VARIABLE DOSE INHALATION DEVICE

• US 20070240712A1
• Filed: 04/04/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Kriksunov, Leo B., Gumaste, Anand V., Akerman, Adan, FLEMING, Scott
• Application Number:
  US11/696,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20070240712A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.150
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/001 using ultrasonic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0035 Piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/005 the dosages being arranged on a cylindrical surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0066 with means for varying the dose size
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/081 responsive to the weight of a reservoir or container for liquid or other fluent material; responsive to level or volume of liquid or other fluent material in a reservoir or container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/1404 Arrangements for supplying particulate material

Abstract

An inhaler containing one or more vibrator mechanisms in one or more powder dispensing chambers for delivery of varying doses of a therapeutic agent or drug.

Claims

1. An inhalation device for delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient wherein the therapeutic agent is deaggregated by a vibrator and picked up in an air stream for delivery to the patient, wherein the device comprises at least two vibrators for selectively coupling with two or more dose packs containing the same or different dose quantities of said therapeutic agent to make up a desired dose of said therapeutic agent.

2. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two vibrators vibrate at the same frequency and/or amplitudes.

3. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two vibrators vibrate at different frequencies and/or amplitudes.

4. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two vibrators comprise piezoelectric vibrators.

5. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two vibrators comprise electrostatically driven diaphragms.

6. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said therapeutic agent is in the form of a dry powder or in the form of a liquid.

7. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said dose packs comprise blister packs containing measured quantities of said therapeutic agent.

8. The inhalation device according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of said blister packs are carried on a strip.

9. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the dose packs comprise individual dose packs.

10. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the dose packs comprise two or more dose packs of different dose sizes.

11. The inhalation device according to claim 10, wherein the dose packs comprise dose sizes selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 dose units.

12. The inhalation device according to claim 11, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises insulin, and the dose packs comprise 1 unit dose packs of insulin, 2 unit dose packs of insulin, 3 unit dose packs of insulin, 4 unit dose packs of insulin, and 5 unit dose packs of insulin.

13. An inhalation device for delivering one or more therapeutic agents to a patient, said device providing access to at least two dose packs to make up a desired dose of said one or more therapeutic agents in a single inhalation.

15. An inhalation device, comprising:

a resonant cavity,

a vibrator coupled to said cavity,

a plurality of drug packs containing a therapeutic agent, said drug packs arranged on a carrier tape,

wherein said therapeutic agent from one or more of said drug packs is deposited in said resonant cavity to make up a desired dose of said therapeutic agent, and

wherein vibration of said vibrator results in aerosolization and ejection of said therapeutic agent from said resonant cavity with said therapeutic agent delivered in one inhalation.

14. The inhalation device according to claim 18, wherein said dose packs are delivered simultaneously or sequentially.

16. The inhalation device according to claim 15, wherein said therapeutic agent is in the form of a dry powder or in the form of a liquid.

17. The inhalation device according to claim 15, wherein said drug packs comprise blister packs containing measured quantities of said therapeutic agent.

18. The inhalation device according to claim 15, wherein the drug packs comprise individual dose packs.

19. The inhalation device according to claim 15, wherein the drug packs comprise two or more packs of different dose sizes.

20. The inhalation device according to claim 19, wherein the drug packs comprise dose sizes selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 dose units.

21. The inhalation device according to claim 20, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises insulin, and the drug packs comprise 1 unit dose packs of insulin, 2 unit dose packs of insulin, 3 unit dose packs of insulin, 4 unit dose packs of insulin, or 5 unit dose packs of insulin.

22. An inhalation device, comprising:

a plurality of drug packs containing a therapeutic agent, said drug packs arranged on a carrier tape,

a vibrator coupled to at least one said drug pack,

wherein said therapeutic agent from one or more of said drug packs is aerosolized and ejected from said drug packs upon vibration of said vibrator, and

wherein said drug packs are advanced on said carrier tape to make up a desired dose of said therapeutic agent delivered in one inhalation.

23. The inhalation device according to claim 22, wherein said therapeutic agent is in the form of a dry powder or in the form of a liquid.

24. The inhalation device according to claim 22, wherein said drug packs comprise blister packs containing measured quantities of said therapeutic agent.

25. The inhalation device according to claim 22, wherein the drug packs comprise individual dose packs.

26. The inhalation device according to claim 22, wherein the drug packs comprises two or more packs of different dose sizes.

27. The inhalation device according to claim 26, wherein the drug packs comprise dose sizes selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 dose units.

28. The inhalation device according to claim 27, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises insulin, and the drug packs comprise 1 unit dose packs of insulin, 2 unit dose packs of insulin, 3 unit dose packs of insulin, 4 unit dose packs of insulin, or 5 unit dose packs.

29. An inhalation device, comprising:

a plurality of drug packs containing a therapeutic agent,

a vibrator coupled to more than one of said drug packs,

wherein one or more of said drug packs are opened or pierced drug packs, and

wherein said therapeutic agent from said opened or pierced drug packs is aerosolized and ejected from said opened or pierced drug packs upon vibration of said vibrator to make up a desired dose of said therapeutic agent delivered in one inhalation.

30. The inhalation device according to claim 29, wherein said therapeutic agent is in the form of a dry powder or in the form of a liquid.

31. The inhalation device according to claim 29, wherein said drug packs comprise blister packs containing measured quantities of said therapeutic agent.

32. The inhalation device according to claim 29, wherein the drug packs comprises individual dose packs.

33. The inhalation device according to claim 29, wherein the drug packs comprise two or more packs of different dose sizes.

34. The inhalation device according to claim 33, wherein the drug packs comprise dose sizes selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 dose units.

35. The inhalation device according to claim 34, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises insulin, and the drug packs comprise 1 unit dose packs of insulin, 2 unit dose packs of insulin, 3 unit dose packs of insulin, 4 unit dose packs of insulin, or 5 unit dose packs of insulin.

36. An inhalation device, comprising:

at least one drug pack containing a therapeutic agent,

a vibrator coupled to said drug pack, said vibrator adapted to vibrate and aerosolize and eject said therapeutic agent from said drug pack forming an aerosol,

a sensor adapted to measure quantity of said therapeutic agent in said aerosol,

wherein said sensor provides a signal to stop vibration of said vibrator after a desired dose of said therapeutic agent is delivered in one inhalation.

37. The inhalation device according to claim 36, wherein said therapeutic agent is in the form of a dry powder or in the form of a liquid.

38. The inhalation device according to claim 36, wherein said drug packs comprise blister packs containing measured quantities of said therapeutic agent.

39. The inhalation device according to claim 36, wherein the drug packs comprise individual dose packs.

40. The inhalation device according to claim 36, wherein the drug packs comprise two or more packs of different dose sizes.

41. The inhalation device according to claim 40, wherein the drug packs comprise dose sizes selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 size units.

42. The inhalation device according to claim 41, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises insulin, and the drug packs comprise 1 unit dose packs of insulin, 2 unit dose packs of insulin, 3 unit dose packs of insulin, 4 unit dose packs of insulin, or 5 unit dose packs of insulin.

43. An inhalation device according to claim 36, wherein said sensor is an optical sensor or an acoustic sensor.

44. An inhalation device for delivering a pharmaceutical to a patient comprising:

a canister for containing a drug powder having a valved outlet for said drug powder;

a dosing plate having microdosing cavities selectively in communication with said valved canister outlet by which a selected quantity of drug powder may be delivered to said plate;

a valve plate selectively operable to deliver a selected quantity of said drug powder from said dosing plate to a resonant cavity of an inhalation device; and

a vibrator coupled to said resonant cavity and adapted to vibrate and aerosolize and eject said drug powder from said resonant cavity.

45. The inhalation device according to claim 44, wherein the pharmaceutical comprises insulin.

46. The inhalation device according to claim 44, wherein the valve plate comprises a rotatable valve plate.

47. An inhalation device, comprising:

at least one drug pack containing a therapeutic agent,

a vibrator coupled to said drug pack,

a sensor adapted to detect a quantity of said therapeutic agent in said drug pack,

wherein said therapeutic agent from said drug pack is aerosolized and ejected from said drug pack upon activation of said vibrator to make up a desired dose of said therapeutic agent delivered in on inhalation;

wherein said sensor provides a signal to discontinue activation of said vibrator after said desired dose of said therapeutic agent is delivered.

48. The inhalation device according to claim 47, wherein said therapeutic agent is in the form of a dry powder or in the form of a liquid.

49. The inhalation device according to claim 47, wherein said therapeutic agent comprises insulin.

50. The inhalation device according to claim 47, wherein said sensor is an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, or a piezo-electric sensor.

53. The inhalation device according to claim 50, including a sensor for detecting a quantity of said therapeutic agent delivered.

54. The inhalation device according to claim 53, wherein said sensor comprises an optical sensor or an acoustic sensor.

51. An inhalation device, comprising:

at least one drug pack containing a therapeutic agent,

a vibrator coupled to said drug pack,

wherein said therapeutic agent from said drug pack is aerosolized and ejected from said drug pack upon activation of said vibrator, and

wherein said vibration is continued for a period of time to make up a desired dose of said therapeutic agent, and

wherein said vibration is discontinued after said desired dose of said therapeutic agent is delivered in one inhalation.

52. The inhalation device according to claim 51, wherein said therapeutic agent comprises insulin.