Substance delivery apparatus

• US 6,990,977 B1
• Filed: 12/20/1999
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Calluaud, Michel, Yerbury, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US09/466,971
• Time in Patent Office: 2,234 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.12, 128/203.14, 128/203.22, 128/203.25, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/204.25, 128/205.14
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• 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 15/0066 with means for varying the dose size
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/14 by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/147 the respiratory gas not passing through the liquid container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 in the expiratory circuit

Abstract

A substance delivery apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas to a human or animal includes a sensor to measure the pressure of the supplied breathable gas and to detect inhalation by the human or animal; and a reservoir, a conduit, a pump, and a diaphragm to deliver the substance to the human or animal during inhalation at a pressure higher than the supplied pressure of the breathable gas.

Claims

1. A substance delivery apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal, the apparatus including:

means for continuously measuring the pressure of a supplied breathable gas;

means for detecting inhalation by the human or animal; and

means for delivering a substance to the human or animal during an inhalation at a pressure that exceeds the measured pressure of a supplied pressure of the breathable gas by a predetermined pressure difference.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substance is a medicinal substance.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substance is in the form of a gas, mist, aerated suspension, jet, spray, gas mixture or the like.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for delivering the substance is adapted to deliver the substance to the respiratory system of the human or animal.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for delivering the substance is adapted to deliver the substance to the nasal airways of the human or animal.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for detecting inhalation includes an airflow sensor adapted to measure a volumetric flow rate of the breathable gas passing through a flexible conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized gas flow generator and a mask adapted to be worn by the human or animal and being adapted to generate a first input signal indicative of the breathable gas flow rate.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further including an amplifier to amplify the first input signal into a second input signal also indicative of the breathable gas flow rate.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further including a differentiating filter to derive the first signal into a third input signal indicative of acceleration or deceleration of the breathable gas to thereby indicate inhalation or exhalation respectively.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the airflow sensor is adapted to be disposed downstream of a gas washout vent to atmosphere of the mask such that inhalation can be detected by sensing a reversal of the direction of the breathable gas flow through the vent.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the airflow sensor is adapted to detect inhalation by sensing an interruption of the breathable gas flow through the vent.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including means for measuring the volume of the substance to be delivered to the human or animal.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for continuously measuring the pressure is a pressure transducer adapted to be connected to a conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized gas flow generator and a mask adapted to be worn by the human or animal, said transducer being adapted to generate a fourth input signal indicative of the pressure of the breathable gas in the conduit.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, including an amplifier to amplify the fourth input signal into a fifth input signal also indicative of the breathable gas pressure.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for delivering a substance is a positive displacement pump.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the positive displacement pump is a diaphragm pump.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the diaphragm pump is in fluid communication with a substance reservoir via a one-way valve adapted to allow the substance to only pass from the reservoir to the diaphragm pump.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the diaphragm pump is adapted to be in fluid communication with the gas supply conduit via a one-way valve adapted to allow the substance to only pass from the diaphragm pump to the conduit.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the diaphragm pump is displaced by a linear drive.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the linear drive is an electromagnet.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the diaphragm of the diaphragm pump is displaced by a rotary to linear converter driven by a rotary drive.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the rotary drive is one of an electric DC motor, an electric AC motor, a stepper motor and a brushless motor.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, further including a first control system having input means for allowing the input of a predetermined sixth input signal indicative of the volume of the substance to be delivered and a predetermined seventh input signal indicative of the pressure difference by which the pressure of the delivered substance should exceed the pressure of the supplied breathable gas, said first control system being adapted to receive the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh input signals and calculate and generate a first output signal indicative of the amount of displacement of the linear drive or the rotary drive and a second output signal indicative of the direction of the displacement required to produce a negative or positive jumping pressure.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein a negative pumping pressure draws the substance from the substance reservoir into the pump and a positive pumping pressure expels the substance from the pump to a flexible conduit and so to a mask in fluid communication with the conduit and adapted to be worn by the human or animal.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the first and second output signals are sent to a second control system adapted to convert them into third and fourth output signals indicative of the linear drive or the rotary drive displacement and direction respectively, the third and fourth output signals being compatible with the linear drive or the rotary drive.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the input and output signals can be analog and/or digital.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including means for storing the substance, wherein the means for detecting inhalation also is for detecting exhalation by the human or animal, wherein the means for storing the substance provides the substance to the means for delivering the substance during exhalation of the human or animal, and wherein the substance is delivered from the means for delivering the substance to the human or animal during inhalation of the human or animal.

27. A method of delivering a substance to a human or animal being supplied with breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure, the method including:

continuously measuring the pressure of a supplied breathable gas;

detecting inhalation by the human or animal; and

delivering a substance to the human or animal during an inhalation at a pressure that exceeds the pressure of a supplied pressure of the breathable gas by a predetermined pressure difference.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the substance is a medicinal substance.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the substance is in the form of a gas, mist, aerated suspension, jet, spray, gas mixture or the like.

30. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the substance is delivered to the respiratory system of the human or animal.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the substance is delivered to the nasal airways of the human or animal.

32. A method as claimed in claim 27, including measuring the volumetric flow rate of the breathable gas with an airflow sensor and generating a first input signal indicative of the breathable gas flow rate.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, including amplifying the first signal into a second signal also indicative of the breathable gas flow rate.

34. A method as claimed in claim 32, including differentiating the first signal into a third signal indicative of breathable gas acceleration or deceleration to indicate inhalation or exhalation respectively.

35. A method as claimed in claim 27, including measuring the volume of the substance to be delivered to the human or animal.

36. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the breathable gas pressure is measured with a pressure transducer adapted to generate a fourth input signal indicative of the breathable gas pressure.

37. A method as claimed in claim 36, including amplifying the fourth input signal into a fifth input signal also indicative of the breathable gas pressure.

38. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the substance is delivered to the human or animal using a positive displacement pump.

39. A method as claimed in claim 38, wherein the positive displacement pump is a discharge pump.

40. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the diaphragm pump is in fluid communication with a substance reservoir via a one-way valve adapted to allow the substance to only pass from the reservoir to the diaphragm pump.

41. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the diaphragm pump is adapted to be in fluid communication with the gas supply conduit via a one-way valve adapted to allow the substance to only pass from the diaphragm pump to the conduit.

42. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the diaphragm pump is displaced by a linear drive means.

43. A method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the linear drive is an electromagnet.

44. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the diaphragm pump is displaced by a rotary to linear converter driven by a rotary drive.

45. A method as claimed in claim 44, wherein the rotary drive means is at least one of an electric DC motor, an electric AC motor, a stepper motor and a brushless motor.

46. A method as claimed in claim 42, further including inputting the second, third, fourth, fifth input signals and a predetermined sixth input signal indicative of the volume of the substance to be delivered and a predetermined seventh input signal indicative of the pressure difference by which the pressure of the delivered substance should exceed the pressure of the breathable gas into a first control means and the first control system adapted to generate a first output signal indicative of the amount of displacement of the drive means and a second output signal indicative of the direction of the displacement required to produce negative or positive pumping pressure.

48. A method as claimed in claim 27, further including storing the substance, detecting exhalation by the human or animal, retrieving the substance from storage during exhalation of the human or animal, and delivering the substance to the human or animal during inhalation of the human or animal.

47. A method as claimed in claim 47, further including inputting the first and second output signals into a second control system and the second control system converting them into third and fourth output signals indicative of drive means displacement length and direction respectively, the third and fourth output signals being compatible with the linear or rotary drive means.

50. A substance delivery apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal, the apparatus including:

a pressure transducer to continuously measure pressure of a supplied breathable gas;

an airflow sensor to detect inhalation by the human or animal; and

a positive displacement pump to deliver a substance to the human or animal during the inhalation at a pressure that exceeds the measured pressure of the supplied breathable gas by a predetermined pressure difference.

51. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the substance is a medicinal substance.

52. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the substance is in the form of a gas, mist, aerated suspension, jet, spray, gas mixture or the like.

53. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the substance is delivered to the respiratory system of the human or animal.

54. An apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the substance is delivered to the nasal airways of the human or animal.

55. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the airflow sensor to detect inhalation further measures a volumetric flow rate of the breathable gas passing through a flexible conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized gas flow generator and a mask adapted to be worn by the human or animal, and generates a first input signal indicative of the breathable gas flow rate.

56. An apparatus as claimed in claim 55, further including an amplifier adapted to amplify the first input signal into a second input signal also indicative of the breathable gas flow rate.

57. An apparatus as claimed in claim 55, further including a differentiating filter adapted to derive the first signal into a third input signal indicative of acceleration or deceleration of the breathable gas to thereby indicate inhalation or exhalation respectively.

58. An apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the airflow sensor is disposed downstream of a gas washout vent to atmosphere of the mask such that inhalation can be detected by sensing a reversal of the direction of the breathable gas flow through the vent.

59. An apparatus as claimed in claim 58, wherein inhalation is detected by sensing an interruption of the breathable gas flow through the vent.

60. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, further including signals indicative of the volume of the substance to be delivered to the human or animal.

61. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the pressure transducer is connected to a conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized gas flow generator and a mask adapted to be worn by the human or animal of the system for supplying breathable gas, said transducer being adapted to generate a fourth input signal indicative of the pressure of the breathable gas in the conduit.

62. An apparatus as claimed in claim 61, including an amplifier to amplify the fourth input signal into a fifth input signal also indicative of the breathable gas pressure.

63. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the positive displacement pump is a diaphragm pump.

64. An apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein the diaphragm pump is in fluid communication with a substance reservoir via a one-way valve adapted to allow the substance to only pass from the reservoir to the diaphragm pump.

65. An apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein the diaphragm pump is adapted to be in fluid communication with the gas supply conduit via a one-way valve adapted to allow the substance to only pass from the diaphragm pump to the conduit.

66. An apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein the diaphragm pump is displaced by a linear drive.

67. An apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein the linear drive is an electromagnet.

68. An apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein the diaphragm of the diaphragm pump is displaced by a rotary to linear converter driven by a rotary drive.

69. An apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein the rotary drive is one of an electric DC motor, an electric AC motor, a stepper motor and a brushless motor.

70. An apparatus as claimed in claim 66, further including a first control system adapted to allow the input of a predetermined sixth input signal indicative of the volume of the substance to be delivered and a predetermined seventh input signal indicative of the pressure difference by which the pressure of the delivered substance should exceed the pressure of the supplied breathable gas, said first control system being adapted to receive the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh input signals and calculate and generate a first output signal indicative of the amount of displacement of the linear drive or the rotary drive and a second output signal indicative of the direction of the displacement required to produce a negative or positive pumping pressure.

71. An apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein a negative pumping pressure draws the substance from the substance reservoir into the pump and a positive pumping pressure expels the substance from the pump to a flexible conduit and so to a mask in fluid communication with the conduit and adapted to be worn by the human or animal.

72. An apparatus as claimed in claim 71, wherein the first and second output signals are sent to a second control system adapted to convert them into third and fourth output signals indicative of the linear drive or the rotary drive displacement and direction respectively, the third and fourth output signals being compatible with the linear drive or the rotary drive.

73. An apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein the input and output signals can be analog and/or digital.

74. An apparatus as claimed in claim 50, further including a substance reservoir to store the substance, wherein the airflow sensor is also configured to detect exhalation by the human or animal, wherein the substance reservoir is configured to provide the substance to the positive displacement pump during exhalation of the human or animal, and wherein the substance is delivered from the positive displacement pump to the human or animal during inhalation of the human or animal.

75. A substance delivery system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal, the system including:

a pressurized gas flow generator in fluid communication with a mask adapted to be worn by the human or animal via a flexible conduit;

a pressure transducer adapted to continuously measure the pressure of a supplied breathable gas;

an airflow sensor adapted to detect inhalation by the human or animal; and

a positive displacement pump adapted to deliver a substance to the human or animal during the inhalation at a pressure that exceeds the measured pressure to the supplied breathable gas by a predetermined pressure difference.

49. A system as claimed in claim 75, further including a substance reservoir to store the substance, wherein the airflow sensor is also configured to detect exhalation by the human or animal, wherein the substance reservoir is configured to provide the substance to the positive displacement pump during exhalation of the human or animal, and wherein the substance is delivered from the positive displacement pump to the human or animal during inhalation of the human or animal.

76. A system as claimed in claim 75, further including a substance reservoir to store the substance, wherein the airflow sensor is also configured to detect exhalation by the human or animal, wherein the substance reservoir is configured to provide the substance to the positive displacement pump during exhalation of the human or animal, and wherein the substance is delivered from the positive displacement pump to the human or animal during inhalation of the human or animal.