Aerogen, Inc.

Novartis Ag

Therafuse, Inc.

Michael Albert Klimowicz

James B Fink

Joseph P Loeffler

David Rapp

John Sylvester Power

Niall Smith

Rajan Patel

Victor Briones

Richard Q Poynter

Ralf Bitdinger

Nicanor Domingo

Craig M Litherland

Joseph A Maxwell

Brian Scott Thornton

Markus Flierl

Paul S Uster

Richard James Stevens

Paul Albulet

Kamran Behzadian

Rob Burnside

A method of delivering a nebulized fluid for inhalation, including providing an aerosol generator, providing a container containing a fluid to be nebulized, providing a reservoir in fluid communication with the container and with the aerosol generator, providing a moveable member positioned to act upon the container in a manner to elect fluid therefrom, providing a linkage mechanism operable through a range of operating positions that is coupled to the moveable member to selectively control a distance of movement of the moveable member, selecting the distance of movement of the moveable member, moving the moveable member to eject fluid from the container into the reservoir, and operating the aerosol generator to elect fluid from the reservoir as a nebulized fluid for inhalation.

Devices and methods for nebulizing fluids for inhalation

A nebulized fluid, generated by vibrating an aerosolization element, is introduced into a breathing circuit during a certain interval of a patient's breathing cycle. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

Methods and systems for operating an aerosol generator

A nebulizer comprising an aerosol generator and a titration mechanism comprising a dosing mechanism, a screw assembly, a plunger and an actuator, wherein the dosing mechanism is rotatably mounted in the nebulizer and the plunger is mounted in the nebulizer to travel along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the dosing mechanism. The actuator is mounted to the nebulizer to travel in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The screw mechanism allows the rotation of the dosing mechanism to fix a variable distance of travel of the plunger based on the selected dose, without moving the plunger longitudinally. This allows the user to verify and if necessary correct the selected dose prior to any drug being released from the vial. Operation of the actuator causes longitudinal movement, through the screw mechanism, to the plunger. The actuator always moves a fixed distance along the longitudinal axis, while the plunger always moves a variable distance depending on rotation of the dosing mechanism to a selected dose.

A nebule comprising at least one identification marker or label can be coupled an aerosol generator. The identification marker can be sensed by a sensing device on the aerosol generator so as to identify the liquid in the nebule to the controller of the aerosol generator. The controller of the aerosol generator can control the aerosol generator based on the information read from the identification marker.

A shape memory activated fluid control pinch valve is disclosed. The valve may be normally open or normally closed. In various embodiments of the valve, the valve may be a latching pinch valve and may operate with magnetic assistance.

Shape memory alloy latching valve

A feed system for an aerosolizer utilizes an ampoule containing a liquid and includes a housing having an ampoule region into which the ampoule is held, and a liquid receiving region that is adapted to receive liquid dispensed from the ampoule. An interface is used to couple the liquid receiving region to an aerosol generator, whereby liquid from the liquid receiving region is permitted to flow to the aerosol generator for aerosolization.

Convertible fluid feed system with comformable reservoir and methods

A fluid filled ampoule comprises an ampoule body having a top end, a bottom end and a sealed interior containing a liquid. A top tab is coupled to the top end and is removable to create a drain vent in the top end. A bottom tab is coupled to the bottom end and is removable to create a drain opening in the bottom end. A movable shroud is coupled to the top end and is disposed about the top tab. The shroud is movable to permit access to the top tab.

Fluid filled ampoules and methods for their use in aerosolizers

Devices and methods for nebulizing a fluid are described. A replaceable fluid assembly may include a reservoir and a fluid cartridge. The reservoir may be detachable from the fluid cartridge and may be assembled by the prior prior to loading into the nebulizing device.

Methods and devices for nebulizing fluids

An aerosolization device comprises a housing having a mouthpiece, an aerosol generator, a flow sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to begin operation of the aerosol generator upon receipt of a signal from the flow sensor indicating that a threshold flow rate has been achieved by a user when inhaling a tidal breath through the mouthpiece, and to stop operation after the passage of an operation time period that is selected such that continuation of the tidal breath delivers substantially all of the aerosol to the lungs.

Systems and methods for clearing aerosols from the effective anatomic dead space

A method for producing an aerosol generator utilizes a vibratable member having a plurality of apertures for producing liquid droplets upon vibration of the vibratable member. A support member is injection molded about the vibratable member, and a vibratable element is placed in vibrational communication with the vibratable member.

Insert molded aerosol generator and methods

A method for aerosolizing a liquid comprises providing an aerosol generator having a plate with a plurality of apertures and a piezoelectric element to vibrate the plate. Liquid is supplied to the plate, and the piezoelectric element is energized to vibrate the plate at an initial frequency. The energy level is adjusted to vibrate the plate at its instantaneous resonant frequency during aerosolization of the liquid.

Methods and apparatus for controlling piezoelectric vibration

A nebulizing device having two or more nebulizing elements. The nebulizing device may be used to deliver two or more fluids to the patient or may be used for enhanced fluid flow of a single fluid. The nebulizing elements are preferably vibrating elements with holes therein through which the fluid is expelled when the vibrating elements are vibrated.

Growing community of inventors

Escondido, CA, United States of America

Michael Albert Klimowicz