Patent ID: 6131570
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method of reducing variability in aerosol drug delivery due to ambient conditions, comprising the steps of:(a) warming air sufficiently to stabilize the size distribution of a generated aerosol over a range of temperatures and relative humidities likely to be encountered;(b) generating an aerosol of an active drug from a formulation that is entrained into the warmed air wherein the aerosol is generated by moving liquid formulation through openings beginning on one side of a porous membrane and continuing through the openings to another side of the porous membrane;(c) delivering the aerosol to the lungs of a subject, wherein the method is carried out by a self contained, portable device weighing 1 kilogram or less and having a volume of 50 cubic inches or lesswherein the air is warmed by drawing it past a heating element that is heated prior to the onset of aerosol generation: andwherein the heating element is a coiled wire comprised of a metal alloy comprising nickel.