Nebulizers and uses thereof

• US 10,369,301 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2018
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omega Life Science Ltd. (Nanosol Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Omega Life Science Ltd. (Nanosol Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hazani, Miron
• Primary Examiner(s): Vasat, Peter S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paciorek, Jonathan S
• Application Number:
  US16/026,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20180311446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/002 by flow deviation causing inertial separation of transported particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/003 by passing the aerosol trough sieves or filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/02 operated by air or other gas pressure applied to the liquid or other product to be sprayed or atomised sprayers for horticulture A01G, A01H; killing insects A01M; air humidifying by nozzles F24F6/14, F24F6/18; cooling by spraying F28B, F28C
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0001 Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0468 non-physiological
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0272 Electro-active or magneto-active materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0288 Electro-rheological or magneto-rheological materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/103 rotating
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/12 with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of nebulizers for aerosol generation and methods of using same for treating diseases and disorders.

Claims

1. A nebulizer comprising:

a porous medium configured to produce aerosols, the porous medium having a first side and a second side,

a liquid absorbing material configured to absorb a liquid, the liquid absorbing material having a first side and a second side,

a wetting mechanism configured to press the liquid absorbing material against the porous medium, thereby to wet the porous medium with the liquid absorbed in the liquid absorbing material,

an opening configured to deliver aerosols to a subject, and

a gas channel configured to introduce a gas pressure gradient, such that the first side of the porous medium and the second side of the porous medium have different gas pressure levels, thereby producing the aerosol,

wherein the wetting mechanism is attached to the first side of the liquid absorbing material,

wherein the first side of the porous medium is facing the liquid absorbing material and the opening, and the second side of the porous medium is facing the gas channel.

2. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the liquid absorbing material is selected from a sponge, a tissue and foam.

3. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the liquid absorbing material is configured to act as an impactor for aerosols produced by the porous medium.

4. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the liquid absorbing material comprises at least one pharmaceutical composition.

5. The nebulizer of claim 1, further comprising a first container, configured to contain liquid to be delivered to the liquid absorbing material.

6. The nebulizer of claim 5, wherein the liquid comprises water.

7. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the wetting mechanism comprises a rod and a solid plate connected to the liquid absorbing material.

8. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein introducing the gas pressure gradient comprises introducing pressurized air to the second side of the porous medium.

9. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein introducing the gas pressure gradient comprises introducing vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure to the first side of the porous medium.

10. The nebulizer of claim 8, wherein the gas channel is connected to a gas source.

11. A nebulizer cartridge, comprising:

a porous medium, and

a liquid absorbing material, configured to be pressed against the porous medium thereby to wet the porous medium with the liquid absorbed in the liquid absorbing material,

wherein the liquid absorbing material comprises a liquid absorbed therein, wherein the wetting mechanism comprises a rod and a solid plate connected to the liquid absorbing material.

12. The nebulizer cartridge of claim 11, wherein the liquid absorbing material comprises a sponge.

13. The nebulizer cartridge of claim 11, wherein the liquid is a pharmaceutical composition.

14. The nebulizer cartridge of claim 11, further comprising a container configured to contain liquid to be delivered to the liquid absorbing material.

15. The nebulizer cartridge of claim 11, configured to be inserted to a nebulizer main body.

16. A nebulizer system comprising

a housing;

an opening in the housing configured to deliver aerosols to a subject;

a cartridge comprising a porous medium having a first side and a second side, and a liquid absorbing material, configured to be pressed against the porous medium thereby to wet the porous medium with the liquid absorbed in the liquid absorbing material;

a receptacle configured to receive the cartridge; and

a gas channel configured to introduce gas pressure gradient, such that the first side of the porous medium and the second side of the porous medium have different gas pressure levels, thereby producing the aerosol,

wherein the first side of the porous medium is configured to face the liquid absorbing material and the opening, and the second side of the porous medium is configured to face the gas channel when the cartridge is received within the receptacle.

17. The nebulizer system of claim 16, wherein the liquid absorbing material comprises a sponge, a tissue or foam.

18. The nebulizer of claim 16, wherein the liquid absorbing material comprises at least one pharmaceutical composition at least partially absorbed therein.

19. The nebulizer of claim 16, further comprising a first container, configured to contain liquids to be delivered to the liquid absorbing material.

20. The nebulizer system of claim 16, wherein introducing the gas pressure gradient is selected from introducing pressurized air to the second side of the porous medium and introducing vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure to the first side of the porous medium.