Apparatus and methods for delivery of medicament to a respiratory system

• US 20090308384A1
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stamford Devices Limited
• Original Assignee: Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis Ag)
• Inventors: Power, John, Moran, Declan, Regan, Desmond
• Application Number:
  US12/583,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20090308384A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.140
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/049 Mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for delivery of a medicament to a respiratory system. A reservoir is provided for a liquid medicament with the reservoir having a liquid medicament inlet port and a medicament outlet. An aerosol generator is provided at the medicament outlet of the reservoir for aerosolizing the liquid medicament. A connector entrains the aerosolized medicament from the aerosol generator with a gas.

Claims

1-44. -44. (canceled)

45. A method of delivering a medicament to a respiratory system, the method comprising:

providing a reservoir for a liquid medicament to be delivered to the respiratory system;

delivering a volume of the liquid medicament into the reservoir;

providing an aerosol generator for aerosolizing the liquid medicament;

arranging the aerosol generator beneath the reservoir for gravitational flow of the liquid medicament from the reservoir to the aerosol generator;

aerosolizing the liquid medicament; and

delivering the aerosolized medicament to the respiratory system.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising entraining the aerosolized medicament with a gas before delivering the aerosolized medicament to the respiratory system.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising vibrating at least part of the aerosol generator to aerosolize the liquid medicament.

48. The method of claim 45, further comprising delivering a further volume of the liquid medicament into the reservoir.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the further volume of the liquid medicament is delivered into the reservoir after all of the liquid medicament in the reservoir is aerosolized.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the further volume of the liquid medicament is delivered into the reservoir before all of the liquid medicament in the reservoir is aerosolized.

51. The method of claim 45, further comprising opening a port to deliver the volume of the liquid medicament through the port into the reservoir.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising sealing the port after delivering the volume of the liquid medicament into the reservoir.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the port is sealed before aerosolizing the liquid medicament.

54. The method of claim 45, wherein the reservoir has an interior surface;

the interior surface of the reservoir is configured to promote flow of the liquid medicament towards the aerosol generator.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the interior surface of the reservoir is inclined towards the aerosol generator.

56. The method of claim 45, further comprising a housing to house the aerosol generator.

57. The method of claim 45, wherein the aerosol generator further comprises a vibratable member.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the vibratable member is dome-shaped.