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US 6,742,721 B2Granted
Shock wave aerosolization method and apparatus
AssigneeEvit Laboratories
InventorSamuel David Piper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pneumatic inhaler that is able to deliver a controlled burst or dose of aerosol from a reservoir of liquid medication. The inhaler is suitable for the aerosolization of liquid medication that is in solution or suspension form. The inhaler is also ideal for the delivery of unique and specialty liquid medications in short aerosol bursts because no additional formulation development is needed and has the further advantage of being able to deliver multiple medications, as mixed by the patient, doctor, or pharmacist, with a single burst at a repeatable output. Because medication and propellant are not mixed until aerosolization occurs, the inhaler is appropriate for more pharmaceutical agents than the current inhalers available and at a substantial cost savings.
Claims88
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a supersonic shock nozzle;
- and
- a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- wherein said supersonic shock nozzle comprises
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir, and
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive compressed gas discharged from said jet orifice;
- wherein said jet orifice is configured to produce a supersonic jet from said compressed gas;
- wherein said shock chamber is configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- and
- wherein if said supersonic jet is over expanded or under expanded, said supersonic jet will establish a series of reflected compression and expansion shock waves in said shock chamber.
8 more elements
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a supersonic shock nozzle;
- and
- a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- wherein said supersonic shock nozzle comprises
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir, and
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive compressed gas discharged from said jet orifice;
- wherein said jet orifice is configured to produce a supersonic jet from said compressed gas;
- wherein said shock chamber is configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber;
- wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation;
- and
- wherein once liquid has been entrained into the shock chamber and supersonic jet, the integrity of the supersonic jet and resulting reflecting shock waves is destroyed, resulting in less subsequent production of aerosol particles than the initial burst and generally a larger particle size.
10 more elements
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir;
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive compressed gas discharged from said jet orifice;
- and
- a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- wherein said jet orifice is configured to produce a supersonic jet from said compressed gas;
- wherein said shock chamber is configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- and
- wherein if said supersonic jet is over expanded or under expanded, said supersonic jet will establish a series of reflected compression and expansion shock waves in said shock chamber.
6 more elements
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir;
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive compressed gas discharged from said jet orifice;
- and
- a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- wherein said jet orifice is configured to produce a supersonic jet from said compressed gas;
- wherein said shock chamber is configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber;
- wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation;
- and
- wherein once liquid has been entrained into the shock chamber and supersonic jet, the integrity of the supersonic jet and resulting reflecting shock waves is destroyed, resulting in less subsequent production of aerosol particles than the initial burst and generally a larger particle size.
8 more elements
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir and produce a supersonic jet;
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- and
- a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- wherein if said supersonic jet is over expanded or under expanded, said supersonic jet will establish a series of reflected compression and expansion shock waves in said shock chamber.
3 more elements
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir and produce a supersonic jet;
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- and
- a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber;
- wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation;
- and
- wherein once liquid has been entrained into the shock chamber and supersonic jet, the integrity of the supersonic jet and resulting reflecting shock waves is destroyed, resulting in less subsequent production of aerosol particles than the initial burst and generally a larger particle size.
6 more elements
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir and produce a supersonic jet;
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- a valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- and
- an actuator handle coupled to said valve;
- wherein if said supersonic jet is over expanded or under expanded, said supersonic jet will establish a series of reflected compression and expansion shock waves in said shock chamber.
4 more elements
An inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing compressed gas;
- a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir and produce a supersonic jet;
- a sonic shock chamber configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;
- a valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle;
- and
- an actuator handle coupled to said valve;
- wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber;
- wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation;
- and
- wherein once liquid has been entrained into the shock chamber and supersonic jet, the integrity of the supersonic jet and resulting reflecting shock waves is destroyed, resulting in less subsequent production of aerosol particles than the initial burst and generally a larger particle size.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.