Method and apparatus for vaporizing a compound

• US 20030209240A1
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Original Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Inventors: Hale, Ron L., Quintana, Reynaldo J., Song, Soonho
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/60 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/047 by exothermic chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8268 Fuel storage cells
• CPC Class Codes: F24V 30/00 Apparatus or devices using heat produced by exothermal chemical reactions other than combustion

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and device for rapid heating of a coated substance which preferably includes a drug to vaporized for inhalation therapy. A device in accordance with the present invention preferably includes a substrate which has an interior surface surrounding an interior region and an exterior surface upon which the coated substance is to be adhered. Though the substrate is preferably metallic, it does not need to be. A combustible element is placed in the interior region of the rigid substrate and an igniter is connected to the combustible element. The igniter is for initiating oxidation of the combustible element. Preferably, the coated substance is vaporized inside of a housing to allow the vaporized drug to aerosolize and be inhaled by a user.

Claims

1. A device for rapid heating of a coated substance including:

a metallic substrate having an interior surface surrounding an interior region and an exterior surface upon which the coated substance is to be adhered;

a combustible element placed in the interior region of the rigid substrate;

an igniter connected to the combustible element and for initiating oxidation of the combustible element.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the combustible element is contained inside a sealed bulb which is in the interior region of the metallic substrate.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the bulb is formed from glass having a polymer coating.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the metallic substrate is formed from stainless steel or aluminum.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the interior surface of the metallic substrate is light absorbing.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the metallic substrate includes a sheath surrounding the bulb.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the combustible element consumes gas upon combustion.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the combustible element includes a combustible metal.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the combustible element includes magnesium, zirconium or aluminum.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein the metallic substrate is coated onto the sealed bulb.

11. The device of claim 1 further including a coating on the exterior surface of the metallic substrate, the coating containing a drug which is vaporized upon ignition of the combustible metal.

12. The device of claim 11 further including a housing around the exterior surface of the metallic substrate and to facilitate inhalation of the drug after vaporization thereof.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the housing includes a mouthpiece to facilitate oral inhalation of the drug after vaporization thereof.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the housing includes a nasal attachment to facilitate nasal inhalation of the drug after vaporization thereof.

15. A device for vaporizing a drug including:

a substrate having an interior surface surrounding an interior area and an exterior surface;

a combustible element placed in the interior area of the rigid substrate;

an igniter connected to the combustible element and for initiating combustion of the combustible element; and

a drug adhered to the exterior surface of the substrate, the drug to be vaporized upon ignition of the combustible element.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the combustible element is contained inside a sealed bulb.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the exterior surface of the substrate includes an exterior surface of the bulb.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein the bulb is formed from glass having a polymer coating.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the substrate is formed from stainless steel or aluminum.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the interior surface of the substrate is anodized.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the substrate includes a sheath surrounding the bulb.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the combustible element consumes gas upon combustion.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein the combustible element includes a combustible metal.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the combustible element includes magnesium, zirconium or aluminum.

25. The device of claim 15 further including a housing enclosing the exterior surface of the metallic substrate and to facilitate inhalation of the drug after vaporization thereof.

26. The device of claim 25 wherein the housing includes a mouthpiece to facilitate oral inhalation of the drug after vaporization thereof.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the igniter includes a power source for ignition of the metallic substrate and wherein the device is separable into two sections, a first section housing the power source and the second section housing the substrate, combustible element and drug.

28. Method for aerosolizing a drug including:

providing a rigid substrate having an interior surface surrounding an interior region and an exterior surface;

coating a vehicle containing at least one drug onto the exterior surface of the rigid substrate;

locating a combustible filament in the interior region of the rigid substrate; and

igniting the combustible filament in the interior region to heat the exterior surface of the rigid substrate and vaporize the drug coated thereon.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein locating the combustible filament in the interior region of the rigid substrate includes enclosing the combustible filament in a sealed bulb and locating the sealed bulb in the interior region of the rigid substrate.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein providing a rigid substrate includes forming the rigid substrate from stainless steel or aluminum.

31. The method of claim 30 including anodizing the interior surface of the rigid substrate.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein locating the combustible filament in the interior region of the rigid substrate includes providing a combustible filament including magnesium, zirconium or aluminum.

33. The method of claim 32 including enclosing the rigid substrate within a housing that facilitates aerosolization of the drug after vaporization thereof.

34. A method of administering a drug using the method of claim 33 including:

aerosolizing the drug after vaporization thereof; and

inhaling the aerosolized drug.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein inhaling the aerosolized drug includes inhaling the aerosolized drug orally.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein inhaling the aerosolized drug includes inhaling the aerosolized drug nasally.

37. A device for vaporizing a drug including:

a substrate having a surface surrounding an interior area;

a combustible element placed in the interior area of the rigid substrate;

an igniter connected to the combustible element and for initiating combustion of the combustible element; and

a drug absorbed into the substrate, the drug to be vaporized upon ignition of the combustible element.