Flow regulator for aerosol drug delivery and methods
First Claim
1. A method for regulating air flow, the method comprising:
- providing a flow path arrangement having a flow regulating valve and a threshold valve, wherein the threshold valve is configured to open at a first vacuum level and to close at a second vacuum level that is less than the first vacuum level;
producing a vacuum within the flow path arrangement sufficient to open the threshold valve and to permit a gas to exit the flow path arrangement at a certain flow rate; and
maintaining the vacuum above the second vacuum level for at least a certain time to maintain the threshold valve open, with the flow regulating valve regulating the flow rate to be within a certain range while the threshold valve remains open,wherein the first vacuum level is in the range from about 20 cm H2O to about 50 cm H2O, and wherein the second vacuum level is in the range from about 0 cm H2O to about 12 cm H2O.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aerosolization device comprises a housing having a mouthpiece, and a flow path arrangement in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. The flow path arrangement has a flow regulating valve and a threshold valve, where the threshold valve is configured to open at a first vacuum level and to close at a second vacuum level that is less than the first vacuum level. The housing includes a region that is adapted to hold a powder in fluid communication with the flow path arrangement so that air drawn through the mouthpiece opens the threshold valve once the first vacuum level is exceeded and remains open until the vacuum falls below the second vacuum level. The flow rate of the air drawn through the mouthpiece is regulated by the flow regulating valve to remain within a certain range while the threshold valve remains open.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for regulating air flow, the method comprising:
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providing a flow path arrangement having a flow regulating valve and a threshold valve, wherein the threshold valve is configured to open at a first vacuum level and to close at a second vacuum level that is less than the first vacuum level; producing a vacuum within the flow path arrangement sufficient to open the threshold valve and to permit a gas to exit the flow path arrangement at a certain flow rate; and maintaining the vacuum above the second vacuum level for at least a certain time to maintain the threshold valve open, with the flow regulating valve regulating the flow rate to be within a certain range while the threshold valve remains open, wherein the first vacuum level is in the range from about 20 cm H2O to about 50 cm H2O, and wherein the second vacuum level is in the range from about 0 cm H2O to about 12 cm H2O. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for aerosolizing a powder, the method comprising:
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providing a flow path arrangement having a flow regulating valve and a threshold valve, wherein the threshold valve is configured to open at a first vacuum level and to close at a second vacuum level that is less than the first vacuum level; providing an amount of powder that is in fluid communication with the flow path arrangement; inhaling to produce a vacuum within the flow path arrangement sufficient to open the threshold valve and to permit a gas to exit the flow path arrangement at a certain flow rate; and continuing to inhale to maintain the vacuum above the second vacuum level for at least a certain time to maintain the threshold valve open and to aerosolize the powder, with the flow regulating valve regulating the flow rate to be within a certain range while the threshold valve remains open, wherein the first vacuum level is in the range from about 20 cm H2O to about 50 cm H2O, and wherein the second vacuum level is in the range from about 0 cm H2O of about 12 cm H2O. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An aerosolization device, comprising:
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a housing having a mouthpiece; a flow path arrangement in fluid communication with the mouthpiece, the flow path arrangement having a flow regulating valve and a threshold valve, wherein the threshold valve is configured to open at a first vacuum level and to close at a second vacuum level that is less than the first vacuum level; and wherein the housing includes a region that is adapted to hold a powder in fluid communication with the flow path arrangement, wherein air drawn through the mouthpiece opens the threshold valve once the first vacuum level is exceeded and remains open until the vacuum falls below the second vacuum level, and the flow rate of the air drawn through the mouthpiece is regulated by the flow regulating valve to remain within a certain range while the threshold valve remains open and wherein the first vacuum level is in the range from about 20 cm H2O to about 50 cm H2O, and wherein the second vacuum level is in the range from about 0 cm H2O to about 12 cm H2O. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification