Patent Application
20150114504
1. Field of the Invention
One or more embodiments of the present invention relates to valves, devices, fittings, systems, components and adapters for introducing aerosols into a patient in need of such introduction, and more particularly to valves, devices, fittings systems, components and adapters for ventilator circuits, for nebulizers, and for introducing aerosols ventilator circuits and/or into a patient in need of such introduction. The present invention also relates to methods for endobronchial therapy, particularly to methods for endobronchial therapy incorporating or employing valves, devices, fittings, systems, components and adapters for administering aerosols, such as in ventilator circuits.
2. Background Art
The need for effective therapeutic treatment of patients has resulted in the development of a variety of pharmaceutical formulation delivery techniques. One traditional technique involves the oral delivery of a pharmaceutical formulation in the form of a pill, capsule, elixir, of the like. However, oral delivery can in some cases be undesirable. For example, many pharmaceutical formulations may be degraded in the digestive tract before the body can effectively absorb them. Inhaleable drug delivery, also known as pulmonary delivery, where a patient orally or nasally inhales an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to deliver the formulation to the patient's respiratory tract may also be effective and/or desirable. In some inhalation techniques, an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation provides local therapeutic treatment and/or prophylaxis to a portion of the respiratory tract, such as the lungs, to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema and/or to treat local lung infections, such as fungal infections and cystic fibrosis. In other inhalation techniques, a pharmaceutical formulation is delivered deep within a patient's lungs where it may be absorbed into the bloodstream for systemic delivery of the formulation throughout the body. Many types of aerosolization devices exist including devices comprising a pharmaceutical formulation stored in or with a propellant, devices that aerosolize a dry powder, devices which use a compressed gas or other mechanism to aerosolize a liquid pharmaceutical formulation, and similar devices.
One known aerosolization device is commonly referred to as a nebulizer. A nebulizer comprises a container having a reservoir that contains a fluid, liquid, or liquefiable formulation. If liquid, the pharmaceutical formulation generally comprises an active agent that is either in solution or suspended or dispersed within a liquid medium. Energy is introduced into the reservoir to aerosolize the liquid pharmaceutical formulation to allow delivery to the lungs of a patient. In one type of nebulizer, generally referred to as a jet nebulizer, compressed gas is forced through an orifice in the container. The compressed gas forces liquid to be withdrawn through a nozzle, and the withdrawn liquid mixes with the flowing gas to form aerosol droplets. A cloud of droplets is then administered to the patient's respiratory tract. In another type of nebulizer, generally referred to as a vibrating mesh nebulizer, energy such as high frequency ultrasonic waves are generated to vibrate a mesh. This vibration of the mesh aerosolizes the liquid pharmaceutical formulation to create an aerosol cloud that is administered to the patient's lungs. In still another type of nebulizer, ultrasonic waves are generated to directly vibrate and aerosolize the pharmaceutical formulation.
The valves, devices, fittings, systems, components and adapters for introducing aerosols into a patient in need of such introduction may also be suitably used with dry-powder administration devices, such as passive dry powder inhalers and active dry powder inhalers. A passive dry powder inhaler comprises an inhalation device which relies upon a patient's inspiratory effort to disperse and aerosolize a pharmaceutical composition contained within the device in a reservoir or in a unit dose form and does not include inhaler devices which comprise a means for providing energy, such as pressurized gas and vibrating or rotating elements, to disperse and aerosolize the drug composition. An active dry powder inhaler comprises to an inhalation device that does not rely solely on a patient's inspiratory effort to disperse and aerosolize a pharmaceutical composition contained within the device in a reservoir or in a unit dose form and does include inhaler devices that comprise a means for providing energy to disperse and aerosolize the drug composition, such as pressurized gas and vibrating or rotating elements.
Nebulizers are often used to deliver (1) an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to a hospitalized or non-ambulatory patient; and/or (2) large doses of aerosolized active agent; and/or (3) an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to a child or other patient unable to receive a dry powder or propellant based pharmaceutical formulation.
Nebulizers are useful for delivering an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to the respiratory tract of a patient who is breathing under the assistance of a ventilator. But there are problems associated with the introduction of aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation into ventilator circuits. For example, by introducing the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation into the inspiratory line of the ventilator, significant residence volume exists between the point of introduction and the patient's lungs. Accordingly, large amounts of aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation are needed and much of the formulation is lost to the exhalation line. This problem is exacerbated when the nebulizer is used in conjunction with ventilators having continual bias flows. In addition, the large residence volume in the ventilator line may dilute the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation to an extent where the amount delivered to the patient is difficult to reproduce consistently. Difficulty in reproducing consistent dose is further exacerbated by patient-to-patient variation in ventilator parameters, such as tidal volume, flow rates, etc.
In typical vibrating mesh nebulizers, the mesh is constructed to be part of an integral vibrating mesh assembly, and the liquid to be aerosolized is introduced by simply pouring the liquid into a chamber. The chamber may be arranged to bring by gravity the liquid into contact with the integral mesh. In some cases, a wick is used to bring the liquid into contact with the mesh.
For instance, vibrating mesh nebulizers may be mounted on a T-piece in a ventilator circuit between an inspiratory line and a Y-piece. To administer liquid drug formulation, a cap is opened. Liquid drug formulation is poured into a drug holding chamber where the liquid comes into contact with a vibrating mesh element. Proper electronic signal which may be a sinusoidal, square or other waveform of specified amplitude and frequency, is delivered via cable connected to cable receptacle to provide electronic signal to vibrating mesh element in order to deliver liquid drug formulation in the form of aerosol into the T-piece and ventilator circuit to the patient.
Typical vibrating mesh nebulizers are subject to repeated use for nebulizing a variety of liquid drug formulations. The mesh therefore comes in contact with these liquid drug formulations, sometimes in concentrated form as the liquid drug formulations may evaporate the solvent carrier. Repeated use can result in further concentration of liquid drug formulations such that the mesh is subject to corrosion. Furthermore, use of multiple liquid drug formulations administered sequentially may result in inadvertent and potentially dangerous cross-contamination of the different liquid drug formulations. For safety, cleaning of vibrating mesh nebulizers is important after each dose to help guard against corrosion and cross-contamination, putting this safety issue into the hands of the healthcare worker administering the liquid drug formulations and requiring that the mesh and related vibrating mesh hardware be designed and manufactured to resist corrosion and other long-term damaging effects of repeated exposure to liquid drug formulations.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,274, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a non-rebreathing valve assembly and compression bulb resuscitator using the same. One-way valve means is provided for closing holes or openings and consists of an annular resilient member formed of a suitable material such as rubber. The resilient member has its inner margin seated in an annular recess provided in a part. The outer annular margin of the resilient member is free so that it can act as a one-way flapper valve for normally occluding the holes or openings and so that gases can only pass in one way through the openings.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,343, which is incorporated herein by inference in its entirety, discloses a metered dose inhaler for inhalation of asthmatic medication. The metered dose inhaler includes an air chamber. The bottom of the air chamber is open as a part of the molding process, and is closed by an elastomeric diaphragm having s pair of diametrical slits therein at right angles to one another. A single slit would suffice, but there is improved flexibility with two slits. A spider underlies the diaphragm, comprising an outer circular flange and at least two diametrical ribs arranged to underlie the slits.
U.S. Published Application No. 2003/0039746, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a ventilator circuit for use in administering medication to a patient. The ventilator circuit includes a chamber housing defining an interior space and having an input end, an output end, and a one-way inhalation valve positioned upstream of the interior space. The one-way inhalation valve is operative to permit a flow of medication into the interior space of the chamber housing. An inhalation conduit communicates with the output end of the chamber and is adapted to transmit the medication to the patient. An exhaust conduit is connected to the inhalation conduit and a one-way exhaust valve is located in the exhaust conduit. The one-way exhaust valve is adapted to prevent a backflow of gas from the exhaust conduit into the inhalation conduit.
U.S. Published Application Nos. 2004/0011358, 2004/0035413, 2005/0211253, 2005/0211245, and 2005/0325978, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, disclose methods, devices, and formulations for targeted endobronchial therapy. Aerosolized antibiotics are delivered into a ventilator circuit. The aerosol generator, e.g., nebulizer, may be placed to the lower part of a Y-piece.
U.S. Published Application Nos. 2005/0139211 and 2005/0217666 each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, disclose devices, systems and methods applicable to endobronchial therapy.
There remains, however, a need for improved valves, devices, adapters, systems and components. For instance, there remains a need for valves that do not interfere with the patient to ventilator interface. Further, there remains a need for improved nebulizers. There also remains a need for more effective adapters for introducing aerosols into ventilator circuits. Accordingly, there also remains a need for improved methods of treatment and/or prevention that use such valves and/or adapters.
One or more embodiments of the present invention satisfies one or more of these needs. The various embodiments of the invention provide various novel valves, devices, adapters, systems and components for use with apparatus to introduce aerosols, such as ventilator circuits and/or nebulizers. The present invention also provides methods of treatment and/or prevention that utilize such valves, devices, adapters, systems, components, nebulizers, and/or ventilator circuits. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description of invention that follows, and will be apparent, in part, from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention.
In one aspect the present invention is directed to a valve. In one or more embodiments, the valve includes a support comprising at least one aperture. In other embodiments, the valve includes a support comprising a plurality of apertures. The support comprises a center and an outer edge. The valve also includes, in one or more embodiments, at least one flap, and in other embodiments, a plurality of flaps comprising a flap for each aperture. Each flap has an end connected proximal to the center of the support. Each flap is capable of moving between a closed position and an opened position.
Another aspect of the invention is also directed to a valve. In one or more embodiments, the valve includes a support comprising an aperture. The valve also includes at least one flap connected to the support. The valve further includes at least one protrusion on at least one member selected from the support and the flap, wherein the at least one protrusion on at least one member selected from the support and the flap has a surface that contacts the other of the support and the flap when the flap is in a closed position.
Still another aspect of the invention is directed to yet another valve. In one or more embodiments, the valve includes a support comprising an aperture. The valve also includes at least one flap connected to the support, the flap having a surface contacting the support when the flap is in a closed position. And the valve includes at least one channel in at least one member selected from the support and the flap. The at least one channel allows fluid flow through the valve when the flap is in the closed position.
Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to an adapter. In one or more embodiments, the adapter includes a housing forming a first channel and a second channel. The housing has a first end and a second end. The first channel comprises a first valve means, such as a one-way valve to allow flow in a first direction and impair flow in a second direction. The second channel comprises a second valve means, such as a one-way valve to allow flow in a third direction and impair flow in a fourth direction. The adapter also includes at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port in the first channel positioned downstream, relative to the first direction, of the one-way valve. An air pressure drop between the first end and the second end of the adapter is less than about 50 cm H2O at an air flow rate of 60 L/min, and may be less than about 40 or 30 or 20 or 10 cm H2O, at an air flow rate of 60 L/min.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to another adapter. In one or more embodiments, the adapter includes a housing forming a first channel and a second channel. The housing has a first end and a second end. The first channel comprises a first valve means, such as a one-way valve to allow flow in a first direction and impair flow in a second direction. The second channel comprises a second valve means, such as a one-way valve to allow flow in a third direction and impair flow in a fourth direction. The adapter also includes at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port in the first channel positioned downstream, relative to the first direction of the one-way valve. The adapter further includes a fluid accumulator in the second channel positioned upstream, relative to the third direction, of the second valve means, such as one-way valve.
Still another aspect of the invention is directed to another adapter. In one or more embodiments, the adapter comprises a housing forming a first channel and a second channel. The housing has a first end and a second end. The first channel comprises a first valve means, such as a one-way valve to allow flow in a first direction and impair flow in a second direction. The second channel comprises a second valve means, such as a one-way valve to allow flow in a third direction and impair flow in a fourth direction. The adapter also includes at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port in the first channel positioned downstream, relative to the first direction, of the one-way valve. The adapter optionally includes a sensor probe port, such as a temperature probe port, in the first channel positioned upstream, relative to the first direction, of the at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port.
Yet another aspect of the invention comprises a ventilator circuit. In one or more embodiments, the ventilator circuit comprises a ventilator, an exhalation line connected to the ventilator, and an inhalation line connected to the ventilator. The ventilator circuit also may include an adapter connected to the exhalation line and the inhalation line, the adapter comprising at least one of a nebulizer and a nebulizer port. A Y-piece is connected to the adapter. A tube selected from an endotracheal tube and a tracheostomy tube is connected to the Y-piece.
In other embodiments, a ventilator circuit comprises a ventilator, an exhalation line connected to the ventilator, and an inhalation line connected to the ventilator. The ventilator circuit may include an adapter connected to the exhalation line and the inhalation line, the adapter comprising at least one of a nebulizer and a nebulizer port. The expiration and inspiration lines may be arranged to be coaxial, or to be co-joined, such as a single divided line. In these embodiments, the Y-piece may be omitted, and the expiration and inspiration lines connected directly (or via a reducer, or adapter) to an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube.
In other embodiments, the ventilator circuit comprises a ventilator, an exhalation line connected to the ventilator, an inhalation line connected to the ventilator, an adapter connected to the exhalation line and the inhalation line, the adapter comprising at least one of a nebulizer and a nebulizer port, and may further include a heat moisture exchanger (HME), such as an HME incorporated into an adapter.
In other embodiments, the ventilator is omitted and an off vent device is provided, comprising nebulizer, inhalation valve, exhalation valve and/or filter and, optionally, a holding chamber or reservoir. One or more off vent embodiments may be utilized with or without positive pressure assistance.
The present invention is further described in the description of invention that follows, in reference to the noted plurality of non-limiting drawings, wherein:
Unless otherwise stated, a reference to a compound or component includes the compound or component by itself, as well as in combination with other compounds or components, such as mixtures of compounds.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
Medicament, “active agent” or pharmaceutical may be used interchangeably, and individually or collectively comprise any drug, solution, compound or composition which induces a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect, when administered appropriately to the target organism (human or animal).
Reference herein to “one embodiment”, “one version” or “one aspect” shall include one or more such embodiments, versions or aspects, unless otherwise clear from the context.
Before further discussion, a definition of the following terms will aid in the understanding of the present invention.
“Creep” (or “delayed deformation”) is deformation that is time-dependent and is exhibited by a material subjected to a sustained load. Creep stay be measured by tensioning a test sample with a fixed load and periodically recording the elongation. Creep resistance, in this document, is measured by subjecting a sample at 23° C. to a 800 psi load for 1000 hours.
As an overview, the present invention comprises valves, adapters, systems, components and ventilator circuits. It is emphasized that each component may be used independently of the combinations and/or assemblies described herein. Thus the valves are not limited to use with the adapters and ventilator circuits of the invention. Similarly, the adapters of the present invention are not limited to use with the valves and ventilator circuits if the present invention. Moreover, the ventilator circuits of the present invention are not limited to use with the valves and adapters of the present invention.
One or more embodiments of the valves, adaptors, systems and circuits are configurable to administer aerosolized medicament to a patient both on-ventilator and off-ventilator. On-ventilator treatment methods comprise administering the nebulized aerosol through a ventilator circuit to the patient. Aerosol doses, containing an effective dose, such as about 1 to about 500 mg of a medicament, may be delivered through the ventilator circuit in a phasic or non-phasic manner. Off-ventilator treatment methods comprise taking the patient off the ventilator before administering the nebulized aerosol. Once the treatment session is completed the patient may be put back on the ventilator, or may breathe on his or her own without assistance. Off-Vent devices often are self-contained, for freely-breathing patients, and may comprise an aerosol generator (e.g. a nebulizer) and a mask, cannula, lipseal or mouthpiece to administer an aerosolized liquid or powder formulation, such as a medicament. Administration may be continuous, phasic (such as during inspiration), and/or intermittent (such as timed). Devices, especially off-vent devices, used to administer the aerosol formulations, such as medicaments, may comprise a reservoir or holding chamber to permit or allow continuous flow of aerosol. The valves, devices, adapters, systems and components may be used with positive pressure-type apparatus, or not.
On or more embodiments of the invention provide treatments for a variety of ailments using a variety of aerosolizable medicaments. The ailments may comprise pulmonary ailments such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, mycobacterial infection, bronchitis, staph inflection, Staph infections including MRSA, fungal infections, viral infections, protozal infections, and acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, among others. The aerosolizable medicaments used to treat the ailments may include antibiotics, anti-oxidants, bronchodialators, corticosteroids, leukotrienes, protease inhibitors, and surfactants, among other medicaments.
In one or more embodiments of the valve, the valve includes a support comprising a plurality of apertures. The support comprises a center and an outer edge. The valve also includes a plurality of flaps comprising a flap for each aperture. Each flap has an end connected proximal to the center of the support. Each flap is capable of moving between a closed position and an opened position.
In other embodiments of the valve, the valve includes a support comprising an aperture. The valve also includes a flap connected to the support. The valve further includes at least one protrusion on at least one member selected from the support and the flap, wherein the at least one protrusion on at least one member selected from the support and the flap has a surface that contacts the other of the support and the flap when the flap is in a closed position.
In still other embodiments, the valve includes a support comprising an aperture. The valve also includes a flap connected to the support, the flap having a surface contacting the support when the flap is in a closed position. And the valve includes at least one channel in at least one member selected from the support and the flap. The at least one channel allows fluid flow through the valve when the flap is in the closed position.
In other embodiments of the adapter, the adapter includes a housing forming a first channel and a second channel. The housing has a first end and a second end. The first channel comprises a first one-way valve to allow flow in a first direction and impair flow in a second direction. The second channel comprises a second one-way valve to allow flow in a third direction and impair flow in a fourth direction. The adapter also includes at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port in the first channel positioned downstream, relative to the first direction, of the one-way valve. An air pressure drop between the first end and the second end of the adapter is less than about 50 cm H2O at an air flow rate of about 60 L/min, and may be less than about 40 cm H2O, 30 cm H2O, 20 cm H2O, 10 cm H2O or less, at an air flow rate of about 60 L/min.
In other embodiments of the adapter, the adapter includes a housing forming a first channel and a second channel. The housing has a first end and a second end. The first channel comprises a first one-way valve to allow flow in a first direction and impair flow in a second direction. The second channel comprises a second one-way valve to allow flow in a third direction and impair flow in a fourth direction. The adapter also includes at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port in the first channel positioned downstream, relative to the first direction, of the one-way valve. The adapter further includes a fluid accumulator in the second channel positioned upstream, relative to the third direction, of the second one-way valve.
In yet other embodiments of the adapter, the adapter includes a housing forming a first channel and a second channel. The housing has a first end and a second end. The first channel comprises a first one-way valve to allow flow in a first direction and impair flow in a second direction. The second channel comprises a second one-way valve to allow flow in a third direction and impair flow in a fourth direction. The adapter also includes at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port in the first channel positioned downstream, relative to the first direction, of the one-way valve. And the adapter may include a sensor probe port, such as a temperature probe port in the first channel positioned upstream, relative to the first direction, of the at least one of an aerosolization device and an aerosolization device port.
In one or more embodiments of the ventilator circuits the ventilator circuit comprises a ventilator, an exhalation line connected to the ventilator, and an inhalation line connected to the ventilator. The ventilator circuit also includes an adapter connected to the exhalation line and the inhalation line, the adapter comprising at least one of a nebulizer and a nebulizer port. A Y-piece is connected to the adapter. A tube selected from an endotracheal tube and a tracheostomy tube is connected to the Y-piece.
In other embodiments of a ventilator circuit, the circuit may comprise a ventilator, an exhalation line connected to the ventilator, and an inhalation line connected to the ventilator. The ventilator circuit may include an adapter connected to the exhalation line and the inhalation line, the adapter comprising at least one of a nebulizer and a nebulizer port. The expiration and inspiration lines may be arranged to be coaxial, or to be co-joined, such as a single divided line. In these embodiments, the Y-piece may be omitted, and the expiration and inspiration lines connected directly (or via a reducer, or adapter) to an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube.
In other embodiments, the ventilator circuit comprises a ventilator, an exhalation line connected to the ventilator, an inhalation line connected to the ventilator, an adapter connected to the exhalation line and the inhalation line, the adapter comprising at least one of a nebulizer and a nebulizer port, and may further include a heat moisture exchanger (HME), such as an HME incorporated into an adapter.
In other embodiments, the ventilator circuit comprises any of the foregoing components, except the ventilator is not considered a part of the circuit.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the valves, devices, systems and circuits are used in an off-vent configuration, such as an apparatus comprising a nebulizer, inhalation valve, exhalation valve and/or filter and, optionally, a holding chamber or reservoir. In general, such devices or apparatus comprise an aerosol generator, such as a nebulizer, and some means for delivering the aerosol thus generated to the patient, especially a free-breathing patient. In some embodiments, such apparatus may further comprise a holding chamber to allow continuous aerosol generation while delivering in a non-phasic manner. Further examples of off-vent devices and systems are disclosed, for example, in commonly-owned United States Patent Application Publication No. 20050217666, filed Mar. 24, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Thus, in one or more aspects, the present invention relates to a valve or valves. An exemplary embodiment of a valve 10 is shown in
The support 20 includes apertures 30. The valve 10 of
The apertures 30 are designed to allow fluid, such as liquids or gases (e.g., air), to pass through the support 20. The shape of the apertures is not particularly limited. Accordingly, the shape of a cross-section of the apertures may be circular, triangular, trapezoidal, square, star, oval, elliptical, irregular, or the like. The sides 32 of the apertures may be parallel to fluid flow or may be angled relative to the predominant fluid flow. Thus, the sides of the apertures may form an angle of less than about −90; −85, −80, −75, −70, −65, −60, −55, −50, −45, −40, −35, −30, −25, −20, −15, −10, −5, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees relative to the predominant fluid flow. An aperture side angle of about 0° may reduce turbulence. An aperture side angle of other than about 0° may increase mixing of the fluid.
The valve 10 can be optimized to provide desired conditions and/or results. In some embodiments, the valve 10 is optimized to maximize fluid flow at a given flow resistance, or to minimize pressure drop at a given flow rate, or combinations thereof. For instance, the aperture(s) may form a high proportion of a cross-section of the valve that is in a plane normal to the predominant fluid flow. The aperture(s) may, e.g., comprise greater than about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%, of the valve cross-section. In other embodiments, the valve 10 is optimized to prevent or mitigate sticking, impediments to flow and/or mechanical failures. In other embodiments, the valve 10 is optimized to provide a desired or optimized sensitivity to pressure changes, such as to open at a desired low pressure differential. This can provide efficiencies in ventilator usage and/or medicament administration.
The valve 10 shown in the embodiment of
The valve 10 also comprises a flap or flaps 50. The valve 10 shown in the embodiment of
The flaps 50 shown in the embodiment of
The flaps 50 may be in an opened or closed position. Thus, in operation, pivoting the flaps 50 in a first direction causes the flap to move to a closed position, shown in
The flaps 50 shown in the embodiment of
When the flaps 50 of the embodiment of
Thus, each flap 50 shown in the embodiment of
The protrusion 60 often functions as a seat to minimize the contact area between the support 20 and the flap 50. The minimized contact area may reduce the chances that the flap 50 will stick to the support 20.
The protrusions 60 of the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, the contact area of the contiguous border may be less than about 1 cm2, such as less than about 0.5 cm2, of less than about 0.1 cm2, per 1 cm of border length. Contiguous borders may minimize leakage through valve 10.
In some embodiments, the contact area may be noncontiguous. For instance, the protrusions 60 may comprise regular or irregular needles, triangles, rectangles; cones, half cylinders, spheres, semi-spheres, pyramids, shark-fin shaped, crescents, sections thereof, or other shapes separated by gaps, or the like. Although the non-contiguous contact area may result in some leakage, such protrusions may reduce sticking. In this regard, the protrusions would reduce contact area and would self-clean because of surface tension. In certain applications, reducing the likelihood of sticking may be more important than reducing leakage. For instance, the adapters for adding an aerosol into a ventilator circuit, as discussed in more detail below, can in some cases tolerate leakages up to about 10 L/min, such as up to about 10 L/min, up to about 0.5 L/min, or up to about 0.1 L/min. If one or more flaps of a valve in one of these adapters sticks, the flow profile may become irregular.
In some applications, a slight leak through the valve may be desired. For instance, the adapters for adding an aerosol into a ventilator circuit, as discussed in more detail below, may advantageously include some leakage. In this regard, some leakage may improve the patient to ventilator interface.
Thus, in one version of the present invention shown in
In another version shown in
In the versions shown in
The amount of contact area per flap depends on factors such as the size of the flap. In some embodiments, the amount of contact area per flap include, but are not limited to, less than about 1 cm2, less than about 0.8 cm2 less than about 0.5 cm2, less than about 0.1 cm2, and less than about 0.01 cm2. In some embodiments, the percentage of surface area of the surface of the flap(s) in contact with the protrusion(s) often ranges from about 0.1% to about 50%, such as about 0.5% to about 25%, about 1% to about 10%, and about 1% to about 5%. The percentage of surface area of the surface of the flap(s) in contact with the protrusion(s) is often less than about 5%, such as less than about 2.5%, less than about 1%, less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.1%, or less than 0.01%.
The flaps 50 in the embodiment of
The support 20 and plurality of flaps 50 in the embodiment of
When the support 20 and plurality of flaps 50 are distinct parts, the flaps 50 can be mounted on the support using various techniques. As shown in
The material forming the plurality of flaps may be rigid or may be flexible. The flap material may be selected to allow the valve to open at low pressure drops. For instance, the flexible flap materials may have a Shore A hardness ranging from about 20 to about 90, such as about 30 to about 80, about 40 to about 70, and about 50 to about 60. Rigid materials have a Shore A hardness greater than 90. For instance, the rigid material may have a stiffness of at least 50 Rockwell B, such as 100 Rockwell B.
When the flap material is flexible, it may comprise a material with good shape memory or creep resistance or both. For instance, the creep resistance may be, e.g., less than about 4% elongation, such as less than about 3%, less than about 1%, less than about 0.5%, or less than about 0.2%, under a load of 800 psi at 23° C. after 1000 hours.
When the flap material is rigid, the flap may be connected to the support by a hinge or hinge means. Examples of hinge means include, but are not limited to, pin joints and living hinges.
The flaps may assume various shapes. For instance,
The flaps may also have a neck formed in their cross-section. For instance,
The flap material and the support material may be the same or different. Examples of suitable flap and support materials include, but are not limited to, elastomers, polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites. Examples of polymers include, but are not limited to, polyurethane, fluoropolymers (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene), nylons, silicone, such as silicone rubbers (e.g., available from Dow Chemical and GE), for instance two-part injection molded silicone rubber, etc., ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and Santoprene™ thermoplastic elastomers (available from ExxonMobil Chemical). Examples of composites include, but are not limited to, reinforced materials and laminates. The reinforced materials may include, e.g., particle-reinforced materials, fiber-reinforced materials, and silicone with a woven reinforcement. The laminates may include, e.g., parylene coated silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene coated polymer, polyimide adhered to polymer, reinforcement layer laminated on silicone, and low durometer polymer on high durometer polymer (e.g., 30 Shore A silicone on 90 Shore A silicone).
The valve can be designed such that fluid flow through the valve is desirably laminar turbulent under appropriate conditions. To obtain predominantly laminar flow, the valve may be designed with few obstructions. Laminar flow may help minimize condensation. To obtain predominantly turbulent flow, the valve may be designed with obstructions or unbalanced flow path openings. Turbulent flow may increase mixing.
The valve 10 can be designed to minimize the likelihood of inversion. Inversion from a cough or other high back pressure can he irreversible such that the valve may stick in one configuration. Inversion can create serious safety issues, such as when the valve is used in a ventilator circuit. Valve inversion may also reduce the emitted dose of systems involving adapters for aerosolization devices. Inversion can be controlled, e.g., by overlapping the flaps 50 with the protrusions 60. The valve 10 does not invert when air pressure changes in an amount of less than about 2 psi, such as less than about 1 psi or less than 0.5 psi, in less than 0.5 second.
The valve can be designed to open at various pressures. For example, the flap may open when the pressure reaches a level ranging from about 0.05 cm H2O to about 150 cm H2O, such as about 0.1 cm H2O to about 100 cm H2O, about 0.5 cm H2O to about 50 cm H2O, about 1 cm H2O to about 10 cm H2O, or about 2 cm H2O to about 5 cm H2O.
Another embodiment of the valve 810 is shown in
Still another version of the valve 910 is shown in
The valve may be used as a one-way valve to control fluid flow, especially gas flow, in a variety of circumstances. Uses for one-way valves are known. For example, the valve may be used in chemical processing, scuba gear, gas masks, ventilators (e.g., mechanical ventilators, manual ventilators), adapters for nebulizers, or the like.
Various techniques may be used to mount the valves in conduits. Examples of mounting techniques include, but are not limited to, snap-fitting, press fitting, threading, keying, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, spin welding, clamping, and the like.
As noted above, the valves may be used in ventilator circuits and adapters for nebulizers. The ventilator circuits and adapters for nebulizers may take various forms. For example, the valve may be used in the adapters shown in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030139211, filed Nov. 17, 2004, which application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Thus, the valve may be used in an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation delivery system 1100 as shown in
The aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation delivery system 1100 further comprises an aerosol introduction means, such as a system or mechanism 1140. The aerosol introduction mechanism 1140 comprises an adapter 1145 that introduces aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation into the ventilator circuit 1110 at a position between the junction 1125 and the lungs of the patient. For example, the aerosol introducer may introduce the aerosolized pharmaceutical into the patient line 1330, as shown in
The aerosolization apparatus 1150 may be, for example, a jet nebulizer where the energy source is compressed air, a vibrating mesh nebulizer where the energy source is mechanical, such as wave, energy, an ultrasonic nebulizer where the energy source is acoustic wave energy, a metered dose inhaler where the energy source is a propellant, such as a composition that boils under preselected, such as ambient conditions, or a dry powder inhaler where the energy source is compressed or flowing air or is a vibrating membrane or the like.
Liquid formulations can be atomized by any of a variety of procedures. For example, the liquid can be sprayed through a two-fluid nozzle, a pressure nozzle, or a spinning disc, or atomized with an ultrasonic nebulizer or a vibrating orifice aerosol generator (VOAG). In one or more embodiments, a liquid formulation is atomized with a pressure nozzle, such as a BD AccuSpray nozzle. The aerosolization apparatus 1150 may be based on condensation aerosolization, an impinging jet technique, electrospray techniques, thermal vaporizing, or a Peltier device.
Jet nebulizers involve use of air pressure to break a liquid solution into aerosol droplets. In one or more embodiments, a jet nebulizer (e.g., Aerojet, AeroEclipse, Pari L. C., the Parijet, Whisper Jet, Microneb®, Sidestream®, Acorn II®, Cirrus and Upmist®) generates droplets as a mist by shattering a liquid stream with fast moving air supplied by tubing from an air pump. Droplets that are produced by this method typically have a diameter of about 2-5 μm.
In one or more embodiments, an ultrasonic nebulizer that uses a piezoelectric transducer to transform electrical current into mechanical oscillations is used to produce aerosol droplets. Examples of ultrasonic nebulizers include, but are not limited to, the Siemens 34S UltraSonic Nebulizer™ and ones commercially available from, for example, Omron Heathcare, Inc. and DeVilbiss Health Care, Inc. See, e.g., EP 1 066 850, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The resulting droplets typically have an MMAD in the range of about 1 to about 5 microns.
Vibrating porous plate nebulizers work by using a sonic vacuum produced by a rapidly vibrating porous plate to extrude a solvent droplet through a porous plate. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,758,637; 5,938,117; 6,014,970, 6,085,740; and 6,205,999, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
For example, in one or more embodiments, the aerosol generator is the commercially available Aerogen (Aerogen, Inc. Mountain View, Calif.) aerosol generator which comprises a vibrational element and dome-shaped aperture plate with tapered holes. When the plate vibrates several thousand times per second, such as about 100 k/s to about 150 k/s, a micro-pumping action causes liquid to be drawn through the tapered holes, creating a low-velocity aerosol with a precisely defined range of droplet sizes. The Aerogen aerosol generator does not require propellant.
In the Aerogen Aeroneb and Pari eFlow (Pari Respiratory Equipment, Germany), a piezoelectric oscillator is placed circumferentially around the vibrating mesh and vibrations shake precisely sized droplets of the nebulizer content through the membrane, to form a respirable mist of medication on the other side. In another vibrating mesh nebulizer, the Omron Micro-air (Omron, Japan), the piezoelectric oscillator is positioned proximal to the vibrating mesh instead of circumferentially around it, pushing rather than shaking droplets of droplets of nebulizer content through the pores in the membrane with a similar result.
In condensation aerosol generators, the aerosol is formed by pumping drug formulation through a small, electrically heated capillary. Upon exiting the capillary, the formulation is rapidly cooled by ambient air, and a gentle aerosol is produced that is relatively invariant to ambient conditions and the user inhalation rate. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,922 and WO 03/059413, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In one or more embodiments, the condensation aerosol generator comprises one disclosed by Alexza Molecular Delivery Corporation. See, e.g., U.S. Published Application No. 2004/0096402, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Another apparatus for delivery of a metered quantity of a liquid pharmaceutical composition for inhalation is described for example in WO 91/14468 and WO 97/12687, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The nebulizers described therein are known by the name Respimat®.
One or more electrosprays may be used to nebulize liquid formulations. The term electrostatic spray (also known as electrohydrodynamic spray or electrospray) refers to systems in which the dispersion of the liquid relies on its electric charging, so that nebulization and gas flow processes are relatively uncoupled. Examples of electrospray devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,302,331; 6,583,408; and 6,803,565, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
In one or more embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a thermal vaporizing device. Such a device may be based on inkjet technology.
In one or more embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a Peltier device. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Published Application No. 2004/0262513, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In one or more embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a vibrating orifice monodisperse aerosol generator (VOAG). This device is an example of one type of monodisperse aerosol generator.
In one or more embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a thin film, high surface area boiler that relies on capillary force and phase transition. By inducing phase transition in a capillary environment, pressure is imparted onto the expanding gas, which is ejected. This technology has been disclosed by Vapore, Inc., and is known as Vapore-Jet CFV technology. See, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,692,095; 5,870,525; 6,162,046; 6,347,936; 6,585,509; and 6,634,864, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/691,067, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Examples of the adapter 1145 for introducing the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation at a position between the junction 1125 and the lungs of the patient is described in WO 2004/071368, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, as well as U.S. Published Application Nos. 2004/0011358 and 2004/0035413, which are both herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Other examples of the adapter 1145 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050139211 (infra).
The introduction of the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation at a position between the junction 1125 and the lungs of the patient is advantageous in many respects over systems where the aerosol is introduced into the inhalation line 1115 or within the ventilator 1105. For example, by introducing the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation at a position between the junction 1125 and the lungs of the patient, the ventilator circuit volume from the point of introduction to the patient's lungs is substantially reduced. Accordingly, the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation is more concentrated and is less diffused throughout the ventilator circuit 1110. In addition, if the formulation is added in the inhalation line 1115, much of the formulation is drawn into the exhalation line 1120, further limiting the efficiency of the administration. Because of this diffusion and reduced efficiency, the consistency of dosing is difficult to control in known systems. Also, the presence of high quantities of the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that are not administered to the lungs of the patient may be undesirable in that much of the aerosol may be introduced into the environment where it may be inhaled by healthcare workers or others.
While the introduction of the pharmaceutical formulation at a position between the junction 1125 and the lungs of the patient is advantageous over known systems, it has been discovered that, in some circumstances, much of the introduced aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation may still be drawn into the exhalation line 1120 prior to being administered to the patient. Therefore, the adapter 1145 of the invention has been designed to introduce the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation in an improved manner to increase the efficiency and/or the consistency of the dosing. Accordingly, the adapter 1145 introduces the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation into the inhalation flow at a position between the junction 1125 and the lungs of the patient. In this way, the adapter 1145 serves to reduce the amount of aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that is drawn into the exhalation line 1120 of the ventilator circuit 1120.
A wall 1255 in this version is in the form of two tubes 1256, 1257 that define the first channel 1265 and second channel 1260, respectively. The first channel 1265 includes an extension portion 1285 that is in communication with the aerosolization apparatus 1150 and is able to receive aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation.
As best shown in
As best shown in
The adapter 1145 also includes a sensor probe port 1240 for use with a sensor probe, such as a temperature probe for a heated wire humidifier (see
Measuring the temperature of the inhalation gas at this point is advantageous because it reflects the temperature of the inhalation gas before the aerosolization apparatus 1150 introduces gas. If the temperature of inhalation gas is measured at a point after the aerosolization apparatus 1150 introduces gas, the inhalation gas may be overheated before reaching the adapter 1145 or control of the ventilated gas heating function may be compromised.
The adapter 1145 may include a fluid accumulator 1242 in the second channel 1260 positioned upstream, relative to the exhalation direction, of the one-way exhalation valve 1290. The fluid accumulator is arranged to prevent fluid, e.g., condensation and/or mucus, from affecting the one-way exhalation valve 1290. In this regard, the one-way exhalation valve 1290 may be elevated relative to where fluid accumulates. For instance, the bottom of the second channel 1260 may be at least about 2 cm, such as at least about 1 cm, or at least about 0.5 cm, below the bottom of the one-way exhalation valve 1290.
The fluid accumulator 1242 shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
The adapters of the present invention when used in a ventilator circuit are often able to reproducibly and efficiently deliver pharmaceutical formulation. For instance, the present invention is typically able to reproduce the delivered dose within about ±10%, ±8%, ±6%, ±4%, ±2%, or ±1%, of the total nominal dose. The present invention is often able to achieve a delivered efficiency of at least about 30%, such as at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90%.
Many versions of the present invention are able to achieve this reproducibility and efficiency, in part, because of the flow profile of air passing through the adapter.
The adapter of the present invention typically advantageously has minimal impact on the patient to ventilator interface. The minimal impact allows the ventilator to react more efficiently to the patient. The adapter and valves are arranged so that at an air flow rate of 60 L/min, the pressure drop between the first end and the second end of the adapter is often less than about 50 cm H2O such as less than about 30 H2O, less than about 5 cm H2O, or less than about 4 cm H2O, less than about 3 cm H2O, less than about 2 cm H2O, or less than about 1 cm H2O, and may range from about 0.05 cm H2O about 10 cm H2O, about 1 cm H2O to about 5 cm H2O, or about 2 cm H2O to about 4 cm H2O. At an air flow rate of 30 L/min, the pressure drop between the first end and the second end of the adapter is typically ranges from about 1 cm H2O to about 2 cm H2O.
The adapter may be made of a transparent, translucent, or opaque material. Using a transparent material is advantageous because the user can visually inspect the functioning of the adapter. Examples of materials for the adapter include, but are not limited, to polymers, such as polypropylene, SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer). ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polycarbonate, acrylic polysulfone, K-resin® styrene-butadiene-copolymer (available from Chevron Phillips Chemical), polyethylene, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polystyrene, and the like.
The aerosolization apparatus 1150 may be of any type that is capable of producing respirable particles or droplets. For example, the pharmaceutical formulation may be in dry powder form, as described in WO 99/16419; U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,256; or U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,483, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. In such cases, the aerosolization apparatus 1150 may comprise an active dry powder aerosolization apparatus, such as an aerosolization apparatus described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,485,135, 5,740,794; or 6,257,233, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or a passive dry powder aerosolization apparatus, such as an aerosolization apparatus described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,069,819 or 4,995,385, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical formulation may comprise dissolved in or suspended in a liquid propellant, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,225,183; 5,681,545; 5,683,677; 5,474,759; 5,508,023; 6,309,623; or 5,655,520, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In such cases, the aerosolization apparatus 1150 may comprise a metered dose inhaler (MDI). Alternatively, the pharmaceutical formulation may be in a liquid form and may be aerosolized using a nebulizer as described in WO 2004/071368, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, as well as U.S. Published Application Nos. 2004/0011358 and 2004/0035413, which are both herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Other examples of nebulizers include, but are not limited to, the Aeroneb®Go or Aeroneb®Pro available from Aerogen, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.; the PARI eFlow and other PARI nebulizers available front PARI Respiratory Equipment Inc. of Midlothian, Va.; the Lumiscope® 6600 or 6610 available from Lumiscope Company, Inc. of East Brunswick, N.J.; and the Omron NE-U22 available from Omron Healthcare, Inc. of Kyoto, Japan,
It has been found that an adapter with a nebulizer that forms droplets without the use of compressed gas, such as the Aeroneb® Pro and the PARI eFlow, provides unexpected improvement in dosing efficiency and consistency. By generating fine droplets by using a Vibrating perforated of unperforated membrane, rather than by introducing compressed air, the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation can be introduced into the ventilator circuit 1110 without substantially affecting the flow characteristics within the circuit and without requiring a substantial re-selection of the ventilator settings. In addition, the generated droplets when using a nebulizer of this type are introduced at a low velocity, thereby decreasing the likelihood of the droplets being driven to an undesired region of the ventilator circuit 1110. Furthermore, the combination of a droplet forming nebulizer and an aerosol introducer 1145 as described is beneficial in that there is a reduction in the variability of dosing when the ventilator uses different tidal volumes, thus making the system more universal.
The volume of the first channel 1265, that is, the volume of the portion of the adapter 1145 that receives the aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation and through which inhalation air flows, may be selected so that the aerosol delivery efficiency is increased for a particular ventilator and/or aerosolizer. For example, in one or more versions of
The first channel 1265 and extension portion 1285 may assume various shapes. For example, the extension portion 1285 may form an angle, A (see
The extension portion 1285 may also be angled relative to an axis of the first channel 1265 out of the plane of
The extension portion 1285 may also include one or more one-way check valves (not shown) to atmosphere. The one-way check valves would allow air into the extension portion when the nebulizer is operating to minimize the formation of eddies.
The length of the extension portion 1285 may also vary. For instance, a length, L, of the shortest portion of the extension portion 1285 may range from about 0 mm to about 5 cm, such as about 5 mm to about 2.5 cm, or about 1 cm to about 2 cm. As discussed below, the length of the extension portion may have an effect on the likelihood that the droplets are entrained in the inhalation gases.
One or more embodiments are directed to nebulizers and nebulizer systems. In one or more embodiments, the drug dose (or multi-dose) container includes one or more aerosol generating elements. For instance, a vial or other containment device, may be combined with the aperture plate or mesh used as the primary aerosol generating element in a vibrating mesh nebulizer. It should be noted, however, that the nebulizers and nebulizer systems are not limited to use in ventilator circuits, and in fact may be used in any application where jet, ultrasonic, vibrating mesh, or other nebulizer might be used, such as with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, or a non-invasive ventilation or breathing assistance system.
In another embodiment, shown in
In still another embodiment, shown in
In view of the above, in one or more embodiments, the nebulizer systems provide consistent, safe and convenient pulmonary delivery of medication. In one or more embodiments, the nebulizer systems provide (1) simple insertion of medication cartridge, instead of measuring and pouring of medication into a cavity for administration; (2) a vibrating mesh element integral with the medication cartridge, thereby eliminating the need for mesh cleaning for subsequent use; (3) simplified mesh manufacturing, since limited or single use mesh need not be protected from corrosion induced by extended drug contact and related chemical interaction; and/or (4) protection against potentially dangerous off-label use through the integration of drug vial and mesh element into a unified, inseparable single-use drug-mesh unit.
The exhalation air passes through the endotracheal tube into the Y-piece 1320. As a result of the valving, the exhalation air then passes through exhalation vent tubing 1330. The air then passes through one-way exhalation valve 1290 and then out through exhalation line 1120 toward a ventilator, as shown by arrows F.
The valves and devices of the present invention may be made by any of the various methods and techniques known and available to those skilled in the art.
Tables 1 and 2 below are 5 day use life studies, showing the reliability of valves and adapters of the present invention after running for 5 days, administering an antibiotic under simulated conditions. As can be seen, the percentage delivered at the inspiratory line did not change significantly over time, thus evidencing non-sticking of the valves and/or good flow properties within the adapter. In the tests, a jet nebulizer, a cloverleaf valve, and an adapter in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention were employed. Table 1 shows results for gentamicin, while Table 2 shows results for vancomycin.
Additional results showed that adapters and valve configurations of the present invention can deliver a higher inspiratory dose and/or less dose variation (smaller max/min ratio) and/or affected by fewer factors including minute respiration, respiratory rate, inspiratory flow rate, bias flow and humidity, all compared to that of prior art configurations.
The pharmaceutical formulation may comprise an active agent (or medicament) for administration to the respiratory tract of the user. The active agent described herein includes an agent, drug, compound, composition of matter or mixture thereof which provides some pharmacologic, often beneficial, effect. This includes foods, food supplements, nutrients, drugs, vaccines, vitamins and other beneficial agents. As used herein, the terms further include any physiologically or pharmacologically active substance that produces a localized or systemic effect in a patient. An active agent for incorporation in the pharmaceutical formulation described herein may be an inorganic or an organic compound, including, without limitation, drugs which act on: the peripheral nerves, adrenergic receptors, cholinergic receptors, the skeletal muscles, the cardiovascular system, smooth muscles, the blood circulatory system, synoptic sites, neuroeffector junctional sites, endocrine and hormone systems, the immunological system, the reproductive system, the skeletal system, autacoid systems, the alimentary and excretory systems, the histamine system, and the central nervous system.
In one particular embodiment the pharmaceutical formulation comprises an antibiotic for administration to a ventilated patient to treat or prevent ventilator associated pneumonia. Such administration is described in aforementioned Smaldone et al PCT Patent Application entitled “Methods, Devices and Formulations for Targeted Endobronchial Therapy” WO 2004/071368, filed May 7, 2003; in Smaldone et al U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/430,765, filed on May 6, 2003; in Smaldone et al, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/430,658, filed on May 6, 2003; and in U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/378,475; 60/380,783; 60/420,429; 60/439,894; and 60/442,785, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Using an adapter 1145 according to the present invention in connection with the administration of aerosolized antibiotics offers substantial benefits. For example, when using the adapter 1145 of the invention, substantially less pharmaceutical formulation is lost to the environment which results in a reduction in bacterial resistance against the antibiotic. In addition, the adapter 1145 is able to deliver a more consistent dose which is particularly useful for antibiotic therapy. In one particular version, the pharmaceutical formulation may comprise vancomycin and/or gentamicin. Additional examples of the pharmaceutical formulation are disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/722,564, filed Sep. 29, 2005 (Attorney Docket No. 0280.PRO), “Antibiotic Formulations, Unit Doses, Kits, and Methods,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Alternatively or additionally, suitable active agents may be selected from, for example, hypnotics and sedatives, psychic energizers, tranquilizers, respiratory drugs, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, antiparkinson agents (dopamine antagnonists), analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antianxiety drugs (anxiolytics), appetite suppressants, antimigraine agents, muscle contractants, anti-infectives (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, vaccines) antiarthritics, antimalarials, antiemetics, anepileptics, bronchodilators, cytokines, growth factors, anti-cancer agents, antithrombotic agents, antihypertensives, cardiovascular drugs, antiarrhythmics, antioxicants, anti-asthma agents, hormonal agents including contraceptives, sympathomimetics, diuretics, lipid regulating agents, antiandrogenic agents, antiparasitics, anticoagulants, neoplastics, antineoplastics, hypoglycemics, nutritional agents and supplements, growth supplements, antienteritis agents, vaccines, antibodies, diagnostic agents, and contrasting agents. The active agent, when administered by inhalation, may act locally or systemically, or in combination.
The active agent may fall into one of a number of structural classes, including but not limited to small molecules, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, polysaccharides, steroids, proteins capable of eliciting physiological effects, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, fats, electrolytes, and the like.
Examples of active agents suitable for use in this invention include but are not limited to one or more of bronchodilators, such as β-2 agonists (such as albuterol/salbutamol, theophylline, formoterol, salmeterol, indecaterol), anti-muscarinics and anti-cholinergics, Tiotropium, mast cell stabilizers, steroids (e.g. fluticasone, mometasone, ciclesonide), drugs to slow the recruitment of inflammatory cells, PDE4 inhibitors, immunosuppressive drugs (like cyclosporin, tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, etc), anti-fibrotic agents, elastase inhibiting agents (alpha-1 antitrypsin), agents designed to adjust tonicity, agents that stimulate natural processes to drive reduction and removal excess fluid from the lung, surfactants of all forms, calcitonin, amphotericin B, echinocandins (e.g., Cancidas from Merck, or Anidulafungin from Pfizer), erythropoietin (EPO), Factor VIII, Factor IX, ceredase, cerezyme, cyclosporin, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), thrombopoietin (TPO) alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor, elcatonin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF), growth hormone, human growth hormone (HGH), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), heparin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), interferon alpha, interferon beta, interferon gamma, interleukin-1 receptor, interleukin-2, interleukin-I receptor antagonist, interleukin-3, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), factor IX, insulin, pro-insulin, insulin analogues (e.g., mono-acylated insulin as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,675, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), amylin, C-peptide, somatostatin, somatostatin analogs including octreotide, vasopressin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), insulintropin, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), nerve growth factor (NGF), tissue growth factors, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), glial growth factor (GGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), endothelial growth factors. parathyroid hormone (PTH), glucagon-like peptide thymosin alpha 1, IIb/IIIa inhibitor, phosphodiesterase (PDE) compounds, VLA-4 inhibitors, bisphosponates, respiratory syncytial virus antibody, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, deoxyreibonuclease (Dnase), bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI), anti-CMV antibody, 13-cis retinoid acid, macrolides such as erythromycin, oleandomycin, troleandomycin, roxithromycin, clarithromycin, davercin, azithromycin, flurithromycin, dirithromycin, josamycin, spiromycin, midecamycin, leucomycin, miocamycin, rokitamycin, andazithromycin, and swinolide A; fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, trovafloxacin, alatrofloxacin, moxifloxicin, norfloxacin, enoxacin, grepafloxacin, gatifloxacin, lomefloxacin, sparfloxacin, temafloxacin, pefloxacin, amifloxacin, fleroxacin, tosufloxacin, prulifloxacin, irloxacin, pazufloxacin, clinafloxacin, and sitafloxacin, aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, netilmicin, paramecin, tobramycin, amikacin, kanamycin, neomycin, and streptomycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, rampolanin, mideplanin, colistin, daptomycin, gramicidin, colistimethate, polymixins such as polymixin B, capreomycin, bacitracin, penems; penicillins including penicllinase-sensitive agents like penicillin g, penicillin V, penicillinase-resistant agents like methicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, floxacillin, nafcillin; gram negative microorganisms active agents like ampicillin, amoxicillin, and hetacillin, cillin, and galampicillin; antipseudomonal penicillins like carbenicillin, ticarcillin, azlocillin, mezlocillin, and piperacillin; cephalosporins like cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftbuten, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, cephalothin, cephapirin, cephalexin, cephradrine, cefoxitin, cefamandole, cefazolin, cephaloridine, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cephaloglycin, cefuroxime, ceforanide, cefotaxime, cefatrizine, cephacetrile, cefepime, cefixime, cefonicid, cefoperazone, cefotetan, cefmetazole, ceftazidime, loracarbef, and moxalactam, monobactams like azetreonam; and carbapenems such as imipenem, meropenem, pentamidine isethiouate, albuterol sulfate, lidocaine, metaproterenol sulfate, beclomethasone diprepionate, triamcinolone acetamide, budesonide acetonide, fluticasone, ipratropium bromide, flunisolide, cromolyn sodium, ergotamine tartrate and where applicable, analogues, agonists antagonists, inhibitors, and pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms of the above. In reference to peptides and proteins, the invention is intended to encompass synthetic, native, glycosylated, unglycosylated, pegylated forms, and biologically active fragments and analogs thereof.
Active agents for use in the invention further include nucleic acids, as bare nucleic acid molecules, vectors, associated viral particles, plasmid DNA or RNA or other nucleic acid constructions of a type suitable for transfection or transformation of cells, i.e., suitable for gene therapy including antisense. Further, an active agent may comprise live attenuated or killed viruses suitable for use as vaccines. Other useful drugs include those listed within the Physician's Desk Reference (most recent edition), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The active agents also include any and all combinations of all of the above, and metabolites, different chiral forms, salts, free base forms, or enantiomers of the above.
If The amount of active agent in the pharmaceutical formulation will be that amount necessary to achieve a desired result, such as to deliver a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of the active agent per unit dose to achieve the desired result. In practice, this will vary widely depending upon the particular agent, its activity, the severity of the condition, to be treated, the patient population, dosing requirements, and the desired therapeutic effect. The composition will generally contain anywhere from about 1% by weight to about 99% by weight active agent, typically from about 2% to about 95% by weight active agent, and more typically from about 5% to 85% by weight active agent, and will also depend upon the relative amounts of additives contained in the composition. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful for active agents that are delivered in doses of from 0.001 mg/day to 100 mg/day, such as in doses from 0.01 mg/day to 75 mg/day, or in doses from 0.10 mg/day to 50 mg/day. It is to be understood that more than one active agent may be incorporated into the formulations described herein and that the use of the term “agent” in no way excludes the use of two or more such agents.
The pharmaceutical formulation may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier which may be taken into the lungs with no significant adverse toxicological effects to the subject, and particularly to the lungs of the subject. In addition to the active agent, a pharmaceutical formulation may optionally include one or more pharmaceutical excipients which are suitable for pulmonary administration. These excipients, if present, are generally present in the composition in amounts ranging from about 0.01 wt % to about 95 wt %, such as about 0.5 wt % to about 80 wt %, or about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %. Generally, such excipients will, in part, serve, to further improve the features of the active agent composition, for example by providing more efficient and reproducible delivery of the active agent, improving the handling characteristics of powders, such as flowability and consistency, and/or facilitating manufacturing and filling of unit dosage forms. In particular, excipient materials can often function to further improve the physical and chemical stability of the active agent, minimize the residual moisture content and hinder moisture uptake, and to enhance particle size, degree of aggregation, particle surface properties, such as rugosity, ease of inhalation, and the targeting of particles to the lung. One or more excipients may also be provided to serve as bulking agents when it is desired to reduce the concentration of active agent in the formulation.
Pharmaceutical excipients and additives useful in the present pharmaceutical formulation include but are not limited to amino acids, peptides, proteins, non-biological polymers, biological polymers, carbohydrates, such as sugars, derivatized sugars such as alditols, aldonic acids, esterified sugars, and sugar polymers, which may be present singly or in combination. Suitable excipients are those provided in WO 96/32096, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The excipient may have a glass transition temperature (Tg) above about 35° C., such as above about 40° C., above about 45° C., or above about 55° C.
Exemplary protein excipients include albumins such as human serum albumin (HSA), recombinant human albumin (rHA), gelatin, casein, hemoglobin, and the like. Suitable amino acids (outside of the dileucyl-peptides of the invention), which may also function in a buffering capacity, include alanine, glycine, arginine, betaine, histidine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, cysteine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, aspartame, tyrosine, tryptophan, and the like. Preferred are amino acids and polypeptides that function as dispersing agents. Amino acids falling into this category include hydrophobic amino acids such as leucine, valine, isoleucine, tryptophan, alanine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, and proline. Dispersibility-enhancing peptide excipients include dimers, trimers, tetramers, and pentamers comprising one or more hydrophobic amino acid components such as those described above.
Carbohydrate excipients suitable for use in the invention include, for example, monosaccharides such as fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like; disaccharides, such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and the like; polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, and the like; and alditols, such as mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol sorbitol (glucitol), pyranosyl sorbitol, myoinositol and the like.
The pharmaceutical formulation may also include a buffer or a pH adjusting agent, typically a salt prepared from an organic acid or base. Representative buffers include organic acid salts of citric acid, ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, carbonic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, or phthalic acid, Tris, tromethamine hydrochloride, or phosphate buffers.
The pharmaceutical formulation may also include polymeric excipients/additives, e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidones, derivatized celluloses such as hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Ficolls (a polymeric sugar), hydroxyethylstarch, dextrates (e.g., cyclodextrins, such as 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin), polyethylene glycols, and pectin.
The pharmaceutical formulation may further include flavoring agents, taste-masking agents, inorganic salts (for example sodium chloride), antimicrobial agents (for example benzalkonium chloride), sweeteners, antioxidants, antistatic agents, surfactants (for example polysorbates such as “TWEEN 20” and “TWEEN 80”), sorbitan esters, lipids (for example phospholipids such as lecithin and other phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines), fatty acids and fatty esters, steroids (for example cholesterol), and chelating agents (for example EDTA, zinc and other such suitable cations). Other pharmaceutical excipients and/or additives suitable for use in the compositions according to the invention are listed in “Remington: The Science & Practice of Pharmacy”, 19th ed, Williams & Williams, (1995), and in the “Physician's Desk Reference”, 52nd ed., Medical Economics, Montvale, N.J. (1998), both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
In some embodiments, such as for MDI applications, the pharmaceutical formulation may also be treated so that it has high stability. Several attempts have dealt with improving suspension stability by increasing the solubility of surface-active agents in the HFA propellants. To this end U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,494, WO 91/11173 and WO 92/00107 disclose the use of HFA soluble fluorinated surfactants to improve suspension stability. Mixtures of HFA propellants with other perfluorinated cosolvents have also been disclosed as in WO 91/04011. Other attempts at stabilization involved the inclusion of nonfluorinated surfactants. In this respect, U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,688 discloses that some hydrophilic surfactants (with a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance greater than or equal to 9.6) have sufficient solubility in HFAs to stabilize medicament suspensions. Increases in the solubility of conventional nonfluorinated MDI surfactants (e.g. oleic acid, lecithin) can also reportedly be achieved with the use of co-solvents such as alcohols, as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,683,677 and 5,605,674, as well as in WO 95/17195. Unfortunately, as with the prior art co-solvent systems previously discussed, merely increasing the repulsion between particles has not proved to be very effective stabilizing mechanism in nonaqueous dispersions, such as MDI preparations. All of the aforementioned references being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
“Mass median diameter” or “MMD” is a measure of mean particle size, since the powders of the invention are generally polydisperse (i.e., consist of a range of particle sizes). MMD values as reported herein are determined by centrifugal sedimentation, although any number of commonly employed techniques can be used for measuring mean particle size. “Mass median aerodynamic diameter” or “MMAD” is a measure of the aerodynamic size of a dispersed particle. The aerodynamic diameter is used to describe an aerosolized powder in terms of its settling behavior, and is the diameter of a unit density sphere having the same settling velocity, generally in air, as the particle. The aerodynamic diameter encompasses particle shape, density and physical size of a particle. As used herein, MMAD refers to the midpoint or median of the aerodynamic particle size distribution of an aerosolized powder determined by cascade impaction.
In one of more versions, the powdered or liquid formulation for use in the present invention includes an aerosol having a particle or droplet size selected to permit penetration into the alveoli of the lungs, that is, typically less than about in 10 μm mass median diameter (MMD), such as less than 7.5 μm, or less than 5 μm, and usually being in the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm in diameter. When in a dry powder form, the pharmaceutical formulation may have a moisture content below about 10 wt %, such as below about 5 wt %, or below about 3 wt %. Such powders are described in WO 95/24183, WO 96/32149, WO 99/16419, and WO 99/16422, all of which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The valves, adapters, systems, fittings, components and circuits of the present invention may be used in various systems, devices, apparatus, processes or methods wherein such valves, adapters, systems, fittings, components or circuits may result in a benefit. For example, the valves maybe useful in any operation wherein a check valve is useful, especially where the valve provides at least on of minimum flow resistance, high reliability, low operating pressure and non-sticking operation. Thus, the uses of the valves, adapters, systems, fittings, components and circuits of the present invention are not particularly limited in their application.
As an example, the valves of the present invention may be used with an adapter to facilitate delivery of a pharmaceutical formulation from an aerosolization devise. The valves of the present invention may be used with any of the pharmaceutical formulations, described above.
Active agents may be delivered simultaneously, some preferred order, and/or providing one agent in an aerosol of a certain size to target one region of the lung while providing another in another size to target another region. Thus, purposeful variation of the aerosol size we can cause some aerosol to deposit more proximally near the endotracheal tube to treat that area, while also sending in small aerosol to penetrate more deeply.
For instance, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing pulmonary infections, including nosocomial infections, in animals, including, especially, humans. The method generally comprises administering to an animal subject or human patient in need thereof, as an aerosol, a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of an antibiotic substance or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Several antibiotics may be delivered in combination according to the invention, or in seriatim. Preferably, the amounts delivered to the airways, if delivered systemically in such amounts, would not be sufficient to be therapeutically effective and would certainly not be enough to induce toxicity. At the same time, such amounts will result in sputum levels of antibiotic of more than about 10-100 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (“MIC”).
In one or more aspects, the aerosolized particles are prevented from undergoing significant hygroscopic enlargement, since particles enrobed in water will tend to condense on the walls of an internal channel or surface. This method may comprise minimizing the opportunity for water contact with the aerosolized particles, or may comprise making the particles less hygroscopic, or both. In some embodiments, the method may involve reducing humidity in the ventilator circuit by a predetermined amount before nebulization begins. In some embodiments, the humidity may facilitate an MMAD of less than about 3 μm or less than about 1.5 μm. In other embodiments, each aerosol particle is delivered in contact with, such as encapsulated or enrobed in a substantially anhygroscopic material such as an envelope or capsule.
Of course, embodiments can be used where diameters are greater. Moreover, in some cases, the present invention contemplates adjustments to the surface electrical charges on the particles or the walls. For example, assuming surface charge on the device is important, the present invention contemplates embodiments wherein the connectors are made, or the Y piece is made, of metal (or at least coated with metal). Alternatively, the plastic connectors and/or Y piece can be treated with agents (e.g. wetting agents, detergents, soaps) to adjust surface charge.
In one or more aspects, the method comprises inserting an aerosol delivery end of the device within said patient's trachea to create a positioned device; and aerosolizing the pharmaceutical formulation under conditions such that said formulation is delivered through said aerosol delivery end of the device to the patient, wherein the aerosol first contacts the patient's trachea (thereby bypassing the oro-pharynx). The method may involve administering a mixture of antibiotics is particularly appropriate for intubated patients.
In one aspect, particular with respect to “constant-flow” ventilators, the present invention contemplates limiting the delivery event strictly to the inspiratory phase of the ventilator cycle and, if possible, at a reduced flow-rate. Thus, in one embodiment, aerosolization is actuated during (or in fixed relation to) the inspiration phase of the breathing cycle.
It is not intended that the present invention be limited to particular dosages. On the other hand, the efficiency of the aerosol systems and methods described herein permit amounts to be delivered that are too low to be generally effective if administered systemically, but are nonetheless effective amounts when administered in a suitable and pharmaceutically formulation directly to the airway. Importantly, while efficiencies can be increased, in some embodiments efficiencies are not increased at the expense of control over the dose. Thus, lower efficiencies are contemplated as preferred when delivery is more reproducible.
It is not intended that the present invention be limited to antimicrobials that only kill or inhibit particular organisms. The present invention contemplates drugs and drug combinations that will address a wide variety of conditions caused by a wide variety of organisms. In one or more embodiments, the present invention contemplates drugs or drug combinations effective in the treatment of infections caused by one or more of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, H. influenza, and S. pneumoniae, Acinetobacter species, and/or antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus, among others.
Of course, antivirals can also be aerosolized and administered in the manner of the antibiotic formulations of the present invention. This is particularly significant given the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
While certain embodiments of the present invention address infections, the present invention contemplates that the improved aerosol systems and methods can be applied to any patient, human or animal, in need of an aerosol to the trachea and/or deep lung. For this reason, other drugs, or medicaments (e.g., steroids, proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, bronchodilator, surfactant, lidocaine, and the like) are contemplated as aerosols. Moreover other types of patients (e.g., cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, COPH, ARDS, SAID, Heaves, respiratory infections, asthma, bronchospasm, and the like) are contemplated.
Moreover, while certain embodiments of the present invention are presented in the context of the intubated patient, other patients at risk for infection, whether intubated or not, are contemplated as treatable with the methods and devices of the present invention. For example, the elderly (particularly those in nursing homes), horses, dogs and cats in competitions (show and racing animals), animals that frequently travel (e.g., circus animals), animals in close quarters (e.g., zoos or farms), humans and animals in general are at risk for lung infections. The present invention contemplates delivery of aerosols to the trachea and/or deep lung for such individuals—both prophylactically (i.e., before symptoms) and under acute conditions (i.e., after symptoms)—wherein said aerosols comprise antimicrobials, and in particular, the antibiotic mixtures described above.
In one or more embodiments, the present invention contemplates administering the appropriate medication to a patient diagnosed with ARDS, IRDS, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The present invention is not limited to any precise desired outcome when using the above-described compositions, devices and methods. However, it is believed that the compositions, devices, and methods of the present invention may result in a reduction in mortality rates of intubated patients, a decrease in the incidence of resistance (or at least no increase in resistance) because of the reduced systemic antibiotic exposure and elevated exposure at the targeted mucosal surface of the lung caused by local administration. As noted above, it is contemplated that the compositions, devices and methods of the present invention are useful in the treatment of pneumonia (and may be more effective than systemic treatment—or at the very least, a useful adjunct). It is believed that related infections may also be prevented or reduced (e.g., prevention of sepsis, suppression of urinary tract infections, etc.)
Of course, a reduced use of systemic antibiotics because of the efficacy of the compositions, devices, and methods of the present invention may result in reduced cost, reduced time on IV lines, and/or reduced time on central lines). Moreover, such a reduction should reduce antibiotic toxicity (as measured by reduced incidence of diarrhea and C. difficile infection, better nutrition, etc.)
It is believed that the compositions, devices, and methods of the present invention will locally result in a reduction of the ET/Trach tube biofilm. This should, in turn, get rid of secretions, decrease airway resistance, and/or decrease the work of breathing. The latter should ease the process of weaning the patient off of the ventilator.
The present in invention contemplates specific embodiments that can replace commonly used elements of a ventilator system. In one or more embodiments, the present invention contemplates a modular Y-piece attachable to a ventilator and to an endotracheal tube, wherein the modular Y-piece further comprises an aerosol generator. In one or more embodiments, a lower arm [means what] of the modular Y piece comprises the aerosol generator. While not limited to any precise desired outcome, it is contemplated that the modular Y-piece with integral generator will reduce the effects of the ventilator on all conventional aerosol systems (jet, ultrasonic and MDI), and at the same time enhance the positive qualities of a nebulization device such as an Aerogen™ nebulizer. Again, while not limited to any precise desired outcome, it is contemplated that the modular Y-piece with integral generator will (1) reduce variability in delivery (reduced effects of humidification, bias flow, continuous v. breath-actuated) so as to achieve the same delivery (no matter what commercial ventilator system is used); (2) allow for maximal effects of breath actuation; and (3) allow for maximal effect to enhanced nebulizer efficiency using nebulizers having no dead volume.
The present invention is not limited to the precise configuration or nature of the circuit. In one or more embodiments, said circuit is a closed circuit. In other embodiments, said circuit is an open circuit.
Again, the present invention is not limited to particular vent configurations, or even to require a ventilator. In one or more embodiments, said inspiratory and said expiratory lines are connected to a mechanical ventilator. In one or more embodiments, said mechanical ventilator controls a breathing cycle, said cycle comprising an inspiration phase. In one or more embodiments, the aerosol is administered during the inspiration phase of the breathing cycle. In other embodiments, the aerosol is administered via an aerosol generator, suitable adapter, and patient interface (oral or nasal), and optionally, one or more valves.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to certain versions thereof, other versions are possible, and alterations, permutations and equivalents of the version shown will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. For example, the relative positions of the elements in the aerosolization device may be changed, and flexible parts may be replaced by more rigid parts that are hinged, or otherwise movable, to mimic the action of the flexible part. In addition, the passageways need not necessarily be substantially linear, as shown in the drawings, but may be cursed or angled, for example. Also, the various features of the versions herein can be combined in various ways to provide additional versions of the present invention. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for the purposes of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the present invention. Therefore, any appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein and should include all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
Having now fully described this invention, it will be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that the methods of the present invention can be carried out with a wide and equivalent range of conditions, formulations, and other parameters without departing from the scope of the invention or any embodiments thereof.
All patents and publications cited herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference in their entirety. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not he construed as an admission that such publication is prior art or that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.
This application relates to U.S. Provisional Applications No. 60/682,099 filed 18 May 2005, and No. 60/722,637 filed 29 Sep. 2005, from each of which a claim for priority is made under 35 USC §119(e), each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60722637 | Sep 2005 | US | |
| 60682099 | May 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11436239 | May 2006 | US |
| Child | 14566471 | US |
