Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for generating respirable aerosol internal to a selected one of a plurality of medicament receptacles (40) containing pre-measured amounts of powdered medicament is disclosed herein. The medicament receptacles (40) are disposed in a medicament carrier (38) contained within a housing (10), and are sealed from exposure to the outside environment. The medicament carrier (38) is preferably a ring-shaped member detachably coupled to a carriage (24) which can be rotated to any one of a plurality of selected positions. A pair of aerosolization conduits (54, 56) having ends capable of puncturing the seal (44) covering the medicament receptacle (40) selected by the patient are also provided. Compression of the cover (12) and the carriage (24) pushes the selected medicament receptacle (40) against the edges of the aerosolization conduits (54, 56) causing the aerosolization conduits to puncture the seal (44) and penetrate the medicament receptacle (40). The medicament is entrained in air drawn in through the air inlet conduit (54), and aerosolized medicament is delivered to the patient through the aerosol outlet conduit (56). Aerosolization occurs internal to the medicament receptacle which has the dual function of serving as an aerosolization chamber.

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First Claim