Aerosol delivery systems and methods
First Claim
1. A removable aerosolizing element for use in an aerosol delivery device for aerosolizing an agent, comprising:
- a body having an exterior surface and a chamber defined therein;
an inlet defined in the body for connection to a source of agent, the inlet being in fluidic communication with the chamber;
agent releasing orifices defined in the body and in communication with the chamber;
a movable element having an inner surface that defines a portion of the chamber, the movable element being capable of moving in response to an external force applied to the exterior surface, wherein the external force causes the movable element to move toward the agent releasing orifices to increase pressure in the chamber and cause agent in the chamber to be expelled through the orifices; and
projections disposed in the chamber and maintaining a minimum spacing between the moveable element and the orifices, the projections being configured to contact the inner surface of the moveable element and an opposing inner surface of the chamber defining said orifices to maintain the minimum spacing when the external force is applied to the exterior surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for aerosol delivery of agents to a patient are described herein. The present system can be used to administer various types of agents, such as a vaccine or other types of pharmaceutical substances. Certain embodiments of the present system utilize an actuator coupled to a disposable aerosolizing element that aerosolizes an agent for delivery to a patient when acted upon by the actuator. The aerosolizing element prevents the agent from contacting the actuator and other non-disposable components of the system so that little or no cleaning or maintenance is required. The present system also can include an aerosolization rate monitor that monitors the rate at which an agent is being aerosolized and provides feedback to the user to ensure that the proper dose is being administered.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A removable aerosolizing element for use in an aerosol delivery device for aerosolizing an agent, comprising:
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a body having an exterior surface and a chamber defined therein; an inlet defined in the body for connection to a source of agent, the inlet being in fluidic communication with the chamber; agent releasing orifices defined in the body and in communication with the chamber; a movable element having an inner surface that defines a portion of the chamber, the movable element being capable of moving in response to an external force applied to the exterior surface, wherein the external force causes the movable element to move toward the agent releasing orifices to increase pressure in the chamber and cause agent in the chamber to be expelled through the orifices; and projections disposed in the chamber and maintaining a minimum spacing between the moveable element and the orifices, the projections being configured to contact the inner surface of the moveable element and an opposing inner surface of the chamber defining said orifices to maintain the minimum spacing when the external force is applied to the exterior surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification