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-11925748-B1
Publication Date
2024-03-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention pertains to a capsule system for use with a medical device designed to administer atomized medication to patients. The system features a chamber containing the medication and an atomizer at a lower end for efficient drug delivery. Notably, the system incorporates a fluid sensor and electrical contacts to ensure proper operation and medication delivery. The capsule's design includes a housing with an asymmetrical transverse cross-sectional shape for unique fitting, and a tapered wall to direct medication towards the atomizer. The capsule may also connect to an external container or include a stopper for refilling medication. A specific embodiment features two chambers with a rupturing element to facilitate medication transfer. Another embodiment includes a removable container, like a vial, within the first chamber. This novel system provides improvements in accuracy, versatility, and user-friendliness, overcoming limitations in prior art.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a capsule for use with a medical device for administering at least one atomized medication to a patient. The capsule includes at least one chamber disposed above a second chamber, and at least one medication disposed within the at least one chamber. An atomizer is provided at a lower end portion of the capsule to administer the atomized medication to the patient.
The capsule further includes a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a radial surface of a protruding body of the capsule. The protruding body extends substantially an entire length of a lower portion of the capsule, and the plurality of electrical contacts is configured to electrically connect with a second plurality of electrical contacts of the medical device. The capsule also includes a removable stop disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber to inhibit the first chamber from translating relative to the second chamber.
In certain embodiments, the capsule includes a rupturing element disposed proximate to a chamber and a removable container disposed within the chamber through an open top side. The capsule includes a seal on the removable container and a second chamber within the removable container with at least one medication disposed within the second chamber, and the removable stop is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber to inhibit relative translation. In further embodiments, a membrane is positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber to prevent fluid communication between the chambers.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00014, and clm-00017). Each independent claim centers on a capsule for atomized medication administration, with electrical contacts for mating with a medical device and an atomizer at the lower end, while differing in how medication containment and chamber separation are implemented. Across the independent claims, a total of three main inventive-feature groupings are evident.
Stacked first and second chambers with removable stop inhibiting translation
A capsule for use with a medical device includes at least one chamber comprising a first chamber disposed above a second chamber, at least one medication disposed within the chamber(s), an atomizer at a lower end portion of the capsule, a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a radial surface of a protruding body configured to electrically connect with corresponding contacts of the medical device, and a removable stop disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber to inhibit the first chamber from translating relative to the second chamber.
Removable container within open top first chamber with removable stop and rupturing element
A capsule for use in a medical device includes a first chamber having an open top side and a first chamber width that substantially spans a capsule width, a rupturing element disposed at least proximate to the first chamber, an atomizer at a lower end portion of the capsule, a plurality of electrical contacts on a radial surface of a protruding body configured to electrically connect with corresponding contacts of the medical device, a removable container comprising a removable container width, a seal on the removable container, and a second chamber within the removable container with at least one medication disposed within the second chamber; wherein the removable container is disposed within the first chamber through the open top side of the first chamber and the container width spans substantially the first chamber width; and a removable stop disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber to inhibit the first chamber from translating relative to the second chamber.
At least one chamber with medication and device-mating electrical contacts
A capsule for use with a medical device includes at least one chamber, at least one medication disposed within the at least one chamber, an atomizer at a lower end portion of the capsule, and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a radial surface of a protruding body of the capsule, the protruding body extending substantially an entire length of a lower portion of the capsule; wherein the plurality of electrical contacts is configured to electrically connect with a second plurality of electrical contacts of the medical device.
Collectively, the independent claims define a capsule architecture for atomized medication administration that includes an atomizer at a lower end and an electrical-contact interface for coupling to a medical device. One claim additionally requires stacked first and second chambers separated by a removable stop, another specifies a removable container with a seal and a second chamber contained within it, and the third provides a more general capsule arrangement with at least one medication-containing chamber and device-mating electrical contacts.
Stated Advantages
Controlled inhibition of relative translation between the first chamber and the second chamber via a removable stop.
Electrical connectivity between the capsule electrical contacts and corresponding medical device electrical contacts.
Prevention of fluid communication between chambers via a membrane in certain embodiments.
Establishment of fluid communication between chambers in embodiments where a rupturing element is configured to engage or penetrate a seal.
Documented Applications
Administering at least one atomized medication to a patient using a medical device.
Human emergency administration (variant mentioned in the partial content).
Veterinary animal administration (variant mentioned in the partial content).
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