CONTROLLED INHALER FOR DISTRIBUTING INHALANT ACCORDING TO INHALATION VELOCITY

• US 20100078015A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InCube Labs LLC. (In-Cube, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: InCube Labs LLC. (In-Cube, Inc.)
• Inventors: Imran, Mir
• Granted Patent: US 8,695,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.230
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/007 Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0095 Preventing manual activation in absence of inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0018 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6009 for matching patient with his treatment, e.g. to improve transfusion security
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/40 Respiratory characteristics

Abstract

An inhaler is provided that includes a controller, a driver, an atomizer and one or more sensors for detecting information about a velocity of inhalation of a user of the inhaler. The controller is configured to dispense an inhalant from the inhaler during an inhalation of the user based on information about the velocity of inhalation of the user. Such information can include a duration of maximum inhalation velocity or an increase or maximum in the acceleration in inhalation velocity. Embodiments of the inhaler can be used to enhance the delivery of drugs and therapeutic agents for those patients having a weakened respiratory system who are unable to take a deep or full breadth, e.g., patients having asthma or COPD. Embodiments of the inhaler can be used to deliver a variety of drugs and therapeutic agents including agents for the treatment of asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and heart disease.

Claims

1. An inhaler for delivering an inhalant to a user, the inhaler comprising:

a controller;

one or more sensors that are configured to detect information about an inhalation velocity of the user; and

wherein the controller is configured to controllably dispense the inhalant from the inhaler during an inhalation of the user based on the information about the inhalation velocity of the user.

2. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the controller uses information about inhalation velocity detected from a previous instance of the user taking sample inhalations from the inhaler.

3. The inhaler of claim 1, further comprising an atomizer for atomizing a non-aerosoled form of the inhalant and dispensing the inhalant as an aerosol.

4. The inhaler of claim 3, further comprising a driver for driving a non-aerosoled form of the inhalant through the atomizer.

5. The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the driver comprises a pump or a source of compressed gas.

6. The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the driver is controlled by the controller using the detected information about the user'"'"'s inhalation velocity.

7. The inhaler of claim 6, wherein the driver is configured to generate a driving pressure that is determined from the detected information.

8. The inhaler of claim 7, wherein the driver is configured to generate a higher driving pressure during a slower velocity portion of a given user inhalation.

9. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to predict a period or instance of a maximum inhalation velocity in a given user inhalation, and then substantially synchronize dispensing the inhalant during or at an instance or duration of a maximum inhalation velocity.

10. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect information that identifies a duration or instance of (i) maximum inhalation velocity or (ii) a maximum acceleration in inhalation velocity, during a given user inhalation.

11. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the dispensing of the inhalant during an instance or duration of a given user inhalation so as to reach a deep lung volume of the given user.

12. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to predict an instant of a given user'"'"'s inhalation that is likely to increase an amount of absorption of the inhalant in a blood stream of the given user.

13. The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to dispense the inhalant during an instant of a given user inhalation so as optimize the given user'"'"'s ability to absorb a therapeutically effective amount of the inhalant.

14. A method for delivering an inhaled therapeutic agent to a user, the method comprising:

detecting information about an inhalation velocity of the user during a period of user inhalation; and

delivering an aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent from an inhaler into the user'"'"'s lungs during an inhalation, wherein delivering the aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent is controlled based at least in part on the detected information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting information is performed at least one instance of inhalation prior to an instance of inhalation for delivering the aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent that is controlled.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising deriving from an inhalation velocity profile from the information detected during the at least one instance of inhalation.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the detected information includes identification of a duration of maximum inhalation velocity or a maximum acceleration in inhalation velocity.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein delivering the aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent is synchronized to occur at or during a period of (i) maximum inhalation velocity, or a (ii) maximum acceleration in inhalation velocity.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

delivering the aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent is performed to deliver a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent to the user'"'"'s deep lung volume.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising

delivering the aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent includes delivering a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent into the user'"'"'s blood stream in a single inhalation.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

aerosolizing the therapeutic agent from a non-aerosoled form into an aerosoled form prior to or during an inhalation to deliver the therapeutic agent.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising controlling aerosolizing the therapeutic agent based on the detected information.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein controlling aerosolizing the therapeutic agent includes modulating a frequency of a vibrating member that aerosolizes the therapeutic agent using the detected information.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein delivering an aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent includes generating a driving pressure for assisting in the delivery of the therapeutic agent into the user'"'"'s lungs.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

modulating the driving pressure responsive to the information about the user'"'"'s inhalation velocity.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein modulating the driving pressure includes maintaining a substantially uniform delivery of therapeutic agent over a period of inhalation for delivery of the therapeutic agent.

34. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises insulin, mammalian insulin, human insulin or synthetically derived insulin.

35. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a therapeutic agent for the treatment of asthma.

36. The method of claim 14, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an amino-sulfonyl-benzoate compound, furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide or ethacrynic acid.

26-32. -32. (canceled)

37. A method for delivering an inhaled therapeutic agent to a user, the method comprising:

detecting information about an inhalation velocity profile of the user during at least one instance of user inhalation prior to an instance of inhalation to deliver the therapeutic agent;

detecting information about an inhalation velocity of the user during an instance of user inhalation to deliver the therapeutic agent;

comparing the information about the user'"'"'s inhalation velocity to the user'"'"'s inhalation velocity profile; and

delivering an aerosoled form of the therapeutic agent from an inhaler into the user'"'"'s lungs during an inhalation wherein the therapeutic agent is controllably dispensed based on the comparison of the information about the user'"'"'s inhalation velocity to the user'"'"'s inhalation velocity profile.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the information comprises a duration of maximum inhalation velocity or a maximum acceleration in inhalation velocity.