Methods and apparatus for drug delivery using supercritical solutions
OwnerRobert E. Sievers, Brooks M. Hybertson +1inventors
InventorsRobert E. Sievers, Brooks M. Hybertson, Brian N. Hansen
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for delivering physiologically active compounds to a target human or animal employ a supercritical fluid solution comprising a supercritical fluid solvent and a physiologically active solute. The supercritical fluid solution is passed into a subcritical region to evaporate the solvent and form a gas-borne dispersion of solute particles. The gas-borne dispersion of solute particles is administered directly to the target human or animal. The apparatus for delivering the physiologically active compound are of the hand-held type.
Claims21
A method of delivering a physiologically active compound to a target human or animal, comprising (a) forming a supercritical fluid solution comprising a supercritical fluid solvent and a physiologically active solute;
- (b) passing the supercritical fluid solution into a region in which the temperature and pressure of the solvent are below a critical temperature and a critical pressure, respectively, of the solvent to evaporate the solvent and form a gas-borne dispersion of solute particles;
- and (c) administering the gas-borne dispersion of solute particles to the target human or animal.
A hand-held apparatus for delivering a physiologically active compound to a target human or animal, comprising (a) a first chamber containing a supercritical fluid solution comprising a supercritical fluid solvent and a physiologically active solute;
- (b) means for rapidly expanding the solution into a region in which the temperature and pressure of the solvent are below a critical temperature and a critical pressure, respectively, of the solvent to evaporate the solvent and form a gas-borne dispersion of solute particles;
- and (c) means for guiding the gas-borne dispersion of solute particles to a target human or animal.
A hand-held apparatus for delivering a physiologically active compound to a target human or animal, comprising a first chamber containing a supercritical fluid solvent;
- a second chamber containing a physiologically active solute for the solvent;
- means for passing the solvent form the first chamber into the second chamber to solubilize the solute in the solvent and form a supercritical fluid solution;
- means for rapidly expanding the solution into a region in which the temperature and pressure of the solvent are below a critical temperature and a critical pressure, respectively, of the solvent to evaporate the solvent and form a gas-borne dispersion of solute particles;
- and means for guiding the gas-borne dispersion of solute particles to a target human or animal.
A hand-held apparatus for delivering a physiologically active compound to a target human or animal, comprising (a) a first chamber containing a supercritical fluid solution comprising a supercritical fluid solvent and a physiologically active solute;
- (b) means for rapidly expanding the solution into a region in which the temperature and pressure of the solvent are below a critical temperature and a critical pressure, respectively, of the solvent to evaporate the solvent and form a gas-borne dispersion of solute particles;
- (c) a second chamber containing a pressurized ballast fluid;
- (d) impermeable pressure sensitive barrier means arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber, which pressure sensitive barrier means allows the pressure of the ballast fluid to maintain the supercritical condition of the solution as the solution passes through the rapid expansion means;
- and (e) means for guiding the gas-borne dispersion of solute particles to a target human or animal.
A hand-held apparatus for delivering a physiologically active compound to a target human or animal, comprising (a) a first chamber containing (i) a supercritical fluid solution comprising a supercritical fluid solvent and a physiologically active solute and (ii) a pressurized ballast fluid, the difference in the density of the supercritical fluid solution and the density of the ballast fluid being sufficiently large that the supercritical fluid solution and the ballast fluid are separated from one another;
- (b) means for rapidly expanding the solution into a region in which the temperature and pressure of the solvent are below a critical temperature and a critical pressure, respectively, of the solvent to evaporate the solvent and form a gas-borne dispersion of solute particles;
- and (c) means for guiding the gas-borne dispersion of solute particles to a target human or animal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.