Method and device for delivering aerosolized medicaments

Abstract

A device for accurately delivering aerosolized doses of a medicament disperses a measured amount of drug in a measured volume of carrier gas and transfers the resulting aerosol to a chamber prior to inhalation by a patient. The chamber is filled efficiently with the aerosol, and inhalation by the patient draws the aerosol dose into the lungs. This is followed by the inhalation of atmospheric air that will push the initial dose well into the lung interiors. The apparatus optimally includes a dose regulator, a counter, a clock, a dose memory and a signal to indicate when a dose is ready for inhalation. Optimal chamber designs are disclosed.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . Au apparatus for producing aerosolized medicament, the apparatus comprising: 
 a reservoir containing a powder medicament to be aerosolized, the powder medicament comprising a protein or polypeptide; and    a chamber comprising an inlet and a mouthpiece, wherein gas may flow into the chamber through the inlet and may flow out of the chamber through the mouthpiece and wherein the flow of gas aerosolizes the powder medicament,    wherein at least 40 percent by weight of the powder medicament is suspended by the gas in the chamber for delivery rough the mouthpiece.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the chamber volume is from 100 ml to 750 ml.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  further comprising a source of compressed gas, wherein the compressed gas may be released if the source of compressed gas to cause the flow of gas to aerosolize the medicament.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the chamber is adapted contain the aerosolized medicament for subsequent delivery to a patient during a patient's inhalation.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the chamber is cylindrical.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  when the aerosolizes medicament comprises small particles of medicament, the particles being sized to be deliverable to the alveolar regions of the lungs of a patient.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the particles are predominantly 1 to 5 micrometers in diameter.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein at least 55 percent by weight of the powder medicament is suspended by the gas in the chamber for delivery through die mouthpiece.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the powder medicament is suspended by the gas in the chamber for delivery through the mouthpiece.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for producing aerosolized medicament, the apparatus comprising: 
 a reservoir containing a powder medicament to be aerosolized, the powder medicament comprising a protein or polypeptide; and    a chamber comprising an inlet and a mouthpiece, wherein gas may flow into the chamber through the inlet and may flow out of the chamber through the mouthpiece and wherein the flow of gas aerosolizes the powder medicament,    wherein the volume of the aerosolized medicament is from 9.24 percent to 21.5 percent of the volume of the chamber.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the chamber volume is from 100 ml to 750 ml.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising a source of compressed gas, wherein the compressed gas may be released from the source of compressed gas to cause the flow of gas to aerosolize the medicament.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the chamber is adapted contain the aerosolized medicament for subsequent delivery to a patient during a patient's inhalation.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the chamber is cylindrical.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the aerosolizes medicament comprises small particles of medicament, the particles being sized to be deliverable to the alveolar regions of the lungs of a patient.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the particles are predominately 1 to 5 micrometers in diameter.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein at least 40 percent by weight of the powder medicament is suspended by the gas in the chamber for delivery through the mouthpiece.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 11  where at least 70 percent by weight of the powder medicament is suspended by the gas in the chamber for delivery trough the mouthpiece.