TWO-STAGE REDUCTION OF AEROSOL DROPLET SIZE

• US 20080283048A1
• Filed: 05/16/2007
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johan Petersen
• Original Assignee: Johan Petersen
• Inventors: Petersen, Johan
• Application Number:
  US11/749,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20080283048A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/001 Particle size control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06

Abstract

A droplet-size reduction system is described. The system in a first embodiment has a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and a plurality of lumens therein, a chamber at the proximal end of the catheter, the chamber having a first end and a second end and a fluid pathway therebetween, the first end of the chamber being in fluid communication with the plurality of lumens, an aerosol generator between a first one of the plurality of lumens and the first end of the chamber; and a piezoelectric element disposed in the pathway and coupled to an oscillating voltage supply. In another embodiment, the system has a chamber having a first end and a second end and a fluid pathway therebetween, a plurality of catheters in fluid communication with the first end, an aerosol generator between a first one of the plurality of catheters and the first end, and a piezoelectric element disposed in the pathway and coupled to an oscillating voltage supply. In yet another embodiment, the invention is a method of reducing droplet size in a nebulized medicament, by aerosolizing a liquid medicament to create droplets of the medicament, passing the droplets across a piezoelectric element; and delivering the droplets from the piezoelectric element to a patient.

Claims

1. A droplet size reduction system, comprising:

a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and a plurality of lumens therein;

a chamber at said proximal end of said catheter, said chamber having a first end and a second end and a fluid pathway therebetween, said first end of said chamber being in fluid communication with said plurality of lumens;

an aerosol generator between a first one of said plurality of lumens and said first end of said chamber; and

a piezoelectric element disposed in said fluid pathway and coupled to an oscillating voltage supply.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said second end of said chamber is coupled to at least one of a mask, a trocar, and an endoscope.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a supply of a liquid medicament in fluid communication with said first one of said plurality of lumens.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a supply of a gas in fluid communication with a second one of said plurality of lumens.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a supply of a liquid in fluid communication with a third one of said plurality of lumens.

6. The system of claim 3, further comprising a supply of a liquid in fluid communication with a second one of said plurality of lumens.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said aerosol generator is between a second one of said plurality of lumens and said first end of said chamber.

8. A droplet-size reduction system, comprising:

a chamber having a first end and a second end and a fluid pathway therebetween

a plurality of catheters in fluid communication with said first end;

an aerosol generator between a first one of said plurality of catheters and said first end; and

a piezoelectric element disposed in said pathway and coupled to an oscillating voltage supply.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said chamber is coupled to at least one of a mask, a cannula, a trocar, and an endoscope.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a supply of a liquid medicament in fluid communication with said first one of said plurality of catheters.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a supply of a gas in fluid communication with a second one of said plurality of catheters.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a supply of a liquid in fluid communication with a third one of said plurality of catheters.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a supply of a liquid in fluid communication with a second one of said plurality of catheters.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein said aerosol generator is between a second one of said plurality of lumens and said first end of said chamber.

15. A method of reducing droplet size in a nebulized medicament, comprising:

aerosolizing a liquid medicament to create droplets of said medicament;

passing said droplets across a piezoelectric element; and

delivering said droplets from said piezoelectric element to a patient.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said delivering step comprises using at least one of a mask, a trocar, and an endoscope.