Device and method for creating aerosols for drug delivery

• US 6,595,202 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universidad de Sevilla
• Original Assignee: Universidad de Sevilla
• Inventors: Ganan-Calvo, Alfonso
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J
• Application Number:
  US10/262,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098021A1
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.21, 128/200.22, 128/203.14, 128/203.25, 128/204.24, 128/204.25
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/025 Bubble jet droplet ejection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/232 using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/30 Injector mixers mixing by creating vortex flow B01F25/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00378 Piezoelectric or ink jet dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/02 designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, or having an outlet of particular shapeB05B1/26, B05B1/28, B05B1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0475 with means for deflecting the peripheral gas flow towards the central liquid flow B05B7/0458 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/061 with several liquid outlets discharging one or several liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/065 an inner gas outlet being surrounded by an annular adjacent liquid outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/066 with an inner liquid outlet surrounded by at least one annular gas outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0884 the outlet orifices for jets constituted by a liquid or a mixture containing a liquid being aligned
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 60/14 for creating libraries
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 43/04 Injectors peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 67/10 Injectors peculiar thereto, e.g. valve less type
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 69/047 injectors with air chambers, e.g. communicating with atmosphere for aerating the nozzles F02M69/325 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 69/08 characterised by the fuel being carried by compressed air into main stream of combustion-air
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 11/106 medium and fuel meeting at the burner outlet
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1409 Handling samples, e.g. injecting samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1406 : Control of droplet point
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 : Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation

Abstract

A drug delivery device and method is disclosed which produces aerosolized particles of pharmaceutically active drug for delivery to a patient by inhalation. The device is comprised of a liquid feeding source such as a channel to which formulation is added at one end and expelled through an exit opening. The feeding channel is surrounded by a pressurized chamber into which gas is fed and out of which gas is expelled from an opening. The opening from which the gas is expelled is positioned directly in front of the flow path of liquid expelled from the feeding channel. Various parameters are adjusted so that pressurized gas surrounds liquid flowing out of the feeding channel in a manner so as to maintain a stable capillary microjet of liquid until the liquid exits the pressure chamber opening and is aerosolized. The aerosolized particles having a uniform diameter in the range of about 1 to 5 microns are inhaled into a patient'"'"'s lungs and thereafter reach the patient'"'"'s circulatory system.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a first means for providing a first fluid comprising a cylindrical channel , a first fluid entrance port and a first fluid exit port;

a second means for providing a second fluid comprising a cylindrical channel positioned concentrically around the first means, the second means comprising a second fluid entrance port and a second fluid exit port;

a pressure chamber for providing a pressurized fluid to an area surrounding the first and second fluid exit ports, the pressure chamber comprising a pressurized fluid entrance port and a pressurized fluid exit port positioned downstream of the first and second fluid exit ports; and

a third means for providing a third fluid comprising a cylindrical channel positioned concentrically around the second means, the third means comprising a third fluid entrance port and a third fluid exit port.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fluid exit port has a diameter in the range of from about 0.002 to about 2 mm, and the pressure chamber exit port has a diameter in the range of about 0.002 mm to about 2 mm.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first means cylindrical channel has a diameter in the range of from about 0.01 mm to about 0.4 mm and the pressurized fluid exit port has a diameter in the range of about 0.01 mm to about 0.25 mm.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the exit port of the first means for providing a first fluid is positioned at a point in the range of about 0.002 mm to about 2 mm from the pressurized fluid exit port.

5. The device of claim 1, having inserted therein a first fluid having a dynamic viscosity in the range of from about 10⁻

4 to about 1 kg/m/sec and further wherein the first fluid is comprised of a pharmaceutically active drug.