Stamford Devices Limited

Aerami Therapeutics, Inc.

Dance Biopharm Inc.

Joseph Martin Grehan

Michael Joseph Casey

Niall Smith

Kieran James Hyland

John Sylvester Power

Ronan MacLoughlin

John Matthew Mullins

Jim Fink

Lisa Molloy

Shaun Porter

Claire Elizabeth Lillis

Noel Coyle

Niall Scott Smith

Stephen Thornton

Russell Greaney

Clair Elizabeth Lillis

A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (-). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.

Nebulizer aperture plate drive frequency control and monitoring

A digital processor of a nebulizer controller controls and monitors drive current (I) applied to an aperture plate. The drive current is detected as a series of discrete values at each of multiple measuring points, each having a particular drive frequency The processor in real time calculates a slope or rate of change of drive current with frequency and additionally determines a minimum value for drive current leading up to the peak value. The processor uses both the value of the minimum drive current during the scan and also the maximum slope value to achieve reliable prediction of end of dose, when the aperture plate becomes dry.

End-of-dose detection in nebulizers

An aerosol delivery system has an aerosol generator with a vibrating aperture plate () and an actuator (), a controller (). The controller in real time monitors () the aerosol generator as it is driven for vibration of the aperture plate, and detects () a change in an electrical characteristic in response to a transition from a wet state to a dry state of the aperture plate. It automatically modifies (), during the transition, operation of the aerosol generator in response to the detected change. The modification includes reducing applied power (). The controller continues () to monitor during the transition, including monitoring the aperture plate for presence of residual liquid on the aperture plate first surface. The controller monitors at a number of drive frequencies and maintains data representing trends in a combination of the electrical characteristic signals at the different frequencies, and identifies a start of a transition if a calculated value rises above a threshold. There is one threshold for triggering a check scan for residual volume and a higher threshold to trigger an immediate shut down.

Protection of aperture plate during aerosol generation

Nebulizer vibrating aperture plate drive frequency control and monitoring

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosolization device for ensuring proper delivery of an aerosolized medication to a user's respiratory system. The aerosolization device may include a conduit, an aerosol generator, a restrictor disposed within the conduit, and an indicator mechanism. The conduit may include a mouthpiece end by which a user may cause inspiratory flow through the conduit. The aerosol generator may include a vibratable mesh. The restrictor may define a plurality of apertures disposed along an outer periphery of the restrictor configured to provide an increase in pressure differential that varies with an inspiratory flow rate within the conduit and to provide a relatively laminar flow downstream of the restrictor compared to upstream of the restrictor. The indicator mechanism may indicate to a user a state of a parameter of the inspiratory flow relative to a predefined desired range.

Aerosolization system with flow restrictor and feedback device

A nebulizer comprises a controller linked at its output to a nebulizer head, and at its input to a USB cable and USB plug for connection to a host system. The link between the USB plug and the controller is a USB cable with power and data channels. The controller comprises a boost circuit, a microcontroller, and a drive circuit. The latter provides power and control signals via a cable and proprietary plug to the nebulizer head. These signals provide power and control for a vibrating membrane receiving a liquid to be aerosolised. The controller has a housing with LED status lamps, and an ON/OFF button. The controller can be controlled via a host, either locally or remotely.

Nebulizer

Embodiments provide aerosolization device for providing aerosolized medicament to user. The aerosolization device includes conduit, aerosol generator, fluid receiving chamber, restrictor within the conduit, and indicator mechanism. Conduit has an inner wall and a mouthpiece end for causing an inspiratory flow. Aerosol generator includes a vibratable mesh laterally offset from the inner wall. Fluid receiving chamber receives liquid medicament. At least a portion of chamber is tapered such that liquid medicament is directed onto vibratable mesh for aerosolization. Restrictor defines a plurality of apertures that provide increases in pressure differential that vary with inspiratory flow rate within conduit and provide relatively laminar flow downstream of restrictor. Indicator mechanism indicates a state of flow parameters relative to a predefined range. Aerosol generator is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of liquid medicament only when flow parameters of the inspiratory flow are within range.

Liquid nebulization systems and methods

A nebulizer comprises a controller linked at its output to a nebulizer head, and at its input to a USB cable and USB plug for connection to a host system. The link between the USB plug and the controller is a USB cable with power and data channels. The controller comprises a boost circuit, a microcontroller, and a drive circuit. The latter provides power and control signals via a cable and proprietary plug to the nebulizer head. These signals provide power and control for a vibrating membrane receiving a liquid to be aerosolized. The controller has a housing with LED status lamps, and an ON/OFF button. The controller can be controlled via a host, either locally or remotely.

Growing community of inventors

Gort, Ireland

Joseph Martin Grehan