DELIVERY OF GASES TO THE NASAL AIRWAY

• US 20100242959A1
• Filed: 07/25/2007
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OptiNose, Inc.
• Original Assignee: OptiNose AS (OptiNose, Inc.)
• Inventors: Djupesland, Per Gisle, Hafner, Roderick Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,910,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.150
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• 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 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0098 Activated by exhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/025 Bubble jet droplet ejection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0808 Condensation traps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/122 with dilution
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/142 with semi-permeable walls separating the liquid from the respiratory gas
• 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 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/003 with a flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 in the expiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0225 Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/025 : Helium
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0266 : Nitrogen (N)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0275 : Nitric oxide [NO]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 : Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 : Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 : Mouth

Abstract

A delivery device for providing therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece (21) for fitting to one nostril of the subject; a mouthpiece (23) through which the subject in use exhales and which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece (21); and a scrubber (27) which is operative at least to reduce the concentration of at least one gas from an exhaled breath of the subject as delivered through the mouthpiece (23) and provide a gas flow to the nosepiece (21) which has an increased concentration of at least one other,” therapeutic gas which provides a therapeutic effect.

Claims

1. A delivery device for providing a therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising:

a nosepiece for fitting to one nostril of the subject;

a mouthpiece through which the subject in use exhales and which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece; and

a scrubber which is operative at least to reduce the concentration of at least one gas from an exhaled breath of the subject as delivered through the mouthpiece and provide a gas flow to the nosepiece which has an increased concentration of at least one other, therapeutic gas which provides a therapeutic effect.

2. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the scrubber is operative to reduce the concentration of at least two gases from an exhaled breath of the subject.

3. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one gas comprises nitrogen.

4. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one gas comprises oxygen.

5. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one other, therapeutic gas comprises oxygen.

6. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one gas comprises carbon dioxide.

7. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one other, therapeutic gas comprises carbon dioxide.

8. The delivery device of claim 1, wherein the scrubber is operative to provide a gas flow which has a concentration of the at least one other, therapeutic gas of at least 10 vol %, optionally at least 15 vol %, optionally at least 20 vol %, optionally at least 30 vol %, optionally at least 40 vol %, and optionally at least 50 vol %.

14. The delivery device of claim 1, further comprising:

a further nosepiece for fitting to the other nostril of the subject; and

a pressure regulator which is fluidly connected to the other nosepiece, such as to provide for control of a pressure regime within the nasal airway of the subject.

9-13. -13. (canceled)

15. A delivery device for providing a therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising:

a nosepiece for fitting to one nostril of the subject; and

a therapeutic gas supply unit for supplying at least one therapeutic gas to the nosepiece, such as to provide for delivery of the at least one therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of the subject.

16. The delivery device of claim 15, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises carbon dioxide.

17. The delivery device of claim 15, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises nitric oxide.

18. The delivery device of claim 15, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises oxygen.

19. The delivery device of claim 15, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises helium.

23. The delivery device of claim 15, wherein the therapeutic gas supply unit comprises a therapeutic gas generator which is operative to generate at least one therapeutic gas.

24. The delivery device of claim 23, further comprising:

a mouthpiece through which the subject in use exhales; and

wherein the therapeutic gas generator is operative to generate at least one therapeutic gas on exhalation by the subject through the mouthpiece.

25. The delivery device of claim 23, wherein the therapeutic gas generator comprises a therapeutic gas generating agent which reacts to generate the at least one therapeutic gas.

26. The delivery device of claim 24, wherein the therapeutic gas generator comprises a therapeutic gas generating agent which is reactive to moisture in the exhalation breath of the subject.

27. The delivery device of claim 15, wherein the therapeutic gas supply unit comprises a gas supply which is actuatable to deliver at least one therapeutic gas.

28. The delivery device of claim 27, further comprising:

a mouthpiece through which the subject in use exhales; and

wherein the therapeutic gas supply unit comprises a breath-actuated release mechanism which actuates the gas supply to deliver at least one therapeutic gas in response to exhalation by the subject through the mouthpiece.

29. The delivery device of claim 15, wherein the gas supply unit provides a gas flow which has a concentration of the at least one therapeutic gas of at least 10 vol %, optionally at least 15 vol %, optionally at least 20 vol %, optionally at least 30 vol %, optionally at least 40 vol %, and optionally at least 50 vol %.

35. The delivery device of claim 15, further comprising:

a further nosepiece for fitting to the other nostril of the subject; and

a pressure regulator which is fluidly connected to the other nosepiece, such as to provide for control of a pressure regime within the nasal airway of the subject.

20. The delivery device of, further comprising:

a mouthpiece through which the subject in use exhales.

21. The delivery device of claim 20, wherein the mouthpiece is fluidly connected to the nosepiece, such that a gas flow as developed from an exhalation breath of the subject is delivered through the nosepiece.

22. The delivery device of claim 20, wherein the mouthpiece is fluidly separated from the nosepiece, such that a gas flow as developed from an exhalation breath of the subject is not delivered through the nosepiece.

30-34. -34. (canceled)

36. A delivery device for providing a substance and an uptake enhancing gas, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance, to the nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising:

a nosepiece for fitting to one nostril of the subject;

a mouthpiece through which the subject in use exhales and which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece;

a substance supply unit which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece and operative to supply substance; and

a scrubber which is operative at least to reduce the concentration of at least one gas from an exhaled breath of the subject as delivered through the mouthpiece and provide a gas flow to the nosepiece which has an increased concentration of at least one other, uptake enhancing gas which acts to increase the uptake of substance as delivered by the substance supply unit.

37-57. -57. (canceled)

58. A delivery device for providing a substance and an uptake enhancing gas, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance, to the nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising:

a nosepiece for fitting to one nostril of the subject;

a substance supply unit which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece and operative to supply substance; and

an uptake enhancing gas supply unit for supplying at least one uptake enhancing gas to the nosepiece, such as to provide for delivery of the at least one uptake enhancing gas to the nasal airway of the subject, which acts to increase the uptake of substance as delivered by the substance supply unit.

59-83. -83. (canceled)

84. A delivery device for providing a substance and an uptake enhancing gas, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance, to the nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising:

a nosepiece for fitting to one nostril of the subject; and

a delivery unit which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece and operative to supply a substance and an uptake enhancing agent, such as to provide for delivery of the substance and the uptake enhancing agent to the nasal airway of the subject, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance as delivered by the substance supply unit.

85-109. -109. (canceled)

110. A method of providing a therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of a subject, comprising the steps of:

fitting a nosepiece to one nostril of the subject; and

the subject exhaling through a mouthpiece which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece and a scrubber which at least reduces the concentration of at least one gas from the exhaled breath of the subject and provides a gas flow to the nosepiece which has an increased concentration of at least one other, therapeutic gas which provides a therapeutic effect.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein the scrubber reduces the concentration of at least two gases from the exhaled breath of the subject.

112. The method of claim 110, wherein the at least one gas comprises nitrogen.

113. The method of claim 110, wherein the at least one gas comprises oxygen.

114. The method of claim 110, wherein the at least one other, therapeutic gas comprises oxygen.

115. The method of claim 110, wherein the at least one gas comprises carbon dioxide.

116. The method of claim 110, wherein the at least one other, therapeutic gas comprises carbon dioxide.

117. The method of claim 110, wherein the scrubber provides a gas flow which has a concentration of the at least one other, therapeutic gas of at least 10 vol %, optionally at least 15 vol %, optionally at least 20 vol %, optionally at least 30 vol %, optionally at least 40 vol %, and optionally at least 50 vol %.

123. The method of claim 110, further comprising the step of:

fitting a further nosepiece to the other nostril of the subject and a pressure regulator to the other nosepiece, such as to control a pressure regime within the nasal airway of the subject.

118-122. -122. (canceled)

124. A method of providing a therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of a subject, comprising the steps of:

fitting a nosepiece to one nostril of the subject; and

supplying at least one therapeutic gas to the nosepiece, such as to provide for delivery of the at least one therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of the subject.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises carbon dioxide.

126. The method of claim 124, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises nitric oxide.

127. The method of claim 124, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises oxygen.

128. The method of claim 124, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas comprises helium.

129. The method of claim 124, further comprising the step of:

the subject exhaling through a mouthpiece.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein the mouthpiece is fluidly connected to the nosepiece, such that a gas flow as developed from the exhalation breath of the subject is delivered through the nosepiece.

131. The method of claim 129, wherein the mouthpiece is fluidly separated from the nosepiece, such that a gas flow as developed from the exhalation breath of the subject is not delivered through the nosepiece.

132. The method of claim 129, wherein the step of supplying at least one therapeutic gas comprises the step of:

generating at least one therapeutic gas on exhalation by the subject through the mouthpiece.

133. The method of claim 132, wherein the step of supplying at least one therapeutic gas comprises the step of:

generating at least one therapeutic gas from a therapeutic gas generating agent which reacts to generate the at least one therapeutic gas.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein the therapeutic gas generating agent is reactive to moisture in the exhalation breath of the subject.

135. The method of claim 124, wherein the step of supplying at least one therapeutic gas comprises the step of:

actuating a gas supply to supply at least one therapeutic gas.

136. The method of claim 135, further comprising the step of:

the subject exhaling through a mouthpiece; and

wherein the step of supplying at least one therapeutic gas comprises the step of;

actuating a gas supply to supply at least one therapeutic gas in response to exhalation by the subject through the mouthpiece.

137. The method of claim 124, wherein the at least one therapeutic gas is supplied in a gas flow at a concentration of at least 10 vol %, optionally at least 15 vol %, optionally at least 20 vol %, optionally at least 30 vol %, optionally at least 40 vol %, and optionally at least 50 vol %.

143. The method of claim 124, further comprising the step of:

fitting a further nosepiece to the other nostril of the subject and a pressure regulator to the other nosepiece, such as to control a pressure regime within the nasal airway of the subject.

138-142. -142. (canceled)

144. A method of providing a substance and an uptake enhancing gas, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance, to the nasal airway of a subject, comprising the steps of:

fitting a nosepiece to one nostril of the subject;

supplying a substance to the nosepiece; and

the subject exhaling through a mouthpiece which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece and a scrubber which at least reduces the concentration of at least one gas from the exhaled breath of the subject and provides a gas flow to the nosepiece which has an increased concentration of at least one other, uptake enhancing gas which acts to increase the uptake of substance.

145-165. -165. (canceled)

166. A method of providing a substance and an uptake enhancing gas, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance, to the nasal airway of a subject, comprising the steps of:

fitting a nosepiece to one nostril of the subject;

supplying a substance to the nosepiece, such as to provide for delivery of the substance to the nasal airway of the subject; and

supplying at least one uptake enhancing gas to the nosepiece, such as to provide for delivery of the at least one uptake enhancing gas to the nasal airway of the subject, which acts to increase the uptake of substance.

167-190. -190. (canceled)

191. A method of providing a substance and an uptake enhancing gas, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance, to the nasal airway of a subject, comprising the steps of:

fitting a nosepiece to one nostril of the subject; and

supplying a substance and an uptake enhancing agent to the nosepiece, such as to provide for delivery of the substance and the uptake enhancing agent to the nasal airway of the subject, which acts to increase the uptake of the substance.

192-216. -216. (canceled)

217. A delivery device for delivering a gas to the nasal airway of a subject, in particular a therapeutic gas or an uptake enhancing gas in combination with an active substance, either as a powder or liquid, for enhanced uptake of the active substance.

218. A method of delivering a gas to the nasal airway of a subject, in particular a therapeutic gas or an uptake enhancing gas in combination with an active substance, either as a powder or liquid, for enhanced uptake of the active substance.