Method and device for delivering aerosolized medicaments

• US 6,681,767 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis Ag)
• Original Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
• Inventors: Patton, John S., Platz, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US09/561,690
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.22, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.21
• US Class Current: 128/203.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/002 by flow deviation causing inertial separation of transported particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0015 located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0066 with means for varying the dose size
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/073 Syringe, piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/16 Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows

Abstract

A device for accurately delivering aerosolized doses of a medicament disperses a measured amount of drug in a measured volume of carrier gas and transfers the resulting aerosol to a chamber prior to inhalation by a patient. The chamber is filled efficiently with the aerosol, and inhalation by the patient draws the aerosol dose into the lungs. This is followed by the inhalation of atmospheric air that will push the initial dose well into the lung interiors. The apparatus optimally includes a dose regulator, a counter, a clock, a dose memory and a signal to indicate when a dose is ready for inhalation. Optimal chamber designs are disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing aerosolized medicament, the apparatus comprising:

a reservoir adapted to contain a medicament to be aerosolized;

a source of pressurized gas capable of generating a gas stream to aerosolize the medicament;

a chamber comprising a first inlet to introduce the aerosolized medicament into the chamber, a second inlet to introduce ambient air into the chamber, and a mouthpieces, the chamber having a volume of from 100 ml to 750 ml; and

a one-way valve in communication with the second inlet to prevent air in the chamber from passing through the second inlet.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the source of pressurized gas comprises an air compressor.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the source of pressurized gas is capable of generating a gas stream to aerosolize a defined amount of medicament.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reservoir is an integral part of the apparatus.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain a powder medicament.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second inlet is downstream form the first inlet.

6. A method for producing aerosolized medicament for inhalation by a patient, the method comprising:

providing a reservoir containing medicament;

providing a gas stream to aerosolize the medicament;

passing the aerosolized medicament into a chamber through a first inlet into the chamber, the chamber having a volume of from 100 ml to 750 ml;

delivering the aerosolized medicament through a mouthpiece and receiving ambient air into the chamber through a second inlet; and

preventing air in the chamber from passing through the second inlet.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the gas stream aerosolizes a defined amount of medicament.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the medicament is a powder.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the ambient air is received downstream of the first inlet.

11. An apparatus for producing aerosolized medicament, the apparatus comprising:

a reservoir adapted to contain a medicament to be aerosolized;

a source of pressurized gas capable of generating a gas stream to aerosolize the medicament; and

a chamber comprising a first inlet to introduce the aerosolized medicament into the chamber, a second inlet to introduce ambient air into the chamber, and a mouthpiece, wherein the chamber has a volume of from 100 ml to 750 ml the chamber comprising a means for preventing loss of aerosolized medicament through the second inlet.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the source of pressurized gas comprises an air compressor.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the source of pressurized gas is capable of generating a gas stream to aerosolize a defined amount of medicament.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the reservoir is an integral part of the apparatus.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain a powder medicament.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the second inlet is downstream from the first inlet.

17. A method for producing aerosolized medicament for inhalation by a patient, the method comprising:

providing a reservoir containing medicament;

providing a gas stream to aerosolize the medicament;

passing the aerosolized medicament into a chamber through a first inlet into the chamber, the chamber having a volume of from 100 ml to 750 ml; and

delivering the aerosolized medicament through a mouthpiece and receiving ambient air into the chamber through a second inlet in a manner whereby the loss of aerosolized medicament through the second inlet is prevented.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the gas stream aerosolizes a defined amount of medicament.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the medicament is a powder.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein the ambient air is received downstream of the first inlet.