Methods and systems for supplying aerosolization devices with liquid medicaments

Abstract

A method is described for supplying a metered amount of a liquid medicament to an aerosolizing device. The method utilizes a dispenser comprising an elongate dispenser body having a proximal end and a tip at a distal end through which a liquid medicament is dispensed. The dispenser further comprises a dispensing mechanism that operates to dispense a metered quantity of the liquid medicament from the tip each time the dispenser body is compressed. The dispenser is grasped with one hand such that the fingers wrap around the dispenser body, with the thumb closest to the proximal end and the last finger closest to the tip. The tip is inserted into an opening of an inhaler and the elongate body is forced toward the tip to cause the dispenser body to compress, thereby operating the dispensing mechanism and causing a metered quantity of the liquid medicament to eject into the inhaler.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for supplying a metered amount of a liquid medicament to an aerosolizing device, the method comprising:
 providing an aerosolization device comprising a housing having a mouthpiece, a vibratable member within the housing and disposed to eject liquid droplets through the mouthpiece, a reservoir to hold the liquid medicament until aerosolized by the vibratable member, and an opening in the housing that is in fluid communication with the chamber;   providing a dispenser comprising an elongate dispenser body having a proximal end and a tip at a distal end through which a liquid medicament is dispensed, wherein the dispenser further comprises a dispensing mechanism that operates to dispense a metered quantity of the liquid medicament from the tip each time the dispenser body is compressed;   grasping the dispenser with one hand such that the fingers wrap around the dispenser body, with the thumb closest to the proximal end and the last finger closest to the tip;   inserting the tip into the opening in the housing;   while grasping the dispenser, forcing the elongate body toward the tip to cause the dispenser body to compress, thereby operating the dispensing mechanism and causing a metered quantity of the liquid medicament to eject into the chamber each time the dispenser body is compressed.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising repeatedly forcing the elongate body toward the tip to dispense multiple metered quantities of the liquid medicament into the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the tip includes at least one alignment feature, and wherein the alignment feature assists to keep the dispenser generally perpendicular to the housing while dispensing the liquid medicament. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising actuating the vibratable member to eject the dispensed liquid medicament as an atomized spray. 
     
     
         5 . An aerosolization system, comprising:
 an aerosolization device comprising a housing having a mouthpiece, a vibratable member within the housing and disposed to eject liquid droplets through the mouthpiece, a reservoir to hold the liquid medicament until aerosolized by the vibratable member, and an opening in the housing that is in fluid communication with the chamber;   a dispenser comprising an elongate dispenser body having a proximal end and a tip at a distal end through which a liquid medicament is dispensed, wherein the dispenser further comprises a dispensing mechanism that operates to dispense a metered quantity of the liquid medicament from the tip each time the dispenser body is compressed, wherein the dispenser is separate from the housing;   wherein the opening defines an interface that engages with the tip such that when the tip is inserted into the opening, the interface stabilizes the dispenser in an upright orientation outside of the housing to permit the dispenser to be grasped with one hand such that the fingers wrap around the dispenser body, with the thumb closest to the proximal end and the last finger closest to the tip, and while grasping the dispenser, forcing the elongate body toward the tip to cause the dispenser body to compress, thereby operating the dispensing mechanism and causing a metered quantity of the liquid medicament to eject into the chamber each time the dispenser body is compressed.   
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 5 , wherein the tip includes at least one alignment feature, and wherein the alignment feature assists to keep the dispenser generally perpendicular to the top surface of the housing while dispensing the liquid medicament. 
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 5 , wherein the alignment feature comprises a circular step around the tip. 
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 7 , wherein the alignment feature comprises a plurality of tabs protruding from the tip. 
     
     
         9 . A method for supplying a metered amount of a liquid medicament to an aerosolizing device, the method comprising:
 providing an aerosolization device comprising a housing having a mouthpiece, a vibratable member within the housing and disposed to eject liquid droplets through the mouthpiece, and a reservoir to hold the liquid medicament until aerosolized by the vibratable member, wherein the housing includes a top surface and an opening in the top surface of the housing, and wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the chamber;   providing a dispenser comprising an elongate dispenser body having a proximal end and a tip at a distal end through which a liquid medicament is dispensed, wherein the dispenser further comprises a dispensing mechanism that operates to dispense a metered quantity of the liquid medicament from the tip each time the dispenser body is compressed;   inserting the tip into the opening in the housing such that the dispenser body is generally perpendicular to the top surface of the housing and is seated within the opening such that the dispenser body is self-standing outside of the housing;   compressing the dispenser body to operate the dispensing mechanism and cause a metered quantity of the liquid medicament to eject into the chamber each time the dispenser body is compressed.   
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 9 , further comprising repeatedly forcing the elongate body toward the tip to dispense multiple metered quantities of the liquid medicament into the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein the tip includes at least one alignment feature, and wherein the alignment feature assists to keep the dispenser generally perpendicular to the housing while dispensing the liquid medicament. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 9 , further comprising actuating the vibratable member to eject the dispensed liquid medicament as an atomized spray.