Methods and systems for operating an aerosol generator

• US 7,748,377 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Power, John, Klimowicz, Michael, Smith, Niall, Fink, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O
• Application Number:
  US11/928,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 12820012-20016, 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 nebulized fluid, generated by vibrating an aerosolization element, is introduced into a breathing circuit during a certain interval of a patient'"'"'s breathing cycle. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

Claims

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

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

introducing the nebulized fluid into a breathing circuit; and

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

wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interval is selected based on the antibiotic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a tube into which the nebulized fluid is introduced; and

coupling the tube into an existing ventilator line between a ventilator and the patient, without necessitating adjustment of the operation of the ventilator.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sensing at least one characteristic of the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle using a sensor; and

recognizing the breathing cycle interval based on information from the breathing sensor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein vibrating the aerosolization element is accomplished using a piezoelectric actuator.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 20 milliseconds or less.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 2 milliseconds or less.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle further comprises vibrating the aerosolization element continuously throughout the breathing cycle.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle further comprises vibrating the aerosolization element only during an entire inhalation phase.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle further comprises vibrating the aerosolization element only during a predetermined portion of an inhalation phase.

13. A system for providing a nebulized fluid to a spontaneously breathing or ventilated patient, the system comprising:

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

a breathing circuit into which nebulized fluid is introduced when the aerosolization element is vibrating; and

a controller that controls the vibration of the aerosolization element such that the aerosolization element vibrates during a certain interval of a breathing cycle and does not vibrate at times outside the interval;

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.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a sensor that senses the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle, the output of the sensor used to recognize the interval.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the aerosolization element is vibrated piezoelectrically.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 20 milliseconds or less.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 2 milliseconds or less.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the interval is the entire breathing cycle.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the interval is an entire inhalation phase.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the interval is a predetermined portion of an inhalation phase.

23. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, the system comprising:

a breathing circuit;

a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough, nebulized fluid being introduced into the breathing circuit when the aerosolization element is vibrating;

a controller configured to cause vibration of the vibratory aerosolization element during a selected interval of a breathing cycle and not at times outside the selected interval; and

a housing defining a reservoir containing the fluid to be nebulized.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the housing is detachable from the breathing circuit.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the interval is selected based on the antibiotic.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

29. The system of claim 23, further comprising a breathing sensor that measures the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle, the output of the breathing sensor being used to identify the selected interval.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 20 milliseconds or less.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 2 milliseconds or less.

32. The system of claim 23, wherein the selected interval is an entire breathing cycle.

33. The system of claim 23, wherein the selected interval is an entire inhalation phase.

34. The system of claim 23, wherein the selected interval is a predetermined portion of an inhalation phase.