Apparatus and Methods for the Delivery of Medicaments to the Respiratory System

Abstract

A nebulizing device for providing a nebulized fluid to a patient is provided. The nebulizing device may include a nebulizing element, a fluid delivery system, and at least one tube section. The fluid delivery system may be adapted to supply fluid to the nebulizing element. The at least one tube section may define a delivery path to the patient. The delivery path may be defined by a distance between the nebulizing element and the patient. The delivery path may have a length of less than about 500 mm.

1 . A nebulizing device for providing a nebulized fluid to a patient comprising:
 a nebulizing element;   a fluid delivery system that is adapted to supply fluid to the nebulizing element; and   at least one tube section which defines a delivery path to the patient, the delivery path being defined by a distance between the nebulizing element and the patient, the delivery path having a length of less than about 500 mm.   
     
     
         2 . A nebulizing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube section has a delivery path of less than about 300 mm. 
     
     
         3 . A nebulizing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nebulizing element comprises a vibrating element with openings therein, wherein the vibrating element has a front side and a back side, wherein the delivery path is defined at one end by the front side of the vibrating element, and wherein the fluid is delivered through the openings in the vibrating element upon vibration of the vibrating element; and wherein the fluid delivery system is adapted to deliver fluid to the back side of the vibrating element. 
     
     
         4 . A nebulizing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube section includes a T-shaped section having a top section and a central section, the nebulizing element being positioned at a bottom of the central section. 
     
     
         5 . A nebulizing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the central section forms an angle of from 60° to 80° with the top section. 
     
     
         6 . A nebulizing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube section includes a Y-shaped section which separates into a first arm for inhalation and a second arm for exhalation, the nebulizing element being coupled to a second tube section which is connected to the Y-section. 
     
     
         7 . A nebulizing device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second tube section is a T-shaped section which is attached to the Y-section. 
     
     
         8 . A nebulizing device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the delivery path through the at least one tube section is substantially free of baffles and flow disrupters. 
     
     
         9 . A method of providing a nebulized fluid to a patient, comprising the steps of:
 providing a nebulizing element and a source of fluid coupled to the nebulizing element, the nebulizing element delivering nebulized fluid into at least one tube section;   coupling the tube section to a patient's airway, with the tube section defining a delivery path to the patient, the delivery path being defined by a distance between the nebulizing element and the patient, the delivery path having a length of less than 500 mm.