Apparatus, methods, and systems for administering a medication to a patient from a capsule using an atomizer
Inventors
Albert, Pradeep • Nichols, Christine • Condron, David J. • Artze, Brian • SABA, Fadi • Klein, Jesse • Vad, Vijay
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11850356-B1
Publication Date
2023-12-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for administering at least one medication to a patient is disclosed. The system includes a resilient air bladder in fluid communication with a tubular chamber of a base unit, a capsule in fluid communication with the tubular chamber configured for carrying the at least one medication, and an atomizer disposed at least proximate to the capsule and in fluid communication with the tubular chamber. An air inlet and a first one-way valve is in fluid communication with the resilient air bladder configured to allow fresh air to enter the resilient air bladder. An air outlet and a second one-way value is in fluid communication the resilient air bladder and the tubular chamber. Fresh air and the medication atomized by the atomizer mix together within the tubular chamber.
Core Innovation
The invention concerns a medication delivery system that administers at least one medication into a mouth of a patient. A removable capsule is provided with an upper part of a vibrating mesh atomizer disposed at a lower end and directly adjacent to a capsule chamber of the removable capsule, such that the medication contacts the upper part of the atomizer within the chamber. The capsule is inserted into a channel of a base unit, where the channel is in fluid communication with a chamber of the base unit.
The base unit housing defines openings for receiving a portion of a conduit of a resilient air bladder and a portion of at least one of a mouthpiece and a mask, and the base unit channel is configured to receive the removable capsule. The system includes a first electrical contact on an outward surface of the removable capsule and a second electrical contact on an inner wall of the channel to provide electrical communication between the removable capsule and the base unit.
The base unit dispenses the medication from the removable capsule to the chamber via the capsule chamber while conveying air from the resilient air bladder into a mixing chamber. Air conveyed from the resilient air bladder and the medication dispensed from the capsule are administered to the patient through at least one of a mouthpiece and a mask. The user interface interacts to start the atomizer to atomize the medication, and the resilient air bladder is placed in fluid communication with the chamber of the base unit to enable administrable delivery.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims, one method claim and one system claim. Across these independent claims, the core inventive coverage includes a removable capsule with a vibrating mesh atomizer adjacent to a capsule chamber, insertion into a base unit channel in fluid communication with a base unit chamber, electrical-contact coupling between the capsule and the base unit, and air-conveyed administration using a resilient air bladder that mixes conveyed air with dispensed medication prior to patient delivery.
Vibrating mesh atomizer integrated in removable capsule adjacent to capsule chamber
A removable capsule having an upper part of a vibrating mesh atomizer disposed at a lower end of and directly adjacent to a capsule chamber of the removable capsule, wherein the at least one medication contacts the upper part of the atomizer within the chamber.
Base unit channel in fluid communication with base unit chamber for capsule insertion and fluid delivery
Inserting the removable capsule into a channel of a base unit, the channel in fluid communication with a chamber of the base unit, the base unit having a housing that defines openings for receiving a portion of a conduit of a resilient air bladder, a portion of at least one of a mouthpiece and a mask, and the removable capsule.
Electrical contact coupling between removable capsule and base unit
A first electrical contact disposed on an outward surface of the removable capsule and a second electrical contact disposed on an inner wall of the channel for providing electrical communication between the removable capsule and the base unit.
Dispensing medication from capsule into base unit chamber using atomizer
A user interface on the base unit is acted on to start the atomizer to atomize the at least one medicament and dispense the at least one medication from the removable capsule to the chamber of the base unit, via the capsule chamber.
Resilient air bladder conveying air into mixing chamber for administration
Air within the resilient air bladder is conveyed from the resilient air bladder and into the mixing chamber such that the air conveyed from the resilient air bladder and the at least one medication dispensed from the removable capsule is administered to the patient.
System with user interface configured to start atomizer and resilient air bladder in fluid communication
A base unit comprising a first channel, a chamber, and a user interface, the first channel in fluid communication with the chamber, the user interface configured to be acted on to start the atomizer to atomize the at least one medicament; and the resilient air bladder configured to be placed in fluid communication with the chamber of the base unit such that air conveyed from the resilient air bladder and the at least one medication dispensed from the removable capsule is administrable to the patient.
The independent claims collectively cover administering at least one medication using a removable capsule with an integrated vibrating mesh atomizer, coupled to a base unit channel/chamber arrangement through electrical contacts and capsule insertion. The claims further require air-conveyance from a resilient air bladder into a mixing chamber or base unit chamber arrangement so that conveyed air and atomized or dispensed medication are administered to a patient through a mouthpiece and/or a mask.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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