Patent classifications
A61M15/0093
Methods and apparatus for passive, proportional, valveless gas sampling and delivery
A fluid dynamic valve passively allows fluid flow out of a moving stream in one flow direction and not in the reverse. This allows the collection of fluid from a single direction of an AC fluid flow. The siphoned portion of the flow has a flow rate proportional to the mainstream flow. This device can collect exhaled breath or selective entrenchment during inhale. In one orientation, it can meter aerosolized particles into an inhale breath stream for pulmonary delivery, without complicated breath timing or drug loss due to drug adsorption to the back of the throat. Alternatively, a user can breathe through the device and a proportional amount, relative to the volumetric flow rate, of each exhale can flow into an auxiliary chamber for analysis. In addition, the device has a low respiratory burden and is comfortable to use.
INHALER SYSTEM
Provided is a system (10) for determining a probability of an asthma exacerbation in a subject. The system comprises an inhaler (100) for delivering a rescue medicament to the subject. The inhaler has a use-detection system (12B) configured to determine a rescue inhalation performed by the subject using the first inhaler. A sensor system (12A) is configured to measure a parameter relating to airflow during the rescue inhalation. The system further comprises a processor (14) configured to determine a number of the rescue inhalations during a first time period, and receive the parameter measured for at least some of the rescue inhalations. The processor determines, using a weighted model, the probability of the asthma exacerbation based on the number of rescue inhalations and the parameters.
The model is weighted such that the number of rescue inhalations is more significant in the probability determination than the parameters.
Devices, systems, and methods for adherence monitoring and patient interaction
Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring and patient interaction. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate a patient's adherence to a medication schedule and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the patient's adherence to the medication schedule. In one embodiment, a medical accessory such as a cap is provided that can be configured to attach to existing medication dispensers, such as asthma inhalers, or to be integrated into a custom-made medication dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to the patient when medication is due. The accessory can be configured to detect usage of the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide data regarding dispensing of the medication to an external device. The data can be analyzed and provided for visualization on a user interface.
Aerosolization apparatus for inhalation profile-independent drug delivery
A powder aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing comprising an outlet adapted to be inserted into a user's mouth and one or more bypass air openings. A receptacle support within the housing supports a receptacle containing a powder pharmaceutical formulation. A puncturing mechanism within the housing creates in the receptacle one or more inlet openings and one or more powder outflow openings, wherein the powder outflow openings have a total area of from 0.2 mm.sup.2 to 4.0 mm.sup.2. Upon a user's inhalation through the outlet, air flows through the one or more bypass air openings and through the receptacle to aerosolize the powder pharmaceutical formulation in the receptacle. In one version, the relative flow parameters between the flow through the one or more bypass openings and the one or more powder outflow openings are selected so that flow of aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation does not occur until a predetermined inhalation flow rate is achieved.
System comprising a simulated cigarette device and a refill unit
A simulated smoking device (1) comprising a simulated cigarette having a substantially cylindrical cigarette-like shape and a refill device (2, 50) having a substantially cuboid housing with a cigarette pack-like shape containing refill gas (32, 59) for the simulated cigarette and having means for selectively retaining the simulated cigarette. The simulated cigarette may be retained wholly within the housing. It may be retained at a location different from the refill location. A dose counter may be provided to give a visual indication of the doses in the refill device.
Systems and methods of aerosol delivery with airflow regulation
An example aerosol delivery device includes a mouthpiece having an airflow outlet, and an airflow passage extending between an airflow inlet and the airflow outlet. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a housing configured to receive a cartridge that includes an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element configured to heat the aerosolizable substance, and an internal power source configured to provide electrical power. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a controller coupled to the internal power source to receive a portion of the electrical power and configured to, when the cartridge is installed at the housing, cause the vapor element of the cartridge to heat the aerosolizable substance to release an aerosol into the airflow passage during an inhalation through the airflow outlet, and a connector configured to receive power from an external source to recharge the internal power source.
Nebulizer having different negative pressure threshold settings
Novel nebulizers and methods are provided for a nebulizer including a dialable negative pressure threshold valve that actuates in response to different negative pressures corresponding to different negative pressure threshold settings of actuation of the valve to influence inhalation effort, aerosol entrainment, and aerosol delivery.
INHALER SYSTEM
Provided is a system (10) for determining a probability of a CORD exacerbation in a subject. The system comprises a first inhaler (100) for delivering a rescue medicament to the subject. The rescue medicament may be suitable for treating the subject's acute respiratory disease, for example by effecting rapid dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles upon inhalation of the medicament. The first inhaler has a use-detection system (12B) configured to determine a rescue inhalation performed by the subject using the first inhaler. The system optionally includes a second inhaler for delivering a maintenance medicament to the subject during a routine inhalation A sensor system (12A) is configured to measure a parameter relating to airflow during the rescue inhalation and/or during the routine inhalation, when the second inhaler is included in the system. The system further comprises a processor (14) configured to determine a number of the rescue inhalations during a first time period, and receive the parameter measured for at least some of the rescue and/or routine inhalations. The processor then determines, using a weighted model, the probability of the CORD exacerbation based on the number of rescue inhalations and the parameters. The model is weighted such that the parameters are more significant in the probability determination than the number of rescue inhalations. Further provided is a method for determining the probability of a COPD exacerbation in a subject, which method employs the weighted model.
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of aerosol generation devices, and more particularly to electronic cigarettes configured to generation of aerosols from aqueous formulations of nicotine or cannabis products. The present disclosure further provides aqueous cannabinoid compositions for use in the aerosol generation devices.
DEVICE FOR THE INHALATION-SYNCHRONIZED DISPENSING OF A FLUID PRODUCT
A device having a body (10), a reservoir (100) mounted to slide axially relative to the body, a metering valve (200) on the reservoir (100), a blocking element (500), a trigger element (600), an inhalation-controlled trigger system (60) cooperating with the trigger element, an actuating member (800) cooperating with the blocking element, a cover (11) fixed on the body, a push member (810) fastened tot actuating member (800) and mounted to slide axially in the cover, and a spring (850) between the cover and the push member. Before inhalation, the push member is out of contact with the reservoir, such that the force exerted on the push member by the spring is not transmitted to the reservoir, and during inhalation, the push member moves axially with the actuating member so as to come into contact with the reservoir and move it axially in the body to actuate said valve.