Methods and apparatus for delivering aerosolized medication
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-9216259-B2
Publication Date
2015-12-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pulmonary drug delivery device having one or more vortexing elements which impart beneficial flow characteristics to an inspiratory air flow carrying a medicament into the patient's lungs.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a pulmonary drug delivery inhaler and a vortex generator suitable for providing a vortexing action to a medicament bolus from a pressurized metered dose inhaler. A vortexing back plate is located behind where the medicament bolus is introduced into an inspiratory airflow, and the vortexing back plate comprises openings that impart a tangential velocity to the inspiratory air flow and create a helical swirl pattern to the inspiratory air flow and to the medicament bolus.
The flow rate of the medicament bolus is slowed so that it approximately matches the air flow of the inspiratory airflow. The helical swirl airflow increases residence time and propellant evaporation, slows and entrains the aerosol, and reduces impaction and sticking on internal surfaces.
The vortexing also shortens and adjusts the bolus trajectory to better match patient inspired breath velocity, thereby improving delivery to conductive airways and lungs. Structural embodiments include impinging jet housing, vortexing back plate and vortexing backwall with vortex air inlets, and a non-porous tangential flow spacer with tangential slits and angles to create tangential velocity.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides a vortex generator for a pressurized metered dose inhaler using a vortexing back plate behind the medicament bolus inlet to create a helical swirl and slow bolus flow to approximately match inspiratory airflow. Inventive features are primarily centered on the vortexing back plate openings that impart tangential velocity and on slowing the medicament bolus flow to approximately match inspiratory airflow.
Vortexing back plate behind medicament bolus introduction
A vortexing back plate is located behind where the medicament bolus is introduced into an inspiratory airflow.
Openings impart tangential velocity and create helical swirl pattern
The vortexing back plate comprises openings that impart a tangential velocity to the inspiratory air flow and create a helical swirl pattern to the inspiratory air flow and to the medicament bolus.
Slowing medicament bolus flow to approximately match inspiratory airflow
The flow rate of the medicament bolus is slowed and approximately matches the air flow of the inspiratory airflow.
Vortexing back plate suitable for providing vortexing action to medicament bolus
A vortex generator is suitable for providing a vortexing action to a medicament bolus from a pressurized metered dose inhaler.
Optionally specified medicament bolus MMAD
The medicament bolus has a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of less than about 10 microns, or in a range of about 1 micron to about 5 microns.
Optionally specified medicament bolus velocity
The medicament bolus velocity is less than about 300 centimeters per second, or less than about 150 centimeters per second.
Inwardly directed angled vanes in the openings
The openings comprise inwardly directed vanes oriented at an angle.
Overall, the claim coverage focuses on a vortex generator using a vortexing back plate behind the medicament bolus inlet to create a helical swirl via openings imparting tangential velocity, while slowing the medicament bolus flow to approximately match inspiratory airflow; dependent claims further constrain MMAD, bolus velocity, and define inwardly directed, angled vanes in the openings.
Stated Advantages
Increases residence time.
Increases propellant evaporation.
Slows and entrains the aerosol.
Reduces impaction and sticking on internal surfaces.
Shortens and adjusts the bolus trajectory to better match patient inspired breath velocity.
Improves delivery to conductive airways and lungs.
Increases path length (70–300%) from helical curling.
Improves respirability and entrainment.
Documented Applications
Pulmonary drug delivery using a pressurized metered dose inhaler (MDI), optionally described with a dry powder inhaler (DPI).
Targeted delivery to conductive airways and lungs by matching bolus trajectory to patient inspired breath velocity.
Interested in licensing this patent?