Methods and systems for operating an aerosol generator

• US 7,331,339 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• 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): Douglas; Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/996,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20050172954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.12, 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/203.21, 128/200.19, 128/200.22, 128/200.23, 128/203.12, 128/203.14, 128/203.15
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• 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

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 system for providing nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, comprising:

a ventilator,

a breathing circuit,

a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough;

a controller configured to control vibration of the vibratory aerosolization element,

wherein the controller may be configured to vibrate the vibratory aerosolization element during a selected interval of a breathing cycle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected interval is based on a predetermined point of the breath cycle provided by the ventilator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the predetermined point is the commencement of an inhalation phase provided by the ventilator.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the interval begins at a first predetermined point in the breathing cycle and ends at a second predetermined point in the breathing cycle.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation, and wherein the interval is selected based on the antibiotic.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

5. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:

a breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal tube portion and an outlet portion;

a nebulizer positioned to provide nebulized fluid into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising;

a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough;

wherein the vibratory element may be caused to vibrate at least in part by an electrical signal in a manner so as to draw fluid into the apertures at the first face thereof and emit the fluid as a low velocity nebulized cloud from the second face, and wherein the force of the emitted cloud is small enough that substantially no aerosol is lost though the outlet portion when there is no inspiratory flow through the inlet portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein substantially no aerosol travels into the endotracheal tube portion of the Y connector when there is no inspiratory flow though the inlet portion.

23. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

24. The apparatus as in claim 23, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

25. The apparatus as in claim 24, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

7. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:

a breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal tube portion and an outlet portion;

a nebulizer positioned to provide nebulized fluid into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising;

a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough;

wherein the vibratory element may be caused to vibrate at least in part by an electrical signal in a manner so as to draw fluid into the apertures at the first face thereof and emit the fluid as a low velocity nebulized cloud from the second face, and wherein the force of the emitted cloud is small enough that substantially all of the cloud may travel no further than the inlet portion of the Y connector when there is no inspiratory flow through the inlet portion.

26. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

27. The apparatus as in claim 26, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

28. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

8. A method of providing nebulized fluid to a patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:

providing a ventilator,

providing a breathing circuit to connect the ventilator to a patient, the breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal portion and an outlet portion,

providing a nebulizer positioned to provide aerosol into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising a vibratory aerosolization element, the vibratory aerosolization element operable in part by an electronic signal;

providing an electronic signal that causes the aerosolization element to vibrate in such a manner as to deliver a cloud of mist into the inlet portion of the inlet portion during an interval in which there is substantially no inhalation flow through the inlet portion, such that the cloud remains substantially within the inlet portion;

providing an inhalation flow from the ventilator in such a manner as to sweep substantially the entire cloud of mist through the endotracheal tube portion to the patient substantially upon the commencement of the inhalation flow.

29. The method as in claim 8, wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

30. The method as in claim 29, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

31. The method as in claim 30, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

35. The method as in claim 8, wherein the mist comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

36. The method as in claim 35, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

37. The method as in claim 36, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

9. A method of providing nebulized fluid to a neonatal patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:

providing a ventilator,

providing a breathing circuit to connect the ventilator to a patient, the breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal portion and an outlet portion,

providing a nebulizer positioned to provide aerosol into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising a vibratory aerosolization element, the vibratory aerosolization element operable in part by an electronic signal;

providing an electronic signal that causes the aerosolization element to vibrate in such a manner as to deliver a cloud of mist into the inlet portion of the inlet portion during an interval in which there is substantially no inhalation flow through the inlet portion, such that the cloud remains substantially within the inlet portion;

providing an inhalation flow from the ventilator in such a manner as to sweep substantially the entire cloud of mist through the endotracheal tube portion to the patient substantially upon the commencement of the inhalation flow.

32. The method as in claim 9, wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

33. The method as in claim 32, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

34. The method as in claim 33, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

10. A system for providing aerosol into a ventilator circuit, comprising;

a ventilator capable of providing at least one cycle of inhalation air;

a ventilator circuit comprising an inhalation tube, and exhalation tube and an intubation tube, and a Y connector therebetween;

a sensor configured to monitor a point within an inhalation cycle of the ventilator;

a nebulizer comprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to calculate an inhalation profile based on the sensed point of operation of the ventilator, the microprocessor further configured to follow at least one algorithm for operating the nebulizer based on an inhalation profile,

wherein the algorithm is configured to provide a point for the commencement of aerosolization and a point for the cessation of aerosolization.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the of aerosolization and the point for cessation of aerosolization are not designed to coincide with the commencement of an inhalation phase and the cessation of an inhalation phase of an inhalation cycle provided by the nebulizer.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the point for commencement of aerosolization and the point for cessation of aerosolization are not designed to coincide with the commencement of an exhalation phase and the cessation of an exhalation phase of an inhalation cycle provided by the nebulizer.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the point for commencement of aerosolization and the point for cessation of aerosolization are chosen to maximize actual inhalation of aerosolized liquid.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the point for commencement of aerosolization is a point following the completion of a predetermined portion of the inhalation phase of the inhalation cycle.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the point for cessation of aerosolization is a point prior to a predetermined portion of the inhalation phase of the inhalation cycle has occurred.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the point for cessation of aerosolization is a point following the completion of a predetermined portion of the subsequent exhalation phase of the inhalation cycle.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the point for commencement of aerosolization is a point following the completion of a predetermined portion of the exhalation phase of the inhalation cycle.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the point for cessation of aerosolization is a point following the completion of a predetermined portion of the exhalation phase of the inhalation cycle.

19. A method for providing a nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, the method comprising:

providing a ventilator having a breathing circuit;

vibrating an aerosolization element in the presence of a fluid, wherein the aerosolization element includes a plurality of apertures that nebulize the liquid while the aerosolization element is vibrating;

introducing the nebulized liquid into the breathing circuit; and

controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle.

38. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid is an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.