US 7,600,512 B2
Inhaler with breath actuated dose counter
James I-Chee Lee, Sacramento, Calif. (US); Reza Saied, Sacramento, Calif. (US); and Glen M. Thomson, Citrus Heights, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Vortran Medical Technology 1, Inc., Sacramento, Calif. (US)
Filed on Dec. 09, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/299,307.
Application 11/299307 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/888445, filed on Jul. 09, 2004.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/487493, filed on Jul. 14, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2006/0150971 A1, Jul. 13, 2006
Int. Cl. A61M 16/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 128—203.15 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for dispensing a fluid supplied from an external fluid source, comprising:
a housing adapted for receiving the fluid from the fluid source, wherein translation of a portion of the fluid source from a stowed position to a discharge position along a first axis releases the fluid into the housing;
a loading member coupled to the fluid source, the loading member imposing a biasing force on the fluid source in the stowed position to discharge the fluid source along the first axis; and
a linkage coupling the housing and the fluid source, the linkage having a collapsible joint;
the collapsible joint connecting first and second links configured to restrain translation of the fluid source in the first axis;
the second link having a first end pivotably mounted to the housing, a second end pivotably connected to the first link at the collapsible joint, and an arm coupled to a restraining surface on a movable member;
the moveable member responsive to an inhalation force, the inhalation force causing the movable member to shift the restraining surface to release the collapsible joint, thereby allowing translation of the fluid source in the first axis from the stowed position to the discharge position to discharge the fluid into the housing.