Devices and methods for nebulizing fluids for inhalation

A method of delivering a nebulized fluid for inhalation, comprising:

• providing an aerosol generator;
• providing a container containing a fluid to be nebulized;
• providing a reservoir in fluid communication with the container and with the aerosol generator;
• providing a moveable member positioned to act upon the container in a manner to displace fluid therefrom providing a screw assembly operable through a range of operating positions situated to act upon the moveable member to selectively limit the distance of movement of the moveable member;
• selecting a distance of movement of the of the moveable member by operating the screw assembly to a selected operating position;
• moving the moveable member through the selected distance of movement to displace fluid from the container into the reservoir;
• and
• operating the aerosol generator to eject fluid from the reservoir as a nebulized fluid for inhalation.

A method of delivering a nebulized fluid for inhalation, comprising the steps of:

• providing an aerosol generator, a container containing a fluid to be nebulized, a reservoir in fluid communication with the container and with the aerosol generator, a moveable member positioned to act upon the container in a manner to eject fluid therefrom, and a linkage mechanism coupled to the moveable member to selectively control the distance of movement of the moveable member,
• selecting a distance of travel of the of the moveable member,
• moving the moveable member to eject fluid from the container into the reservoir,
• operating the aerosol generator to eject fluid from the reservoir as a nebulized fluid for inhalation.

A nebulizer comprising a titration mechanism, a dispensing mechanism aerosol generator;

• the titration mechanism comprises:
• a housing configured to receive a medicine vial defining a central axis therein,
• a plunger movably mounted within the housing to travel to and fro substantially parallel to the central axis of a vial when such a vial is received within the housing,
• an actuator button configured to move the plunger when said actuator button is pressed by a user;
• a titration control mechanism operable to selectively control the distance of travel of the plunger when the actuator button is pressed, and
• wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises:
• a cannula, a reservoir comprising a lumen defined by a wall, and a delivery tube in fluid communication between the cannula and the reservoir lumen wherein the cannula is configured to engage in fluid communication with a medicine vial and wherein fluid can be moved from a medicine vial through the cannula and through the delivery tube to the reservoir;
• and
• wherein the aerosol generator is mounted within the lumen wall of the reservoir such that when the aerosol generator is operated, fluid within the reservoir is moved from the reservoir and released therefrom as a mist.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial assembly comprising a vial;
• and
• an aerosol generator;
• wherein the vial has a ratio of inside diameter to vial length of between about 1:3.5 to about 1:4.5.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial assembly comprising a vial;
• and
• an aerosol generator;
• wherein the vial has a ratio of inside diameter to vial length of between about 1:3.0 and about 1:3.8.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial mechanism;
• an aerosol generator;
• and
• a switch responsive to inhalation by a user.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial mechanism;
• an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from a liquid;
• and
• a switch responsive to the amount of liquid available to the aerosol generator.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial mechanism;
• an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from a liquid;
• a
• a first switch configured to respond to the presence of a predetermined minimum amount of liquid available to the aerosol generator;
• and
• a second switch configured to respond to the absence of a predetermined minimum amount of liquid available to the aerosol generator.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial mechanism;
• an aerosol generator;
• and
• at least one light, the light providing information to a user on at least one of the operability of the nebulizer and the state of operation of the nebulizer.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial mechanism comprising a vial containing insulin;
• and
• an aerosol generator.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism;
• a vial mechanism;
• an aerosol generator;
• and
• a controller to control operation of the aerosol generator.

A method of nebulizing a liquid, comprising:

• providing a nebulizer comprising a titration mechanism, a vial mechanism and an aerosol generator;
• instructing a user to inhale for B seconds;
• and
• operating the aerosol generator to produce aerosol from the liquid for A seconds, wherein A and B represent real numbers.

A method of providing aerosolized insulin to a user, comprising:

• providing a nebulizer comprising a titration mechanism, a vial mechanism, an aerosol generator, and a reservoir;
• operating the titration mechanism to select a dose of insulin for inhalation;
• actuating the titration mechanism to displace the selected dose of insulin from the vial mechanism and into the reservoir;
• commencing inhalation through the nebulizer;
• operating the aerosol generator;
• ceasing operation of the aerosol generator while inhalation continues;
• ceasing inhalation after cessation of operation of the aerosol generator.

A method of aerosolizing a liquid, comprising,

• providing a nebulizer comprising an aerosol generator;
• providing a titration mechanism in the nebulizer, the titration mechanism comprising a dosing mechanism, a screw mechanism, an actuator and a plunger, the plunger movable along a longitudinal axis within the nebulizer, the actuator movable a fixed distance X along the axis defined by the plunger and the dosing mechanism rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• providing a vial mechanism comprising a vial, the vial having a longitudinal axis and a movable seal movable along the longitudinal axis;
• inserting the vial mechanism into the nebulizer such that the longitudinal axis of the vial is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plunger;
• rotating the dosing mechanism to select a dose,
• operating the screw mechanism, by rotating the dosing mechanism, to set a variable distance Y of travel of the plunger corresponding to a selected dose without imparting longitudinal travel of the plunger;
• moving the actuator longitudinally the fixed distance X to move the plunger longitudinally the selected variable distance Y;
• moving the movable stopper the variable distance Y by movement of the plunger the selected variable distance Y;
• displacing a volume of liquid, corresponding to the selected dose, from the vial to contact the aerosol generator;
• operating the aerosol generator to aerosolize the liquid.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a titration mechanism comprising a longitudinally moveable plunger, the movement thereof defining a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally moveable actuator to move the plunger, the movement of the actuator defining a longitudinal axis, and a screw mechanism to set the distance of travel of the plunger;
• a rotatably mounted dosing mechanism, the rotation thereof defining an axis of rotation,
• a vial mechanism comprising a vial defining a longitudinal access and a moveable seal moveable along the longitudinal access of the vial;
• an aerosol generator;
• and
• a controller to control operation of the aerosol generator,
• wherein the longitudinal axis of the plunger and the longitudinal axis of the actuator are parallel, and wherein the dosing mechanism is rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes.

A method of nebulizing a liquid comprising:

• providing a titration mechanism comprising a longitudinally moveable plunger, the movement thereof defining a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally moveable actuator to move the plunger, the movement of the actuator defining a longitudinal axis, and a screw mechanism to set the distance of travel of the plunger;
• providing a rotatably mounted dosing mechanism, the rotation thereof defining an axis of rotation,
• providing a vial mechanism comprising a vial defining a longitudinal access and a moveable seal moveable along the longitudinal access of the vial;
• providing an aerosol generator;
• providing a controller to control operation of the aerosol generator,
• placing the vial-mechanism within the nebulizer such that the longitudinal axis of the vial is substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation of the dosing mechanism;
• rotating the dosing mechanism to select a dose;
• moving the actuator to move the plunger such that fluid is dispensed from the vial;
• operating the aerosol generator to nebulize the liquid.