Inhalation device for use in aerosol therapy

Abstract

An inhalation device having a base unit, a mouthpiece, and an aerosol head is provided. The base unit has an air inlet, an air outlet opening, a groove for receiving the mouthpiece, and key lock member(s). The mouthpiece has two segments: a first segment which is insertable into the groove of the base unit and has an air inlet opening and a lateral opening for receiving an aerosol generator and a second segment with an aerosol outlet. The aerosol head has an aerosol generator, a liquid reservoir, and key lock member(s) complementary to those of the base unit. The base unit, mouthpiece and aerosol head are connectable with one another such that when engaging the members of the key lock with the complementary members, the aerosol generator is inserted into the lateral opening of the mouthpiece.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of delivering aerosolized or nebulized drug formulas comprising
 providing an inhalation device comprising a base unit, a mouthpiece, and an aerosol,   providing an active ingredient, wherein the active ingredients may be dissolved, dispersed, or suspended in a liquid to form an aerosolizable or nebulizable drug formulation, and   wherein the inhalation device enables oral inhalation of the nebulized drug.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the inhalation device may be used as a mobile, stand-alone, or handset system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the aerosol is introduced horizontally into the base unit. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the inhalation device comprises a sensor, the sensor capable of sensing air pressure or airflow rate within the base unit to control the air pressure or airflow rate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the inhalation device comprises an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit capable of controlling a valve to open and close air flow. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein a feedback system indicates to a user a target flow rate. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein an airflow rate is configured to be about 12 to about 18 L/min. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16  wherein an airflow rate is configured to be about 15 L/min. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the inhalation device is lockable to restrict aerosolization or nebulization of the drug formulation. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16  wherein usage information is transmitted to an external storage device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16  wherein a piezoelectric transducer vibrates at about a range of 50-200 kHz.