Device for aerosolizing narcotics

• US 6,098,620 A
• Filed: 10/27/1995
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aradigm Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aradigm Corporation
• Inventors: Lloyd, Lester J., Lloyd, Peter M., Schuster, Jeffrey A., Rubsamen, Reid M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US08/549,341
• Time in Patent Office: 1,747 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.22, 128/203.12, 128/204.23, 222/95, 239/102.2, 239/145
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/001 Particle size control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0048 the dosages being arranged in a plane, e.g. on diskettes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/142 with semi-permeable walls separating the liquid from the respiratory gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1405 Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]
• 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 2205/8206 battery-operated

Abstract

Devices, packaging and methodology for efficiently and repeatably creating aerosolized bursts of an analgesic (e.g., narcotic) containing formulation are disclosed. Devices are hand-held, self-contained units which are automatically actuated at the same release point in a patient'"'"'s inspiratory flow cycle. The release point is automatically determined either mechanically or, more preferably calculated by a microprocessor which receives data from a sensor making it possible to determine inspiratory flow rate and inspiratory volume. The device is loaded with a cassette comprised of an outer housing which holds a package of individual disposable collapsible containers of an analgesic containing formulation for systemic delivery. Actuation of the device forces analgesic formulation through a porous membrane of the container which membrane has pores having a diameter in the range of about 0.25 to 3.0 microns, preferably 0.25 to 1.5 microns. The porous membrane is positioned in alignment with a surface of a channel through which a patient inhales air. The flow profile of air moving through the channel is such that the flow at the surface of the channel is less than the flow rate at the center of the channel.

Claims

1. A method of managing the pain of a patient, comprising:

repeatedly administering to the patient an aerosolized formulation of a narcotic drug wherein the aerosolized formulation is repeatedly administered to the patient at substantially the same inspiratory flow rate and inspiratory volume; and

measuring the patient'"'"'s respiratory rate; and

continually adjusted the amount of drug administered to the patient based on the patient'"'"'s respiratory rate.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the narcotic drug is delivered to the patient when the patient'"'"'s inspiratory volume is in the range of about 0.1 to about 2 liters/second and the patient'"'"'s inspiratory volume is in the range of about 0.15 to about 0.8 liters.