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Publication Number
US-12102755-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing respiratory therapy are disclosed. One device includes a nasal cannula comprising at least at one nasal prong, tubing and a breathing gas conduit. The nasal prong has a proximal tip and a distal end connected to the breathing gas conduit. The breathing gas conduit has an inlet port, an outlet port, and a walled flow path connecting the inlet and outlet ports, such that the conduit directs the breathing gas from the tubing to the proximal tip of the nasal prong. A nebulizer is secured to the nasal cannula and operable to aerosolize a medicament via a vibrating mesh. The vibrating mesh is secured to the nasal cannula and is positioned adjacent to the breathing gas conduit such that the aerosol is entrained with the breathing gas at proximal tip of the nasal prong.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a nebulizer for generating a flow of aerosolized medicament for delivery to a patient, including a chamber with an inlet, an outlet in fluid communication with a nasal cannula, and a pressure port. A feed tube coupled to the inlet delivers liquid medicament from a remote source to the chamber. An aerosol generator is positioned within the nasal cannula and coupled to the outlet of the chamber, so that the aerosolized medicament is released for delivery to the patient via at least one nasal prong.
The nebulizer delivers a flow of breathing gas to the patient for inhalation so that the flow of aerosolized medicament is entrained into the flow of breathing gas within the nasal cannula and prior to delivery to the patient via the at least one nasal prong. The chamber outlet is positioned in line with at least one nasal prong, providing an entrainment zone near the nasal prong proximal tip to reduce rain-out and droplet coalescence.
A nozzle within the chamber is connected to the inlet and configured such that the liquid medicament is drip fed onto the inner surface of the aerosol generator at atmospheric pressure under the action of gravity. A pressure adjustment element in communication with the pressure port regulates the pressure within the chamber such that the pressure at the inner and outer surfaces of the aerosol generator is substantially the same. The pressure adjustment element includes venting/pressure regulation using a gas-permeable membrane or a compliant diaphragm to manage pressure between the inner and outer surfaces of the aerosol generator.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines three inventive features in a nebulizer architecture with an aerosol generator positioned within a nasal cannula, drip-feeding liquid medicament to an inner surface at atmospheric pressure, and regulating chamber pressure so inner and outer generator pressures are substantially the same.
In-cannula aerosol generator with breathing-gas entrainment
An aerosol generator positioned within the nasal cannula and coupled to the outlet of the chamber, with the outlet positioned in line with at least one nasal prong, so aerosolized medicament is entrained into the flow of breathing gas within the nasal cannula and prior to delivery via the at least one nasal prong.
Drip feeding liquid medicament at atmospheric pressure to the generator inner surface
A nozzle within the chamber, connected to the inlet and configured such that the liquid medicament is drip fed onto the inner surface of the aerosol generator at atmospheric pressure under the action of gravity.
Substantially same pressure at generator inner and outer surfaces via pressure regulation
A pressure adjustment element in communication with the pressure port and configured to regulate the pressure within the chamber such that the pressure at the inner and outer surfaces of the aerosol generator is substantially the same.
The core inventive coverage is the combination of an aerosol generator located within a nasal cannula for entrainment of aerosol into a patient’s inhalation airflow, drip feeding of medicament at atmospheric pressure onto the generator inner surface, and pressure regulation to maintain substantially the same pressure at the aerosol generator’s inner and outer surfaces.
Stated Advantages
Minimizes rain-out and droplet coalescence by entraining aerosol into breathing gas within the nasal cannula prior to delivery through the nasal prongs.
Documented Applications
Delivery of aerosolized medicament to a patient via a nasal cannula in a respiratory-therapy system where breathing gas is supplied and aerosol is entrained into the breathing gas within the nasal cannula before inhalation.
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