Dry powder inhaler and spacer for a dry powder inhaler
阅读说明:本技术 干粉吸入器和用于干粉吸入器的间隔装置 (Dry powder inhaler and spacer for a dry powder inhaler ) 是由 B·S·克莱门茨 于 2018-04-18 设计创作,主要内容包括:提供了一种干粉吸入器(DPI)装置,其包括设置为与间隔装置(110)流体连通的DPI,该间隔装置(110)包括袋子(112)和主体(118),该主体(118)包括入口(114)和相对出口(116),入口(114)和相对出口(116)设置在主体(118)上并且与之成为一体。该主体(118)和袋子(112)结合以形成用于操作性接收气化干粉药物的腔室(120)。入口(114)和出口(116)均为与腔室(120)流体流动连通的端口的形式。入口(114)和出口(116)限定形成为主体(118)的一部分的宽V构造并由其隔开。主体(118)还包括限定凸缘(118.2)的椭圆形下部周边(118.1),用于可拆卸地接收袋子(112)。(A Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) device is provided comprising a DPI arranged in fluid communication with a spacer device (110), the spacer device (110) comprising a bag (112) and a body (118), the body (118) comprising an inlet (114) and an opposite outlet (116), the inlet (114) and the opposite outlet (116) being arranged on and integral with the body (118). The body (118) and the bag (112) combine to form a chamber (120) for operatively receiving the vaporized dry powder medicament. The inlet (114) and outlet (116) are in the form of ports in fluid flow communication with the chamber (120). The inlet (114) and outlet (116) define and are separated by a wide V-configuration formed as part of the body (118). The body (118) further comprises an oblong lower perimeter (118.1) defining a flange (118.2) for removably receiving the bag (112).)
1. A spacer for a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI), the spacer comprising:
a body having an inlet and an outlet opposite the inlet;
a removable flexible bag attached to the body, the bag and body together defining a chamber such that the inlet and outlet are in fluid flow communication with the interior of the chamber;
wherein the inlet is configured to be operatively connected to the DPI containing a drug to be inhaled;
wherein the outlet is configured to be operatively received in a mouth of a user; and
wherein the flexible bag acts as a reservoir to allow a cloud of vapour or particles of the drug to be inhaled to form therein as the DPI is actuated, the flexible bag being configured to be at least partially inflatable and at least partially deflatable to correspond to the user's breathing and/or re-breathing.
2. The spacer of claim 1, which is valveless.
3. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the body, inlet, outlet and/or bag is configured to be made of an electrically conductive material to reduce electrostatic charge.
4. A spacer according to claim 3 wherein the bag is made of a metallised polymer film or aluminium foil.
5. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the body, inlet, outlet and/or bag is configured to reduce electrostatic charge by treatment with an antistatic agent.
6. The spacer of claim 1 wherein the inlet includes a mount defining an inlet passage for sealing engagement with an outlet port of the DPI, the inlet being surrounded by a sealing collar configured to seal against the DPI.
7. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the outlet comprises a mouthpiece defining an outlet channel providing unobstructed air and drug flow between the chamber and the ambient environment, or between the chamber and a user's mouth during use.
8. A bag for a spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bag has an opening comprising a collar shaped and dimensioned to fit securely to a lower periphery of a body of the spacer to facilitate releasable attachment of the bag to the body, the collar extending along an upper periphery of the bag opening and at least partially around the opening of the bag.
9. The bag of claim 8, wherein the bag opening is biased toward an open, unfolded position by being made of a resilient, flexible material.
10. The bag of claim 8, configured to spontaneously adopt, by shape or material memory, the shape of the open inflated/deployed position, the volume of the bag adopting this shape being intended to ensure a negligible collapse resistance of the bag during inhalation.
11. The bag of claim 8 provided with a circumferentially extending, resiliently flexible seam for resisting vertical collapse of the bag during inhalation and exhalation.
12. The bag of claim 8, wherein the size, shape and/or expandability of the bag is selected based on the user's lung volume and inhalation volume and/or capacity, medical needs in use, and/or preferences of the user.
13. A Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) device comprising a DPI arranged in fluid communication with a spacer according to any of claims 1 to 7.
14. A DPI device according to claim 13 wherein the inlet is shaped and dimensioned to receive an expelling means for expelling powdered medicament from the DPI into the spacing means, the medicament being encapsulated in the form of a capsule, caplet or gel cover.
15. A DPI device according to claim 13 wherein the DPI comprises a piercing means for piercing the capsule, caplet or gel cover to release the powder prior to ejection from the DPI.
16. A DPI device according to claim 13 wherein the outlet includes a filter associated therewith to prevent lumps or oversized drug particles from being expelled from the chamber or outlet.
17. A DPI device according to claim 14, wherein the expelling means is in the form of a propellant canister, the outlet of which is attached in fluid flow communication with the inlet.
18. A DPI device according to claim 14 wherein the expelling means is in the form of a conduit connected to a positive pressure air pump or supply.
19. A DPI device according to claim 14 wherein the expelling means is in the form of an entrainment mouthpiece shaped and dimensioned to allow a user of the device to expel the contents of the DPI through an outlet by exhaling.
20. A DPI device according to claim 14, wherein the expelling means comprises an air compressor configured to expel the dry powder medicament into the chamber.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a spacer for an inhaler. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spacer device for use during inhalation of a medicament from an inhalation drug delivery device, in particular a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI), and a new dry powder inhaler device.
Background
Disclosure of Invention
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spacer for a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI), the spacer comprising:
a body having an inlet and an outlet opposite the inlet;
a removable flexible bag attached to the main body, the bag and the main body together defining a chamber such that the inlet and the outlet are in fluid flow communication with an interior of the chamber;
wherein the inlet is configured to be operatively connected to a DPI device containing a drug to be inhaled;
wherein the outlet is configured to be operatively received in a mouth of a user; and
wherein the flexible bag acts as a reservoir to allow a cloud of vapour or particles of the drug to be inhaled to form therein as the DPI is actuated, the flexible bag being configured to be at least partially inflatable and at least partially deflatable to correspond to the user's breathing and/or re-breathing.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that reference herein to a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) includes any device configured as follows: the device delivers the medicament in dry powder form to the lungs of the user via inhalation by the user or expulsion via a suitable expelling means, such as pressurised gas or the like, to form a Dry Powder Dispenser (DPD). Thus, reference herein to a DPI will be understood to refer to any such inhalation or discharge actuation device, albeit a DPI or DPD.
The spacer may be valveless, i.e. non-valved.
The body, including the inlet and the outlet, may be configured to reduce electrostatic charge. The bag may be configured to reduce electrostatic charges. The body (including the inlet and outlet) and/or the bag may be treated with an antistatic agent. The body (including the inlet and outlet) and/or the bag may be made of an electrically conductive material. The body including the inlet and/or outlet may be made of metal or a metallised compound, such as metallised plastic or metal coated plastic. The bag may be made of a metallized film or aluminum foil. The metallized film may be a metallized polymer film.
The inlet may comprise a mounting defining an inlet passage for sealing engagement with a mouthpiece of an inhalation drug delivery device. The inlet may be configured to sealingly receive a mouthpiece of the DPI device. The inlet may be surrounded by a sealing collar configured to seal against the inhalation drug delivery device. The spacer comprising the inlet and the outlet may be valveless. The outlet may include a mouthpiece defining an outlet passage. The outlet passage may provide an unobstructed flow of air and drug between the chamber and the ambient environment, or between the chamber and a person's mouth during use.
The body may be external to the bag. The bag is operatively suspended downwardly from the main body.
The body may be in the form of a generally V-shaped mounting. The V-shaped mount may be formed by opposing inlet and outlet channels intersecting at an angle along their respective longitudinal axes, wherein the angle that creates the V-shape defines an arc of preferably between 30 and 170 degrees, preferably between 60 and 120 degrees, most preferably 90 degrees.
The inlet and outlet passages may be tapered. The perimeter of the inlet may be circular, oval, elliptical, or irregular.
The V-shaped mounting may include a V-shaped inner surface and may have a lower perimeter formed by the merging of the underside and sides of the merged inlet and outlet ports, which are generally oval-shaped. The perimeter may form part of a mount for receiving a removable bag. The interior of the V-shaped mounting is shaped and dimensioned to define a cavity that provides a passageway for the flow of air and/or medicament between the inlet and the bag and between the bag and the mouthpiece.
The interior of the V-shaped cavity may be sized and dimensioned to receive the bag when folded into the cavity for portability.
The inlet and outlet channels may have approximately equal proportions in size, length, volume, diameter, or shape. In another embodiment, the inlet and outlet may not be proportional in size, length, volume, diameter, and/or shape.
The ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the oval perimeter in this embodiment may be in the range of 1.01: 1 and 6: 1, preferably between 1.2: 1 and 2: 1, most preferably 1.38.
The outlet may be configured to be received by the mouth of a user, either directly or through a mask.
In another aspect of the invention, the invention extends to a bag for a spacer of the invention, wherein the bag has an opening comprising a collar shaped and dimensioned to fit securely to the lower periphery of the body of the spacer of the invention, thereby releasably attaching the bag to the body of the spacer. The collar may extend along an upper periphery of the opening of the bag and at least partially around the opening of the bag. The bag opening may be biased toward the open, unfolded position by being made of a resiliently flexible material. When the bag is ready for use, the bag may spontaneously assume the shape of the open inflated/deployed position. This may occur through shape or material memory. The bag may be provided with a circumferentially extending, resiliently flexible seam. The resiliently flexible seam acts to resist vertical collapse of the bag during inhalation and exhalation.
The volume of the bag in this shape may be intended to ensure that there is negligible collapse resistance of the bag during inhalation. In one embodiment, the collar may be made of a resiliently flexible material which urges the collar (and hence the bag) against the inner surface of the mount. In another embodiment, the collar is shaped and dimensioned to surround and attach to the lower perimeter of the body in a friction fit (including an O-ring configuration) or snap fit manner. The bag may also be provided with a threaded collar which engages with a complementary threaded portion of the lower periphery of the body.
It will be appreciated that the spacing means may comprise a number of different sizes and shapes of bags, with the selection depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to: the user's lung volume and inhalation capacity; medical need when in use; and patient preferences (which may include merchandise choices) or use in a social setting to minimize embarrassment and conspicuity.
Broadly, the invention extends in yet another embodiment thereof to a DPI comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet in fluid flow communication with a chamber defined within the body, the chamber shaped and dimensioned to receive a powdered inhalant.
The inlet may be shaped and dimensioned to receive expelling means for expelling powdered medicament from the chamber through the outlet into the ambient environment or, in one embodiment, into the spacing means of the invention. The dry powder may be provided in the form of a capsule, caplet, gel cover or other encapsulation.
As such, the DPI may include a piercing device for piercing a capsule, caplet, gel cover, or other encapsulation to release the powder prior to ejection from the DPI chamber. The piercing means may be in the form of one or more pins that can be actuated by the user to penetrate the DPI chamber to pierce the capsule and release the dry powder drug into the DPI chamber. The pin may be spring loaded so that the pin automatically retracts once released by the user. The pins may be opposite, i.e. on opposite sides of the DPI chamber.
The outlet may have a filter associated therewith to prevent clumps or oversized particles from being expelled from the chamber or the outlet. The filter may be at the proximal end of the DPI chamber or at the distal end of the DPI chamber (i.e. the exit port near the exit port).
In one embodiment of the DPI, the expelling means may be in the form of a propellant canister, the outlet of which is attached in fluid flow communication with the inlet. The propellant canister may be a compression-activated canister, such as the canister found in Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs), and a metered dose of propellant may be expelled into the DPI chamber upon activation thereof.
In another embodiment of the DPI, the expelling means may be in the form of a conduit connected to a positive pressure pump, such as an atomizer or an oxygen source.
In yet another embodiment of the DPI, the expelling means may be in the form of an entrainment mouthpiece shaped and dimensioned to allow a user of the device to expel the contents of the chamber through the outlet by exhaling. When using an entrainment mouthpiece, the opposite outlet of the spacer may need to be closed. To this end, this embodiment of the invention comprises a removable cover closing the outlet of the spacer. In this way, the outlet cover fits tightly over the outlet of the spacing means.
In yet another embodiment, the expelling means may comprise any suitable form of air compressor, such as a syringe, compressible ball, or the like, configured to expel the dry powder medicament into the chamber.
In use, a user attaches the DPI of the present invention to the inlet of the spacer, pierces the capsule to release the drug powder, and then activates or uses the expelling means to expel the powder from the DPI chamber, through the DPI outlet, through the spacer inlet, into the spacer chamber formed by the spacer body and its associated bag, from which vapour or microdispersed drug particles can be slowly inhaled deep, and/or regularly tidal breathed and/or rebreathed.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the manner described, the spacer in combination with the DPI facilitates the user to inhale a cloud or vapor of well-dispersed dry powder particles as described above in ISAM reports.
In one possible embodiment of the DPI, the user will thus pierce the capsule and then activate a metered dose inhaler canister containing a simple compressed air or gas-the purpose of which is purely to expel the powder into the chamber. In another possible embodiment of the DPI, the user will pierce the capsule and introduce air or oxygen through the DPI into the interior of the spacer chamber. In a further embodiment the user will close the outlet of the spacer, pierce the capsule and blow into an entrainment mouthpiece arranged on the inlet of the DPI to expel the contents of the DPI chamber into the spacer chamber. In addition, the user may use a suitable air compressor, such as a ball or syringe, to expel or pump the dry powdered medicament into its dispensing chamber in preparation for comfortable and controlled inhalation by the user.
In these embodiments, once the powder has been expelled into the chamber, the medicament is ready for inhalation by the user. In the case of a user insufflation device, it is necessary to remove the outlet cover prior to inhalation.
Drawings
Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
figure 1 is a 3D view of a V-shaped spacer for a DPI and DPI device according to an aspect of the present invention;
figure 2 is a 3D view of the DPI device of figure 1 attached to the V-shaped body of the spacing device shown in figure 1;
figures 3A and 3B are bottom plan views of the V-shaped body of the spacer device of the present invention, figure 3B showing a form including a cross filament extending through the internal cavity of the spacer body;
figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of figure 1 showing the flow of dry powder particles expelled from the DPI resulting in the formation of a particle cloud through a cavity defined between the body and the bag, and showing a cross-sectional view of the DPI of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 in use, illustrating the particle cloud now filling the volume of the bag, ready for inhalation;
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the bag folded into the cavity defined by the body to assist in carrying;
figure 7 shows a bag with a slightly reduced vertical cross-section due to inhalation;
FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cross-sectional lower 3D view of a spacer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a 3D view of a bag having a collar for attachment to the lower periphery of the main body for use with the spacer shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
figure 10 shows a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a DPI including a conduit from a pressurized source such as an atomizer pump or an oxygen source;
figure 11 shows a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the DPI before piercing the dry powder capsule; and
figure 12 shows a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the DPI after piercing the dry powder capsule.
Detailed Description
In the following description of several non-limiting embodiments, other features of the present invention will be described more fully. This description is only intended to illustrate the invention to a skilled person. And should not be taken as limiting the broad overview, disclosure or description of the invention as described above. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the various views and to illustrate features of one or more exemplary embodiments.
The invention described herein relates to a spacer device for facilitating inhalation of a dry powder medicament delivered from an inhaler delivery device, such as a DPI. The invention also relates to a new embodiment of a DPI. One embodiment is a DPI having a propellant canister in fluid flow connection with the interior of the capsule chamber of the DPI to blow the capsule contents into the interior chamber of the spacer. Another embodiment is a DPI adapted to receive a catheter with compressed air inside a capsule chamber. A third embodiment is a DPI having an inlet for allowing a user to pierce the capsule and blow its contents into the internal chamber of the spacing means of the invention.
The present spacer invention solves the applicant's perceived problems associated with prior devices by avoiding the need for a fast coordinated inhalation and at the same time allowing the user to slowly inhale the powdered medicament with a minimum required effort and time. This in turn allows increased comfort during inhalation and minimizes the occurrence of the most common side effects of DPI devices, mainly coughing caused by a large number of dry powder particles hitting the vocal cords and/or throat quickly (typically in a short time of less than a second). Of course, such an inhalation speed is required to ensure that the dry powder is entrained at a speed sufficient to leave the DPI and at the same time de-agglomerate the particles.
In general, the spacer of the present invention, designated by
The elements of the spacer are generally designed to minimize impingement of the drug particles therein or thereon, thereby promoting laminar flow into and out of the bag and the inlet/outlet. Such an arrangementGreatly facilitating increased drug availability and inhalation, allowing the inhaled drug to enter the deepest lung of the user without the need for coordinated discharge into the bag upon inhalation of the inhaled drug. Increased amounts of medicament may be inhaled by a slow deep single inhalation or regular tidal breathing rather than abruptly coordinated inhalations, as is required by all current dry powder inhalation devices known to the applicant. Usefully, the size of the bag can be exchanged to suit the needs of the user-age, body type, lung capacity, strength of inspiration, social embarrassment-and has been found to be as small as 500cm3And up to 1500cm3The bag of (a) can be successful in achieving similar levels of inhalation of the drug particles, depending on the factors described above.
The
The
As best seen in fig. 4, the
In another embodiment (not shown) the opening 112.2 of the bag 112 (and thus the rib 112.1) is received over the flange 118.2 and thus covers the flange 118.2, the
The embodiment shown in fig. 4 illustrates that the flange 118.2 may be threadably mounted to the
Returning to figure 1, the
As best seen in fig. 4, and as previously described, the
In this manner, the propelled
Furthermore, the placement of
As can be seen from the profiles in fig. 3A and 4B and in fig. 4, 10 and 11, the interior of the
As can be seen in fig. 7, during inhalation the dimensions of the
Advantageously, smaller bags may be used for children, elderly people or people with impaired (or less conspicuous) lung function, while larger bags may be used for adults.
In this embodiment the longitudinal axis (long axis) of the oval periphery 118.1 of the
the thickness of the walls of the V-shaped mount may be adjusted for considerations related to weight, strength, feel and configuration. In this embodiment, most of the wall of the mount is 2 mm thick, although this may vary. In other embodiments, this may be smaller (as small as 1mm, or smaller) or larger (as large as 8mm, or larger).
Usefully, body (or "base") 118 and bag 112 (together defining chamber 120) may be separable, thereby allowing
As best seen in fig. 9, when
The
The invention also extends to different forms of DPI. Three embodiments of DPIs are generally indicated by
In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-5, the DPI156 includes a body 156.1. The body includes an
The
Prior to propellant activation,
When actuated by pushing, the propellant passes from the
In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 10, the exhaust is in the form of a
In yet another embodiment of the DPI, the expelling means is in the form of an
Similarly, as described above, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the expelling means may comprise any suitable form of air compressor, such as a syringe, compressible ball, or the like, configured to expel the dry powder medicament into the
The applicant has determined the following advantages of the present invention:
the low flow resistance and ease of folding of the
to the applicant's knowledge, this is the first and only DPI device that allows the user to control the inhalation flow rate without requiring timing and coordination;
if the user is unable to perform a single breath operation, rebreathing can be performed; and
if the patient is incapacitated, it is still possible to not change the flow rate or breathing pattern (e.g. shallow or deep) or change the volume of the chamber.
Further, the applicant has determined the following advantages associated with the present invention. The metallic nature of the
The inlet is valveless (i.e. non-valved), in addition to the angle, ensuring that the impact and retention of the particles contained in the dispersed plume on the solid walls and surfaces is minimised, the function not only being dependent on the inlet angle but also on the size of the bag.
During inhalation, the angle of the outlet end (mouthpiece) and the default valve encourage unimpeded and laminar flow of drug particles from the reservoir cloud in the bag directly through the mouthpiece into the inlet port and then into the airway. The storage characteristics of the particles in the chamber (bag) allow the patient to select the desired flow rate and breathing pattern to achieve optimal lung deposition when good and competent-ideally reducing the flow rate and achieving deeper inspiration. On the other hand, if the patient is uncomfortable and unable to evacuate the chamber (bag) or adjust the breathing pattern, the valveless closed-loop nature of the system will allow rebreathing over several breaths, and all remaining medication will be purged from the
The lower position of
Essentially the entire amount of drug that is discharged from the DPI into the
As mentioned before, this is the first and only device known to the applicant which allows slow deep inhalation of dry powder particles, a key factor determined by the international society for nebulization medicine to improve: (i) the amount of drug delivered to the airway; (ii) even distribution of the drug throughout the lung; (iii) (iii) the drug is more peripherally distributed in the airways and most importantly (iv) the drug permeability to the diseased region of the lung where it is most needed is increased.
In contrast to other inhalation devices, the device of the present invention exhibits:
improved efficiency of drug delivery to the airways;
static electricity causing wall particle impingement resulting in drug retention in the device is not a big problem;
reduced coordination requirements between actuation and breathing;
improved ease of use, greater comfort and portability;
valuable visual and physiological feedback and guarantee performance to the patient during the maneuver; and
simplicity and low cost.
In addition, all of these benefits are magnified in situations where effective drug delivery is often most difficult to achieve, such as in very young or elderly patients, in critically ill patients (such as during severe asthma attacks), or in patients with chronic lung disease and airway impairment.
Finally, the invention described herein utilizes the concept of a valveless, low resistance, closed circuit, rebreathing, antistatic, collapsible chamber to produce a device that allows relaxed normal or low flow rates during inhalation and exhalation, independent of coordination or any specific breathing pattern. These features are particularly beneficial when compared to current devices known to the inventors, particularly when it comes to improved delivery efficiency, ease of use and versatility.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
For example, the frame 50 may be integrally formed with the body 18 of the bag 12 so that the rods are able to flex outwardly during inflation of the bag 12, but are not able to flex fully inwardly. Also, as shown in fig. 7, the body 18 may be provided with a plurality of internal knobs or protrusions 62 arranged to prevent the bag 12 from fully collapsing.
In summary, the applicant believes that the present invention represents a significant innovative advance in the art of dry powder inhalation where a user can inhale a well dispersed, dilute cloud or vapour of dry powder particles in a slow deep inhalation, and/or regular tidal breathing and/or rebreathing or any breathing pattern he/she chooses. In addition, the dry powder drug inhalation provided by the present invention should be sufficiently low in flow rate to meet the ISAM report recommendations, i.e., a flow rate of 10-15L/min around tidal flow. As previously mentioned, benefits may include the following:
low flow will greatly reduce impingement on the throat and other parts;
this in turn will increase the number of particles (dose) delivered to the lungs;
this in turn will reduce throat complications due to impact and retention;
the impact on the vocal cords will be greatly reduced, reducing the occurrence of coughing;
low flow leads to improved peripheral airway deposition, more uniform lung distribution, and penetration of particles to the diseased and damaged lung areas where they are most needed;
low flux will maximize the advantage of the distribution of smaller particles (nanoparticles);
increasing the dispersibility in the chamber volume will reduce particle crowding, collisions and re-agglomeration, which ultimately means an increase in the fraction of fine particles delivered to the airway;
particle dilution and inhaled dosing over a longer period of time will reduce problems associated with delivery of dense particle formulations which are poorly tolerated, often require a larger MMAD design to improve tolerability and other delivery problems, and this in turn means they require more capsules per dose-which is both undesirable to the user; and
without the need for coordinated or specific breathing patterns, the ease of use and user friendliness of all users will be improved, especially for those in most need, such as the elderly, the young and the critically ill.
Alternative embodiments of the invention may also be said to consist broadly in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In example embodiments, well-known methods, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques, which would be readily understood by those skilled in the art, are not described in detail.
The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and/or similar referents in the context of describing the various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.
For ease of description, relative spatial terms, such as "inner," "outer," "below," "lower," "upper," and the like, may be used herein to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated. Relative spatial terms may also be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the relative spatial descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
It should be understood that references herein to "one example" or "an example" of the present invention or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") are not intended to be exclusive. Various substantially, and particularly useful and exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, in text and/or in graphics, for performing the claimed subject matter.
Thus, one example may illustrate certain aspects of the invention, while other aspects are illustrated in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in carrying out the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) to one or more embodiments described herein may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
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