The present invention includes dry powder inhalers and associated multi-dose
dry powder packages for holding inhalant formulated dry powder substances and associated
fabrication and dispensing methods. The multi-dose package can include a platform
body comprising at least one thin piezoelectric polymer material layer defining
at least a portion of a plurality of spatially separated discrete elongate dry
powder channels having an associated length, width and height; and a metallic material
attached to selected portions of the piezoelectric polymer material including each
of the regions corresponding to the elongate dry powder channels to, in operation,
define active energy releasing vibratory channels. In operation, the elongate channels
can be selectively individually activated to vibrate upon exposure to an electrical input.
The dry powder inhaler includes an elongate body having opposing first and second
outer primary surfaces with a cavity therebetween and having opposing top and bottom
end portions and a multi-dose sealed blister package holding a plurality of discrete
meted doses of a dry powder inhalable product located in the cavity of the elongate
body. The inhaler also includes an inhalation port formed in the bottom end portion
of the elongate body, the inhalation port configured to be in fluid communication
with at least one of the discrete meted doses during use and a cover member that
is pivotably attached to the elongate body so that it remains attached to the body
during normal operational periods of use and moves to a first closed position to
overlie the inhalation port at the bottom end portion of the body during periods
of non-use and moves to a second open position away from the inhalation port during
periods of use to allow a user to access the inhalation port.
