MXPA99011406A - Dispenser with doses'counter - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a dispenser suitable for dispensing medicament, particularly medicament for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The dispenser comprises a housing (1) having a support (5);a container (2), locatable within said housing (1), having an outlet member, wherein said container (2) is movable relative to the housing (1) to enable dispensing therefrom and said outlet member is connectable with said support (5) to prevent relative movement therebetween;and a dose indicator (13, 43), locatable within said housing (1). The container (2) and dose indicator (1 3, 43) are reversably removable from the housing (1) as a single unit.

Description

ADMINISTRATOR APPARATUS WITH DOSING COUNTER Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a supplying apparatus having a drive indicator to indicate the number of drives thereof. In particular, the invention relates to metered dose inhalers by means of which medicaments contained in an aerosol container can be administered to a patient. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to treat patients with medicaments contained in an aerosol, for example, in the therapy with r on co-di ta ters. It is also known to use for this therapy, medicaments that are contained in an aerosol and are administered to a patient by means of an inhalation device consisting of a tubular housing or sleeve, in which the aerosol container is placed and a outlet tube leading outside the tubular housing. The containers of REF .: 32235 aerosol used in these inhalation devices are designed to deliver a predetermined dose of medication at each actuation by means of an outlet valve member at one end which can be opened when the valve member is released while the container is held stationary or when releasing the container while the valve member is held stationary. In the use of such devices, the aerosol container is placed in the tubular housing with the member of the outlet valve of the container communicating by means of a support with the outlet tube, for example, a nozzle or mouth piece. When it is used to provide me with drugs, for example in drug therapy, the housing is then maintained by the patient in a more or less vertical condition and the mouth piece or mouthpiece of the inhalation device. It is placed in the patient's mouth or nose. The aerosol container is pressed into the holder to deliver a dose of the medication from the container which is then inhaled by the patient. A disadvantage that arises from the use of these known devices is that the patient can not determine the amount of medication in the container at any given time. In extreme cases, this could mean that the patient, possibly suffering from a severe illness and needing a dose of medication, will find that the recipient does not administer a dose because their contents have already been added. U.S. Patent No. 4817822 discloses an aerosol dispenser apparatus of the above-described type having a dose indicating device which, in a first embodiment, removably attaches to the end of the protruding portion of the aerosol container. The operating mechanism of the dose counter is located within a housing which extends from the end of the aerosol container along the outer surface of the tubular housing. It is important with inhalation devices containing medication that the contents of the aerosol container are clearly marked to ensure that the patient knows exactly what medication is contained. A disadvantage associated with this positioning of the dose indicating device is that the device conceals at least a part of the aerosol container and the housing which it creates; di f icul t s of mar cado. A further disadvantage of the described device is that if the dose indicating device is removably attached to the aerosol container, it is possible that a dose indicating device may become separated from its aerosol container with the result that the aerosol administering apparatus it could be falsified by driving to a false reading when the indicating device is reattached to the administering device. With patients who have several different inhalers, it could still result that the indicating device is assembled to the wrong administering device. In a second embodiment described in US Pat. No. 4,817,822, the operating mechanism of the dose indicating device is located within a compartment in the -location and is actuated by means of an actuator attached to the aerosol container. In this modality, once the aerosol container is placed in the housing, it can not be removed. This makes it very difficult to clean the accommodation. Even if the container can be removed, the mechanism of operation of the dose indicating device could be vulnerable to damage when it is washed with water, soap, disinfectant or solutions to tetanus. This is important because the pulleys of many aerosol formulations leave residues which can trap dust and dirt particles. Some provide a means for the growth of unwanted microorganisms. If the growth of these microorganisms is not verified, it can serve as a source of infection for the patient and will frequently introduce pathogens into the patient's respiratory tract. W096-16686 discloses an aerosol administering apparatus, wherein the mechanism of operation of the dose indicating device is electronic and wherein the actuating member consists of a mi c r o equipment located in the wall of the housing. The electronic counting mechanism and the commuted mi c r are contained within a sealed hermetic enclosure. However, electronic assemblies of this type are relatively expensive compared to equivalent mechanical mechanisms, which cost five to six times more to produce depending on the quantities manufactured. Such cost can eventually be borne by the customer and can be prohibitive.

US5482030 discloses an aerosol spray apparatus having a mechanical dose-indicating device located and connected to the housing in the vicinity of the aerosol container outlet tube when placed. Its mechanical construction makes it difficult to seal it with the entry of moisture and thus this administering device is again difficult to wash without damage. the operating mechanism of the dose indicator device. Many different pharmaceutical products are sold in the form of aerosol containers as discussed above, requiring different measurements of container bodies and / or valves according to the required specifications. It is therefore normal that there are variations between the different aerosol containers. Even among the same products there can be dimensional variations due to manufacturing tolerances. A problem which is common to all of the dose indicator devices discussed above is that the indicator mechanism, which is operated by means of a switch which detects the relative movement between the body of the container and the housing, lacks a medium to compensate for the dimensional variations between the different aerosol containers. Therefore, the indicators described must be dimensioned according to the product with which they are going to be used, and in this way they will not be interchangeable with other products. In addition, in order for dose indicators to work properly, the dimensions of the indicator, aerosol container and housing must be accurate. It is an objective to provide an administrator apparatus having an actuator indicator which will overcome at least some of the disadvantages described above. It is an additional objective to provide an administering apparatus which from a patient's point of view closely resembles the administrative apparatus normally sold in both outward appearance and operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an administering apparatus for administering a medicament consisting of a housing having a support, a container, mountable within the said housing having an exit member, wherein the container can be moved relative to the housing to allow administrations thereof and the exit member is connected to said support to prevent relative movement therebetween, and a drive indicator, movable within the housing, wherein the The container and the dose indicator can be removed eerily from the housing as an individual unit.Appropriately, the drive indicator can be coupled to the container in the vicinity of the outlet member.Most preferably, the delivery indicator It can be coupled with the output member, appropriately, the power indicator This is provided with a handle member which is engageable with a portion of the neck of the container. Preferably, the neck portion is adjacent to, or on, the outer member. Suitably, the container is an aerosol container. Suitably, the housing is provided with an outlet, most preferably in the form of a mouth piece. Preferably, the administering apparatus consists of a passage through which the dose administered from the container to the outlet can pass. Suitably, the container provides metered doses. Suitably, the drive indicator indicates the number of doses administered from the container or remnants therein. Suitably, the drive indicator consists of a graduated mechanism driven by a predetermined movement of the aerosol container relative to the housing. Pre-fer the mechanism of The graduation consists of a lost motion coupling to allow and compensate for the excess movement ('over travel') of the aerosol container relative to the 1 oj ami ent.With the use of a lost motion coupling it is possible to create an indicator of a size that can adjust valves and actuators made within a wide range of manufacturing tolerance and can still adjust a range of managed devices is made in different dimensions., the graduation mechanism adjusts the actuation indicator by means of a predetermined rotary movement or of a first member actuated by the movement relative to the second member during activation of the aerosol manager. Suitably, the second member remains stationary relative to the housing _ during actuation of the aerosol spray apparatus. Suitably, the first member consists of a pinion transported by a shaft through the lost motion coupling and the second member consists of a frame. Alternatively, the first member consists of a yoke and the second member consists of a post coupled by the yoke through the lost movement coupling. Preferably, the lost motion coupling consists of a friction drive mechanism. Suitably, the administering apparatus is an inhaler operated by breath which can be actuated in respoto a user's aspiration.

According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol dispenser apparatus consisting of a housing in which a container, an outlet leading from the housing and a support in the arranged housing are removably placed. to receive an outlet member of the container having a passage through which the contents of the container can pass to the outlet, the exit member being held stationary in the housing support and the container body being movable relative to the container. outlet and housing for administering its contents in measured doses, and a dose indicating device having a dose indicator to indicate the number of doses administered from, or remaining in, the container, characterized in that the dose indicating device it is hermetically connected to the container in the vicinity of the outlet member, such that the container and the device The dose indicator can be removed from the housing as an indi vidual unit 1. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drive actuation slot for use with an administering apparatus. which consists of a housing and a container, movable within said housing, having an exit member, the actuating indicator device consisting of a joining means to allow attachment to the container. Suitably, the attachment means consists of a handle member which is firmly coupled to a neck portion formed around the container. More preferably, the neck portion is located at the connection between the container and the outlet member. According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, the drive indicating device has a drive indicator to indicate the number of doses administered from or remaining in the container, wherein the drive indicating device consists of a connecting means to allow the hermetic connection to the container in the vicinity of the outlet member. By attaching the drive indicating device to the container in the vicinity of the exit member, it may be possible to make use of the physical dimensions of the engaged socket of the standard containers to provide a tight fitting fit between the dose indicating device and the container. of spray for easy mounting which once assembled, can not be easily separated. This ensures that the 'i nd. The actuator will present the exact information that refers to the container with which it is mounted. In a preferred aspect, the administering apparatus is a metered-dose inhaler consisting of a housing in which the container is removably positioned, an outlet leading from the housing, a support in the housing arranged to receive the member exit of the container having a passage through which the contents of the container can pass towards the outlet, the exit member being stationary in the support. of the housing and the body of the container movable relative to the outlet and the housing to administer its contents in measured doses, and a window through which the dose indicator can be seen. The location of the dose indicator in the vicinity of the output member of the container in a metered dose inhaler provides the advantage that visually and operatively operating the device may appear very similar to metered dose inhalers commonly marketed without the devices. dose indicators such that when switching to the metered dose inhaler according to the invention, patients perceive a small change on their conventional administering devices, thus creating a minimal impact on the patients and their use of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES A manager apparatus according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a section through a normal inhalation device consisting of an apparatus for administering the device; aerosol. "Fig. 2 in a section through the dose indicating device when it is fitted to an aerosol administering apparatus in an inhalation device, Fig. 2a in a sectional view of an aspect of a dose indicator device in the present: Figure 3 is a "perspective view of a counter mechanism used in the dose location device of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the operation sequence of the counter mechanism of the figure Figure 5 shows a side and a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of the dose indicating device when it is engaged in the housing of an inhalation device, Figure 6 shows a view with part separation of a dose indicating device of according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows another view with separation of parts of the dose indicating device of Figure 6 together with an aerosol container and the housing; Figure 8 shows a schematic section through an inhalation device consisting of the dose indicating device of Figure 6 in the resting position; and "Fig. 9 shows a schematic section through the inhalation device of Fig. 8 in an actuated position" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SCOSED MODALITY The 'normal metered dose inhaler shown in Fig. 1 consists of a tubular housing 1 in which can be placed an aerosol container 2. The housing is open at one end (which will later be considered to be the upper part of the device by description description) and is closed in the other. An outlet 3 leads laterally from the closed end of the housing 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 3 is in the form of a mouthpiece proposed for insertion into the patient's mouth, but can be designed, if desired, as a mouthpiece for insertion into the patient's nostril. The aerosol container 2 has a valve stem 4 at one end. This valve member can be released to release a metered dose from the aerosol container, or alternatively, the valve rod 4 can be fixed and the main body of the container can be moved relative to the valve member to release the valve. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the aerosol container 2 is placed in the housing 1, so that one end protrudes from its open top part Separator ribs (not shown) can be provided within the housing to retain the surface external of the container 2 separated from the inner surface of the housing 1. A support -5 is provided at the lower end of the housing 1 and has a passage 6 on which the valve stem 4 of the aerosol container 2 can be supported and positioned. A second passage 7 is provided in the holder 5 and is directed towards the interior of the outlet 3. In this way, when the parts are in the positions shown in the f Figure 1, the protruding portion of the aerosol container '2 can be released to move the container relative to the valve stem 4 to open the valve and will discharge through the passage a dose of medicament contained in the aerosol, and up to the outlet 3 from which it can be inhaled by a patient. A dose will be released from the aerosol container each time it is completely released. Figure 2 shows the lower part of a device similar to that of Figure 1, but incorporating a dose indicating device according to the invention. The dose indicating device consists of a body 8 firmly attached to the aerosol container by means of the tubular portion 9 formed with the handles 10. The tubular portion 9 hermetically couples the periphery of the valve sleeve 11 while a handle in the form of a lip 10 engages around the neck 12 of the valve bushing 11 which is formed during assembly when the valve bushing 11 engages the aerosol container 2. In this way, the tubular portion 9 and the lip 10 form a hermetic connection to the aerosol container which, once mounted upon pushing the tubular portion 9 over the valve sleeve 11 can not be easily disassembled. Below the tubular portion 9, the body 8 forms a fork 22 for mounting the counter mechanism 13 and the drive pinion 14. The drive pinion 14 is frictionally mounted on the drive shaft 15 of the counter mechanism. The drive pinion 14 is formed with a number of teeth or points 21 which can be coupled with a number of depressions 0 notches formed in the post 17 in the form of a molded frame within the housing 1 and extends from the base of the housing 1 in parallel to the valve rod 4. While in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the post 17 forms a molded part of the housing, other variations can be envisaged in which the post 17 forms a part "of the dose indicating device itself For example, Figure 2a shows a simplified representation of a dose indicating device in which the head of the post 17 can be received within a repression provided in the body 8 of the device.The teeth formed in the post 17 engage the corresponding teeth in the drive pinion 14. The spring 28 acts to push the post from the depression, the protruding lip 24 of the post 17, however, abuts the stop 26, thereby retaining at least a portion of the post 17 within the depression. shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drive shaft 15 is connected to the drive yoke 16 of the counter mechanism 13. The drive yoke 16 has two shift pins 18a and 18b spaced apart on either side and the star wheel 19 such that the driving yoke 16 can be inclined about the axis of the driving shaft 15 between a first position shown in FIG. 4b in which the shift pin 18a engages the other side of the star wheel 19. The star wheel 19 is connected through a mechanism, similar to that described with reference to the reference number from 2 to 8, in figures from 1 to 3, of European Patent No. 0280104, to three-digit wheels 33, which have numbers printed on their circumferential surfaces as described below. When placed in the housing 1, the counter mechanism 13 is small enough to be placed on the sides of the support 5, and behind it so as not to interfere with the aerosol discharge channel as it emerges from the passage 7. The aerosol container 2 can be supplied to the patient with the dose device already mounted thereto. Alternatively, the housing 1 can be delivered to the patient with the dose indicating device placed in the position shown in Figure 2 and the aerosol container 2 supplied separately. In this case, the patient is instructed to insert the aerosol container 2 into the housing 1 with the valve stem first. In the first insertion of the container into the housing, the tubular portion 9 and the lip 10 of the dose indicating device are mounted on the periphery of the valve cap 11 of the aerosol container 2 until the lip 10 is placed around the neck 12. Subsequently, the dose indicating device is attached to the aerosol container 2. Other means of attaching the dose indicator to the container, including bonding with adhesive, are contemplated; use of shrink sleeves by welding; heat training; hitch; ultrasonic welding; and by the presence of a 0-ring-shaped elastomer in the container that can be permanently pierced by barbs in the binding member of the dose indicator. In one aspect, the permanent members of a ion are preferred.

To operate the device, the protruding portion of the aerosol container is released as described above with reference to Figure 1. As the aerosol container carrying the dose indicating mechanism moves inside the housing 1, the drive pinion 14 begins to rotate through the coupling with the post 17, causing rotation of the drive shaft 15 and the drive yoke 16. As the drive yoke 16 is tilted with the rotation of the drive shaft 15 the shift pin 18a moves in engagement with the wheel star 19 (FIG. 4a) causing an increasing rotation in the counterclockwise direction of a half-tooth gap of the star wheel until the shift pin 18a can not be further moved in this direction, the change pin being placed between the two adjacent teeth of the star wheel (Figure 14b). At this point, the drive shaft 15 can not rotate and any further movement of the aerosol container within the housing 1 results in the drive pinion 14 continuing to rotate through its engagement with the pole 17 by virtue of the frictional engagement between the pinion 14 and the drive shaft 15. When the valve rod 4 has reached its fully released position, and a metered dose of the medication has been discharged from the aerosol container, the aerosol container is allowed to return to its original position. As the aerosol container and the dose indicating mechanism return to their original position, the drive pinion 1 starts to rotate in the opposite direction together with the drive shaft 15 and the drive yoke 16. In this manner, the drive yoke 16 is tilted such that the shift pin 18a moves out of engagement with the star wheel 19 while the shift pin 19b moves in engagement with it (figure 4v), causing an additional increasing rotation in the counterclockwise direction of a half-tooth gap of the star wheel until the shift pin 18b can not be moved further in that direction (Figure 4d). Again, the drive shaft 15 can not rotate further at this point and any further movement of the aerosol container out of the housing 1 results in the driven pinion 14 continuing to rotate through its engagement with the post 17 by virtue of the frictional engagement between the pinion-14 and the drive shaft 15. In this way it can be seen that the friction coupling acts as a lost motion coupling which allows the dose indicating device to be used with aerosol containers having valves with different travel lengths of the valve stem during the operation. Each time the aerosol spray apparatus is actuated, the star wheel is rotated through two increasing movements in the counterclockwise direction, as described above. These movements are translated through the counter mechanism in the appropriate movements of the digit wheels 33, a number on each of the circumferential faces printed on the digit wheels that are clearly visible through the window 20 on the back of the accommodation 1 (as shown in Figure 2), to indicate that an additional dose of medicament has been administered. By having three digits, the wheels 33 is possible for the dose counter to be used to count hundreds of doses. Clearly, if less than one hundred doses are contained within the administering device, the dose counter consists of fewer digit wheels. Alternatively, if one thousand or more doses are contained, then one or more additional digit wheels may be added as appropriate.

To remove the aerosol container 2 from the housing for cleaning, the aerosol container 2 can be removed from the housing 1 of the usual mat. As the container is removed, the frictional engagement between the drive pinion 14 and the drive shaft 15 allows this additional movement as required for the drive pinion to be separated from the post 17 without causing any additional gradation as required so that the pinion The actuator is separated from the post 17 without causing any additional graduation of the counter mechanism. Once removed, the housing 1 can be cleaned as described without fear of interfering with or damaging the dose indicating device. which is firmly connected to the aerosol container 2. When the housing 1 is clean, the aerosol container 2 with the dose indicating device can be reinserted into the housing 1. During insertion, the drive pinion 14 engages the post 17 and It will begin to rotate until the aerosol container reaches its normal rest position with the valve-valve 4 placed on the support 5. As the pinion rotates to cephalopod 14, the friction coupling will act as a lost motion mechanism as described above, allowing any travel of the aerosol container as between the first drive of the drive pinion 14 and the post 17, and the positioning of the valve stem 14 in the holder 5. In this way, the friction coupling automatically accommodates and compensates for different lengths of the valve rods protruding from the bushing. Figure 5 shows an alternative, lost motion movement coupling mechanism that can be used in an aerosol spray apparatus according to the following invention. In this embodiment, instead of a pinion, the actuator yoke 16 is formed with two resilient arms 30 between which the post 17 is firmly coupled (FIG. 5a). The post 17 is formed with rib on its surface (not shown) that provide a rough surface finish to create the required level of friction between the arms 30 and the post 17 such that the arms 30 will hold the post 17 until the applied load overcome friction. In actuating the device, as the aerosol container and the dose indicating mechanism move, the frictional engagement between the arms 30 and the post 17 will cause the driving yoke 17 to tilt about the axis of the shaft 15 (not shown in FIG. Figure 1), thereby moving the shift pin 18a in engagement with the wheel 19 as discussed with respect to the first embodiment. As the travel pin 18a reaches its travel limit, the drive yoke 16 can not move further, and any further movement of the aerosol container in the housing 1 results in the arms 30 sliding down the post 17 under of the coupling by friction. In the return to its original position, the driving yoke 16 tilts in the other direction until the shift pin 18b moves in engagement with the star wheel 19 and can not be moved further. Any further movement of the aerosol container out of the housing 1 results in the arms 30 sliding downwardly of the post 17. Figures 6 to 9 show an inhalation device equipped with an inhalation device equipped with an indicator device. electromechanical dose / according to the invention. As with the mechanical embodiments discussed above, the dose indicating device consists of a body 40 firmly attached to the aerosol container by means of the tubular portion 41 formed with handles (not shown). The tubular portion 41 hermetically coupled the periphery of the valve sleeve 11 while a handle in the shape of a lip engages around the neck 12 of the valve sleeve 11. In this way, the tubular portion 41 and the lip form an airtight connection to the aerosol container which once mounted upon pushing the tubular portion 41 onto the valve sleeve 11 can not be easily disassembled. Below the tubular portion 41, the body 40 forms a yoke for mounting the counter mechanism 43, and defines a chamber for accommodating the shift slider 44. The shift slider 44 is a cylindrical washer made of silicone rubber and having a hole of such diameter that, with the canister and the dose indicating device mounted within the driven housing, provides a frictional fit on the spigot 45, which is molded into the housing and protrudes through a hole in the body 40 The friction fit of the shift slider 44 in the spigot 45 ensures that the shift slider will not move along the spike unless it is pushed. Two contact members 46, 47, both of which consist of a change contact and a circuit board contact, and one of which consists of in addition a battery contact, are mounted such that the battery and board contacts of circuit are in -Constact contact with a first terminal of the battery 48 and the printed circuit board (PCB) • 49 respectively. The switch contacts do not contact each other but are placed on either side of the tang 45, and define the upper limit of movement of the. Change slider .44 with your camera. In this way, when the shift slider 44 is in its upper position as shown in Figure 9, it contacts both the contacts of the switch, thereby closing the circuit between them due to the electrical conductivity of the silicone rubber of the change slider. Although in the embodiment described, the shift slider is made of silicone rubber, it will be appreciated that it could alternatively be made of a non-conductive rubber having an insert on its upper face made of. metal or other conductive material. In addition to its connections to contact members 46, 47, PCB 49 also has connections to the other battery terminal and to a three-digit liquid crystal display (LCD) 50 in a conventional manner. The PCB consists of a specific integrated circuit of the application (ASIC), which provides the logical system by which the dose indicator can be verified, programmed and made operational, as discussed in more detail later, to maintain a record of how many Sometimes the switch contact circuit closes and triggers the LCD to display the number of doses remaining in the aerosol container. The ASIC is designed in this way and is therefore programmed in a known manner. Instead of a digital display, the LCD could be altered to be formatted to display an analog indication. When the aerosol container is mounted in the actuator housing, the LCD 50 is visible through the window 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the LCD and the window are placed on the back of the housing, but the They could also place on the front or some other part of the housing. The counter mechanism 43 is small enough to be placed on the sides and behind the rod block (support 5) molded into the housing so as not to interfere with the aerosol discharge channel as it emerges. To actuate the device, the protruding portion of the aerosol container having the dose indicating mechanism within the housing from its rest position (shown in Figure 8), the chamber accommodating the shift slider 44 moves downward until The upper face of the shift slide 44, which is mounted on the tang 45, meets the shift contacts 46, 47 and the change circuit is closed. This causes the AS I C to decrease the number received by the LCD 50. As the aerosol container continues to move, a metered dose of medicament is discharged from the valve, while the shift slider 44 is pushed down along the spigot 45 by virtue of the friction adjustment of the shifter on the spigot until the valve stem reaches its travel limit and the aerosol container do not move further (figure 9). In this way, it can be seen that the friction fit of the shift slide 44 on the stem 45 allows valve stem travel after the changeover or switch circuit has been closed thereby driving a lost motion coupling. . The aerosol container is then allowed to return to its normal position within the housing and as it returns, the chamber accommodating the shift slider 44 moves upwardly breaking the switching or switching circuit as the shift contacts 46, 47 move. away from the shift slider 44. The body 40 then meets the lower face of the shift slider 44 and draws the shift slider up along the pin 45 until the valve stem returns to its rest position (fi gur a 8). Because the dose indicator device is designed to be suitable for use in conjunction with aerosol containers of different sizes containing different numbers of doses to be administered, the ASIC is designed to be adjusted at the factory in accordance with the size of the aerosol container with which the dose indicator device is mounted. After assembly of the dose indicator device and the first connection of the battery, the ASIC enters a self-test mode. After this, the programming mode can be entered by activating the switch, allowing it to be programmed to count down from the appropriate number of doses (for example, 200, 120, 80 or 60). This can be done automatically on a packaging line. After the programming has taken place, the ASIC enters the counting mode, where the LCD decreases in the closing of the switch or changeover contact circuit. When the zero count is reached, the ASIC is designed to prevent the account from further decreasing in a known manner. In order to prevent false readings due to the effects of the 'jump' the change ASIC can be designed to decrease only after the switching or switching circuit has been closed for a predetermined duration of time in a known manner. of the aerosol container, which becomes stuck in the actuated position after the operation, or the switching or switching circuit that is stuck or closed block due to mechanical damage or contamination, the ASIC can be designed to "blank out the LCD to alert the user that a problem exists. As with the other embodiments of the invention described above, the aerosol container can be removed from the actuator housing in the usual manner. As the container is removed, the body 40 pulls the shift slider along the stem 45 until it completely covers the spigot. Once removed, the housing can be cleaned without interfering with or damaging the dose indicating device, which remains firmly connected to the aerosol container. During the reinsertion of the aerosol container that can only occur when the body of the dose indicating device is correctly oriented with respect to the housing by virtue of its respective shapes, the shift slider 44 engages and is pushed upwardly by the spigot. until the top face meets the change contacts. The additional insertion of the aerosol container results in the shift slider 44 being pushed down along the pin 45 until it seats the valve stem within the holder 5. It will be noted that when programming the ASIC, it will be could use a dose indicator device design in conjunction with a range of aerosol containers of various capacities. Under the mechanism of change, the same design of the dose indicating device could also be used in conjunction with a range of different valves having different valve stem lengths and different stem travel specifications. While the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a metered dose inhaler, manually operable by the patient, it will be appreciated that it can be replaced by another drive mechanism. In particular, the use of an inhaled breath inhaler in which the action is aided is also contemplated, and is sensitive to, preferably driven by, the patient's aspiration. The administering apparatus of the invention is suitable for administering medication, particularly for the treatment of respiratory disorders. The appropriate medicaments can be selected in this manner from, for example, analgesics, for example, codeine, dihydric acid, ergotamine, fentanyl or morphine.; preparations for angina; for example, diitiazem; antiallergics, for example, omoglycate, ketotifen or nedocromil; anti-infectives, for example, c e f 1 or spo rins, penicillins, streptomycin, sul phonyamides, t e r t i c y i n a s and pentamidine; anti-histamines, for example, metapyrylene; anti-inflammatories, for example, benzylomene dipropionate, fluticasone propionate, flunisolide, budesonide, rofiepodin, momentasone flurate or triamcinolone acetonide; antitussives, for example, noscapine; bronchodilators, for example; albuterol salmeterol, ephedrine, adrenaline, fenoterol, formoterol, i sopr enal ina, me tproter ene 1, phenylephrine, feni Ipropanol -amine, pirbuterol, reproterol, rimiterol, terbutaline, isoetarin, tulovuterol, or (-) - 4-amino- 3 , 5-di c lo r o-oc- [[[6- [2- (2-pyridinyl) ethoxy] hexyl] methyl] benzenemethanol; diuretics, for example, amiloride; anti-cholinergic, for example, ipratropium, tiotropium, atropine or oxitropium; hormones, for example, cortisone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone; xanthines, for example, inophylline, choline theophyllinate, lysine theophyllinate or theophyllinate; Therapeutic proteins or peptides for example, insulin or glucagon. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that, where appropriate, the medicaments can be used in the form of salts (for example, as alkali metal or amine salts or as acid addition salts) or as esters (e.g. , lower alkyl esters) or as solvates (eg, hydrates) to optimize the activity and / or stability of the medicament.

Preferred medicaments are selected from albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate and bevel ornate dipropionate and salts and solvates thereof for example, albuterol sulfate and salmeterol xinafoate. Also- drugs can be administered in combinations of active ingredients contain combinations. Preferred formulations containing combinations of active ingredients contain salbutamol (for example, as the free base or the sulfate salt) or salmeterol (for example, as the xinafoate salt) in combination with a spheron ant i-inf 1 amato rio such as an ester of bec 1 ome ate ona (for example, the dipropionate) or a fluticasone ester (for example, the propionate). It will be understood that the present description is for the purpose of • illustration only and the invention extends to the modifications, variations and improvements thereto.

The application that this description and the claims that are part, can be used as a basis for priority with respect to any subsequent request. The claims of this subsequent application can be directed to any feature or combination of features described herein. They may take the form of rei indications of product, method or use and may include, by way of example, and without limitation, one or more of the following claims. DECLARATION OF THE BEST METHOD KNOWN TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to implement the aforementioned invention, is the conventional method for the manufacture of the objects to which the same it means. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS 1. An administering device for administering medication, characterized by which comprises: a housing that has a support; a placeable container within the housing, having an exit member, wherein the container can be moved relative to the housing to allow distributions thereof and the exit member can be connected with. the support to prevent relative movement between them; and a drive indicator, placeable within the housing, wherein the container and the indicator of a ce; They can be removed reversibly from the housing as an individual unit.
2. 2. An administrator apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive indicator can be coupled with the vessel in. the proximity of the exit member.
3. 3. An administrator apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive indicator can be coupled with the output member.
4. 4. An administrator apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive indicator is provided with a handle member that can be coupled with a portion of the neck of the container.
5. 5. An administrator apparatus according to the rei indication 4, characterized in that the neck portion is adjacent to the outer member, or in it.
6. 6. An administrator apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the container is an aerosol container.
7. 7. An administrator apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the. accommodation is provided with an outlet, preferably in the form of a nozzle.
8. 8. An administration apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it consists of a passage through which the doses administered from the container to the outlet can pass.
9. 9. A manager's item in accordance with any of the claims of 1 to 8, characterized in that the container provides metered doses.
10. 10. An administrator apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the drive indicator indicates the number of doses administered from the container, or that remain in it.
11. 11. An administrator apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the drive indicator consists of a graduation mechanism operated by a predetermined movement of the container in relation to a 1 or j ami in t o.
12. 12. An administrator apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the graduation mechanism consists of a lost motion coupling to allow and compensate for excess movement of the container relative to the housing.
13. 13. An administrator apparatus according to any of the following indications 11 to 12, characterized in that the graduation mechanism adjusts the actuating indicator by means of a predefined rotary movement of a first member actuated by the movement relative to a second. member during the activation of the administering device.
14. 14. An administrator apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the second member remains stationary relative to the housing during the actuation of the administering apparatus.
15. 15. An administrator apparatus according to claim 13 to 14, characterized in that the first member consists of a pinion carried by a shaft through the lost motion coupling and the second member consists of a frame.
16. 16. An administrator apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the first member consists of a yoke for coupling with the second member through the lost motion coupling.
17. 17. An administrator apparatus according to any of the claims of 12 to 16, characterized in that the lost motion coupling consists of a friction drive mechanism.
18. 18. An administrator apparatus in accordance with any one of the claims of 1 to 17, because it is actionable in response to a user's inward aspiration.
19. 19. An aerosol spray apparatus according to claim 1, consisting of a housing in which a container can be removably placed, an outlet leading from the housing and a support in the housing arranged to receive a member of the device. outlet of the container and having a passage through which the contents of the container can pass to the outlet, the exit member remaining stationary in the housing support and the container body that can be moved relative to the outlet member and the housing for administering its contents in measured doses, and a dose indicating device having a dose indicator to indicate the number "of doses administered from, or remaining in, the container, characterized in that the dose indicating device is it tightly connects the container in the vicinity of the outlet member, such that the container and the dose indicating device are p They can be removed from the accommodation as an individual unit.
20. 20. A drive indicating device for use with an administrator apparatus, characterized in that it consists of a housing and a container, having an outlet member, the drive indicating device comprises attachment means for allowing attachment to the container, such that the container and the actuating indicator device are located within said housing and reversibly removable as a single unit of that 1.
21. 21. The drive indicating device according to claim 20, characterized in that the connecting member consists of a clamping member that firmly engages a neck portion formed around the container.
22. 22. The actuation indicating device according to claim 21, characterized in that the neck portion is located at the connection between the container and the outlet member.
23. 23. The actuation indicating device according to claim 20, characterized in that the drive indicating device has a drive indicator to indicate the number of doses administered from the container, or that remain in the container, wherein the device indicating drive consists of a joining means to allow the hermetic connection to the container in the vicinity of the outlet member.
24. 24. The electromechanical dose indication device according to any of claims 20 to 23.
25. 25. The use of a dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18 for the distribution of medicament.