Methods and systems for operating an aerosol generator

• US 6,968,840 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis Ag)
• Original Assignee: Aerogen, Inc. (Nektar Therapeutics)
• Inventors: Power, John, Smith, Niall, Fink, James B., Klimowicz, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ragonese, Andrea M.
• Application Number:
  US10/345,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20030140921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.12, 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.19, 128/200.21, 128/200.22, 128/200.23, 128/203.12, 128/203.14, 128/203.15, 128/203.21
• US Class Current: 128/203.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/065 Rigid ampoules, e.g. glass ampoules
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0031 by bursting or breaking the package, i.e. without cutting or piercing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0033 Details of the piercing or cutting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6072 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 : Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment
• 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: B65D 1/095 : made of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/00 : Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators see also B65D5/4212, B65D33/004

Abstract

A nebule comprising at least one identification marker or label can be coupled an aerosol generator. The identification marker can be sensed by a sensing device on the aerosol generator so as to identify the liquid in the nebule to the controller of the aerosol generator. The controller of the aerosol generator can control the aerosol generator based on the information read from the identification marker.

Claims

1. A method of creating an aerosol, the method comprising:

providing an aerosol generator that comprises a vibratory element that is configured to vibrate an aerosolization element having a plurality of apertures;

coupling a nebule to an interface of the aerosol generator;

reading an identification marker on the nebule; and

operating the aerosol generator by vibrating the vibratory element according to an operation program based on the information read from the identification marker on the nebule.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein operating comprises selecting the operating program from a plurality of stored operation programs.

3. A method as in claim 1 comprising informing a user of the type of liquid based on the information read from the identification marker.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein information comprises displaying the type of liquid on an output display.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the identification marker comprises a bar code, wherein reading comprises reading the bar code with a bar code reader.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein the identification marker comprises a protrusion, wherein reading comprises sensing the protrusions with an optical sensor.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein the identification marker comprises a protrusion, wherein reading comprises contacting a sensor against the protrusion.

8. A method as in claim 1 wherein coupling comprises opening a sealing membrane with the nebule.

9. A method as in claim 1 wherein coupling comprises engaging at least one helical thread of the nebule with a threaded feature of the interface.

10. A method as in claim 9 wherein the identification markers are disposed in a helical configuration that follows a pitch of the helical thread(s).

11. A method of creating an aerosol, the method comprising:

providing an aerosol generator that comprises an aerosolization element and a vibratory element, the aerosolization element comprising a first face, a second face, and a plurality of apertures therethrough;

wherein the vibratory element is in mechanical communication with the aerosolization element such that vibration of the vibratory element may cause the aerosolization element to vibrate;

providing an interface to receive a nebule in such a manner that fluid from the nebule may be deposited on the first face of the aerosolization element;

coupling a nebule to the interface of the aerosol generator;

reading an identification marker on the nebule; and

vibrating the aerosolization element generator according to an operation program based on the information read from the identification marker on the nebule.

12. A method as in claim 11 wherein operating comprises selecting the operating program from a plurality of stored operation programs.

13. A method as in claim 11 comprising informing a user of the type of liquid based on the information read from the identification marker.

14. A method as in claim 11 wherein information comprises displaying the type of liquid on an output display.

15. A method as in claim 11 wherein the identification marker comprises a bar code, wherein reading comprises reading the bar code with a bar code reader.

16. A method as in claim 11 wherein the identification marker comprises a protrusion, wherein reading comprises sensing the protrusions with an optical sensor.

17. A method as in claim 11 wherein the identification marker comprises a protrusion, wherein reading comprises contacting a sensor against the protrusion.

18. A method as in claim 11 wherein coupling comprises opening a sealing membrane with the nebule.

19. A method as in claim 11 wherein coupling comprises engaging at least one helical thread of the nebule with a threaded feature of the interface.

20. A method as in claim 19 wherein the identification markers are disposed in a helical configuration that follows a pitch of the helical thread(s).