| abstract |
(57) Abstract: Retaining and diffusing liquid flowable formulations, including water soluble formulations of pharmaceutically active drugs (solutions or dispersions of particles less than 0.25 micron in diameter). Disposable packages, tapes and cassettes are provided. In one aspect, the formulation is packaged in a container for each dosage unit. Also, the containers are preferably connected to each other. The package is designed to be incorporated into a cassette that can be housed in the diffuser. The diffuser can individually open the dosage unit container and then push the contents out of the porous membrane into a mouthpiece on a cassette, aerosolized and transported to the patient. In addition to each side porous membrane, the package may include one or more openings through which air is forced out. It helps to avoid the accumulation of aerosol particles. The package may be arranged such that the prescription drug is held in a container that is not located vertically below the porous membrane. And thereby, it is necessary to pass the formulation horizontally through the porous membrane, and it is possible to include a vibration device directly below the chamber covered by the porous membrane. The release of aerosolized drug is breath actuated based on the simultaneous measurement of inspiratory flow rate and volume to provide reproducible dosing to the patient. |