy into the inhaler. The indicating means can be placed to physically move the inhaler for example, by vibrating the inhaler. The indicating means can be placed to generate an audible indication. A sound can be generated after the elapsed time or sound generation of the complete predetermined elapsed time, followed by the change of a cessation or suspension in the sound. Naturally, different ways of indication can be combined. Advantageously, the indicating means are also responsible with the timer or time-keeper, to indicate when a predetermined second of time has elapsed. Thus, the first predetermined time may be a time during which the user must maintain the inhalation and the second predetermined time may be a time during which the user must delay the exhalation. This allows the inhaler to provide additional information to help the user in breathing correctly when using the inhaler. To allow a better understanding, an inhaler, in which the embodiment of the present invention will now be described by means of a limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a front view of the inhaler held in one hand; Figure 2 is a side view of the inhaler; Figure 2A is a side view of the inhaler without a tight closure element; Figure 3 is a side view of the inhaler with a lower housing portion being removed; Figure 4 is a side view of a top housing portion of the inhaler with a can or can being removed; Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative form of ring or collar for connecting the closure element to the can or can; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken together with line VI-VI in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a side view of the assembled canister or can and drive mechanism. Figure 8 is a view of the rear and side of the drive mechanism; Figure 9 is a view of the rear and side of Figure 8 of the drive mechanism; Figure 10 is a front view of the arrangement for loading the drive mechanism; Figure 11 is a side view of an alternative form of a button arrangement for loading the drive mechanism; Figure 12 is a view of certain parts of the mechanism of action from the front and the sides; Figures 13 to 16 are schematic views of the drive mechanism illustrating respective states during a complete cycle of operation; Y Figure 17 is a chronometer circuit or electronic time taker visa. An inhaler 1 in which the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, respectively, show the front view of the inhaler held in the user's hand and a side view of the inhaler. The inhaler has a housing 2 comprising an upper housing portion 3 and a lower housing portion 4, which are coupled together. The upper and lower housing portions 3 and 4 have outer walls which are hollow to define an accommodation space for a medicine can or can 5 and an action mechanism 6 that can be operated to operate the can or can 5 Give a dose of medicine.

The upper housing portion 3 has opposite side walls 7 joined by a smooth or flat front wall 8, a curved rear wall 9 and an upper wall 10. The portion 3 of the lower housing has opposite side walls 11 fitted to the flow with the side walls 7 of the upper housing portion 3 and a curved rear wall 12 adjusted to flow with the rear wall 9 of the upper housing portion 3. The rear walls 12 and 9 together form a curved surface comfortably received in the palm of the user's hand as illustrated in Figure 1. A nozzle 13 protrudes from the lower housing portion 4 and can be protected by an articulated layer 14 lower housing member 4 that can be opened as illustrated in Figure 2. The lower housing element 4 between the side walls 11 is open to define an opening or vent in the outer surface of the housing 2 adjacent to the mouthpiece 13 between the upper and lower housing portions 3 and 4. The opening or vent 15 is closed by a closing element 16 adjusted to the flow with the front wall 8 of the upper housing portion 3 to form part of the outer wall of the housing 2 The upper and lower housing elements are coupled by a coupling 17 allowing the lower housing element 4 to be slid as shown in FIG. illustrated in Figure 3. The can or can 5 is fixed in the upper housing portion 3 and can be slidably removed to be replaced as illustrated in Figure 4. The can or can 5 comprises a generally cylindrical body 18 and a valve stem 19 which are compressed together to deliver a dose of medicament from the stem of the valve 19. The can or can is of a known type and includes a measuring chamber which captures a defined volume of medicament from of the body 18 of the can or can 5, in which, the volume of the medicament is supplied as a dose measured from the stem of the valve 19 in compression of the stem of the valve 19 in relation to the body 18. The valve stem 19 is weakly biased outwardly for the restoration of the can or can 5 after compression for filling the measuring chamber. The stem of the valve 19 is received in a nozzle block 20 which is arranged to direct a dose of medicament supplied from the valve stem 19 out of the inhaler through the nozzle 13. The closure element 16 is connected to the can or canister 15 by a ring or collar 21 fastened around a neck-shaped portion 22 of the body of the can or canister 18. The collar or ring 21 is permanently fixed to the closure element 16 and can be integral with it. The collar or ring 21 is constrained by the neck-shaped portion 22 of the can or can 5 so that the closure element 16 is removed and replaced together with the can or can as illustrated in Figure 4. The can or can 5 and the collar or ring 21 have a lower degree of movement in relation together with the shaft or rod of the can or can 5. This allows the actuation of the can or can by the compression of the can or can body 18 towards the stem of the valve 19 when the rod 19 is fixed in relation to the inhaler 1 in the nozzle block 20 and the collar or ring 21 are also fixed by the closure element 16 fastened as part of the housing 2 of the inhaler 1. Figures 5 and 6 respectively, illustrate a side view and a cross-sectional view and alternative collar or collar 23 for connecting the closure element 16 to the can or can 5. The ring or collar 23 includes a cylindrical portion 24 held in the neck-shaped portion 22 of the body of the can or can 18 by a projection 25 formed in the cylindrical portion 24 by a U-shaped cut-out 26. The cylindrical portion 24 has an extension 27 that extends beyond the can end of the can or can 18 to protect the stem of the valve 19. The extension 27 is of reduced diameter, in relation to the rest of the cylindrical portion 24 of the ring or collar 23. The rings or collars 21 and 23 are both formed with a weak portion constituted by two rupture lines 28 disposed on opposite sides of the ring or collar 21 and 23 and arranged to be preferentially broken by the remainder of the collar or ring 21 and 23 in the application of a force to separate the closure element 16 from the can or can 5 After the rupture lines 28 have been broken or at least deformed to allow the removal of the can or can 5, it is impossible to connect the collar or ring 21 or 23 to a different can or can. The outer surface of the closure element 16 carries an indication of the type of medicament in the can or can 5 to which the closure element 16 is connected. The indication can be printed information, an engraving or a proposed model or the color of the element closure 16. An inlet opening 29 is formed in the upper housing portion 3, in particular in its upper wall 19 and its front wall 8. The outer walls of the housing defined by the upper and lower portions 3 and 4 and the housing element. closure 16, are sealed together to define a closed space which constitutes an air flow path extending from nozzle 13 through the housing 2 of the inlet opening 29. Inhalation in the nozzle 13 directs air towards the inlet opening 29 through the air flow path around the can or can 5 and the drive mechanism 6 enclosed in the housing 2. The drive mechanism 6 (described in detail below), has a trigger disposed in the upper housing portion 4 which, in response to a flow through an air flow path, triggers the drive mechanism 6 to drive the can or can 5. If a can or can without a closing element connected to these is inserted into the housing 2, then the opening or vent 15 will remain open as illustrated in Figure 2A. Accordingly, when a user inhales in the nozzle 13, the resistance to flow through the vent or opening 15 will be much lower than the resistance to flow through the remainder of the air flow path above the vent or opening 15 of the inlet opening 29. Accordingly, the vent or opening 15 will open more of the flow through the nozzle, thereby reducing flow in the rest of the air flow path through the upper housing portion. The positions of the opening or vent 15 in the air flow path within the housing 2 between the nozzle 13 and the trigger, reduce the air flow through the trigger. The vent or opening is positioned and sized, such that the flow in the trigger is reduced below the threshold necessary to operate the trigger and therefore, prevents the operation of the actuating mechanism 6. To assist or assist in the assurance that the vent or opening 15 sufficiently breathe the flow 15, the vent or opening is provided with a large opening area and therefore a lower flow resistance than the inlet opening 29. The opening or vent 15 is dimensioned of so that the mechanism of action is not driven in a flow through the nozzle 13 to the level above the maximum expected inhalation, for example, to an inhalation of at least eight times a standard inhalation flow rate. The trigger mechanism for the action mechanism 6 is designated taking into account the flow generated by a standard inhalation selected by the designer. The mechanism of action 6 for the action of the can or can 5 to deliver a dose of medicament, is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9. The elements illustrated in Figures 7 to 9 are accommodated in the housing 2, but are illustrated separately for clarity. The can or can 5 is maintained with its valve stem 19 in a nozzle block 20 ', connected to the nozzle 13, both fixed relative to the lower housing portion 4. A nozzle block 20' has a slightly structural shape. different from the nozzle block 20 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, but perform the same function. The body 18 of the can or can 5 is supported by a guide block 30 fixed in the upper housing portion 3 and having a curved inner surface that engages the cylindrical surface of the can or can body 18 to allow axial movement of the can. can body 18 inside the housing 2. The action mechanism 6 operates to compress the can or can body 18 relative to the valve stem 19 maintained in the nozzle block 20 to deliver a dose of medicament. The structure of the mechanism of action 6 is as follows. The mechanism of action 6 includes a pre-loading mechanism for loading an adaptive loading element in the form of a coiled loading spring 31. The pre-loading mechanism includes the loading element constituted by an axle or bar 32 enclosed by the spirals of the loading spring 31. The shaft or rod extends and is movable in a direction parallel to the cylindrical shaft or bar 80 of the body of the can or can 18. The axle or bar of the loading element 32 has an elongated head 33 As illustrated in Figure 1, two buttons 34a and 34b, constitute contact elements to be manually depressed and are mounted opposite one another, on the side walls 7 of the upper housing portion 3 on either the shaft side or bar 80 of the can or can 5 held in the housing 2. The buttons 34 are manually squeezable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axle or bar 80 of the can or can 5 which makes them easy to grasp and move by a finger and the fist, as can be seen in Figure 1. The buttons 34 load the loading element 32 and the loading springs 31 through the arrangement illustrated in Figure 10 by compressing two fixed torsion springs 35 a and 35 b within the upper housing portion . The torsion springs 35a and 35c couple the elongated head 33 of the loading element 32 and receive one of the buttons 34 to convert the side walls applied to the buttons 34 to a downward force together with the axes of the bar or shaft of the element load 32. An alternative means for converting the applied force of the side walls to the buttons 34 is illustrated in Figure 11. This consists of double articulated joint 36 fixed at its upper end 37 to the upper housing portion 3, fixed in its lower end 38 to the elongated head 33 of the loading element 32 and fixed to its intermediate links 39 a and 39 b to the respective buttons 34 a and 34 b.

The pre-loading mechanism further includes a pivot lever 40 in relation to the housing about a pivot 41. The lever 40 has a can coupling portion or flat can 42 which contacts the body of the adjacent can or can 18 to pivot 41 with a pair of arms 43 and 44 extending between them. An arm 43 is coupled by the loading spring 31, so that the loading spring 31, when loaded, squeezes the can through the lever 40 engaged with the can or can by the coupling portion of the can or canister 42. Since the loading spring 31 is further away from the pivot 41 than the engaging portion of the can or can 42, this provides force or power between the load action force and the force applied to the can or can 5. The arm 43 has a hole through which the axle or bar of the load element 32 extends. The other arm 44 of the lever 43 has a similar hole through which an additional rod or bar 78 extends to prevent lateral movement of the lever 40. The mechanism of action further includes a trigger mechanism for maintaining the lever 40. against compression of the can or can under the slant of the springs 31 and to supply the lever 40 in response to inhalation in the nozzle. The trigger mechanism is constructed as follows. The firing mechanism comprises a first articulated joint 45 having two links 46 and 47 pivotally connected to each other by a central pivot 50. The upper link 46 is typically connected to both arms 43 and 44 of the lever 40 by a pivot 48. The lower link 47 is pivotally connected to the upper housing portion 3 by a pivot 49. Accordingly, the first articulated joint 45 has a closed position illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 in which the lever 40 is clamped against the compression of the can 5. In the closed position of the first articulated joint 45, the central pivot 50 is substantially aligned with the pivots 48 and 49 at the end of the links 46 and 47. As the first articulated joint 45 is connected with the lever to a further position away from the pivot 41, then the engaging portion of the can or can 42, provides power or efficiency between the closing force provided by the first union ticulada and the force applied to the can or pot 5. This effectiveness or power increases the action of closing and firing of the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism further includes a second articulated joint 51 comprising two links 52 and 53 connected by a central pivot 54. A link 57 of the second articulated joint 51 is pivotally connected to the upper housing portion 3 by a pivot 55 and extends laterally, so that it constitutes a vain shot which is moved by a flow of air above. The vain trigger 52 has a counterweight portion 79 (illustrated only in Figure 7) fixed to opposite sides of the pivot 55 from the laterally extending surface. The counterweight swings the firing vane so that its center of mass is positioned on the axis or bar of the pivot 55. The other link 53 of the second articulated joint 51 extends from the firing palette 52 between the arms 43 and 44 of the lever 40 to the upper link 46 of the first articulated joint 45 where it is pivotally connected by a pivot 56. Accordingly, the second articulated joint 51 has a closed position illustrated in Figures 7 and 9. In the closed position of the second articulated joint, the central pivot 54 is substantially aligned with the pivots 55 and 56 and the ends of the links 52 and 53. The actuating mechanism 6 further includes a reset mechanism which is constructed as follows. The reset mechanism employs a locking element constituted by a third articulated joint 57 comprising an upper link 58 and a lower link 59 pivotally connected together by a central pivot 60. The upper link 58 is pivotally connected to the upper housing portion 3. by the pivot 49 in common with the first articulated joint 45. The lower link 59 is pivotally connected to the axle or bar of the loading element 32 by a pivot 61. The third articulated joint 57 has a closed position illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, in which the axle or bar of the loading element 32 is maintained in its loaded position as illustrated in Figure 7. In the closed position of the third articulated joint 57, the central pivot 60 is aligned with the pivots 48 and 61 at the end of the links 58 and 59. The third articulated joint 57 is also biased in its closed position by a biased spring 67 connected to the upper housing portion 3.

Here the third articulated joconstitutes a closing element which holds the can in a compressed state through the spring 31 and the lever 40 after the complete movement of the lever 40 to compress the can 5. The restoring mechanism also it includes a supply element 62 mounted on the axle or bar of the loading element 32 having an opening through which the shaft or rod 32 extends. The supply element 62 is movable in relation to the axis or bar 32 between the defined limits by a pin 63 projecting from the shaft or bar 32 engaging a rail 64 formed in the supply element 62. In the chronometer spring or timer 65, the spirals which enclose the shaft or bar 32, are connected between the arm 43 of the lever 40 and the supply element 62. The chronometer spring or time-keeper 65 is in a relaxed state in Figure 7 and is provided for the skewing of the summit element. 62 when loaded by the movement of the lever 40 to compress the can or can 5. A projection 66 extends from the supply element 62 (as best seen in the partial view of Figure 12) to engage with the link lower 59 of the third articulated jo57 when the supply element 62 is moved down the shaft or rod 32. Such coupling of the projection 52 with the third articulated jo57 moves the articulated jo57 against the biased spring 67 to break the third articulated jo57, thereby releasing the closing effect of the third articulated jo57. The shaft or rod 32 is biased upwardly by a reset spring 68 acting between the shaft or bar 32 and the upper housing portion 3 to move the shaft or rod ascending after the breaking of the third articulated jo57. The downward movement of the supply element 62 is cushioned by a damping element 69 consisting of a stator 70 fixed to the upper housing portion 3 and a rotor 71 that rotates or rotates through a viscous fluid provided between the rotor 71 and the stator 70. The rotor 71 is driven by a serrated support 72 connected to the supply element 62. The operation of the drive mechanism 6 will now be described with reference to Figures 13 to 16, which illustrate the various parts of the drive mechanism 6 in the schematic form for ease of understanding. Figure 13 illustrates the neutral state in which the axle or bar of the load element 32 is in its highest position, so that the load spring 31 is relaxed. In this state, the first and second articulated jo 45 and 51 are both in their closed positions. The chronometer springs or timer 65 and the reset springs are relaxed. After pressing the buttons 34, the axle or bar of the loading element 32 is moved down to a second position illustrated in Figure 14 by loading the loading springs 31, which therefore bias the lever 40 toward compression of the can or boat 5. However, the first articulated jo45 is in closed position where the lever 40 is held against the compression of the can or can 5. The first articulated jo45 is kept in its own closed position by the second joarticulated 51 that is in its closed position. The movement of the axle or bar of the loading member 32 also loads the reset springs 68 and carries the third articulated jo57 in its locked position where it is held by the spring 67. In this loaded state illustrated in Fig. 14, the inhaler is charged ready for the supply of a dose of medication. Inhalation by the user to the mouthpiece 13 generates an air flow through the air flow path defined within the housing 2 from the rnal opening 29 to the nozzle 13. This air flow acts on the firing vane 55 of the second articulated jo51, causing it to move upwardly due to the pressure drip created by the flow into the housing 2 to the position illustrated in Figure 15 where the second articulated joint breaks. This breaks the first articulated joint 45 in its broken position illustrated in Figure 15 which releases the lever 40 and allows to compress the can or can 5 under the bias of the loading spring 31. During compression of the cans, the shaft or bar 32 remains in closed position by the third articulated joint 57. This causes the can or can to be maintained in its compressed state by the shaft or bar 32 acting through the springs 31 and the lever 40, the spring force of the spring 31 is exceeded away from the internal reset bias of the can or can 5. However, the movement of the lever 40 loads the timer or time-keeper spring 65 which consequently biases the supply element 62 downwardly. The movement of the supply element is delayed by the damping action of the damping element 69. The protrusion 66 of the supply element 62 engages the third articulated joint 57 after a predetermined period of time after the action of the can or can 5. This time is determined by the strength of the chronometer ring or collar or time-keeper 65 and the damping properties of the damping element 69 and are at least 100 ms or 200 ms and up to 1000 ms or 5000 ms to allow full doses of the medicament is supplied from the can or can 5. Such a coupling breaks the third articulated joint 57 in its rotated position as illustrated in Figure 16. Subsequently, the reset ring 68 moves the axle or bar of the loading member 32 ascendingly to the neutral position illustrated in Figure 13. At the same time, the shaft or bar 32 raises the supply element 62, it is still damped by the elem damping element 69 in such a way that the return movement is damped. The supply of the shaft or bar 32 causes the spring 31 to raise the lever 40 which has two effects. First, it allows the can or auto boat to restart. Second, it causes the first and second articulated joints 45 and 51 to straighten, returning them to their closed position in the neutral position of the actuator mechanism illustrated in Figure 13. The loading spring 31 and the timer or timer spring 65 are pre-charged and do not work against the reset movement, such that the reset spring 68 only has to overcome the friction and the weight of the component. The buttons 34a and 34b protrude from the inhaler when the action is in its relaxed state as shown in Figure 1, and are depressed to an on position with the side walls 8 of the upper housing portion 3. Consequently, the distance between the extremities of the buttons before being depressed is less than the maximum length of the inhaler 1 in the direction parallel to the axis or bar 80 of the can or can 5 and less than the total length of the can or can 5 including the body 18 and the stem of the valve 19. Also, the total distance over which the two buttons 34 are moved relative to each other is greater than the distance by which the body 18 and the stem of the valve 19 of the can or canister 5 are relatively compressed. This is achieved by the force or power obtained by the loading spring 31 which couples the lever 40 to a point farther from the pivot 41 than the coupling portion of the can or can. The current recommended flow to correctly deliver a drug will depend on the way the drug is operated, the opposition where it should be deposited in the mouth, the user's lungs, and how to disperse the drug. Some drugs are inhaled like fine vapor and transported all to the airways of the lungs, while others are inhaled like a jet of liquid deposited in the mouth of the person. These different types of drugs require different types of inhalation and therefore different inhalation flows and different actions by the user. It is possible to adapt each number of different inhalers for use with a number of different types of drugs giving each inhaler an opening or vent with a different shape and giving different forms of different closure elements which make up a single type of inhaler. For example, a different possible shape is illustrated by the dotted line in Figure 1. In addition, the can with differently formed closure elements are for use exclusively with the inhaler having an opening or vent that forms it. Different forms can prevent a closure element from being held in an inhaler of the inhaler having an opening or vent that forms it. Alternatively, the closure element may fail to close the opening or vent of an inhaler having a differently formed opening or vent such that the openings or vents remain open to the flow sufficiently to prevent the operation of the trigger mechanism. Figure 17 illustrates an electronic system to indicate to the user how long to hold the inhalation or exhale should be delayed. A switch or connector 73 is fixed to the inside of a side wall 7 of the upper housing portion 3 to be physically interrupted connected by the movement of the lever 40 to compress the can or can 5. The signal from the switch 73 is passed to a microprocessor 74 to indicate when the can or can is driven. To such an extent, the microprocessor 74 initiates a timer or timer count to measure the time elapsed from the action of the can or can. When a predetermined time lapse has elapsed, the microprocessor 74 sends an operation signal to operate three different indicating means, namely a display 75, a buzzer 76 and a vibrator 77. The display 75 is placed on the front wall 8 of the upper housing portion 3 as illustrated in Fig. 1. At the reception of the operation signal from the microprocessor 74, the display is changed to provide a visual indication that the predetermined time has elapsed. The microprocessor 74 may also send control signals to the display 75 in response to the action of the can or can 5 detected by a switch 73 causing the display 75 to display a number of remaining doses in the can or can. In this case, the visual indication that the predetermined time has elapsed may be to alter the described number of doses, for example, by bleaching or flashing the displayed count. The operation signal sent from the microprocessor 74 to the buzzer 76 causes a buzzing sound to be generated as an audible indication that the predetermined time has elapsed. Similarly, signals sent from the processor 74 to the vibrator 77 cause the vibrator to shake the inhaler 1, for example, by moving a mass inside the vibrator 77. Similarly, the microprocessor can be programmed to send an operation signal to operate the indicating means 75, 76 and 77, when a second predetermined time has elapsed from the action of the can or can. The first and second elapsed times are selected by being timed during which the user must maintain inhalation or delay exhalation for the appropriate supply of a drug in the can or can 5, typically between 0.2 s and 15 s. In this way, the user is provided with an indication of how to breathe correctly which helps to ensure an adequate supply of the dose. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

1. An inhaler for the delivery of a medicament by inhalation, characterized in that it comprises: a housing for receiving a can or can of the medicament that can be operated to deliver a dose of medicament; a detector to detect the action of a received can or can; and a stopwatch or response timer to the detector to measure the elapsed time of the action of the can or can; and means indicators responsible with the timer or timer to indicate when a predetermined time has elapsed during which the user must maintain the inhalation or delay of exhalation.

2. An inhaler according to claim 1, characterized in that the period of time is from 0.2 to 15 seconds.

3. An inhaler according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the indicating means is a screen for displaying a visual indication that the predetermined time has elapsed. An inhaler according to claim 3, characterized in that the screen is placed in normal use to display a representation of the number of remaining doses in the can or can and to alter such representation when said predetermined time has elapsed. An inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indicating means is positioned to generate an audible indication that the predetermined time has elapsed. 6. An inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the indicating means physically moves the inhaler. An inhaler according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indicating means are furthermore responsible with the chronometer or timer to indicate when a second predetermined time has elapsed. 8. An inhaler according to claim 7, characterized in that the first predetermined time mentioned is a time during which the user will maintain the inhalation and the second predetermined time as a time during which the user must delay the exhalation. An inhaler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inhaler further comprises a drive mechanism that can operate to drive the can or can and the detector is arranged to detect the operation of the drive mechanism. 10. An inhaler according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive mechanism is operated by breathing.