Respiratory delivery device and method
Inventors
O'Flaherty, Brendan • Lipman, Johann • Lynch, Patrick Joseph
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10828432-B1
Publication Date
2020-11-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides for a particulate delivery device capable of facilitating both respiratory delivery of compositions under negative pressure and positive pressure. The device comprises an actuator, movable by negative pressure or positive pressure, to allow for gas flow through the device and simultaneously assist with delivery of the particulate into a vortex chamber prior to delivery to the airway of a subject.
Core Innovation
The invention is a particulate respiratory delivery device for delivery of a composition to an airway of a subject, including a gas inlet and a gas outlet in fluid communication with a dispersion chamber and a composition receptacle. The device includes an actuator having an upper surface and a lower surface, and the actuator is configured to be moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration.
In the first configuration, the lower surface of the actuator is seated adjacent the gas inlet to restrict gas flow entering the device, while the upper surface of the actuator is adjacent a lower extent of the composition receptacle to allow the composition to remain located in the composition receptacle. In the second configuration, the lower surface of the actuator is displaced in the direction of the gas outlet to open a gas flow path through the gas inlet, and the upper surface is positioned closer to an upper extent of the composition receptacle to displace the composition into the dispersion chamber.
The actuator is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration via both positive pressure applied via the gas inlet and negative pressure applied via the gas outlet. In one device construction, a floating piston actuator is used together with chamber ports forming a gas flow pathway between the gas inlet and the dispersion chamber, such that the first configuration restricts gas flow entering the chamber ports and the second configuration opens a gas flow path through the chamber ports.
The invention further includes a dispersion chamber positioned to receive and disperse the composition into gas flow between the gas inlet and the gas outlet for delivery to the subject’s airway. In one described configuration, the device includes one or more chamber ports forming a non-linear gas flow pathway between the gas inlet and the dispersion chamber, and includes a deagglomerator located between an upper extent of the dispersion chamber and the gas outlet.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three related device configurations. Each independent claim defines a movable actuator that switches between restricting gas flow while retaining composition in a composition receptacle, and opening a gas flow path that displaces composition into a dispersion chamber, with movement driven by either positive pressure at the gas inlet or negative pressure at the gas outlet.
Movable actuator switching restricts gas flow and displaces composition into a dispersion chamber
A device includes a gas inlet and gas outlet, a movable actuator with an upper surface and a lower surface, a composition receptacle adapted to receive the composition, and a dispersion chamber. The actuator is moveable between a first configuration where the lower surface of the actuator is seated adjacent the gas inlet to restrict gas flow and the upper surface is adjacent a lower extent of the composition receptacle to allow the composition to be located in the composition receptacle, and a second configuration where the lower surface is displaced toward the gas outlet to open a gas flow path through the gas inlet and the upper surface is closer to an upper extent of the composition receptacle than the lower extent to displace the composition into the dispersion chamber.
Actuator movement via positive pressure at gas inlet and negative pressure at gas outlet
The actuator is configured to be moveable between the first configuration and the second configuration via each of: (i) application of positive pressure via the gas inlet; and (ii) application of negative pressure via the gas outlet.
Floating piston actuator with chamber ports gas pathway between gas inlet and dispersion chamber
A device includes a floating piston actuator having an upper surface and a lower surface, a composition receptacle adapted to receive the composition, and a dispersion chamber located between the composition receptacle and the gas outlet, and one or more chamber ports forming a gas flow pathway between the gas inlet and the dispersion chamber. The floating piston actuator is moveable between a first configuration where the lower surface is seated adjacent the gas inlet to restrict gas flow entering the one or more chamber ports and the upper surface is adjacent a lower extent of the composition receptacle to allow the composition to be located in the composition receptacle, and a second configuration where the lower surface is displaced toward the gas outlet to open a gas flow path through the one or more chamber ports and the upper surface is closer to an upper extent of the composition receptacle than the lower extent to displace the composition into the dispersion chamber.
Sealing engagement of floating piston lower surface on lip or flange at gas inlet
The device is configured so that, in a first configuration, the lower surface of the floating piston actuator is sealingly seated on a lip or flange of the gas inlet to restrict gas flow entering the one or more chamber ports.
Non-linear gas flow pathway with deagglomerator between dispersion chamber and gas outlet
A device includes a floating piston actuator, a composition receptacle, and a dispersion chamber located between the composition receptacle and the gas outlet, and one or more chamber ports forming a non-linear gas flow pathway between the gas inlet and the dispersion chamber. A deagglomerator is located between an upper extent of the dispersion chamber and the gas outlet, and the floating piston actuator is moveable between a first configuration where the lower surface is sealingly seated on the lip or flange of the gas inlet and the upper surface is adjacent a lower extent of the composition receptacle to allow the composition to be located in the composition receptacle, and a second configuration where the lower surface is displaced toward the gas outlet to open a gas flow path through the one or more chamber ports and the upper surface is closer to an upper extent of the composition receptacle than the lower extent to displace the composition into the dispersion chamber.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive concept is a gas-driven movable actuator, including configurations using a floating piston and chamber ports, that switches between restricting gas entry and opening a gas flow path to displace composition into a dispersion chamber. The independent claims additionally define that actuator movement can be driven by positive pressure at the gas inlet and/or negative pressure at the gas outlet, and one claim further specifies a non-linear gas flow pathway and a deagglomerator located between the dispersion chamber and the gas outlet.
Stated Advantages
Versatility via positive- and negative-pressure operation using a movable actuator.
Adaptability for inhaler device and insufflator device modes.
Reliability via a sealed gas path and reduced sticking.
Adjustable dosage via primer mechanisms and properties of protrusions and deagglomerator.
Safety and one-time use cue via primer actuation upon cap removal.
Potential dosage tracking.
Documented Applications
Use as a respiratory delivery device for self-administration (conscious and/or responsive subject).
Use in unconscious/unresponsive patient or emergency condition contexts (unconscious/emergency scenarios).
Use as an inhaler device and/or with respiratory equipment, including insufflator device mode.
Delivery of a composition to an airway of a subject using the described particulate respiratory delivery device with mouthpiece operation.
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