Shock wave aerosolization method and apparatus

Abstract

A pneumatic inhaler that is able to deliver a controlled burst or dose of aerosol from a reservoir of liquid medication. The inhaler is suitable for the aerosolization of liquid medication that is in solution or suspension form. The inhaler is also ideal for the delivery of unique and specialty liquid medications in short aerosol bursts because no additional formulation development is needed and has the further advantage of being able to deliver multiple medications, as mixed by the patient, doctor, or pharmacist, with a single burst at a repeatable output. Because medication and propellant are not mixed until aerosolization occurs, the inhaler is appropriate for more pharmaceutical agents than the current inhalers available and at a substantial cost savings.

1 . An apparatus for producing shock wave aerosolization, comprising: 
 a source of compressed gas;    a nozzle; and    means associated with said nozzle for generating a supersonic jet of gas from said source of compressed gas.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a sonic shock chamber configured for receiving said supersonic jet of gas.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a user actuated valve; and    means for releasing said compressed gas in bursts by said valve and delivering said supersonic jet of gas to said shock chamber.    
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for delivering a burst of compressed gas to said nozzle and forming said supersonic jet prior to liquid being entrained and mixed with said jet.    
     
     
         5 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for producing shock wave aerosolization, comprising: 
 a source of compressed gas;    a nozzle;    means associated with said nozzle for generating a supersonic jet of gas from said source of compressed gas; and    a sonic shock chamber configured for receiving said supersonic jet of gas.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a user actuated valve; and    means for releasing said compressed gas in bursts by said valve and delivering said supersonic jet of gas to said shock chamber.    
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 means for delivering a burst of compressed gas to said nozzle and forming said supersonic jet prior to liquid being entrained and mixed with said jet.    
     
     
         14 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . An inhaler apparatus, comprising: 
 a reservoir for containing compressed gas;    a supersonic shock nozzle; and    a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle.    
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said supersonic shock nozzle comprises: 
 a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir; and    a sonic shock chamber configured to receive compressed gas discharged from said jet orifice.    
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 21:   wherein said jet orifice is configured to produce a supersonic jet from said compressed gas; and    wherein said shock chamber is configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves.    
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 22 , wherein if said supersonic jet is perfectly expanded, a cylindrical shock wave will be generated in said shock chamber that envelopes the entire jet.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 22 , wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber.  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 26 , wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation.  
     
     
         28 - 34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . An inhaler apparatus, comprising: 
 a reservoir for containing compressed gas;    a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir;    a sonic shock chamber configured to receive compressed gas discharged from said jet orifice; and    a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle.    
     
     
         36 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 35:   wherein said jet orifice is configured to produce a supersonic jet from said compressed gas; and    wherein said shock chamber is configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves.    
     
     
         37 - 38 . (canceled)  
     
     
         39 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 36 , wherein if said supersonic jet is perfectly expanded, a cylindrical shock wave will be generated in said shock chamber that envelopes the entire jet.  
     
     
         40 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 36 , wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber.  
     
     
         41 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 40 , wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation.  
     
     
         42 - 48 . (canceled)  
     
     
         49 . An inhaler apparatus, comprising: 
 a reservoir for containing compressed gas;    a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir and produce a supersonic jet;    a sonic shock chamber configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves; and    a user actuated valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle.    
     
     
         50 . (canceled)  
     
     
         51 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 50 , wherein said supersonic jet will be approximately the diameter of the jet orifice and travel down the axis of the shock chamber.  
     
     
         52 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 49 , wherein if said supersonic jet is perfectly expanded, a cylindrical shock wave will be generated in said shock chamber that envelopes the entire jet.  
     
     
         53 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 49 , wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber.  
     
     
         54 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 53 , wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation.  
     
     
         55 - 61 . (canceled)  
     
     
         62 . An inhaler apparatus, comprising: 
 a reservoir for containing compressed gas;    a jet orifice configured to receive compressed gas from said reservoir and produce a supersonic jet;    a sonic shock chamber configured to receive said supersonic jet and produce shock waves;    a valve configured to release said compressed gas in bursts for delivery to said supersonic shock nozzle; and    an actuator handle coupled to said valve.    
     
     
         63 - 64 . (canceled)  
     
     
         65 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 62 , wherein if said supersonic jet is perfectly expanded, a cylindrical shock wave will be generated in said shock chamber that envelopes the entire jet.  
     
     
         66 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 62 , wherein upon formation of said supersonic jet and resulting shock waves in said shock chamber, a vacuum is generated which causes liquid from a liquid reservoir to be entrained through a liquid feed into said shock chamber.  
     
     
         67 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 66 , wherein upon entrainment of liquid into the shock chamber, the initial liquid entrained comes in contact with shock waves, producing copious amounts of aerosol particles suitable for inhalation.  
     
     
         68 - 74 . (canceled)