Nebulizing catheter system and methods of use and manufacture

Abstract

A method and apparatus for delivering a medicine to a patient via the patient's respiratory system with control and efficiency. A nebulization catheter is positioned in the patient's respiratory system so that a distal end of the nebulization catheter is in the respiratory system and a proximal end is outside the body. In a first aspect, the nebulization catheter may be used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube and preferably is removable from the endotracheal tube. The nebulization catheter conveys medicine in liquid form to the distal end at which location the medicine is nebulized by a pressurized gas or other nebulizing mechanism. The nebulized medicine is conveyed to the patient's lungs by the patient's respiration which may be assisted by a ventilator. By producing the aerosol of the liquid medicine at a location inside the patient's respiratory system, the nebulizing catheter provides for increased efficiency and control of the dosage of medicine being delivered. In further aspects of the nebulizing catheter apparatus and method, alternative tip constructions, flow pulsation patterns, centering devices, sensing devices, and aspiration features afford greater efficiency and control of aerosolized medicine dosage delivery.

1 - 88 . (canceled) 
     
     
         89 . A method for delivering a medicine to a patient, comprising:
 positioning a nebulization catheter in the patient; and   operating the nebulization catheter to produce an aerosol of the medicine at a distal end of the nebulization catheter in synchronism with the patient's inhalation while the nebulization catheter is positioned in the patient.   
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein operating the nebulization catheter comprises applying an electric signal to the distal end of the nebulization catheter to produce the aerosol from the distal end. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein operating the nebulization catheter further comprises:
 delivering a liquid medicine to a first orifice located at the distal end of the nebulization catheter; and   delivering a pressurized gas to a second orifice located at the distal end of the nebulization catheter in proximity to the first orifice.   
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising:
 imparting pulsation to the liquid medicine being delivered.   
     
     
         93 . A method for delivering a medicine to a patient, comprising:
 sensing a physiological condition of the patient; and   operating a nebulization catheter to produce an aerosol of the medicine at a distal end of the nebulization catheter as a function of the sensed physiological condition.   
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein sensing the physiological condition of the patient comprises sensing inhalation of the patient. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein sensing the physiological condition comprises detecting one of a pressure, flow or physiological parameter in the patient with a sensor. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein the sensor is positioned on the nebulization catheter. 
     
     
         98 . A nebulization catheter system comprising:
 a nebulization catheter having a catheter shaft comprising:   a liquid lumen centrally located in said catheter shaft and adapted for conveying a medicine in liquid form;
 a gas lumen peripherally located adjacent said liquid lumen and adapted for conveying a gas; 
 a distal liquid orifice communicating with said liquid lumen; and 
 a distal gas orifice communicating with said gas lumen, said distal gas orifice being aligned with respect to said distal liquid orifice so as to nebulize a liquid medicine discharged from the liquid orifice; and 
 a sensor configured to detect information regarding a patient's respiration for use in controlling a flow of the medicine or gas to the nebulization catheter. 
   
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the sensor is positioned on the nebulization catheter. 
     
     
         100 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a pressure, a flow or a physiological parameter of a patient. 
     
     
         101 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the physiological parameter comprises a muscle contraction. 
     
     
         102 . The system of  claim 98 , further comprising a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller configured to control a fluid flow of medicine to the nebulization catheter or a gas pressurization of gas supplied to the nebulization catheter in response to detected information regarding the patient's respiration. 
     
     
         103 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the controller is configured to operate in a first mode to provide medicine to the nebulizing catheter except when an exhalation is detected at the sensor. 
     
     
         104 . The system of  claim 102 , wherein the controller is selectably adjustable to operate in the first mode or a second mode, where the controller is operable to provide a controlled volume of medicine to the nebulizing catheter during each of a plurality of predetermined nebulization pulses in the second mode. 
     
     
         105 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         106 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the sensor comprises one of a piezoelectric, optical or Hall effect sensor. 
     
     
         107 . The system of  claim 98  wherein the sensor is configured to control the flow of medicine or gas in synchronism with the patient's inhalation.