Claims for Patent: 7,637,260

Summary for Patent: 7,637,260

Title:	Medicament dispensing device with a multimaterial diaphragm bounding a pneumatic force chamber
Abstract:	A metered dose inhaler for use with a pressurized aerosol container which is preferably breath-actuated. A preload is applied to the internal aerosol valve by an amount sufficient to result in a dose release, but this is prevented by the application of a pneumatic resisting force. The inhaler comprises a release device which, upon actuation, releases the resisting force and allows the preload to actuate the aerosol valve. A metered dose of medicament is then released for inhalation by the patient. The pneumatic resisting force is established by a negative pressure region defined in part by a diaphragm. The diaphragm includes a central disk of a first, relatively high stiffness material and a peripheral ring, coupled by a flexure of a second, relatively low stiffness material.
Inventor(s):	Holroyd; Michael (Cambridge, GB)
Assignee:	Norton Healthcare Limited (London, GB)
Application Number:	10/276,531
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 7,637,260
Patent Claims:	1. A dispensing device for dispensing a medicament in metered doses, comprising: a main body with a first and second end; a sleeve movably positioned within said main body and having a closed end; a diaphragm assembly including a relatively rigid central disk, a peripheral attachment ring disposed about a peripheral portion of said disk, and an annular flexure extending between said peripheral portion of said disk and said attachment ring, wherein said central disk is affixed to said first end of said main body and said attachment ring is affixed to said sleeve, thereby defining a closed region between said diaphragm assembly and said closed end of said sleeve, said diaphragm assembly also including a valve port providing fluid communication between said first end of said main body and said closed region; a spring operatively positioned in said main body to apply a preload force to said sleeve; and a vane operatively positioned in said main body and movable between first and second positions, wherein when said vane is in said first position said vane seals said valve port of said diaphragm assembly and when said vane is in said second position said valve port is unsealed; wherein said central disk of said diaphragm assembly comprises a first material characterized by a relatively high stiffness, said annular flexure comprises a second material different from said first material and characterized by a relatively low stiffness, said annular flexure is bonded to said disk along a continuous surface substantially parallel to a central axis of said diaphragm assembly, and said disk, said annular flexure and said attachment ring form a contiguous assembly. 2. A dispensing device according to claim 1 wherein said annular flexure is bonded to said disk along at least one surface substantially transverse to said central axis. 3. A dispensing device according to claim 2 wherein said diaphragm assembly further includes a central portion comprising said second material and unitarily formed with and extending radially inwardly from said annular flexure, said central portion bonded to said disk along said at least one surface substantially transverse to said central axis. 4. A dispensing device according to claim 3 wherein said central portion comprises a disk. 5. A dispensing device according to claim 3 wherein said central portion is also bonded to said disk along at least one surface substantially parallel to said central axis. 6. A dispensing device according to claim 5 wherein said central portion includes at least one annular wall coaxially arranged with respect to said central axis and received within an annular groove of said disk, said annular wall bonded to said disk along the at least one surface substantially transverse to said central axis. 7. A dispensing device according to claim 3 wherein said diaphragm assembly includes a valve port providing fluid communication with said closed region between said diaphragm assembly and said sleeve, and wherein said valve port passes through said central portion and said disk. 8. A dispensing device according to claim 3 for dispensing an aerosol medicament in metered doses. 9. A dispensing device according to claim 3 for dispensing an HFA aerosol medicament in metered doses. 10. A dispensing device according to claim 3 for dispensing a dry powder medicament in metered doses. 11. A dispensing device according to claim 3 for dispensing an aqueous medicament in metered doses. 12. A dispensing device for dispensing a medicament in metered doses, comprising: a main body with first and second ends; a sleeve movably positioned within said main body and having a closed end; a diaphragm assembly including a relatively rigid central disk having an outer peripheral wall in an unassembled condition of said diaphragm assembly, said outer peripheral wall being substantially parallel to a central axis of said diaphragm assembly, a peripheral attachment ring disposed about the outer peripheral wall of said disk in an assembled condition of said diaphragm assembly, and an annular flexure having an inner peripheral wall in an unassembled condition of said diaphragm assembly, said inner peripheral wall being substantially parallel to the central axis of said diaphragm assembly, and a substantially continuous bond between said inner peripheral wall of said annular flexure and said outer peripheral wall of said disk in said assembled condition of said diaphragm assembly; said disk being affixed to said first end of said main body and said attachment ring being affixed to said sleeve, thereby defining a closed region between said diaphragm assembly and said closed end of said sleeve; a valve port in said diaphragm assembly providing fluid communication between said first end of said main body and said closed region; a spring operatively positioned in said main body to apply a preload force to said sleeve; and a vane operatively positioned in said main body and movable between first and second positions, wherein when said vane is in said first position said vane seals said valve port of said diaphragm assembly and when said vane is in said second position said valve port is unsealed; wherein said central disk of said diaphragm assembly comprises a first material having a relatively high stiffness, and said annular flexure comprises a second material having a relatively low stiffness.