Adsorbents and inhalation devices

• US 8,413,655 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2009
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micropore, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micropore, Inc.
• Inventors: McKenna, Douglas B., Dunlop, Nicholas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/482,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20090301493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.12, 128/204.13, 128/205.2, 128/205.27, 128/205.29, 128/206.16, 128/206.17, 128/206.19, 128/202.26, 128/201.27, 951/39, 95486-487
• US Class Current: 128/205.28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0013 with inhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/22 Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices ; Other means for removing carbon dioxidecartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0225 Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4533 for medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4541 for portable use, e.g. gas masks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/02 by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0415 Beds in cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

An adsorbent is described. The adsorbent may include a membrane and an adsorbent material encapsulated within the membrane. An inhalation device is also described. The inhalation device may include a housing and a membrane within the housing. The membrane may encapsulate an adsorbent material. The membrane may be positioned such that airflow through the housing passes across but not through the membrane.

Claims

1. An adsorbent cartridge suitable for adsorbing gas contaminants from a gas comprising a rolled or stacked extruded, ribbed sheet comprising a polymer and an adsorbent material selected from calcium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, molecular sieves, and activated carbon, wherein the ribs are integral to the sheet, wherein the ribs create channels for gas flow when the sheet is rolled or stacked without need of an external separator to create the channels, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.001 inches to 0.030 inches;

and wherein no other supporting fabric or material is needed to maintain structural integrity of the ribbed sheet.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.010 to 0.030 inches.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.001 to 0.010 inches.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sheet is rolled.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein levels of inhaled CO₂ (1000 ppm) are lowered by a minimum of approximately 30% for a period up to approximately 180 minutes or more, while maintaining an average breathing resistance of less than approximately 0.4 inches of water and a maximum of less than approximately 1.332 inches of water.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein levels of inhaled CO₂ (1000 ppm) are lowered by a minimum of approximately 50% for a period up to approximately 120 minutes or more, while maintaining an average breathing resistance of less than approximately 0.4 inches of water and a maximum of less than approximately 1.332 inches of water.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein levels of inhaled CO₂ (1000 ppm) are lowered by a minimum of approximately 70% for a period up to approximately 45 minutes or more, while maintaining an average breathing resistance of less than approximately 0.32 inches of water and a maximum of less than approximately 1.080 inches of water.

8. An inhalation device comprising:

a housing;

the absorbent cartridge of claim 1 within the housing;

wherein the cartridge is positioned such that airflow through the housing passes across but not through the sheet.

9. The inhalation device of claim 8, wherein the cartridge is replaceable.

10. The inhalation device of claim 8, wherein the sheet is rolled.

11. A personal adsorption device capable of being hand-held by a patient during use, the device comprising the adsorbent of claim 1.

12. A method of alleviating symptoms of anxiety attacks, the method comprising:

providing a device comprising;

a housing;

the adsorbent cartridge of claim 1 within the housing;

wherein the cartridge is positioned such that airflow through the housing passes across but not through the sheet.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sheet is rolled.

14. The inhalation device of claim 8, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.010 to 0.030 inches.

15. The inhalation device of claim 8, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.001 to 0.010 inches.

16. The personal adsorption device of claim 11, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.010 to 0.030 inches.

17. The personal adsorption device of claim 11, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.001 to 0.010 inches.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.010 to 0.030 inches.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.001 to 0.010 inches.

20. An adsorbent cartridge suitable for adsorbing gas contaminants from a gas comprising a rolled or stacked extruded, ribbed sheet comprising a polymer and an adsorbent material selected from calcium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide, wherein the ribs are integral to the sheet, wherein the ribs create channels for gas flow when the sheet is rolled or stacked without need of an external separator to create the channels, wherein the base sheet thickness is about 0.010 inches to 0.030 inches;

and wherein no other supporting fabric or material is needed to maintain structural integrity of the ribbed sheet.

21. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the adsorbent material is calcium hydroxide.