Introducing aerosol into a ventilator

• US 20050139211A1
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics Incorporated
• Inventors: Tucker, Guy V., Dwivedi, Sarvajna K., Alston, William W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,375,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.140
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/7036 having at least one amino group directly attached to the carbocyclic ring, e.g. streptomycin, gentamycin, amikacin, validamycin, fortimicins
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/00 Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes in general B05B; aerosol containers B65D83/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0009 with sub-atmospheric pressure, e.g. during expiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/14 by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/147 the respiratory gas not passing through the liquid container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/204 used for inhalation control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents

Abstract

An aerosol introducer is provided for introducing an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation into a ventilator circuit. The ventilator circuit comprises an endotracheal tube, an inhalation line extending from a ventilator, and an exhalation line extending from the ventilator. The aerosol introducer comprises a first end connectable to the inhalation line and the exhalation line; a second end connectable to the endotracheal tube; a first channel extending from the first end to the second end; a second channel extending from the first end to the second end; an inlet in the first channel, the inlet being adapted to receive an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation; and a valving mechanism comprising one or more valves that reduce the loss of aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to the exhalation line.

Claims

1. An aerosol introducer for introducing an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation into a ventilator circuit, the ventilator circuit comprising an endotracheal tube, an inhalation line extending from a ventilator, and an exhalation line extending from the ventilator, the aerosol introducer comprising:

a first end connectable to the inhalation line and the exhalation line;

a second end connectable to the endotracheal tube;

a first channel extending from the first end to the second end;

a second channel extending from the first end to the second end;

an inlet in the first channel, the inlet being adapted to receive an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation; and

a valving mechanism comprising one or more valves that reduce the loss of aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to the exhalation line.

2. An aerosol introducer according to claim 1 wherein the valving mechanism comprises a one-way valve positioned within the first channel.

3. An aerosol introducer according to claim 1 wherein the valving mechanism comprises a one-way valve positioned within the second channel.

4. An aerosol introducer according to claim 1 wherein the valving mechanism comprises a one-way valve positioned within the first channel and a one-way valve positioned within the second channel.

5. An aerosol introducer according to claim 1 wherein the inlet is connected to a nebulizer.

6. An aerosol introducer according to claim 5 wherein the nebulizer is a jet nebulizer.

7. An aerosol introducer according to claim 5 wherein the nebulizer comprises a vibrating mesh.

8. An aerosol introducer according to claim 1 wherein the first end is connectable to a Y-piece that is attached to the inhalation line and the exhalation line.

9. An aerosol introducer according to claim 1 wherein the first end comprises a first connector for connection to the inhalation line and a second connector for connection to the exhalation line.

10. An aerosol introducer according to claim 1 wherein the second end comprises flexible tubing.

11. An aerosol introducer for delivering an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to a patient, the aerosol introducer comprising:

a first end;

a second end comprising a opening for delivering aerosol to a user'"'"'s mouth or nose;

a first channel extending from the first end to the second end;

a second channel extending from the first end to the second end;

an inlet in the first channel, the inlet being adapted to receive an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation; and

a valve in the first or second channel.

12. An aerosol introducer according to claim 11 wherein the valve comprises a one-way valve positioned within the first channel.

13. An aerosol introducer according to claim 11 wherein the valve comprises a one-way valve positioned within the second channel.

14. An aerosol introducer according to claim 11 wherein the valve comprises a one-way valve positioned within the first channel and further comprising a one-way valve positioned within the second channel.

15. An aerosol introducer according to claim 11 wherein the inlet is connected to a nebulizer.

16. An aerosol introducer according to claim 15 wherein the nebulizer is a jet nebulizer.

17. An aerosol introducer according to claim 15 wherein the nebulizer comprises a vibrating mesh.

18. A method of introducing an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation into a ventilator circuit, the method comprising:

providing an aerosol introducer comprising a first end, a second end, a first channel extending from the first end to the second end, a second channel extending from the first end to the second end, an inlet in the first channel, and a valve within the first channel and/or the second channel,

connecting the first end to an inhalation line and an exhalation line extending from a ventilator;

connecting the second end to an endotracheal tube; and

receiving the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation through the inlet and into the first channel.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the valve is a one-way valve positioned within the first channel.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the valve is a one-way valve positioned within the second channel.

21. A method according to claim 18 wherein the valve is a one-way valve positioned within the first channel and further comprising a one-way valve positioned within the second channel.

22. A method according to claim 18 wherein the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation is received from a nebulizer.

23. A method according to claim 18 wherein the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation is received from a jet nebulizer.

24. A method according to claim 18 wherein the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation is received from a vibrating mesh nebulizer.

25. A method according to claim 18 wherein the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation comprises an antibiotic.

26. A method according to claim 18 wherein the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation comprises vancomycin.

27. A method according to claim 18 wherein the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation comprises gentamycin.