Convertible fluid feed system with comformable reservoir and methods

• US 7,195,011 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis Ag)
• Original Assignee: Aerogen, Inc. (Nektar Therapeutics)
• Inventors: Briones, Victor, Klimowicz, Michael, Bitdinger, Ralf, Loeffler, Joseph P., Rapp, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell; Teena
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIXON, ANNETTE FREDRICKA
• Application Number:
  US10/882,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20040256488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.11, 128/200.13, 128/200.21, 128/200.24, 128/203.17, 128/203.26, 128/203.27, 128/204.14, 128/204.17, 128/203.16, 431/277, 222/325, 222/108, 239/317, 239/342, 239/350
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• 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: 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: Y10S 206/828 Medicinal content

Abstract

A feed system for an aerosolizer utilizes an ampoule containing a liquid and includes a housing having an ampoule region into which the ampoule is held, and a liquid receiving region that is adapted to receive liquid dispensed from the ampoule. An interface is used to couple the liquid receiving region to an aerosol generator, whereby liquid from the liquid receiving region is permitted to flow to the aerosol generator for aerosolization.

Claims

1. A feed system for an aerosolizer, the aerosolizer having a feed system comprising:

a feed system housing having a first region that is adapted to receive container that holds a liquid, and that includes a bottom end and a top end, the feed system housing having a liquid receiving region that is adapted to receive liquid dispensed from the container, wherein the liquid receiving region includes an overflow region that extends along side the first region above the bottom end of the container; and

an interface that is adapted to couple the liquid receiving region to an aerosol generator, whereby liquid from the liquid receiving region is permitted to flow to the aerosol generator for aerosolization.

2. A feed system as in claim 1, wherein the liquid receiving region includes a tapered bottom end with a drain opening to funnel liquid from the container to the aerosol generator.

3. A feed system as in claim 2, wherein the interface is adapted to produce a seal between the bottom end of the liquid receiving region and the aerosol generator.

4. A feed system as in claim 2, wherein the feed system housing includes a top portion and a bottom portion having the tapered bottom end, wherein the top portion is attachable to the bottom portion, and wherein the first region and the overflow region each comprise an elongate channel extending through the top portion.

5. A feed system as in claim 4, further comprising an o-ring seal positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion.

6. A feed system as in claim 1, farther comprising a lid coupled to the feed system housing that is adapted to secure the container within the first region.

7. A feed system as in claim 6, wherein the lid includes a slot that is adapted to receive a top tab that extends from the top end of the container.

8. An aerosolization device, comprising:

an aerosolization device housing having an interior and an exit opening;

an aerosol generator disposed within the device housing to eject an aerosolized liquid through the exit opening, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a vibratable member having a plurality of apertures and a vibratable element to vibrate the vibratable member;

a liquid feed system disposed within the device housing, the liquid feed system comprising a feed system housing having a first region that is adapted to receive a container that holds a liquid, a liquid receiving region that is adapted to receive liquid dispensed from the container, and an interface that couples the liquid receiving region to the aerosol generator, whereby liquid from the liquid receiving region is permitted to flow to the aerosol generator for aerosolization.

9. A device as in claim 8, wherein the container includes a top end and a bottom end, and the liquid receiving region includes an overflow region that extends along side the first region above the bottom end of the container.

10. A device as in claim 8, wherein the liquid receiving region includes a tapered bottom end with a drain opening to funnel liquid from the container to the aerosol generator.

11. A device as in claim 10, wherein the interface includes a seal member to produce a seal between the bottom end of the liquid receiving region and the aerosol generator.

12. A device as in claim 10, wherein the feed system housing includes a top portion and a bottom portion having the tapered bottom end, wherein the top portion is attachable to the bottom portion to permit the top portion to be removed from the device housing, and wherein the first region and the overflow region each comprise an elongate channel extending through the top portion.

13. A device as in claim 12, further comprising an o-ring seal positioned between the top portion and the bottom portion.

14. A device as in claim 8, wherein the aerosol generator includes a seal member to produce a seal between the aerosol generator and the interface.

15. A device as in claim 8, further comprising a lid coupled to the feed system housing that is adapted to secure the container within the first region.

16. A device as in claim 15, wherein the lid includes a slot that is adapted to receive a top tab that extends from the top end of the container.