Use of antistatic materials in the airway for thermal aerosol condensation process

Abstract

The disclosure teaches the use of antistatic materials in the airway for thermal aerosol generation devices. The present disclosure teaches the use of antistatic materials for drug delivery in any drug that may be susceptible to charging during aerosol generation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for delivering a condensation aerosol comprising alprazolam, wherein the device comprises a housing and, an airway, wherein the airway housing comprises antistatic material. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the antistatic material is coated on the inner wall of the airway. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of metallized airways, wherein the inner wall of the airway is coated with conductive metals. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the conductive metals comprise stainless steel/copper/copper/stainless steel. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of a metallic tape applied to the inner and outer walls of the airway. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of an antistatic spray applied on the default airway. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of antistatic plastics applied as airway materials. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises an alprazolam film that is coated on a solid support 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the solid support is selected from metal foils, smooth metal surfaces and non-porous ceramics. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the alprazolam aerosol is free of solvents and propellants. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the alprazolam aerosol is essentially pure drug free of any solvents, propellants or excipients. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the surface resistivity of the antistatic plastic is between about 1E9 ohm/sq and about 1E11 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the antistatic material is an antistatic plastic with a surface resistivity of between about 1E9 ohm/sq and about 1E11 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the antistatic material is an antistatic plastic with a surface resistivity of about 1E11 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the antistatic material is an antistatic plastic with a surface resistivity of about 1E11 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         16 . A method for producing drug condensation aerosol comprising alprazolam to the patient by inhalation in a drug delivery device, wherein the condensation aerosol is formed by heating a thin layer containing alprazolam, on a solid support, to produce a vapor of the drug, and condensing the vapor to form a condensation aerosol characterized by less than 10% drug degradation products of alprazolam by weight, and an MMAD of less than 5 microns; wherein the airway in the drug delivery device comprises an antistatic material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the antistatic material is coated on the inner wall of the airway. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of metallized airways, wherein the inner wall of the airway is coated with conductive metals. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the conductive metals comprise stainless steel/copper/copper/stainless steel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of a metallic tape applied to the inner and outer walls of the airway. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of an antistatic spray applied on the default airway. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the antistatic material is comprised of antistatic plastics applied as airway materials. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the antistatic plastic has a surface resistivity of between about 1E9 ohm/sq and 1E11 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claims 16 , wherein the condensation aerosol is formed by heating said solid support on which the thin layer of alprazolam is placed to a temperature of the substrate of at least about 300° C. 
     
     
         25 . A kit comprising a hand-held device for delivering a condensation aerosol comprising at least one dose of alprazolam wherein the device comprises a housing and, an airway, wherein the airway housing comprises antistatic material. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the device further comprises a breath-actuation element. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the device further comprises a dose counting/logging device.