Ventilation systems and methods employing aerosol generators

• US 7,946,291 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2004
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Ivri, Ehud, Fink, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R
• Assistant Examiner(s): OSTRUP, CLINTON T
• Application Number:
  US10/828,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20050229927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,590 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.12, 128/204.18, 128/204.23, 128/200.16, 128/200.14, 128/200.24
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece

Abstract

A pressure-assisted breathing system comprises a pressure-generating circuit for maintaining a positive pressure within the system, and a patient interface device coupled to a patient'"'"'s respiratory system. A respiratory circuit is positioned between the pressure-generating circuit and the patient interface device and a nebulizer is coupled to the respiratory circuit.

Claims

1. A method of delivering a surfactant to a patient'"'"'s respiratory system which comprises the steps of:

providing a CPAP system having a pressure-generating circuit with a first gas flow of sufficiently high volume to maintain continuous positive airway pressure in the system, a respiratory circuit connecting the pressure-generating circuit to a patient interface device, wherein the respiratory circuit contains a second gas flow of lower volume than said first gas flow, and a vibrating aperture nebulizer coupled to the respiratory circuit at a distance from the patient interface device sufficient to provide an acceptable efficiency of delivering a liquid surfactant to the patient'"'"'s respiratory system;

introducing the liquid surfactant into the nebulizer;

aerosolizing the surfactant in the nebulizer; and

entraining the aerosolized surfactant into the second gas flow of the respiratory circuit to avoid dilution of the aerosolized surfactant delivered to the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is a phospholipid.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein 6-18% of the aerosolized surfactant introduced into the system is delivered to the patient.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the nebulizer comprises a reservoir having a capacity substantially equal one unit dose of surfactant and substantially all of the contents of the reservoir is delivered to the patient.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the dose is equal to 10 mg or less of surfactant.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient interface device is selected from the group consisting of nasal prongs, an oral/nasal mask, a nasal mask, nasopharyngeal prongs, a nasopharyngeal tube, a tracheotomy tube, an endotracheal tube and a mouthpiece.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the patient interface device is an endotracheal tube.