BG64618B1 - Powder filling apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method and the device are applied in the treatment of fine particles, in particular for the metered transport of fine powder doses and filling of containers with single doses of non-leaking, spraying fine powder type medicaments designed for subsequent inhalation by patients. The method comprises fine powder (20) filling in hopper (12) with an opening (18), vibration of a vibrator motor (28)found in the fine powder (20) in proximity to the opening (18), vibration of the motor (28) lateral to the opening while it vibrates, and gripping at least one part of the fine powder (20) in chamber(24) wherein it is insufficiently sealed so as to be dispersed during its removal from chamber (24). The apparatus comprises a hopper (12), with an opening (18) adapted to receive the fine powder (20), at least one chamber (24) which is movable to be placed in close proximity to the opening (18), vibrator motor (28) inside the hopper (12), having a proximal and a distal end (29) with end element (30) close to opening (18) and mechanism for shifting the vibrator motor over chamber (24).

Description

Technical field

The invention relates generally to the processing of fine powders, in particular to a method and apparatus for transferring metered fine powders. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems, devices and methods for filling single-dose containers of non-flowing but dispensing fine powder medicaments for the subsequent inhalation of patients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The critical moment for any successful drug therapy is the effective delivery of the required amount of it to the patient. There are different ways of delivery and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Oral delivery of the drug via tablets, capsules, tinctures and the like is perhaps the most well-known method, but many drugs have a bad taste and the size of the tablets makes them difficult to swallow. Moreover, such drugs are very often destroyed in the digestive tract before they can be absorbed. Such destruction is a particular problem with modern protein drugs that are rapidly destroyed by the proteolytic enzyme in the digestive tract.

Substance injection is often an effective way of systematically delivering a drug, including protein delivery, but has low patient acceptance rates and requires the manufacture of sharp low-yield items, such as needles that are difficult to eliminate after delivery. Because the need to inject drugs at small intervals, such as insulin one or more times daily, can be a source of worsening patient confidence, various alternative routes of drug delivery have been refined, such as through the skin, nose, rectum, vagina, and white the lungs.

Of particular interest to the present invention are the procedures for delivering drugs through the lungs, which rely on the inhalation of a dispersed drug or aerosol by a patient so that the active drug upon spreading it can reach the region of the alveoli in its lungs.

Delivery of the drug through the lungs is especially promising for the delivery of proteins and polypeptides that are difficult to deliver by other means. Such delivery through the lungs can be effective, both for systematic delivery and for local delivery in the treatment of lung diseases.

The delivery of drugs through the lungs (including systemically and locally) can itself be accomplished through a variety of approaches including fluid sprayers, metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder dispensers.

Dry powder dispensers are particularly promising for the delivery of proteins and polypeptide drugs that can easily be formulated as dry powders. Many, otherwise labile, proteins and polypeptides can be stored stably by lyophilization or by drying by spraying the powders themselves or in combination with suitable carrier powders.

Another advantage is that dry powders have a much higher concentration than liquid formulations.

The possibility of delivering proteins and polypeptides as dry powders is, however, problematic in some aspects. The dosage of many proteins and polypeptides is often critical, so that each dry powder delivery system needs to be able to deliver a certain amount of medicine accurately, precisely, and at repeated doses. Moreover, many of the proteins and polypeptides are quite expensive, usually many times more expensive than conventional dose-based drugs. Thus, the ability to effectively deliver dry powders to the affected lung area with minimal drug wastage is critical.

For some applications, fine powder medications are supplied from dry powder dispensers in small, single dose containers, often having a punchable lid or other access surface (usually related to blister packs).

For example, the delivery devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,785,049 and 5,740,794, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, are designed to receive such containers. After placing the container in the device, a multi-flow ejector having a feed tube passes through the container lid to provide access to the powder medication therein. The multi-flow ejector creates vents in the lid to suck in and out the medication. The propulsion in this process is carried out by a high-velocity air stream, which is passed through a portion of the tube, for example through its outlet end, to extract dust from the container, through the tube and inside the air stream and to form an aerosol for patient inhalation. High-velocity airflow transports dust from the container without clustering, and in the final mixed flow, the particles participate without clustering.

Of particular interest to the present invention are the physical characteristics of poorly flowing powders. Poorly flowing powders are those powders that have physical characteristics, such as flowability, dominated by cohesion forces between individual units or particles (hereinafter referred to as individual particles) that form the dust. In this case, the dust does not flow because the individual particles cannot easily move independently of each other, but instead move as many particles accumulate.

When such powders are subjected to weak forces, they will try not to flow at all. As the forces acting on the dust increase to exceed the cohesion forces, the dust will move in large clusters of individual particles. When the dust remains dormant, large clumps remain as a result of its uneven density due to voids and low-density regions located between large clumps and local compaction regions.

This method of drug delivery is increasingly used as the size of the individual particles becomes smaller. Most likely, as the particles become smaller, the cohesion forces, such as those of Wan Der Waals, electrostatic, friction, and other forces, become larger than the gravitational and internal forces that can be applied to individual particles due to their small mass. This is relevant to the present invention, since the gravitational and internal forces produced by clumping, as well as other effects, are commonly used to cause movement and measurement of dusts.

For example, by measuring fine powders before being placed in single dose containers, the powders often pile up unpredictably, creating gaps and large changes in density, thus reducing the accuracy of the bulk measurement process commonly used in high-speed charging of production. This unpredictable clumping is undesirable, since the clumps of dust must be crushed into individual particles, that is, they must be scattered to be delivered through the lungs. Such fragmentation is often carried out in shear force devices created by the air flow used to extract the drug from the single dose container, into other volumes, or through other mechanisms of mechanical energy transmission (e.g., ultrasound, fan / snooker, etc.). If the small clusters of dust are compact, the shear forces provided by the airflow or other spreading mechanism are insufficient to effectively distribute the drug to the individual particles.

Some attempts to protect the processed fine dust from the accumulation of individual particles consist in creating mixtures of multiphase powders (usually with a carrier or diluent), where larger particles (sometimes with many different size ranges), e.g. 50 µm are combined with a drug with smaller particles, for example from 1 µm to 5 µm. In this case, the smaller particles adhere to the larger particles so that during processing and filling, the powder will have the characteristics of a 50 µm powder size. Such dust is easier to flow and measure.

The disadvantage of such a powder is that the removal of smaller particles from the larger particles is difficult and definitely the resultant powder is mainly made of an improperly flowing component of the agent that may end up in the dispenser or in the patient's throat.

Current methods of filling single dose containers with powdered medicines include a direct filling method whereby granular powder is filled directly by gravity (sometimes in combination with agitation or shaking of the interior) in the measuring chamber. When the chamber is filled to a certain level, the drug is then discarded from the chamber into the container. With this direct filling method, a variable density can be obtained in the cavity of the measuring chamber, which reduces its efficiency in accurately measuring the amount of a single dose of the drug. Moreover, the powder is in a granular state, which is unsuitable for many applications.

Some attempts have been made to minimize density differences by compacting the powder inside the chamber or before delivering it to the chamber. Such compaction is inappropriate, in particular for powders obtained only from fine particles, because it reduces the ability of the powder to diffuse, i.e. reduces the chance of the compacted powder being crushed to individual particles during delivery of the drug through the lungs of the patient using a dispenser.

A system and method for processing fine powders should be created that would solve this and other problems. Such systems and methods should allow accurate and precise measurement of fine powders when delivered in single doses to be placed in containers for such doses, in particular those intended for small mass filling. Systems and methods should ensure that fine powders remain dispersed during processing so that fine powders can be used through the available inhalation devices, which requires the powder to be crushed to individual particles before being delivered through the lungs.

Furthermore, systems and methods should ensure that fine powders are processed quickly so that a large number of single dose containers can be filled quickly by filling single doses of fine powder medicines in order to reduce cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The devices used to achieve this are known as follows:

US Patent 5,765,607 describes a mechanism for measuring products in containers, which also includes a measuring unit for introducing the products into the container.

U.S. Patent 4,640,322 describes a machine that applies a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure through a filter to pull material directly from a hopper and feed it transversely into a non-rotating chamber.

U.S. Patent 4,509,560 discloses granular material processing devices utilizing a rotating blade to stir the material.

US Patent 2,540,059 describes powder filling devices having a rotating wire loop to stir the powder in the hopper prior to its direct gravity filling in the measuring chamber.

DE 3607187 discloses a mechanism for transferring measured doses of fine particles.

The product prospectus E-13 00 Powder Filler describes a powder filler manufactured by Perry Industriaes Corona, CA.

US Patent No. 3,874,431 discloses a powder capsule filling machine. The machine uses a sampling tube that is attached to a revolving revolving caliper.

GB 1,420,364 discloses a membrane kit used in a measuring chamber intended to measure the required amounts of dry powders.

GB 1,309,424 discloses a powder filling apparatus having a piston head measuring chamber used to create a negative pressure in the chamber.

CA patent 949,786 describes a powder filling machine having measuring chambers immersed in the dust. Vacuum is then used to fill the chambers with dust.

It is known from U.S. Patent 5,377,727 a device for grinding and filling crushed or granulated material, such as an ingredient for the preparation of noodles. The apparatus includes a stepper container conveyor extending through a filling section to fill multiple containers disposed in the feed direction to be filled at the filling station during the operation of the conveyor. A horizontal feed cylinder is provided which is located in the feed station and is located outside and above the conveyor conveyance. The feed cylinder is provided with axially arranged and dimensioned voids (pockets) formed on its outer surface, the number of which is equal to the number of containers filled at the filling station. A hopper for crushed or granular material above the feed cylinder is provided, as well as steep incline slides located between the conveyor and the feed cylinder. The chutes have a plurality of upper inlets arranged axially on the feed cylinder so that they are connected to the respective dimension cavities when directed downwards and a plurality of outlets arranged below and arranged along the transport route above and against the respective containers filled in. filling station. A rocker lever is placed at the bottom of the hopper to prevent it from being trapped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a system, apparatus and method for filling accurately metered doses of fine powders, in particular medicaments in single dose containers, to ensure a precise and repetitive dose delivery of a specified amount of drug.

The task is solved by a method for filling fine powder, in particular a medicament, which involves placing fine powder in an opening bin; vibration of a vibrating element in the fine dust near the opening; propelling an element transversely to the aperture while vibrating the element; and gripping at least one portion of the fine dust leaving the opening in a chamber, where the fine dust captured is not sufficiently sealed to be sprayed during removal from the chamber.

The vibrating element shakes the fine dust. The vibration of dust in the hole area helps to carry some of the dust through the hole where it can be captured by the camera. The vibration of a suitable element helps to break up the accumulations of dust in the cavity of the measuring chamber so that the chamber can be filled more evenly.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the vibrating element is vibrated up and down with respect to the dust in the hopper.

The vibrating element makes a vertical movement with respect to the dust in the hopper.

The method according to the invention is implemented in such a way that the vibrating element is coupled to an ultrasonic oscillator and the vibration step includes actuation of the ultrasonic oscillator, in particular an ultrasonic horn for the realization of a vertically vibrating element.

Alternatively, the vibrating element may comprise a rod that vibrates back and forth, i.e. performs horizontal movement in the dust. In another embodiment, the vibrating element vibrates orbally. In one embodiment, the vibrating element is coupled to a piezoelectric motor that vibrates it.

The method according to the invention is designed so that the vibrating element is vibrated vertically with a frequency in the range from about 1,000Hz to about 180,000Hz, in particular from 10,000Hz to about 40,000Hz and most preferably, from about 15,000Hz to about 25,000Hz.

In the horizontal vibration of the rod it is preferred that the vibration frequency is in the range of about 50Hz to about 50,000Hz, in particular in the range of about 50Hz to about 5,000Hz, more particularly in the range of about 50Hz to about 1,000Hz.

In yet another alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vibrating element has a distal end that is adjacent to the opening, the distal end having an end attached to it that vibrates above the chamber to assist the transfer of fine dust from the bin to the chamber .

Preferably, the method is configured such that the end portion is arranged vertically, outside the chamber, at a distance in the range from about 0.01 mm to about 10 mm, in particular from about 0.5 mm to about 3.00 mm.

Preferably, the end element of the far end of the rod extends horizontally outwards from the vibrating element. When the element vibrates vertically, the end element is cylindrical. When the rod vibrates horizontally, the end member may be shaped like a transverse member. Preferably, the end member is vertically positioned, not connected to the camera, and spaced apart. Such a distance helps keep dust intact when transferred to the camera.

In this case, a method according to the invention is preferred in which the vibrating element is driven transversely to the aperture during vibration. In addition, the element moves along the hole at a speed of less than 100cm / s.

The speed determined depends mainly on the vibration frequency of the element. In this case, the element passes over the camera as it vibrates.

Preferably, a method according to the invention, which further comprises periodically equalizing the dust inside the hopper.

The method according to the invention is designed such that the alignment step involves positioning an ejection (alignment) element against a vibrating element that is separated from the distal end of the vibrating element.

Preferably, there is a method in which, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, multiple chambers are aligned with the opening, including movement of the vibrating element along the opening in the hopper to pass over each chamber.

Propulsion of the element along the aperture is particularly preferred when multiple chambers are aligned with the aperture. In this way, the element is used to transfer the dust from the hopper to each of the chambers. Multiple elements or rods may vibrate inside the hopper near the opening. Preferably, the bars are aligned with each other and move along the opening while vibrating, although in some cases the bars may remain stationary over each of the chambers.

The method according to the invention is also preferably implemented in such a way that the powder consists of a medicament composed of individual particles having an average size in the range of about 1 μπι to 100 μπι.

In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the step of trapping the fine dust into the chamber involves drawing air through the chamber which is positioned below the orifice, whereby drawing air helps draw the dust into the chamber.

In order to assist the gripping process, a vacuum is usually created through the bottom of the chamber, which sucks the air in there and sucks the fine dust into the chamber.

The method of the invention further includes transferring the entrained dust from the chamber to the container.

The removal of fine dust from the chamber is preferably carried out by introducing compressed gas into the chamber to blow the trapped dust into the container.

The method is such that the transfer step involves injecting pressurized gas into the chamber to remove the dust trapped therein into the container.

The method according to the invention also involves equalizing the amount of dust trapped to equal a single dose.

The method according to the invention is implemented in such a way that the alignment step involves providing a thin plate under the hopper, the plate having an opening that is aligned with the chamber and further includes the movement of the camera with respect to the plate to scrape off excess dust from the chamber .

In this aspect of the invention the dust in the hopper is periodically leveled. As an example, the dust can be leveled by positioning a projecting element at the end of the vibrating element. In this way, the protruding element vibrates with the vibrating element. As the vibrating element moves along the hopper, the protruding element seeks to equalize the dust in the hopper.

It is important to note that the transfer of dust is carried out in a controlled humidity environment.

In another embodiment, the camera's dust capture can be adjusted to determine the amount of a single dose of medication. This can be accomplished by placing a thin control plate between the hopper and the chamber. The opening of the plate allows the dust to be carried from the hopper to the chamber. The camera then moves toward the plate, which rises and removes some of the dust into the chamber. Alternatively, a single dose control blade may be used to remove any excess dust from the chamber as it rotates.

In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the hopper is a primary hopper, and the step of placing the dust includes transferring the dust from the secondary hopper to the primary hopper.

The method of the invention further includes vibrating the secondary hopper to transfer the powder to the primary hopper.

When the dust is transferred from the secondary to the primary hopper, it is preferable that the secondary hopper is vibrated in order to transfer the powder to a shutter from which it passes into the primary hopper.

The method of the invention further includes releasing the dust from the chamber and resizing the chamber.

The camera can then be periodically removed and replaced with a camera of different size to adjust its volume. Thus, various dosage units of the drug can be produced by the invention.

The task is also solved with a fine powder transfer device, in particular a medicament comprising: a hopper with an opening adapted to receive the fine powder; at least one movable camera allowing the camera to be placed adjacent to the opening; a vibrating element with an end close to the vibrator and located at a distant end thereof, the vibrating element being positioned inside the hopper so that the end element is adjacent to the opening; a vibrator that drives the vibrating element when it is inside the fine dust, thereby shaking the fine powder to facilitate its transfer from the hopper to the chamber; and a mechanism for moving the vibrating element over the camera.

The device according to the invention further includes a rotatable member with a plurality of cameras along its periphery aligned with the openings, the displacement mechanism being configured to carry the vibrating element along the opening so that the vibrating element extends above each camera.

Preferably, a device according to the invention is that the displacement mechanism includes a linear actuator that moves the vibrating element along the aperture at a speed of less than about 100 cm / s.

The mechanism is used to move the vibrating element or rod over the camera while vibrating. This mechanism is preferred when multiple cameras are provided in a single rotatable member that rotates to align the cameras with the opening. The actuator can also be used to transfer the vibrating element over the rotating member so that the vibrating element passes over each chamber to assist the filling of each of them with fine dust.

The device according to the invention is designed so that the vibrator vibrates the vibrating element with a frequency in the range from about 1,000Hz to about 180,000Hz, more specifically in the range from about 10,000Hz to about 40,000Hz and even more precisely in the range from about 15,000Hz to about 25,000Hz.

In an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, the vibrator includes an ultrasonic oscillator that vibrates the element up and down with respect to the fine dust.

The ultrasonic vibration exciter, made in the form of an ultrasonic horn, vibrates the element vertically up and down. Alternatively, a piezoelectric motor may be used to horizontally vibrate the element.

The device according to the invention is such that the vibrating element, when vibrated vertically, has a cylindrical geometry and has a diameter in the range of about 1.0 mm to about 10 mm.

When vibrating horizontally, it is preferable for the vibrating element to consist of a rod or conductor having a diameter in the range of about 0.01 inch to about 0.04 inch.

The device according to the invention includes a finite element attached to the distal end of the vibrating element to aid in the shaking of the fine dust.

Preferably, it is a device according to the invention wherein the end member extends radially from the vibrating member.

The rod end member is arranged vertically with respect to the camera and at a distance that is in the range of about 0.0mm to about 10mm, streamwise, preferably is a range of about 0.5mm to about 3.0mm. The device may comprise a plurality of vibrating elements which can be vibrated in the dust.

Preferably, it is a device according to the invention, which includes a leveling element provided for equalizing the powder which is disposed next to the end element.

The device according to the invention is preferably also designed such that the chamber is arranged in a rotatable member which is mounted in a first position having a chamber aligned with the aperture and in a second position having a chamber aligned with the container.

In this way, the camera can be filled with dust when in the first position. The rotating member is then rotated so that the dust trapped by it can be removed into the container.

The device according to the invention includes an inlet assisting in the movement of the fine dust from the hopper to the chamber.

The chamber is preferably provided with an inlet connected to a vacuum source to assist the process of suction of the fine dust from the hopper towards it.

The device according to this aspect of the invention includes a filter transverse to the inlet of the chamber to assist in the capture of dust.

The device according to the invention includes a source of pressurized gas or compressed gas, which is connected to the opening to eject the trapped dust from the chamber and to enter it into the container.

The device according to the invention includes a controller for controlling the propulsion of the gas source, the vacuum source and the operation of the vibrator.

Preferably, a device according to the invention comprises a plurality of bins located above a plurality of rotating members, each of which comprises a plurality of chambers and further comprising a plurality of vibrating elements and a plurality of vibrators for vibrating the vibrating elements.

In another preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention includes a plate located below the hopper, the plate having an opening that is aligned with the chamber and the chamber is able to move about the plate to allow the excess amount of dust from the chamber to be scraped. .

The device according to the invention is such that the hopper is a primary hopper and further includes a secondary hopper located above the primary hopper for transferring the dust to the primary hopper.

The secondary hopper is designed to store the powder until it is delivered to the primary hopper. A vibrating mechanism is provided to vibrate in the secondary hopper when the dust is to be transferred to the primary hopper. The dust passes down the chute so that it can be transferred without moving the vibrating element along the primary hopper.

It is then preferred that a device according to the invention includes a screw mechanism for vibrating the secondary hopper.

The device according to the invention is also configured so that the chamber is formed in a removable device, wherein the removable device is detachably connected to the rotating member.

The device may include a mechanism for adjusting the amount of dust trapped in the chamber. In this way, the amount of dust captured will be equal to the amount of single dose. Such an adjustment mechanism may comprise an edge to remove excess dust contained in the chamber. In one embodiment, the adjusting mechanism comprises a thin plate having an opening that can be aligned with the chamber during filling. As the rotating member rotates, the edge of the opening scrapes away any available dust exiting the chamber.

The vibrating element may include a projecting element that is vertically distant above the distal end of the rod. The protruding element serves as a leveling device for the dust level in the hopper as the vibrating element is moved along the hopper.

The camera can be shaped as a removable tool. Thus, the size of the camera can be easily changed by attaching it to a rotatable member of a removable device with different camera size.

The invention also provides a fine powder filling system, in particular a medicament comprising.

Multiple rotating elements, each with a number of cameras on its periphery; a hopper positioned above each rotating member, wherein each hopper comprises an opening; a vibrating element that is positioned in each og bins, each vibrating element having a distal end near the opening; one vibrator that is coupled to each vibrating element to vibrate it up and down; and a mechanism for moving each vibrating element along each of the bins while the vibrating element vibrates.

The system according to the invention includes a controller for rotary control of the vibrating elements, the vibrators and the displacement mechanism.

Description of the attached figures

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the fine powder transfer device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the camera of the device of 1 showing a vibrating rod moved over the camera according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view, front and left, of an exemplary powder transfer system according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view, front and right of the system of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the system of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a schematic view of an alternative fine powder transfer device according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of another alternative fine powder transfer device according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic view of another alternative fine powder transfer device according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a fine powder transfer device according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 11-11;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 10 along line 12-12;

Figure 13 is an exploded view of the rotating member of the device of Figure 10;

Figure 14A is a schematic view of a sharpening mechanism above a rotating member;

Figure 14B is an end view of the scraper of Figure 14A as mounted above the rotating member;

Figure 14C is a perspective view of an alternative scraping mechanism for excess dust from the rotary chamber according to the invention;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a preferred powder transfer system according to the invention.

Examples of carrying out the invention

The invention provides methods, systems and devices for transferring metered doses of fine powders into containers. The fine powders are very fine, generally having a size in the range that is less than 20 µm, more precisely less than 10 µm, and even more precisely from about 1 µm to 5 µm, although the invention is also applicable to large particles, for example larger than 50 µm or more.

The fine powder may be composed of various components and preferably contain medicines such as proteins, nucleic acid, carbohydrates, compounds with buffering action, peptides, other small biomolecules, and the like. Containers intended to receive fine powder are preferably single dose containers. They serve to store single doses of medication until they are delivered to the patient's lungs.

In order to extract the medicament from the containers, one inhalation device of the kind described in US Patent Nos. 5,875,049 and 5,740,794, incorporated herein by reference, may be used. The methods of the invention are applicable to the preparation of powders, which can also be used with other inhalation devices based on the dispersion of fine powders.

Preferably, each of the containers is filled with a precisely measured amount of fine powder to ensure that the exact dose is given to the patient. When measuring and transporting fine powders, the latter must be delicately manipulated and not pressed so that the delivered quantity in a single dose transferred to the container is sufficiently spreadable to be used with the available inhalation devices.

The fine powders prepared according to the invention are particularly useful not only in that the devices are low energy installed, since they are hand-based and deliver the powder only upon inhalation. With such inhalation devices the dust will be at least 20 wt. % sprayed and extracted from the air stream will in particular be at least 60%, more precisely at least 90%, as disclosed in US Patent 5,785,049, incorporated herein by reference.

Because the cost of processing powdered medicines is usually very high, it is preferable to measure and transport the medicines in containers with minimal loss. It is preferable that the containers be filled quickly with single dose quantities so that large quantities of metered dose containers are economically produced.

According to the invention, the fine powder particles are trapped in a measuring chamber that is sized to determine the volume of a single dose. A preferred method for this capture is by passing air through the chamber so that the drug's delay force is overcome by the air and affect the clumps or individual particles, as described in US Patent 5,775,320, the description of which is incorporated herein invention by reference. Thus, the fluidized fine powder fills the chamber without substantially sealing and without substantially forming voids. Further, the gripping as described above allows the fine powder to be repeated accurately measured without unduly reducing its ability to spread. The flow of air through the chamber can be varied to control the density of the trapped dust.

Once the fine powder has been measured, it is expelled into the container in unit dose quantities, the expelled fine powder being sufficiently capable of being sprayed so that it can be sucked in and dispersed as an aerosol in the turbulent air flow created by the device inhalation or from the dispenser. Such an ejection process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,320, previously incorporated herein by reference.

It is preferable to shake the fine powders by vibrating a single element located inside the powder near and just above the gripping chamber. It is preferable for the vibrating element to move in a downward and upward direction, i.e. to move vertically. The vibrating element may also move horizontally.

Multiple mechanisms can be applied to drive the vibrating element, including an ultrasonic horn, a piezoelectric motor, a rotary cam or crankshaft motor, an electric solenoid, and others.

In order to fluidise the powder, it is intended to rotate a wire in it, bent like a loop. Although the shaking of the dust is mainly accomplished by the movement of a vibrating element located within the dust, in some cases, in order to fluidize this dust, the vibrating element needs to move just above the dust.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of the device for measuring and transferring single doses of a fine powder medicament will be described. The device 10 comprises a hopper 12 having an upper end 14 and a bottom 16. The bottom 16 has an opening 18. A fine powder is loaded into the hopper 12. A rotating member 22 is arranged below the hopper 12 having a plurality of chambers 24 at its periphery. The rotating member 22 can be rotated to align the chambers 24 with the opening 18, which allows the powder 20 to be transferred from the hopper 12 into the chambers 24.

At the top of the hopper 12 is a piezoelectric motor representing a vibrator 26 with a certain frequency band to which a vibrating element 28 shaped like a rod is connected. The piezoelectric motor 26 is arranged above the hopper 12 so that the distal end 29 of the vibrating element 28 formed as a rod is placed inside the fine powder 20 and is disposed next to the rotating member 22 but separately from it. The bottom 16 of the hopper 12 is located just above the rotating member 22 so that the dust contained therein cannot flow between the bottom 16 and the rotating element 22.

At the distal end 29 of the rod-shaped vibrating element 28 is a transverse vibrating element representing a finite element 30 that can vibrate over each of the chambers 24.

According to Figure 3, the transfer of the powder 20 from the hopper 12 shown in Figure 1 to chamber 24 will be described in more detail. In the chamber 24 there is an upper filter and a supporting filter 38. The upper filter is located in the rotating member 22 so that it is at a certain distance from the upper end of the chamber 24. A channel 40 is provided which is connected to the chamber 24, providing suction. air from chamber 24 during filling with fine powder 20 and supplying compressed air during removal of powder 20 therefrom, which is similar to that described in patent application US 08 / 638,515, the description of which is included in this specification for reference.

When the chamber 24 is ready for filling, a vacuum is created in the duct 40 to draw air from the chamber 24. The vibrating element 28, shaped like a rod, is then actuated as shown in figure 3 in the direction of the arrows 32 when positioned above the chamber 24 to aid its filling by shaking the dust 20. This process aids the process of transferring the dust from the hopper 12 to the chamber 24. As it vibrates, a vibrating rod-shaped element 28 is moved over the chamber 24, as is shown in Figure 3, in the direction of the arrows 34. In this manner n is induced agitation of the powder bed 20, just above the opening of the chamber 24. The movement of the rod forming the vibrating member 28, forcing him to be arranged above the chambers 24 so that they can be filled in a simple manner.

As shown in Figure 3 with arrows 42, it is preferable for the rod representing the vibrating element 28 to be spaced vertically from the rotating member 22, at a distance in the range of from about 0.1 mm to about 10mm, more precisely from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm. Such vertical clearance is preferred to allow the powder 20, which is just above the cavity of the chamber 24, to be fluidized and able to be introduced therein.

4 to 6, an exemplary embodiment of a powder measuring and transfer system 44 will be described. The system 44 is structured according to the principles previously established in connection with the device of Figures 1 through 3.

The system 44 comprises a base 46 and a frame 48 supporting the rotatable member 50. The rotatable member 50 comprises a plurality of chambers 52 (see FIG.

6). Preferably, the rotating member 52 containing the chambers 52 is provided with vacuum and compressed gas ducts similar to those previously explained in connection with the patent application US 08 / 638,515, included above in the description by reference.

Briefly, a vacuum is created to assist the loading of dust into the chambers 52. While filling the chambers 52, the rotating member 52 rotates until the chambers 52 are in a downward facing position. In this position, pressurized air is passed through the chambers 52 to blow out the dust contained in the containers, since the well-known blister packs in which multiple wells are formed are usually used.

Above the rotating member 50 is a hopper 54 which has a longitudinal opening 56 (see Figure 6). Multiple piezoelectric motors 58 with a fixed frequency band are mounted to the frame 48. Each piezoelectric motor 58 is connected by a corresponding vibrating element shaped like a rod 60. One piezoelectric motor with a particular bandwidth suitable for use with the invention is a commercially available motor manufactured by Piezo Systems, Ins., Cambridge , Massachusetts. These piezoelectric motors contain two piezoelectric layers with external electrodes. An electric field is applied to both electrodes, causing one layer to expand and the other to shrink.

Preferably, the vibrating element 60, shaped like a rod, is made of stainless steel, having a diameter in the range of about 0.02mm (0.005 inches) to about 0.40mm (0.10 inches), more preferably about 0.08mm (0.02 inches) to about 0.16mm (0.04 inches).

It can be appreciated that other materials and geometric shapes can be used in the construction of the rod, which is a vibrating element 60. For example, many non-bending materials can be used, including other metals and alloys, steel wire, carbon fiber, plastics and similar.

The shape of the rod forming the vibrating element 60 may also be non-circular and / or not of constant cross-section to enable it to perform its basic function of shaking the dust 20 near the motor away from the motor 58 end to fluid it.

A perpendicular transverse end member 62 is attached to the far end of the rod 60 (see Figure 6). It is possible that one or more transverse members 62 are positioned above the remote end of the rod 60 to assist the destruction of any groove created in the dust layer 20 during operation.

When rods 60 are triggered, they vibrate at a frequency that is in the range of about 5Hz to about 50,000Hz, more specifically in the range of 50Hz to about 5,000Hz, more specifically in the range of about 50Hz to about 1,000Hz.

Piezoelectric motors 58 with a definite frequency band are connected to a translation mechanism 64 that moves the rods along the hopper 54. When moved, the transverse member 62 is preferably vertically offset over the chambers 52, spaced from about 0.01mm to about 10mm. , more precisely from about 0.1mm to about 0.05mm. The translation mechanism 64 comprises a rotary driven pulley 66 which rotates a belt 68 connected to the platform 70. The piezoelectric motors 58 are connected to the platform 70 which moves above the shaft 72 when the pulley 66 is actuated.

In this way, the rods 60 move back and forth in the hopper 54 and vibrate over each of the chambers 52. The transfer mechanism 64 is provided to carry the bars 60 above the chambers 52 as many times as necessary during their filling. The rod 60 is displaced at a rate of less than 200 cm / s, in particular lower than about 100 cm / s. The rod 60 passes over each chamber 52 at least once, but preferably crosses at least twice.

During operation, the hopper 54 is filled with fine dust so that it is transferred to the chambers 52. A vacuum is applied to each of the chambers 52 until they are aligned with the longitudinal opening 56 of the hopper. At the same time, the piezoelectric motors 58 are actuated and bring the rods 60 into vibration. The translating mechanism 64 is actuated to reciprocate the movement of the rods 60 in the hopper 54 as they vibrate. The vibrations of the rods 60 shake the fine powder to aid its transfer to the chambers 52. When the chambers 52 are well filled, the rotating member 50 is rotated 180 ° to place the chambers 52 in a lower position. As the rotatable member 50 is rotated, a blade located at the edge of the hopper 54 scrapes away any excess dust to provide the exact amount of powder contained in the chamber corresponding to the amount of only a single dose of medication.

When the rotatable member 50 is in the lower position, compressed gas is fed to each of the chambers 52 to blow the fine dust into the containers (not shown in the figures). This provides a convenient method of transferring fine dust from the hopper 54 into the containers in precisely measured quantities.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a device for carrying measured doses of fine powder. The device 74 comprises a housing 76 and a vibrating element 78, shaped as a piezo-pad connected to the housing 76. The piezo-pad, representing a vibrating element 78, contains a plurality of openings 80 (or a grate).

Above the pie pads 78 is a hopper 82 with a layer of fine dust 84. A pair of electrical conductors 86 is connected to the piezo pads, formed as a pie pads, 78 to actuate it. When the wires 86 are connected to electrical current, the piezo support 78 is forcibly expanded and contracted to produce vibrations in the direction shown by arrows 88. In turn, the openings 80 together with the piezoelectric forming the vibrating element 78 are forced to vibrate, which helps to shake the fine dust layer 84 and from there - provides a more efficient fall of the dust 84 through the openings 80 into the chamber.

As described above, a rotatable member having chambers connected to vacuum and pressurized gas sources can be used with the apparatus 74 to assist in filling the chambers with fine dust 84 and pushing the latter into containers.

Another exemplary embodiment of a fine powder transfer device 100 is shown in Figure 8. The device 100 operates similarly to the device 10 described above, except that the piezoelectric motor is replaced by a motor 102, having a reel 104 driving the connecting shaft 106. The connecting shaft 106 performs a reciprocating motion and is connected to a rod-shaped vibrating element 108 which vibrates in a hopper 110 filled with fine dust 112. The shaken dust 112 is poured into a chamber 114 in a manner similar to the one described above above. The vibrating element 108, shaped like a rod, can be moved over the chamber 114 during its vibration in a manner similar to that described in the previous exemplary embodiments.

Figure 9 shows another exemplary embodiment of a device for transferring measured doses of fine dusts 126. The device 120 comprises a motor 122 which rotates the bent as a loop wire, representing a vibrating element 124. As shown, the vibrating element 124, in the form of the looped wire loop is disposed in a fine powder layer 126 just above chamber 128. In this way, the vibrating element 124, shaped as a wire loop bend, is rotated, the powder 126 is fluidized and enters the chamber 128 in a similar manner the one described in the previous exemplary ex ACCOMPLISHED. The looped wire 124 can be carried during its rotation in a similar manner as described above.

Figure 10 shows another exemplary embodiment of a device for measuring and transferring fine powders. The apparatus 200 operates in a similar manner to the embodiments described above in that the dust is transferred from the hopper 206 into the measuring chambers of the rotating element 204. From the rotating element 204, the dust is blown into containers in unit doses .

The apparatus 200 comprises a frame 202 which carries a rotary member 204 which is driven by a motor (not shown in the figure) carried by the frame 202. The frame 202 carries a bath or a primary hopper 206 located above the rotating element 204. Above the primary hopper 206 is located vibrator 208.

As can be seen from Figures 11 and 12, a vibrating element 210 is connected to the vibrator 208. The vibrator 208 is connected to one arm 212 by a clamp 214. The arm 212 is in turn connected to a movable platform 216. A screw motor 217 is provided for a return a progressive movement of the platform 216 with respect to the frame 202. In this way, the vibrating element 210 can be moved backwards gradually into the primary hopper 206.

According to Figures 11 and 12, the device 200 includes a secondary hopper 218 located above the primary hopper 206. It is convenient for the secondary hopper 218 to have projections 219 for connecting it to the frame 202 by inserting the projections 219 into slots 220. The secondary hopper 218 contains a housing 222 and a tubular section 224 for storing dust.

From the housing 222 of the secondary hopper 218 to the primary hopper 206, a shutter 226 extends when the secondary hopper 218 is connected to the frame 202. The tubular section 224 comprises an opening 228 allowing the dust to flow out of it through the shutter 226. Above the opening 228 there is a grate 230 to prevent dust from escaping through the shutter 226 during shaking and vibration of the housing 222.

It is convenient to use a locking element 232 to secure the attachment of the secondary hopper 218 to the frame 202. To remove the secondary hopper 218, the blocking member is detached from the hopper 218 and the latter is withdrawn from the slots 220. Thus, the secondary hopper 218 may be conveniently removed for refilling, cleaning, replacement, etc.

To move the dust from the secondary hopper 218, there is a shoulder 234 in contact with the shaking or vibrating housing 222 to give such movement to the housing 222. A motor not shown in the figure is provided for shaking or vibrating propulsion. the shoulder 234.

As can be seen from Figure 12, the housing 222 has an inner opening 236 containing a wedge 238. As the housing 222 shakes, the wedge 238 vibrates into the inner opening 236 of the housing. Because the wedge 238 is connected to the walls of the housing 222, it sends shock waves through the housing 222, which helps transfer the dust from the pipe section 224 through its opening 228 and through the grille 230. The dust then slides down through the shutter until it falls in. primary hopper 206.

The use of the shutter 226 is an advantage because it allows the tubular section 224 to be horizontally disconnected from the vibrator 208 so that it does not interfere with its movement.

A significant advantage of incorporating wedge 238 into the hole 236 is that any vibration generated by the wedge 238 will remain in the hole 236 and will not be transmitted to dust. In this way, the vibrating member 210 moves back and forth in the hopper 206.

The vibrator 208 is configured to provide reciprocating upward and downward or vertical movement of the vibrating element 210. The vibrator 208 is made of any of the commercially available piezoelectric horns, such as the Branson TWI ultrasonic horn. The vibrating element 210 is vibrating driven at a frequency in the range of about 1,000 Hz to about 180,000 Hz, flowing from about 10,000 Hz to about 40,000 Hz, and more particularly from about 15,000 Hz to about 25,000 Hz.

As can be seen from Figure 12, the vibrating element 210 comprises a finite element 240 which is suitably shaped to optimize the shaking of the fine dust during the vibration of the element 210. The element 240 has an outer periphery which is larger than that of the vibrating element element 210.3a, it is preferable that the vibrating element 210 be cylindrical and have a diameter in the range of about 0.5pip to about 100mm. As shown, the end member 240 is also cylindrical in shape and has a diameter in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 10mm. It can be appreciated that the vibrating element 210 and the end member 240 may be designed to have different shapes and sizes. For example, the vibrating element 210 may be conical. The end member 240 may also have a guide profile to minimize the horizontal movement of the dust when the vibrator208 is moved through the hopper 206. Preferably, the end member 240 is vertically offset above the rotating member 204 at a distance of about 0.01mm. , up to about 10mm, more precisely than about

0.5mm to about 3.0mm.

The vibrator 208 is used to assist the transfer of the powder into the measuring chambers 242 of the rotating member 204 in a manner similar to the previously described embodiments of the invention.

The screw motor 217 is used, in particular, to carry the platform 216 so that the vibrating member 210 can be moved horizontally reciprocating back and forth along the primary hopper 206. At the same time, the vibrating member 210 is reciprocally driven up and down, i.e., it is radial to the rotating member 204, as it passes through each measuring chamber 242. It is preferable to move the vibrator 208 horizontally along the primary hopper 206 at a speed of less than about 500cm / s and preferably less than 100 cm / s.

As the vibrating element 210 moves horizontally in the primary hopper 206, it tends to push or groove a portion of the dust to the edges of that primary hopper 206. This dust movement can be mitigated by providing a radiating surface or a prominent element 244 on the vibrating element 210, located just above the average depth of the primary hopper 206. Thus, the collected dust, which is higher than the average depth of the primary hopper 206, is driven and moved to areas therein that have a smaller dust depth. Preferably, the protruding member 244 is spaced from the end member 240 at a distance in the range from about 2mm to about 25mm, more specifically from about 5mm to about 10mm.

It is also possible to use other rattling mechanisms, such as a paddle, which is connected to the vibrator 208 or driven independently so that these mechanisms will scatter the dust to assist in equalizing it when the vibrator 208 is moved along the primary hopper 206. It is possible and another solution, such as the use of a longitudinal vibrating element, such as a grate, which may be disposed in the dust layer to assist its alignment.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the rotating member 204 is in the fill position when the measuring chambers 242 are aligned with the primary hopper 206. Once the measuring chambers 242 are filled, the rotating member 204 is rotated 180 °, where the dust is pushed out of the measuring chambers 242 into single dose containers. The Kloeckner packing machine is primarily used to feed the 200 devices with sheets carrying containers.

Referring to Figure 13, the construction of the rotatable member 204 will be described in more detail. The rotatable member 204 comprises a drum 246 having a front end 248 and a rear end 250. Bearing bushings 252 and 254 are mounted on the ends 248 and 250. providing rotation of the drum 246 as it connects to the frame 202. The rotating member 204 further comprises a shell 256, a free-sliding ring 258, and a gas-tight front sliding ring 259. Provided are air inlets 260 and 261 provided in the shell 256. One air inlet 260 is connected to the first pair242a of the metering chambers 242, while the second inlet 261 is connected to the interior of the second pair 242b of the metering chambers 242. Thus a vacuum may be created or pressurized air may be supplied to each of the pairs of chambers 242a, 242b.

The air from the first inlet 260 passes through the freely sliding ring 258, through an opening 264 formed into one seal 270, and through another opening 265 formed into a collector 262 entering it. The air then passes through the collector 262 and exits it through a pair of openings 265a and 265b of the collector. Another pair of openings 265c and 265b formed in the seal 270 send air to the chambers 242a.

Similarly, the air from the second inlet 261 passes through the front sliding ring 259, through openings 266 formed in the seal 270 and into an opening (not shown) formed in the collector 262. The air is then sent through multiple openings into the collector 262 and the seal 270 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the first inlet 260 as it enters the chambers 242b. Two separate air circuits are thus provided. It has been appreciated that one of the air openings can be eliminated so that vacuum or pressurized air can be provided sequentially in all measuring chambers 242.

Above the collector 262 there is a replaceable device 274. The measuring chambers 242 are formed in the replaceable device 274 and a filter 276 is placed between it and the air console forming the bottom of the measuring chambers 242.

The air can be vented into the measuring chambers 242 by connecting the inlets 260 and 261 to a vacuum. Similarly, compressed air can be supplied through the measuring chambers 242 by connecting the inlets 242 to a pressurized gas source.

As with the embodiments described above, a vacuum is created in the measuring chambers 242 to assist the loading of dust into them. After the drum246 is rotated 180 °, compressed gas is passed through the measuring chambers 242 to remove the dust from them.

The drum 246 comprises an opening 278 into which the collector 262, the seal 270, the air console 272 and the replaceable accessory 274 are introduced. In addition, a cam 280 is provided to enter the bore 278. The cam 280 is rotated into the hole 278 to secure the various the drum components 246. The cam 280 is loosened to remove the replaceable fixture 274 from the opening 278. In this way, the replaceable fixture 274 can be easily replaced with another providing another size of the measuring chambers 242. Thus, the fixture 200 can provide a wide range of interchangeable fixtures 274 that make it easy to resize measuring chambers 242 simply by introducing a new interchangeable fixture 274.

The apparatus 200 also comprises a scraper 282 for any excess dust from the measuring chambers 242. Such scraper is illustrated in Figures 14A and 14B.

For ease of explanation, the scraper 282 is omitted in Figures 10 through

12. The rotating member 204 is shown schematically in Figures 14A and 14B. The scraper 282 comprises a thin plate 284 having openings 286 that are aligned with the measuring chambers 242 when the rotating member 204 is in the fill position. The openings 286 preferably have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the measuring chambers 242. Thus, the openings 286 will not impede the filling of the measuring chambers 242. The plate 284 is made of brass and has a diameter of approximately 0.01mm (0.003 inches). It springs against the rotating member 204 so that it usually cleans its outer periphery. In this way, the plate 284 slides on the surface of the rotating member 204 to prevent the leaking dust from flowing between it and the rotating member 204. The plate 284 is attached to the frame 202 and remains stationary when rotating the rotating member 204. Accordingly, way, after the dust has been transferred to the measuring chambers 242, the rotating member 204 is rotated to its emptying position of the measuring chambers 242. During rotation, the edges of the openings 286 scrape away any excess dust from the measuring chambers 24 2 so that only a single dose remains in them.

The configuration of the scraper 282 has the advantage of reducing the amount of moving parts, thereby reducing static electricity. In addition, the removed dust remains in the primary hopper 206, where it is available for transfer to the measuring chambers 242 after they have been emptied.

Figure 14C shows another mechanism for scraping excess dust from measuring chambers 242. The mechanism comprises a pair of scraper blades 290 and 292 that are connected to the primary hopper 206. It may be appreciated that only one scraper blade 290,292 is needed, depending on the direction of rotation of the rotating member 204. The scraper blades 290 and 292 are constructed of thin sheet material, for example, brass, 0.02 mm (0.005 inches) thick and slightly spring up against the rotating member 204. The edges of the scraper blades 290 and 292 coincide riblizitelno with the edges of the opening of the hopper 206. After metering chambers 242 are filled, rotatable member 204 rotates, blades 290 and 292, depending on the direction of rotation, scraping any excess powder into metering chambers 242.

Referring to Figures 10 to 12, the operation of the device 200 for filling single-dose containers of fine dust will be explained.

Initially, the fine powder is located in the tubular section 224 of the secondary hopper 218. Usually during its filling, the secondary hopper may be detached from the frame 202. The hopper 222 of the secondary hopper 218 shakes or vibrates for a time sufficient to carry a certain amount. dust through the opening 228, through the grill 230 and the downward opening 226 to pass into the primary hopper 206. The rotatable member 204 is positioned at the filling position, where the measuring chambers 242 are aligned with the primary hopper 206. Then a vacuum is applied. the entrances for the air 260 and 261 (see Figure 13) to draw air through metering chambers 242. Under the influence of gravity and with the help of the vacuum, the powder falls into the metering chambers 242.

The vibrator 208 is then actuated to drive the vibrating element 210. At the same time, the screw motor 217 is actuated to carry the vibrating element 210 back and forth along the primary hopper 206. As the vibrating element is actuated, the shaking optimizer is finite element 240 creates an airflow structure at the bottom of the primary hopper 206 to shake the dust. As the end member 240 passes over each measuring chamber 242, an aerosol cloud is formed, which enters the measuring chambers 242 due to the active vacuum and gravity. As the end member 240 passes over the metering chambers 242, the ultrasonic energy generated down to the metering chambers 242 shakes the dust already trapped in them. This, in turn, allows additional dust to flow into the cavity to complete the measurement and to prevent any inhomogeneities in the density that may have existed during the previous filling. This quality is particularly positive because the clusters or clumps formed in the dust, which can create gaps in the measuring chamber 242, can be fragmented and the measuring chambers 242 filled more evenly.

After passing over the measuring chambers 242, once or more times, the rotatable member 204 is rotated 180 ° to the emptying position in which the measuring chambers 242 are aligned with the containers (not shown). As the rotating member 204 rotates, excess dust remaining above the measuring chambers 242 is scraped off as described above. When in the emptying position, pressurized gas is fed through the openings 260 and 261 to expel single doses of dust from the measuring chambers 242.

The invention also provides a way of dosing the filled amount of dust by modulating the ultrasonic energy applied to the vibrating element 210, as it passes over the measuring chambers 242. Thus, the filled weight for the different measuring chambers 242 can be adjusted to compensate for the deviation in weight powder, which may occur periodically. For example, if the fourth measuring chamber 242 constantly receives an amount that is less than that required for a single dose, the power of the vibrator 208 may be increased slightly each time it passes over the fourth measuring chamber 242. In addition to an automated or a manual weight measurement system a controller may be used to make a weight measurement feedback system that adjusts the power of the vibrator 208 for each of the measurement chambers 242 to ensure that it is accurately filled of konteyne partly under single dose medication.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is the fine powder measuring and transfer device 300 shown in Figure 15. The device 300 operates similarly to the device 200 described above, but contains multiple vibrators and multiple hoppers for parallel filling of multiple single dose containers of fine dust.

The apparatus 300 comprises a frame 302 to which a plurality of rotatable members 304 are coupled. The rotatable members 304 may be constructed similarly to the rotatable element 204 and comprise a plurality of dust chambers (not shown) for receiving dust. The number of rotating elements 304 and measuring chambers may vary depending on the exact application of the device 300. A primary hopper 306 is located above each rotating element 304 which holds the dust above the rotating element 304. Above each primary hopper 306 is a vibrator 308 comprising a vibrating element 310 for shaking the dust in the primary hopper 306 in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the device 200.

Although not shown in the description for convenience, a secondary hopper similar to the secondary hopper 218 of the device 200 is provided, which is located above each of the primary hoppers 306 to carry the dust to the primary hopper 306 in a manner similar to one that has been described in connection with the device 200.

A motor 312 is provided (for simplification of the drawing only one is shown) which is connected to each rotating member 304 to rotate it between the filling position and the emptying position, similar to that of the device 200.

Each vibrator 308 is connected to a arm 314 by a clamp 316. The arms 314 are connected to a step 318 having slides 319 that are mounted with a possibility of being moved over guides 321 by means of worms 320 on a screw motor 322. Thus, the vibrating elements 310 may simultaneously to be moved back and forth in the primary hoppers 306 by means of the screw motor 322. It is possible that each of the vibrators 308 may be connected to a separate screw motor 322 so that it can be moved independently.

The frame 302 is connected to a base 324 comprising a plurality of longitudinal grooves 326. The longitudinal grooves 326 are adapted to receive the bottoms of a plurality of containers which are in the form of a blister 330. The blister 330 may be loaded by a sheet forming mechanism formed in their containers, such as the commercially available Uhlmann Packing Mashineq Mobel # 1040.

The rotatable members 304 comprise a plurality of measuring chambers that correspond to the number of containers in each row of the blister 330. Thus, four rows of containers can be filled into one operating cycle of the device 300. When the four rows of containers are filled, the measuring cells the cameras are refilled and the blister 330 is pushed forward to align the new four rows of bins 306.

A particular advantage of the device 300 is that it can be fully automated. For example, a controller may be coupled to a packing machine, vacuum and gas sources, motors 312, screw motor 322 and vibrators 308. By using such a controller, blister 330 can be automatically pushed to the desired position in which the motors 312 align the metering chambers with the primary hoppers 306. The vacuum source creates it in the metering chambers while the vibrators 308 operate and the motor 322 transports them. After filling the measuring chambers, the controller activates the motors 312 to rotate the rotating elements 304 until the measuring chambers align with the containers 328. The controller then produces a pressure gas supply through the measuring chambers to introduce the measured dust. in containers 328. Once containers 328 are refilled, the controller signals to the packing mechanism, which pushes the blister 330 and repeats the entire operating cycle of the device 300.

When necessary, the controller can be used to actuate motors (not shown) to vibrate the secondary bins, which causes dust to be transferred to the primary bins 306 as described above.

Although the use of vibrators containing an ultrasonic horn has been described above, it is clear that other types of vibrators and vibrating elements, including those described above, may be used. It is estimated that the number of vibrators and the size of the openings may be adjusted according to the specific needs. Although the invention is described in detail by way of examples, certain modifications and modifications may be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (40)

Claims A method for filling fine powder (20), preferably a medicament, comprising placing a bulk material in a hopper having an opening for filling the material into a chamber, characterized in that it comprises placing the fine powder (20) in the hopper ( 12) with an aperture (18) and vibration of the vibrating element (28) in the fine dust (20), near the opening (18), while simultaneously moving the vibrating element (28) along the opening, which engages at least one portion of the fine powder (20) leaving the opening (18) in the chamber (24), where the fine powder (20) trapped is insufficiently sealed ness so as to disperse during removal from the chamber (24). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibrating element (28) vibrates by moving up and down with respect to the dust (20) in the hopper (12). Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the vibrating element (28,210) is coupled to an ultrasonic oscillator and the vibration step includes actuation of the ultrasonic oscillator. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibrating element (28,210) is vibrated with a frequency in the range from about 1,000 Hz to about 180,000 Hz. 5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibrating element (28) has a distal end (29) that is adjacent to the opening (18), the distal end (29) having an end portion (240) attached to it. it, which vibrates over the camera (24). Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the end portion (240) is arranged vertically, outside the chamber (24), at a distance in the range from about 0.01 mm to about 10 mm. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that it moves the element (28,210) along the opening (18) at a rate of less than 100 cm / s. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises periodic leveling of the powder (20) inside the hopper (12). A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the leveling step comprises positioning an ejection (alignment) element (30,244) to the vibrating element (28,210), which is separated from the distal end (29) of the vibrating element (28,210). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of chambers (24,52) are aligned with the opening (18,56) and the vibrating element (28, 60) moves along the opening (18,56), to pass over each chamber (24.52). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the powder (20) consists of a medicament composed of individual particles having an average size in the range of about 1 to 100 µm. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping step involves drawing air through the chamber (24,52), which is positioned below the opening (18,56), whereby the air extraction facilitates the extraction of the dust (20 ) in the camera (24.52). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the entrained dust (20) from the chamber (24,52) is transferred to a container. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the transfer step involves injecting pressurized gas into the chamber (24,52) for removal of the dust trapped therein (20) into the container. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises adjusting the amount of dust trapped (20) to produce a single dose. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the adjustment step comprises providing a thin plate (284) under the hopper (12), with an opening (286) aligned with the chamber (24,242) on the plate (284). , wherein the chamber moves with respect to the plate (284) to scrape off excess dust (20) from the chamber (24,242). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hopper (12) is a primary hopper (206,306) and the step of placing the dust (20) involves transferring the dust (20) from the secondary hopper (218) to the primary hopper (206,306). A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the secondary hopper (218) is vibrated to transfer the powder (20) to the primary hopper (206,306). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises releasing the dust (20) from the chamber (242) and resizing the chamber (242). 20. A device for filling fine powder (20), in particular a medicament comprising an orifice bin, a chamber aligned with the orifice, and a powder shaking element, characterized in that the hopper (12) has an orifice ( 18) and is adapted to receive the fine powder (20), the chamber (242) being at least one and movable allowing the chamber (242) to be placed adjacent to the opening (18) and the element for the shaking of the dust is a vibrating element (210) having an end close to the vibrator (208) and located at a distant end (29), such as a vibrator. the punching element (210) is positioned inside the hopper (12) so that the distal end (29) is adjacent to the opening (18), wherein a vibrator (208) is provided to drive the vibrating element (210) when the latter is inside the fine powder (20), and a mechanism (216, 217) for moving the vibrating element over the chamber (242). Device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a rotatable member (204) having a plurality of chambers (242) along its periphery which are aligned with the openings (18, 56), wherein the mechanism ( 216,217) for displacement is configured to carry the vibrating element (210) along the opening (18,56) so that the vibrating element (210) passes over each chamber (242). The device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that the displacement mechanism (216,217) includes a linear actuator that moves the vibrating element (210) along the aperture (18,56) at a speed less than about 100cm / s. Device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that the vibrator (208) activates the vibrating element (210) with a vibration frequency in the range from about 1,000 Hz to about 180,000 Hz. The device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that the vibrator (208) includes an ultrasonic oscillator that vibrates the element (210) with upward and downward movement with respect to the fine dust (20). Device (200) according to claim 24, characterized in that the vibrating element (210) is cylindrical and has a diameter in the range of from about 1.0 nun to about 10 mm. Device (200) according to claim 25, further comprising an end member (240) attached to the distal end (29) of the vibrating element (210). Device (200) according to claim 26, characterized in that the end element (240) is radially disposed from the vibrating element (210). Device (200) according to claim 26, further comprising a leveling element (244) provided for equalizing the powder (20) disposed next to the end element (240). Device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that the chamber (242) is arranged in a rotatable member (204,304), which is movable in a first position including a chamber (242) aligned with the opening (18,56). ) and in a second position in which the chamber (242) is aligned with the container (328). Device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that it includes an aperture assisting the movement of the fine dust (20) from the hopper (206,306) to the chamber (242). Device (200) according to claim 30, characterized in that it includes a filter (276) disposed transversely to the opening. Device (200) according to claim 30, characterized in that it comprises a pressure gas source which is connected to the opening for ejecting the entrained dust (20) from the chamber (242) and inserting it into the container (328). . Device (200) according to claim 32, characterized in that it includes a controller for controlling the activation of the gas source and the vacuum source. Device (200) according to claim 29, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of bins located above a plurality of rotatable members (204), each containing a plurality of chambers (242), further comprising a plurality of vibrating elements (210) and a plurality of vibrators (208) for vibrating the vibrating elements (210). Device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that the plate (284) is disposed below the hopper and has an opening (286) that is aligned with the chamber (242), which is able to move about the plate (284). ) to allow scraping of excess dust (20) from the chamber (242). Device (200) according to claim 20, characterized in that, in addition to the primary hopper (206), a secondary hopper (218) is arranged above the primary hopper (206) for transferring the dust (20) to the primary hopper (206). . Device (200) according to claim 36, characterized in that the secondary hopper (218) is vibrated by a screw mechanism (217). A device (200) according to claim 29, characterized in that the chamber (242) is formed in a removable device (274) disassembled in connection with the rotating member (204). 39. A fine powder filling system (300), in particular a medicament, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of rotating members (304), each having a number of chambers (242) at its periphery and a hopper (306) which is positioned above each rotary member (304) and each hopper has an opening, the vibrating element (310) is positioned in each of the hoppers (306), each vibrating element having a distal end (29) near the opening (18) and provided with a vibrator (308) that is connected to each vibrating element (310) to vibrate it in an upward motion and down, and the keeper means (322) for displacement of each vibrating element (310) along the hoppers (306) while the vibratable member (310) vibrates. 40. The system (300) according to claim 39, wherein 5 characterized in that a controller is also provided for rotary control of the vibrating elements (310), the vibrators (308) and the displacement mechanism (322).