Attachment for aerosol device for large animals and method of use

• US 5,666,948 A
• Filed: 02/27/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Matson, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US08/395,177
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.23, 128/200.24, 128/203.12, 128/203.14, 128/203.15, 128/203.23-203.25, 128/204.11, 128/204.12 , 128/207.14, 128/207.18, 604/26, 604/37, 604/94, 604/132, 604/142, 604/275
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/04 Devices for anaesthetising animals by gases or vapours; Inhaling devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose

Abstract

An aerosol generating device and a conduit for use with the aerosol generating device are disclosed. The conduit and aerosol generating device may be used in a method for administering an aerosol to a large animal, such as a horse.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal such as a horse for administering an aerosol to the large animal, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces that are sized and shaped to afford passage of an aerosol through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal; and

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the conduit affords passage of aerosol in generally the same direction as the inspiratory airflow through the nostril.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lumen has a central axis extending from the connecting surfaces to the outlet, and the portion of the axis generally adjacent the connecting surfaces is situated at approximately a right angle with respect to the portion of the axis generally adjacent the outlet.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the outer surfaces are irregular shaped to conform to the irregular shaped surfaces of the large animal'"'"'s nasal passageway.

5. Apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal for administering an aerosol to the large animal, the large animal having a nasal passageway, a nasal diverticulum, and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces that are sized and shaped to afford passage of an aerosol through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device,

and

when the conduit is fully inserted into the nostril of the large animal, the conduit is sized and shaped and has a sufficient length to avoid situating the outlet such that it opens in a position that allows passage of the aerosol into the nasal diverticulum of the large animal.

6. Apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal for administering an aerosol to the large animal, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces affording passage of an aerosol through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device,

the conduit has first and second sections, with the outlet situated in the second section and with the connecting surfaces situated in the first section,

the first and second sections of said conduit having cross-sections, the cross-sectional area of a cross-section in the first section is generally larger than the cross-sectional area of a cross-section in the second section so that inner surfaces of the first section of the conduit form an expansion chamber to afford expansion of the aerosol, and

wherein the first section is generally bulbous shaped.

7. Apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal such as a horse for administering an aerosol to the large animal, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces affording passage of an aerosol through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device,

wherein said conduit is constructed from a flexible, resilient material adapted to generally conform to the large animal'"'"'s nasal passageway, and to restrict collapse when a portion of the conduit is placed in the nasal passageway of the large animal so that the outlet remains in fluid communication with the aerosol generating device, and

wherein when the conduit is fully inserted into the nostril of the large animal, the outlet is located in the large animal'"'"'s nasal vestibule and is bounded medially by the nasal septum, dorso-laterally by the alar fold and ventrally by nasal mucosa.

8. An apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal for administering a respirable aerosol having a component for delivery beyond the upper respiratory tract and to the peripheral lung field of the large animal, the component having an appreciable amount of medicament particles having a size of less than about thirty (30) micrometers, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device capable of providing a respirable aerosol, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces affording passage of an aerosol through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit so that a respirable aerosol may exit the outlet after passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device.

9. Apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal for administering an aerosol to the large animal, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces affording passage of an aerosol through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device,

an inlet substantially adjacent the proximal end of the conduit, which inlet is sized and shaped to afford entry of inspiratory airflow through the conduit, the inspiratory airflow passing through the conduit and exiting the outlet; and

said outer surfaces of said conduit comprise sealing surfaces adapted to abut the tissue surrounding the nostril of the large animal so that substantially all of the inspiratory airflow through that nostril flows through the lumen of the conduit.

10. Apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal for administering an aerosol to the large animal, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, an inlet, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces affording passage of an aerosol through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device,

wherein the outer surfaces include sealing surfaces for abutting the nostril of the large animal so that substantially all of the inspiratory air flow through that nostril flows in the inlet, through the lumen and out the outlet of the conduit, and when the conduit is fully inserted into the nostril of the large animal, the inspiratory airflow through the large animal'"'"'s nasal passageway at the location of the outlet defines a first direction, and

the conduit affords passage of the aerosol through the outlet in a direction that is generally parallel to the first direction.

11. In combination, an apparatus adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril of a large animal for administering an aerosol to the large animal, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, and an aerosol generating device, the apparatus comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces that are sized and shaped to afford passage of an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device through the conduit,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet, the lumen being sized and shaped to afford expansion of an aerosol during at least a portion of the passage through the conduit;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

connecting surfaces for connecting the conduit to the aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit may be placed in fluid communication with the aerosol generating device,

the aerosol generating device comprises a canister of the type for dispensing a metered dose of aerosol medicament through a hollow stem when the stem is actuated,

the connecting surfaces are connected to a means for associating the conduit with the canister comprising;

a body having an air passageway adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the lumen of the conduit, and an air opening, the body including;

a stem receptacle generally adjacent the air passageway for receiving the stem of the canister,

means for mounting the canister for movement relative to the stem to actuate the stem; and

a hollow tube communicating with a hollow stem in the stem receptacle, the hollow tube having an outlet opening into the air passageway for delivering a metered aerosol dose to the air passageway for administration through the conduit to the large animal.

12. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the body includes a handle which affords a pistol-like grip, and

a trigger movable between a cocked and fired position.

13. A combination according to claim 12 further including means for moving the canister relative to the stem when the trigger is moved from the cocked toward the fired position so that the trigger may actuate the stem.

14. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the body further comprises an air flow indicator.

15. A combination according to claim 14 wherein the indicator is mounted in the air passageway of the body and includes a vane movable in response to air flow through the lumen of the conduit and adapted to generate a visible, tactile or audible signal when moved.

16. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the body includes means for detachably attaching the canister to the body.

17. In combination, an aerosol generating device for generating a respirable aerosol for delivery to a large animal with a nasal-pharyngeal cavity and a nasal diverticulum, the respirable aerosol having a component for delivery beyond a large animal'"'"'s upper respiratory tract and to the lungs of the large animal, and a conduit for administering the respirable aerosol to the large animal, the conduit comprising:

outer and inner surfaces, a proximal end, and a distal end having an outlet,

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

means for connecting the conduit to the aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit is in fluid communication with the aerosol generating device; and

wherein when the conduit is fully inserted into the nostril of the large animal, the conduit is sized and shaped and has a sufficient length to avoid situating the outlet such that it opens in a position that allows passage of the aerosol into the nasal diverticulum of the large animal.

18. A combination according to claim 17 wherein the conduit has first and second sections, with the outlet situated in the second section and with the connecting surfaces situated in the first section.

19. A combination according to claim 18 wherein the first and second sections of said conduit have cross-sections,

wherein the cross-sectional area of a cross-section in the first section is generally larger than the cross-sectional area of a cross-section in the second section so that inner surfaces of the first section of the conduit form an expansion chamber to afford expansion of the respirable aerosol.

20. A combination according to claim 19 wherein the first section is generally bulbous shaped.

21. A combination according to claim 17 wherein said conduit is constructed from a flexible, resilient material adapted to generally conform to the large animal'"'"'s nasal passageway, and to restrict collapse when a portion of the conduit is placed in the nasal passageway of the large animal so that the outlet remains in fluid communication with the aerosol generating device.

22. A combination according to claim 17 wherein said outer surfaces of said conduit comprise:

sealing surfaces adapted to abut the tissue surrounding the nostril of the large animal so that substantially all of the inspiratory airflow through that nostril flows through the lumen of the conduit.

23. A combination according to claim 22 wherein:

when the conduit is fully inserted into the nostril of the large animal, the inspiratory airflow through the nasal passageway at the location of the outlet defines a first direction, and

the conduit affords passage of the respirable aerosol through the outlet in a direction that is generally parallel to the first direction.

24. A combination according to claim 17 wherein the lumen has a central axis extending from the connecting surfaces to the outlet, and the portion of the axis generally adjacent the connecting surfaces is situated at approximately a right angle with respect to the portion of the axis generally adjacent the outlet.

25. A combination according to claim 17 wherein the outer surfaces are irregular shaped to conform to the irregular shaped surfaces of the large animal'"'"'s nasal passageway.

26. A combination according to claim 17 wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a canister of the type for dispensing a metered dose of a respirable aerosol medicament through a hollow stem when the stem is actuated, and

the means for connecting the conduit to the aerosol generating device comprises:

a body having an air passageway adapted to be in fluid communication with the lumen of the conduit, and an air opening, the body including;

a stem receptacle generally adjacent the air passageway for receiving the stem of the canister,

means for mounting the canister for movement relative to the stem to actuate the stem; and

a hollow tube communicating with a hollow stem in the stem receptacle, the hollow tube having an outlet opening into the air passageway for delivering a metered aerosol dose to the air passageway for administration through the conduit to the large animal.

27. A combination according to claim 26 wherein the body includes a handle which affords a pistol-like grip, and

a trigger movable between a cocked and fired position.

28. A combination according to claim 27 further including means for moving the canister relative to the stem when the trigger is moved from the cocked toward the fired position so that the trigger may actuate the stem.

29. A combination according to claim 26 wherein the body includes means for detachably attaching the canister to the body.

30. A combination according to claim 17 wherein the component is delivered to the large animal'"'"'s peripheral lung field.

31. A combination according to claim 30 wherein the component has an appreciable amount of medicament particles having a size of less than about thirty (30) micrometers.

32. A combination according to claim 30 wherein the component has an appreciable amount of medicament particles having a size of less than about ten (10) micrometers.

33. A method of administering a respirable aerosol to a large animal such as a horse, the large animal having a nasal passageway and a nasal-pharyngeal cavity, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) providing an aerosol generating device capable of generating a respirable aerosol upon actuation;

(2) providing a conduit comprising;

outer and inner surfaces, a proximal end, and a distal end having an outlet, the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal without projecting into the nasal-pharyngeal cavity of the large animal;

(3) connecting the conduit to the aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit is in fluid communication with the aerosol generating device;

(4) inserting the distal end of the conduit into the nostril of the large animal; and

(5) then actuating the aerosol generating device to deliver the respirable aerosol.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the step of providing a conduit comprises the step of providing outer surfaces which generally conform to the tissue of the large animals nasal passageway.

35. A method according to claim 33 wherein the step of inserting the distal end of the conduit into the nostril comprises the step of:

sealing the tissue surrounding the nostril of the large animal with sealing surfaces of the conduit so that substantially all of the inspiratory airflow through the nostril is directed through the lumen of the conduit.

36. A method according to claim 33 wherein the step of actuating the aerosol generating device to deliver the respirable aerosol comprises the steps of:

flowing inspiratory airflow through the nasal passageway at the location of the conduit outlet in a first direction, and

directing passage of the respirable aerosol through the outlet in a direction that is generally parallel to the first direction.

37. A method of administering a respirable aerosol according to claim 33 wherein the step of providing an aerosol generating device capable of generating a respirable aerosol upon actuation comprises the step of:

providing an aerosol generating device capable of generating a respirable aerosol having a component for delivery beyond the upper respiratory tract and to the lungs of the large animal, the component having an appreciable amount of medicament particles having a size of less than about thirty (30) micrometers.

38. A method of administering a respirable aerosol according to claim 33 wherein the step of providing a conduit comprises the step of providing a conduit with an inlet and sealing surfaces, and

the step of inserting the distal end of the conduit into the nostril of the large animal comprises the steps of sealing the nostril of the large animal so that substantially all of the inspiratory airflow through that nostril flows in the inlet, through the lumen and out the outlet of the conduit, and

the step of then actuating the aerosol generating device comprises the step of actuating the aerosol generating device upon the large animal'"'"'s inspiratory airflow.

39. A method of administering a respirable aerosol to a large animal with a nostril, nasal passageway and a nasal diverticulum, such as a horse, comprising the steps of:

(1) providing an aerosol generating device capable of generating a respirable aerosol upon actuation;

(2) providing a conduit comprising;

outer and inner surfaces, a proximal end, and a distal end having an outlet, the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal;

(3) connecting the conduit to the aerosol generating device so that the outlet of the conduit is in fluid communication with the aerosol generating device;

(4) inserting the distal end of the conduit into the nostril of the large animal and sufficiently far into the nasal passageway of the large animal to avoid situating the outlet such that the outlet opens in a position that allows passage of the respirable aerosol into the nasal diverticulum of the large animal; and

(5) then actuating the aerosol generating device to deliver the respirable aerosol.

40. Apparatus comprising means for administering an aerosol to a large animal having a nasal diverticulum and means for preventing delivery of the aerosol to the nasal diverticulum, the apparatus being adapted for use with an aerosol generating device, the apparatus further comprising:

a conduit having outer surfaces, a proximal end, a distal end having an outlet, and inner surfaces adapted for affording passage of an aerosol generated by an aerosol generating device through the conduit;

the inner surfaces defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and opening to said outer surfaces at said outlet;

the conduit having a length which affords locating the outlet in the nasal passageway of the large animal;

connecting means comprising surfaces adapted for connecting the conduit to an aerosol generating device, the outlet of the conduit adapted to be placed in fluid communication with an aerosol generating device;

said conduit having a fully inserted position and a size, shape and length that avoids situating said outlet of said conduit in a position that allows passage of aerosol into a nasal diverticulum of a large animal undergoing treatment by means of said outlet of said conduit extending past an animal'"'"'s diverticulum, wherein aerosol flowing through said conduit exits said outlet at a position distal to an animal'"'"'s diverticulum.