Aerosolization system with flow restrictor and feedback device
Inventors
Fink, Jim • Molloy, Lisa • MacLoughlin, Ronan • Lillis, Claire • Casey, Michael • Mullins, John • Hyland, Kieran • Grehan, Joe
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10471222-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosolization device for ensuring proper delivery of an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system. The aerosolization device may include a conduit, an aerosol generator, a restrictor disposed within the conduit, and an indicator mechanism. The conduit may include a mouthpiece end by which a user may cause inspiratory flow through the conduit. The aerosol generator may include a vibratable mesh. The restrictor may define a plurality of apertures disposed along an outer periphery of the restrictor configured to provide an increase in pressure differential that varies with an inspiratory flow rate within the conduit and to provide a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor. The indicator mechanism may indicate to a user a state of a parameter of the inspiratory flow relative to a predefined desired range.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aerosolization device for ensuring proper delivery of an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system. The device includes a conduit having a mouthpiece end by which a user may cause an inspiratory flow through the conduit. The aerosol generator in communication with the conduit comprises a vibratable mesh that produces a plume of aerosolized medicament.
A restrictor disposed within the conduit defines a plurality of apertures disposed along an outer periphery of the restrictor. The plurality of apertures is configured to provide an increase in pressure differential that varies with an inspiratory flow rate within the conduit and to provide a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor. The plume of aerosolized medicament is carried by the relatively laminar flow toward the mouthpiece end of the conduit.
The device further includes an indicator mechanism that indicates to a user a state of a parameter of the inspiratory flow relative to a predefined desired range. Providing the indication comprises providing a first indication when the parameter is within the predefined desired range, a second indication when the parameter is within a predefined secondary range that extends above and below the predefined desired range and is within an operating range of the aerosol generator, and a third indication when the parameter is outside both the predefined desired range and the predefined secondary range. The vibratable mesh produces the aerosolized plume within the conduit when the inspiratory flow rate is within an operating range.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims covering a flow-dependent restrictor, a vibratable-mesh aerosol generator, and multi-state user indications. Across these independent claims, three main inventive features are emphasized.
Flow-dependent restrictor with peripheral apertures
A restrictor disposed within the conduit defines a plurality of apertures disposed along an outer periphery of the restrictor, wherein the plurality of apertures provide an increase in pressure differential that varies with an inspiratory flow rate and provide a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor.
Vibratable mesh aerosol generation tied to an operating inspiratory flow range
The aerosol generator in communication with the conduit comprises a vibratable mesh, wherein the vibratable mesh produces a plume of aerosolized medicament within the relatively laminar flow when the inspiratory flow rate is within an operating range of the aerosol device.
Multi-state indicator mechanism relative to predefined desired and secondary ranges
An indicator mechanism that indicates to a user a state of a parameter of the inspiratory flow relative to a predefined desired range, providing a first indication when within the predefined desired range, a second indication when within a predefined secondary range extending above and below the predefined desired range and within an operating range of the aerosol generator, and a third indication when outside both ranges.
Sensing, indicating, and vibrating a mesh based on flow-parameter state
A method comprising sensing a state of a flow parameter of an inspiratory flow within a conduit, providing an indication using an indicator mechanism of the state of the flow parameter relative to a predefined desired range with first/second/third indications, and vibrating a mesh of the aerosol generator to aerosolize a volume of a liquid medicament to produce a plume within the conduit when the state of the flow parameter is within a predefined desired range.
Overall, the independent claim set centers on a conduit restrictor with peripheral apertures that creates a flow-rate-dependent pressure differential and relatively laminar downstream flow, a vibratable mesh aerosol generator that produces a plume when the inspiratory flow is within an operating range, and an indicator mechanism that provides first/second/third user indications relative to a predefined desired range and a predefined secondary range. The method independent claim translates these elements into sensing-based indication and flow-conditioned mesh vibration.
Stated Advantages
Ensures proper delivery of an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system.
Provides a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor for carrying the plume toward the mouthpiece end of the conduit.
Documented Applications
Delivering an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system.
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