# US 11,305,073 B2 · Device and method for targeted delivery of aerosolized particles to the lungs > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,073 B2 - Document ID: US11305073B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/269,766 - Filed: 2019-02-07 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-07 - Assignees: Monitored Therapeutics, Inc - Applicants: Monitored Therapeutics, Inc. - Inventors: Alex Stenzler; Steve Han; Martin Stegenga - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305073B2 ## CPC - A61M 11/005: {using ultrasonics (spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06)} - A61M 11/001: {Particle size control} - A61M 15/0016: {located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product} - A61M 15/0021: {Mouthpieces therefor} - A61M 15/0085: {using ultrasonics (spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06)} - A61M 15/0015: {located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product} - A61M 15/0018: {with exhalation check valves} - A61M 15/002: {with air flow regulating means} - A61M 2016/0021: {with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor} - A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter} - A61M 2016/0033: {electrical} - A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate - A61M 2205/3553: remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office - A61M 2205/3569: sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable - A61M 2205/3592: using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission - A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient - A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M 2205/587: Lighting arrangements - A61M 2205/6018: providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration - A61M 2205/6027: Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes - A61M 2205/6045: having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M 2205/8237: Charging means - A61M 2209/086: Docking stations - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A nebulizer device includes an air intake port positioned downstream of a nebulizer element, and a mouthpiece positioned upstream of the nebulizer element. A flow sensor is coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to integrate an inhaled air flow signal received from the flow sensor for determining an inhaled air volume. The controller is also configured to turn on the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a first predetermined threshold, and turn off the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a second predetermined threshold. A method for targeted delivery of aerosolized particles to the lungs is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nebulizer device comprising: an air intake port positioned downstream of a nebulizer element, and a mouthpiece positioned upstream of the nebulizer element; and a flow control sensor coupled to a controller, the flow control sensor comprising a fixed orifice and a variable orifice arranged in parallel; wherein the controller is configured to integrate an inhaled air flow signal received from the flow control sensor for determining an inhaled air volume; wherein the controller is configured to turn on the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a first predetermined threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to turn off the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a second predetermined threshold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first predetermined threshold and the second predetermined threshold is a patient-specific threshold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising: a removable storage container, the nebulizer device comprising a plurality of deposition detection elements configured to mate with a plurality of deposition identification elements disposed on the removable storage container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The nebulizer device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of deposition detection elements are a plurality of detection pins. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The nebulizer device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of deposition identification elements are a plurality of metal contacts connected to the nebulizer element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The nebulizer device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of deposition identification elements are indicative of a target deposition area within lungs of a patient. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The nebulizer device of claim 3, wherein an opening to the removable storage container is at least partly defined by the nebulizer element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The nebulizer device of claim 7, wherein the nebulizer element is a nebulizer mesh. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The nebulizer device of claim 3, wherein the removable storage container comprises an interior cup nested within a chamber of the removable storage container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising a one way valve positioned directly over the flow control sensor configured to permit airflow only in an upstream direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising: a drip cup positioned between the mouthpiece and the flow control sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising: an exhalation valve positioned between the mouthpiece and the storage container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising: a portable power source coupled to the controller and nebulizer element, and stored within a housing of the nebulizer device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising: a status indicator coupled to the controller and comprising at least one of a light indicator and an auditory indicator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The nebulizer device of claim 14, wherein the status indicator is configured to activate when the inhaled air volume reaches the first predetermined threshold. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The nebulizer device of claim 13, wherein the status indicator is configured to activate when the inhaled air volume reaches a second predetermined threshold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The nebulizer device of claim 13, wherein the nebulizer device is a handheld device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method for targeted delivery of aerosolized particles to the lungs comprising: providing the nebulizer device of claim 1; determining a deposition identity from the removable storage container; measuring and integrating an inspiratory flow to determine inspiratory volume; activating the nebulizer element when the inspiratory volume reaches a first volume threshold associated with the deposition identity; and deactivating the nebulizer element when the inspiratory volume reaches a second volume threshold associated with the deposition identity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The nebulizer device of claim 1, wherein the variable orifice is configured to increase resistance sensitivity as airflow increases.