Device and method for creating aerosols for drug delivery
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drug delivery device and method is disclosed which produces aerosolized particles of pharmaceutically active drug for delivery to a patient by inhalation. The device is comprised of a liquid feeding source such as a channel to which formulation is added at one end and expelled through an exit opening. The feeding channel is surrounded by a pressurized chamber into which gas is fed and out of which gas is expelled from an opening. The opening from which the gas is expelled is positioned directly in front of the flow path of liquid expelled from the feeding channel. Various parameters are adjusted so that pressurized gas surrounds liquid flowing out of the feeding channel in a manner so as to maintain a stable capillary microjet of liquid until the liquid exits the pressure chamber opening and is aerosolized. The aerosolized particles having a uniform diameter in the range of about 1 to 5 microns are inhaled into a patient'"'"'s lungs and thereafter reach the patient'"'"'s circulatory system.
50 Citations
39 Claims
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1-20. -20. (Cancel)
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21. A device, comprising:
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a first means for providing a pharmaceutically active drug in liquid form, comprising a cylindrical channel, a liquid entrance port and a liquid exit port;
a second means for providing a second fluid comprising a cylindrical channel positioned concentrically around the first means, the second means comprising a second fluid entrance port and a second fluid exit port;
a pressure chamber for providing a pressurized fluid to an area surrounding the first and second exit ports, the pressure chamber comprising a pressurized fluid entrance port and a pressurized fluid exit port positioned downstream of the first and second exit ports; and
a container having a pharmaceutically active drug therein, the container in fluid connection with the first means for providing a pharmaceutically active drug. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of creating an aerosol of a liquid pharmaceutically active drug, comprising:
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forcing a pharmaceutically active drug in liquid form through a channel of a feeding source in a manner which causes the liquid to be expelled from an exit opening;
forcing a gas through a pressure chamber in a manner which causes the gas to exit the pressure chamber from an opening positioned in front of a flow path of liquid expelled from the exit opening of the feeding source;
wherein a stable liquid-gas interface is maintained and the liquid forms a stable jet between the feeding source exit opening and the opening of the pressure chamber;
wherein fluctuations in dynamic forces exerted by the gas do not exceed the surface tension forces on surface of the liquid in the pressure chamber; and
allowing the microjet to exit the pressure chamber opening and split into drops by effects of instability. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of administering a drug, comprising:
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feeding a pharmaceutically active drug in liquid form through a feeding source to an outlet;
feeding gas through an orifice positioned in front of the feeding source outlet in a direction parallel to a direction of flow out of the feeding source outlet;
wherein the feeding of liquid and feeding of gas are each at a rate relative to each other so as to maintain a stable microjet of liquid which exits the orifice and forms aerosolized particles;
wherein fluctuations in dynamic forces exerted by the gas do not exceed the surface tension forces on surfaces of the liquid;
wherein gas from the pressure chamber surrounds liquid exiting the feeding source outlet which is drawn into the orifice concentrically;
allowing the microjet to exit the pressure chamber orifice and split into drops by effects of instability; and
inhaling the drops into the lungs of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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Specification