Device and method for directing aerosolized mist to a specific area of the respiratory tract
First Claim
1. A method for delivering a volume of aerosol to a target area of a lung, comprising:
- (a) drawing particle free air through a channel;
(b) measuring a volume of particle free air inhaled into the lungs of the patient;
(c) continuing to draw air wherein the air is drawn over a surface of a porous membrane having pores with a diameter in the range of about 0.5 to about 4.0 microns;
(d) forcing formulation comprised of a pharmaceutically active drug and a carrier through the pores of the membrane to create a volume of aerosol;
(e) drawing a measured volume of aerosol through the channel and into the respiratory tract of the patient;
(f) preventing further flow through the channel; and
(g) repeating steps (a)-(f) using a new disposable membrane in each step (c);
wherein the membrane is flexible and the forcing is carried out with sufficient force as to protrude the flexible membrane outward in a convex configuration away from the formulation and toward the air drawn through the channel; and
further wherein the flexible membrane protrudes outward beyond a boundary layer of air flow created in the channel and the air is drawn over the protruded membrane to a channel end, via a substantially linear flow path.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methodology and devices for delivering aerosolized formulation to target areas of a patient'"'"'s respiratory tract are disclosed. The device is a hand-held, self-contained unit which is readily portable and capable of measuring a variety of parameters including the patient'"'"'s total respiratory tract capacity, inspiratory flow rate and inspiratory volume. The device is loaded with a container which includes a drug formulation in a liquid form which container includes an opening which is covered, at least in part, by a porous membrane. The pore sizes are designed so as to provide aerosolized particle sizes which are tailored in size for delivery to the specific target area of the respiratory tract. The device can allow the patient to inhale a predetermined volume of unaerosolized air followed by a predetermined volume of aerosol after which flow can be shut off completely or followed by additional aerosol free air. By precisely determining the particle size of the aerosols in combination with precisely determining the volume of aerosol and aerosol free air allowed into the respiratory tact it is possible to target a particular area of the respiratory tract and medicate that area with effective treatment of formulations. In certain circumstances it may be desirable to heat the air surrounding aerosolized particles in order to evaporate away a liquid carrier resulting in particles of a desired size range for delivery to the particular target area of the respiratory tract.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for delivering a volume of aerosol to a target area of a lung, comprising:
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(a) drawing particle free air through a channel; (b) measuring a volume of particle free air inhaled into the lungs of the patient; (c) continuing to draw air wherein the air is drawn over a surface of a porous membrane having pores with a diameter in the range of about 0.5 to about 4.0 microns; (d) forcing formulation comprised of a pharmaceutically active drug and a carrier through the pores of the membrane to create a volume of aerosol; (e) drawing a measured volume of aerosol through the channel and into the respiratory tract of the patient; (f) preventing further flow through the channel; and (g) repeating steps (a)-(f) using a new disposable membrane in each step (c); wherein the membrane is flexible and the forcing is carried out with sufficient force as to protrude the flexible membrane outward in a convex configuration away from the formulation and toward the air drawn through the channel; and further wherein the flexible membrane protrudes outward beyond a boundary layer of air flow created in the channel and the air is drawn over the protruded membrane to a channel end, via a substantially linear flow path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification