Methods and apparatus for aerosolizing a substance

• US 6,814,071 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Aerogen, Inc. (Nektar Therapeutics)
• Inventors: Klimowicz, Mike, Ivri, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US10/201,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185125A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200-4-2, 604/58-60, 604/68-72, 604/518, 604/82-92, 604/19, 604/22, 604/131-155, D24/110, 239/337-373, 239/142, 239/327, 239/328, 141/325
• US Class Current: 128/200.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/007 Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• 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 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/025 Bubble jet droplet ejection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0233 Conductive materials, e.g. antistatic coatings for spark prevention
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/707 Testing of filters for clogging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0646 Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0676 Feeding means

Abstract

A device for aerosolizing a liquid includes a chamber having a deformable wall which expands and contracts as fluid is delivered and expelled from a fluid chamber. The chamber is partially bounded by a vibrating structure having holes therein for expelling the fluid. In another aspect, the invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. A liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Claims

1. A device for aerosolizing a liquid, comprising:

a housing;

a vibrating structure having a front side, a back side and a plurality of holes extending between the front and back sides, the vibrating structure being mounted within the housing;

means for vibrating the vibrating structure;

a chamber containing a liquid and having a deformable wall movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, wherein the deformable wall is movable to the collapsed position to expel substantially all of the liquid from the chamber for delivery through the plurality of holes in the vibrating structure upon vibration with the vibrating means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the chamber contains a volume of less than 10 uL when in the collapsed condition.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the vibrating means is a piezoelectric element coupled to the vibrating structure.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the chamber contains the fluid at a fluid pressure of less than 15 psi when in the expanded position.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the chamber contains the fluid at a fluid pressure of less than 5 psi when in the expanded position.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the vibrating structure vibrates at a frequency of 120-150 kHz.

7. A method of aerosolizing a liquid, comprising the steps of:

providing a device for aerosolizing a liquid, the device having a housing, a vibrating structure, and a chamber, the vibrating structure having a plurality of holes therein extending between a front side and a back side, the chamber containing a liquid and being at least partially defined by a wall;

squeezing the chamber to collapse the wall, thereby delivering a desired quantity of fluid to the vibrating structure; and

vibrating the vibrating structure to expel substantially all of the liquid delivered from the chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the delivering step is carried out with a fluid pressure of less than 15 psi in the chamber.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

removing and replacing the wall.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the wall having a portion which generally conforms to a shape of the back side of the vibrating structure when in the collapsed position.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the wall mounted to the vibrating structure.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the vibrating step is carried out with the pressure in the chamber being less than a pressure at the front side of the vibrating structure.