Device and method for directing aerosolized mist to a specific area of the respiratory tract

Abstract

Methodology and devices for delivering aerosolized formulation to target areas of a patient's respiratory tract are disclosed. The device is a hand-held, self-contained unit which is readily portable and capable of measuring a variety of parameters including the patient's total respiratory tract capacity, inspiratory flow rate and inspiratory volume. The device is loaded with a container which includes a drug formulation in a liquid form which container includes an opening which is covered, at least in part, by a porous membrane. The pore sizes are designed so as to provide aerosolized particle sizes which are tailored in size for delivery to the specific target area of the respiratory tract. The device can allow the patient to inhale a predetermined volume of unaerosolized air followed by a predetermined volume of aerosol after which flow can be shut off completely or followed by additional aerosol free air. By precisely determining the particle size of the aerosols in combination with precisely determining the volume of aerosol and aerosol free air allowed into the respiratory tact it is possible to target a particular area of the respiratory tract and medicate that area with effective treatment of formulations. In certain circumstances it may be desirable to heat the air surrounding aerosolized particles in order to evaporate away a liquid carrier resulting in particles of a desired size range for delivery to the particular target area of the respiratory tract.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.