Pulmonary drug delivery device

• US 6,615,825 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensormedics Corporation (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Sensormedics Corporation (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Stenzler, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US10/177,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20020157662A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.22, 128/203.12, 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/202.25, 128/202.26
• 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 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6072 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/1691 Apparatus to be carried on or by a person or with a container fixed to the discharge device
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A pulmonary drug delivery device includes a hand piece that is electrically connected to a control unit. A cartridge is engagable with the hand piece and includes a drug reservoir, a pump connected to the drug reservoir, an electrically chargeable nozzle connected to the pump, a discharge electrode, and an information storage element. The control unit controls the pump and the electrical charge of the nozzle and discharge electrode in accordance with instructions stored within the information storage element.

Claims

1. A pulmonary drug delivery device comprising:

a hand piece electrically connected to a control unit;

a cartridge engagable with the hand piece, the cartridge comprising;

a drug reservoir,

a pump connected to the drug reservoir;

an electrically chargeable nozzle connected to the pump;

a discharge electrode; and

an information storage element;

wherein the control unit controls the pump and the electrical charge of the nozzle and discharge electrode in accordance with instructions stored within the information storage element.

2. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, the control unit comprising a cartridge reader.

3. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element is programmable.

4. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element also stores drug identification information.

5. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element also stores drug delivery protocol.

6. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element also stores the minimum time between dosages.

7. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element also stores dosage information.

8. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element also stores the expiration date for the drug.

9. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element also stores a unique cartridge identifier.

10. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element comprises an RF tag.

11. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element comprises a bar code.

12. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element comprises a magnetic strip.

13. The pulmonary drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the information storage element comprises a memory chip.

14. A method of delivering a drug to a patient comprising the steps of:

providing a pulmonary drug delivery device having a hand piece electrically connected to a control unit;

providing a cartridge containing a drug in a drug reservoir, a pump connected to the reservoir, an electrically chargeable nozzle coupled to the pump, and a discharge electrode, and an information storage element;

engaging the cartridge with the hand piece;

retrieving data stored in the information storage element using the control unit, the data including instructions for pumping the drug and charging the electrically chargeable nozzle and the discharge electrode; and

delivering the drug to the patient in accordance with the data stored in the information storage element.