Method, device, and system to control pH in pulmonary tissue of a subject

• US 20100080760A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Rivet, Dennis J., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,911,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/45
• 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 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/208 pH-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/12 Antivirals

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems are provided which include an aerosol generator and a pharmaceutical composition including a membrane selective for a charged ion configured to achieve a selected pH of a pulmonary tissue in a subject. The methods, devices, or systems which include the membrane may be configured to alter selectivity for the charged ion in response to a sensed condition in the pulmonary tissue.

Claims

1-48. -48. (canceled)

49. A method for treating a pulmonary viral infectious disease in a subject comprising:

administering a pharmaceutical composition including at least one charged ion to a pulmonary tissue of the subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a membrane selective for the charged ion and is configured to achieve a selected pH of the pulmonary tissue in the subject.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the selected pH of the pulmonary tissue is basic.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the selected pH of the pulmonary tissue is acidic.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the membrane is configured to alter selectivity for the charged ion in response to a sensed condition in the pulmonary tissue.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition including the membrane is transmitted based upon an existing pH of the pulmonary tissue.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the charged ion is released based upon an existing pH of the pulmonary tissue.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein membrane integrity is broken based upon an existing pH of the pulmonary tissue.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein the membrane selective for the charged ion includes membranes of two or more non-overlapping and distinct particle size ranges configured to contact two or more levels of pulmonary tissue of the subject.

57. The method of claim 52, wherein a sensor is configured to monitor the condition of the subject.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor at least one of pH of the pulmonary tissue or pH of an exhalant.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor at least one of humidity of an exhalant, temperature, breathing rate, peak rate of exhalation, tidal volume, vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, expiratory reserve volume, or residual volume.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein a controller responsive to the sensor is configured to alter the membrane selectivity for the charged ion.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the controller is configured to alter a membrane particle size range.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the controller is configured to selectively deliver one or more membrane particle size ranges.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the controller is configured to deliver one or more membrane particles of the selected pH.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the pH-monitoring sensor is in an airway passage of the subject.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the pH-monitoring sensor is in a sinus or a nostril of the subject.

66. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered in response to a sensed environmental condition.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the sensed environmental condition includes a potentially infectious environment.

68. The method of claim 49, wherein the pulmonary tissue includes an epithelial tissue, mesenchymal tissue, or endothelial tissue.

69. The method of claim 49, wherein the pulmonary tissue includes oropharynx or nasopharynx tissue.

70. The method of claim 49, wherein the pulmonary tissue includes trachial tissue.

71. The method of claim 49, wherein the pulmonary tissue includes bronchial, bronchiole, alveolar duct, or alveoli tissue.

72. The method of claim 49, wherein the charged ion includes a cation.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the cation includes H⁺, K⁺, or Mg²⁺.

74. The method of claim 49, wherein the charged ion includes an anion.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the anion includes phosphate, citrate, lactate, pyruvate, or an organic acid.

76. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a buffering agent.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the buffering agent includes at least one of a phosphate buffer, citrate buffer, lactate buffer, pyruvate buffer, or an organic acid buffer.

78. The method of claim 58, further including a pH-sensitive detection component in the pharmaceutical composition, the pH-sensitive detection component configured to communicate to the pH-monitoring sensor.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the pH-sensitive detection component releases a marker indicating a pH range, and the pH-monitoring sensor is configured to recognize the marker.

80. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered orally or nasally.

81. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered as a continuous or pulsatile dose of the pharmaceutical composition.

82. The method of claim 49, wherein an aerosol dose of the pharmaceutical composition is delivered directly to an individual.

83. The method of claim 49, wherein an aerosol dose of the pharmaceutical composition is delivered to one or more individuals in an enclosed space.

84. The method of claim 49, wherein an aerosol dose of the pharmaceutical composition is delivered through a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system.

85. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is configured to provide a timed-release of the charged ion.

86. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is configured to provide a slow-absorbing form of the charged ion.

87. The method of claim 49, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is a liquid or a powder.

88-132. -132. (canceled)