A drug delivery device that aerosolizes a dry powder formulation so that
it forms a fine coating in the oral cavity and, more specifically in the
sublingual region of the oral cavity is described herein. In the
preferred embodiment, the device contains five main parts: (i) a
compressed gas canister, (ii) a dispenser body (also referred to herein
as the main housing ), (iii) a means for storing one or more doses of a
drug formulation, (iv) a means for releasing a dose of the drug
formulation such as a gas canister or spring piston and (v) a mouthpiece.
Preferred configurations include circular, tubular, and rectangular. The
means for storing the drug formulation may be configured to separately
store one or more materials. In one embodiment, the means for storing the
active agent is in the form of one or more drug discs, where the drug
discs contain a plurality of blister packs, each storing one dose of the
drug formulation. In another embodiment, the means for storing the active
agent is a dosage cartridge containing a single dose of the drug
formulation. In yet another embodiment, the drug formulation is stored on
a ribbon containing a plurality of blister packs, each storing one dose
of the drug formulation.