The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered
medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization
cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas.
A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and
a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and
is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle
with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive
the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first
and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent
coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock
is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the
extended position. The second interlock remains engaged if the receptacle is only
partially inserted into the carriage assembly.
