Inhalation therapy

• US 5,713,349 A
• Filed: 01/31/1996
• Issued: 02/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Niall Keaney
• Original Assignee: Niall Keaney
• Inventors: Keaney, Niall
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deane, Jr., William J.
• Application Number:
  US08/557,113
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/204.24, 128/204.26, 128/207.18, 128/204.18
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/00 Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes in general B05B; aerosol containers B65D83/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1015 using a gas flush valve, e.g. oxygen flush valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0275 Nitric oxide [NO]

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for controlling the delivery of therapeutic respiratory agents to the respiratory system of a patient. The device includes a drug delivery means which is extremely controlled by a fluid flow control means in response to the respiratory cycle of the patient. The device is so arranged that, upon inhalation, a therapeutic agent is delivered by the device of the invention to an individual in a programmable manner so that the quantity and periodicity of the therapeutic agent can be varied according to a user'"'"'s requirements.

Claims

1. A device for use in controlling the delivery of therapeutic agents comprising:

a respiratory dispensing means to which is attached;

a first delivery means through which at least one therapeutic fluid can selectively flow; and

a second delivery means through which a respiratory fluid can reversibly flow; and

characterised in that;

said respiratory dispensing means includes a senor adapted to monitor respiratory cycles of an individual and wherein said sensor is connected to a flow control means which is adapted to control the flow of fluid through, at least, said first delivery means, whereby in response to detection of a predetermined point in a respiratory cycle, or sequence of cycles, said flow control means enables fluid to flow through said first delivery means so that therapeutic fluid is delivered to a patient for a predetermined interval of time, wherein said predetermined point in a respiratory cycle is selected so that therapeutic fluid is delivered to a patient at the beginning of a respiratory cycle; and

further wherein said predetermined interval of time represents a short fraction of the respiratory cycle so that a short pulse of therapeutic agent is delivered.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined point in a respiratory cycle is at the beginning of a respiratory cycle.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein there is further provided a delay means so that said delivery of therapeutic fluid can be delayed following said detection.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said second delivery means is in fluid connection with the atmosphere.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said second delivery means is provided with a 2-way valve so as to allow fluid to flow through same upon inhalation or exhalation.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein a supply means is connected to said first delivery means which supply means contains a predetermined amount of at least one therapeutic agent.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a thermistor, which thermistor is electrically connected to said flow control means.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein said flow control means is programmable such that it responds variably to the respiratory cycle of an individual thereby allowing variable control of the fluid flowing through at least said first delivery means.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said flow control means can be programmed in a manner whereby the administration of at least a therapeutic fluid may occur once every nth respiratory cycle.

10. A device according to claim 8 wherein said flow control means operates in a timed manner whereby the administration of at least a therapeutic fluid occurs once every pre-determined interval of time.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein said flow control means controls a pump means, which pump means is connected to at least one of said delivery means so as to ensure that at least one of said fluids flows under positive pressure into said respiratory dispensing means.

12. A device according to claim 1 where said respiratory dispensing means comprises a nebuliser, face mask or other inhalation device.

13. A device according to claim 1 wherein said respiratory dispensing means comprises a means for artificial ventilation.

14. A method for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to the respiratory system of an individual comprising:

monitoring respiratory cycles of an individual;

detecting a predetermined point in a respiratory cycle, or predetermined sequence of cycles wherein said predetermined point is selected so that said therapeutic agent is delivered at the beginning of a respiratory cycle;

arranging for the delivery of at least one therapeutic agent to said individual for a predetermined interval of time in response to detection of said point wherein said predetermined interval is relatively short compared to the length of a normal respiratory cycle such that a short pulse of therapeutic agent is delivered at the beginning of a respiratory cycle; and

repeating the above described series of events.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said predetermined point of a respiratory cycle is at the beginning of a respiratory cycle.

16. A method according to claim 14 which further includes delaying said delivery of said therapeutic agent following said detection.

17. A method according to claim 14 in which the said agent is a therapeutically effective concentration of gases nitric oxide or a nitric oxide releasing agent.