Metered continuous spray therapy and dispensing systems for same

Abstract

A spray delivery system in combination with a scalp medication is provided which includes a portable container having a gas imperious container wall, a pressure source disposed within the container, and a selectively operable valve assembly affixed to the container. The scalp medication is in liquid form and is disposed within the container. The scalp medication comprises a hair growth stimulation or hair growth maintenance active ingredient in an amount sufficient to stimulate or maintain hair growth disposed within a pharmacologically acceptable carrier solution. The valve assembly of the system produces a 1 mL spray of said scalp medication within about 5 seconds following a single operation of said valve assembly. A method of treating alopecia using a continuous spray employing such a system is also provided. Both bag-on-valve (bag-in-can) and metered dose packages are disclosed.

1 . A spray delivery system in combination with a dosage-sensitive prescribed medication, comprising:
 a portable container having a gas impervious container wall;   a pressure source disposed within said container;   a selectively operable valve assembly affixed to said container; and   a prescribed medication in liquid form disposed within said container, said prescribed medication comprising an active ingredient in an amount sufficient to treat a patient within a pharmacologically acceptable carrier solution; whereby said valve assembly produces a sprayed dosage of said prescribed medication within about 5 seconds following a single operation of said valve assembly, wherein said spray is generated by a pressurizing agent compressing on a product bag of continuous spray package containing said prescribed medication so that the spray contains no portion of said propellant; wherein said portable container and selectively operable valve assembly form part of metered dose system.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said valve assembly has an actuator valve diameter of less than 0.10 inches, but greater than 0.001 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery system of  claim 1  wherein said valve assembly has an actuator valve diameter of less than 0.015 inches and greater than 0.001 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery system of  claim 1  wherein said valve assembly has an actuator valve diameter of less than 0.010 inches and produces a flow rate of less than about 1 mL/second. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery system of  claim 1  wherein said dosage-sensitive prescribed medication is for topical administration only. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery system of  claim 1  wherein said spray is delivered quietly, under 30 decibels. 
     
     
         7 . A spray delivery system for delivering a dosage-sensitive prescribed medication for topical administration, comprising:
 a portable container having a gas impervious container wall;   a pressure source disposed within said container;   a selectively operable valve assembly affixed to said container; and   a prescribed medication in liquid form disposed within said container, said prescribed medication comprising an active ingredient in an amount sufficient to treat a patient within a pharmacologically acceptable carrier solution; whereby said valve assembly comprises an actuator valve, said valve assembly produces a sprayed dosage of said prescribed medication within about 5 seconds following a single operation of said valve assembly, wherein said spray is generated by a pressurizing agent compressing on a product bag of continuous spray package containing said prescribed medication so that the spray contains no portion of said propellant.