Apparatus and method for maintaining consistency for aerosol drug delivery treatments

A method for maintaining a consistent treatment time for aerosol drug delivery treatments, comprising:

• administering a predetermined dose of aerosolized drug to a patient using an aerosol generator, the aerosol generator operating in pulses to deliver the aerosolized drug to the patient in pulses, and the aerosol generator operating at an initial power level during a first set of pulses;
• monitoring the patient's breathing pattern during the first set of pulses;
• and
• varying the power level at which the aerosol generator operates during a second set of one or more pulses based on the monitored breathing pattern in order to maintain the consistent treatment time,
• wherein the breathing pattern includes a ratio of the patient's inhalation with respect to exhalation, and
• wherein varying the power level for the second set of one or more pulses includes decreasing the power level responsive to the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold during the first set of pulses.

An aerosol drug delivery apparatus, comprising:

• a reservoir constructed to contain a predetermined dose of a liquid drug;
• an aerosol generator in communication with the reservoir;
• a power source arranged to deliver power to the aerosol generator, the powered aerosol generator producing an aerosolized form of the dose that can be administered to a patient;
• a breath measuring mechanism operable to monitor the patient's breathing pattern during the administration of the dose;
• and
• at least one controller configured to control the power source such that power is delivered from the power source to the aerosol generator in pulses, the controller being configured such that (i) power is provided to the aerosol generator at an initial power level during a first set of pulses, and (ii) the power level is varied from the initial power level during a second set of one or more pulses based on the monitored breathing pattern in order to maintain a consistent treatment time for separate treatment sessions,
• wherein the breathing measuring mechanism includes a sensor operable to measure a ratio of the patient's inhalation with respect to exhalation, and
• wherein the controller is configured to vary the power level during the second set of one or more pulses by increasing the power level responsive to the ratio falling below a predetermined threshold during the first set of pulses.

An aerosol drug delivery apparatus, comprising:

• a reservoir constructed to contain a predetermined dose of a liquid drug;
• an aerosol generator in communication with the reservoir;
• a power source arranged to deliver power to the aerosol generator, the powered aerosol generator producing an aerosolized form of the dose that can be administered to a patient;
• a breath measuring mechanism operable to monitor the patient's breathing pattern during the administration of the dose;
• and
• at least one controller configured to control the power source such that power is delivered from the power source to the aerosol generator in pulses, the controller being configured such that (i) power is provided to the aerosol generator at an initial power level during a first set of pulses, and (ii) the power level is varied from the initial power level during a second set of one or more pulses based on the monitored breathing pattern in order to maintain a consistent treatment time for separate treatment sessions,
• wherein the breathing measuring mechanism includes a sensor operable to measure a ratio of the patient's inhalation with respect to exhalation, and
• wherein the controller is configured to vary the power level by decreasing the power level during the second set of one or more pulses responsive to the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold during the first set of pulses.