Method and apparatus for producing fine concentrated aerosol

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of nebulizers for aerosol generation and methods of using same for treating diseases and disorders.

1 . A nebulizer for producing aerosol, comprising a porous medium, wherein the porous medium is rigid, has two flat sides and further comprises: a plurality of pores; a liquid partially absorbed in the porous medium; and gas, wherein the gas is caged in pores that are vacant of said liquid, wherein the porous medium is configured to act as a pneumatic multi-nozzle atomizing system. 
     
     
         2 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a mouthpiece configured to deliver the aerosol to the lungs of a subject by inhalation. 
     
     
         3 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol comprises droplets of the liquid, the droplets having a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) within the range of 0.3 to 7 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The nebulizer of  claim 3 , wherein the diameter of said droplets is in a range of 0.3 to 1.1 micrometer. 
     
     
         5 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the pores in the porous medium is below 1 micrometer. 
     
     
         6 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the overall contents of vacant space within the porous medium occupied with liquid is at least 10% liquid contents. 
     
     
         7 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the porous medium has a modulus of rigidity of at least 10 GPa at 25° C. 
     
     
         8 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the porous medium comprises a metal. 
     
     
         9 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , further comprising a chamber and a path, wherein the path is configured to receive the aerosol from the porous medium and transfer said aerosol to the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , further comprising means configured for creating a pressure drop between the two flat sides of the porous medium, said means are selected from a piston and a spring, and a vacuum pump. 
     
     
         11 . The nebulizer of  claim 11 , wherein the means for creating the pressure drop include a piston and a spring connected to the piston, and wherein said means are configured to generate at least two different magnitudes of said pressure drop. 
     
     
         12 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         13 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the porous medium is disposable. 
     
     
         14 . The nebulizer of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure drop is within the range of 600 to 900 mbar. 
     
     
         15 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol is ultra-fine highly concentrated aerosol comprising at least 10 9 -10 11  droplets per cm 3 . 
     
     
         16 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , wherein the rigidity of the rigid porous medium is not substantially effected upon being in contact with liquids. 
     
     
         17 . The nebulizer of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer structure blocking the mouthpiece, the outer structure having a structure opening, wherein in the first position, the mouthpiece is positioned against a wall of the outer structure, and in the second opening the mouthpiece is displaced to a position in front of the structure allowing the aerosol to be nebulized and administered to the subject. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating a disease or disorder related to the respiratory system in a subject in need thereof, comprising, administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of said disease or disorder by inhalation, using the nebulizer of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the diameter of the pores of the porous medium is below 1 micrometer. 
     
     
         20 . A method for producing aerosol, comprising the steps of
 a. providing the nebulizer of  claim 1 ; and   b. generating a pressure drop across the porous medium, thereby obtaining aerosol.