Drug delivery arrangement
First Claim
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1. A drug delivery arrangement for delivering a drug aerosol to the respiratory system of a patient, comprising:
- a) duct means having a first inlet, the first inlet being open to the atmosphere, the duct means being arranged to convey from said first inlet an airstream inhaled by the patient;
b) nebulizer means communicating with said duct means and arranged to generate a drug aerosol in said airstream, said nebulizer means having a second external inlet for connection to a compressed air supply;
c) means for generating turbulence in said airstream due to inhalation by the patient;
d) a microphone selectively responsive to said turbulence due to inhalation to generate a control signal; and
e) control means coupled to said nebulizer means and responsive to said control signal to cause said nebulizer means to generate said aerosol selectively during said inhalation phase of the breathing cycle.
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Abstract
An arrangement for delivering a drug aerosol comprises a sensor (3) which detects turbulent air flow during inhalation and causes the nebulizer (8,9,10,11,12,13) to generate the aerosol only during the inhalation phase of the breathing cycle. Airflow is diverted from the sensor during exhalation.
143 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A drug delivery arrangement for delivering a drug aerosol to the respiratory system of a patient, comprising:
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a) duct means having a first inlet, the first inlet being open to the atmosphere, the duct means being arranged to convey from said first inlet an airstream inhaled by the patient; b) nebulizer means communicating with said duct means and arranged to generate a drug aerosol in said airstream, said nebulizer means having a second external inlet for connection to a compressed air supply; c) means for generating turbulence in said airstream due to inhalation by the patient; d) a microphone selectively responsive to said turbulence due to inhalation to generate a control signal; and e) control means coupled to said nebulizer means and responsive to said control signal to cause said nebulizer means to generate said aerosol selectively during said inhalation phase of the breathing cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of delivering a drug aerosol to the respiratory system of a patient, comprising the steps of:
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a) generating turbulence in an airstream inhaled by a patient; b) selectively detecting said turbulence due to inhalation with a microphone and generating a control signal in response thereto; and c) in response to said control signal selectively generating a drug aerosol in said airstream during the inhalation phase of a patient'"'"'s breathing cycle. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification