Abstract:
An improved method and apparatus for delivering medication to the lungs is described. Acoustic ink printing technology is modified to operate as an inhaler that generates tiny droplets near a patient&#39;s nose or mouth. The tiny droplets are easily carried by air currents into the patient&#39;s lungs. The inhaler itself is preferably a battery operated portable device that can be easily carried and easily cleaned to avoid contaminating the medication.

Description:
This application is related to issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,720 entitled “Using Capillary Wave Driven Droplets to Deliver a Pharmaceutical Product”, and patent application Ser. No. 09/739,989 entitled “A Method of Using Focused Acoustic Waves to Deliver a Pharmaceutical Product”. All Applications were filed on Dec. 18, 2000 and all Applications are assigned to the same Assignee. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many pharmaceutical products or drugs that provide relief from nasal or lung ailments are delivered through the respiratory system. In order to deliver these drugs, typically, the drug is compressed in a container. Users release the compressed pharmaceutical by opening a valve for a brief interval of time near the user&#39;s mouth or nose. Pump mechanisms may also be used to directly spray the pharmaceutical into the user&#39;s mouth or nose. The user may then draw a breath to further inhale the pharmaceutical product. 
     These techniques for delivering pharmaceuticals pose several problems. The first problem is that the droplet size produced is typically too large to be carried in an air stream generated by a normal intake of breath. Thus, in order to transport the larger droplets of pharmaceutical products, the product is propelled into the orifice. This may be done by using compressed air or by expelling the pharmaceutical product into the orifice at a high speed. 
     Unfortunately, a fast moving particle, defined as a particle that is moving much faster than the accompanying airstream, cannot easily travel around bends that occur in the human respiratory system. Thus, when the traditional means of injecting pharmaceuticals into the mouth are used, much of the pharmaceutical product is deposited on the back of the mouth or in the throat. The deposited pharmaceutical product may then be ingested into the digestive tract instead of the respiratory system. The ingested pharmaceutical product represents lost or wasted medication. 
     A second problem is that the varying amounts of lost pharmaceutical product makes it difficult to control dosages. Wasted droplets of medication that are deposited on the back of the throat makes it possible that the patient will receive insufficient medication. Determining the amount wasted and trying to compensate for the wasted medication is a difficult and inexact process. 
     Thus an improved method and apparatus of delivering pharmaceutical products to a patient&#39;s respiratory system is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to more efficiently deliver pharmaceutical products, acoustic ink printing (AIP) technology has been adapted for use in delivering medications to a patient. In one embodiment of the invention, a liquid medication is distributed over several acoustic ejector drivers. The drivers are inserted into or placed in close proximity to an orifice of the patient such as the mouth or the nose. A power source provides energy to each driver. The drivers convert the energy into focused acoustic waves that cause small droplets of medication to be ejected into the orifice. Air currents distribute the medication throughout the patient&#39;s respiratory system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross section of a droplet ejector in an array of droplet ejectors ejecting a droplet of pharmaceutical product. 
         FIG. 2  shows ejection of droplets using capillary action. 
         FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of forming an inhaler that uses a single transducer to drive multiple droplet sources. 
         FIG. 4  shows an example distribution of droplet ejectors on an inhaler head. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional side view of one embodiment of an inhaler designed for insertion into the mouth of a patient. 
         FIG. 6  shows the inhaler in use by a patient. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An inhaler system that adapts acoustic ink printing technology to output small droplets of pharmaceutical product at a low velocity is described. The droplets are preferably less than 10 micrometers in diameter. Small droplet size and an output speed approximately matching the rate of airflow into the respiratory system maximizes the quantity of medication administered to a patient&#39;s lungs. 
       FIG. 1  shows an array  160  of droplet sources such as droplet sources  100 ,  101 ,  102 ,  103  for use in an inhaler  144 . Each droplet source  100 ,  101 ,  102 ,  103  is capable of outputting droplets of pharmaceutical product. Inhaler  144  is designed such that the combined output of all droplets sources in array  160  over a predetermined period of time are sufficient to deliver a desired volume of pharmaceutical product to a patient. The pharmaceutical product is typically liquid that contains organic compounds for deposition in the lungs of the patient. 
       FIG. 1  includes a cross sectional view of one example droplet source  100  in array  160 . The cross sectional view also shows a distribution of a reservoir of pharmaceutical product  108  shortly after ejection of a droplet  104  and before a mound  112  on a free surface  116  has relaxed. A radio frequency (RF) source  120  provides a RF drive energy to a driver element such as a transducer, typically a piezo-electric transducer  124 , via bottom electrode  128  and top electrode  132 . The acoustic energy from the transducer passes through base  136  into an acoustic lens  140 . Acoustic lens  140  focuses the received acoustic energy into a focused acoustic beam  138  that terminates in a small focal area near free surface  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, each droplet source in array  160  of droplet sources includes a corresponding acoustic lens and transducer to form an array of acoustic lenses and transducers. 
     Traditional acoustic ink printers usually use RF drives with frequencies of around 100 to 200 Megahertz (MHz). However, when droplet sources are used in inhalers, higher frequencies are preferred because higher frequencies generate smaller droplets that are more easily carried by air currents into the respiratory tract. Droplet sizes are typically on the order of the wavelength of the bulk acoustic wave propagating in the pharmaceutical product. This wavelength may be determined by dividing the velocity of sound for bulk wave propagation in the pharmaceutical product by the frequency of the bulk acoustic wave. Thus by increasing frequency, droplet size can be reduced A RF drive frequency exceeding 300 MHz typically results in the generation of droplets smaller than 5 micro-meters in diameter. Thus inhalers that directly eject droplets preferably operate in frequency ranges exceeding 300 MHz. 
     Higher frequencies used in inhaler droplet sources also result in higher power losses. Power losses in a droplet source are approximately proportional to the square of the frequency. Power losses in a droplet source are also proportional to the distance “d” from the top surface  141  of acoustic lens  140  to free surface  116  of the pharmaceutical product reservoir. In order to compensate for increased power losses due to the increased operating frequencies, distance “d” may be reduced compared to traditional AIP print heads. In inhaler applications, a distance “d” less than 150 micrometers may be used to conserve power. 
     A more detailed description of the droplet source or “droplet ejector” operation in a traditional AIP printhead is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,113 by Hadimioglu et al. entitled “Lithographically Defined Ejection Units” issued Oct. 15, 1996 and hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 1  uses focused acoustic energy to directly eject a droplet.  FIG. 2  shows an alternative method of generating droplets using capillary action. When generating capillary wave-driven droplets, the principle mound  204  does not receive enough energy to eject a droplet. Instead, as the principle mound  204  decreases in size, the excess liquid is absorbed by surrounding capillary wave crests or side mounds  208 ,  212 ,  216 ,  220 . These wave crests eject a mist corresponding to droplets  224 ,  228 ,  232 ,  236 . In order to generate capillary action droplets instead of focused, single ejection droplets, each ejector transducer generates shorter pulse widths at a higher peak power. Example pulse widths are on the order of 5 microseconds or less when the transducer provides a peak power of approximately one watt or higher per ejector. 
     One advantage of using capillary action is the lower frequencies that can be used to create smaller droplets. The diameter of capillary generated droplets is similar in magnitude to the wavelength of capillary waves. The wavelength of capillary waves can be determined from the equation: wavelength=[2*Pi*T/(ro*f^2)]^(⅓) wherein T is the surface tension of the pharmaceutical fluid, ro is the density of the pharmaceutical fluid and f is the frequency output of the transducer. This equation and a more detailed explanation are provided on page 328 of Eisenmenger, Acoustica, 1959 which is hereby incorporated by reference. At typical densities and surface tensions, frequencies of below 15 MHz are typically used. Frequencies of 10 Megahertz (MHz) typically generate a capillary wavelength of 1.5 micrometers and a frequency of 1 MHz typically generates a capillary wavelength of 6.8 micrometers. Thus it is possible to generate approximately 5 micrometer diameter droplets at RF frequencies about two orders of magnitude smaller than the bulk waves used to generate “conventional” AIP droplets. 
     In capillary wave droplet systems, the lower frequencies used allows more flexibility in materials and tolerances used to fabricate transducers and acoustic lenses used to form the array of droplet sources. For example, plastics are not as lossy at the lower frequencies. The lower loss levels allow relatively inexpensive molded plastic spherical lenses to be used as acoustic lenses. 
     A second method of minimizing the cost of fabricating an array of droplet sources is to replace the plurality of transducers with a single transducer, the energy from the single transducer distributed to multiple lenses corresponding to multiple droplet sources.  FIG. 3  shows an example of such a single transducer structure. In  FIG. 3 , each droplet source corresponds to an acoustic lens such as acoustic lenses  308 ,  312 ,  316 . The acoustic lenses are positioned over a single large transducer  304 . Each acoustic lens independently focuses a portion of the bulk planar wave produced by single large transducer  304  to create droplets across a free surface  320 . Using a single transducer instead of the multiple transducers shown in  FIG. 1  substantially reduces the cost associated with multiple transducers and the electronics to drive multiple transducers. 
     The number of droplet sources in an array of droplet sources may vary and typically depends on the dosages that will be administered. A typical five micron diameter drop of pharmaceutical product contains about 0.07 picoliters of fluid. Assuming a repetition rate of 200 KHz, a rate easily achievable with the typical ejector, each droplet source will deliver approximately 14 microliters per second. To administer medication at the rate of 100 milliliters per second, a typical number of ejectors may be around 7,000. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top view  404  of an example distribution of droplet sources  408 . Typically, the droplet sources are mounted on a circular head  412  over a distance of approximately 10 centimeters to facilitate insertion into an oral cavity. Alternative configurations of droplet sources may be designed for insertion into a nasal cavity. Although a circular pattern of droplet sources best utilizes the surface area of circular head  412 , in high viscosity pharmaceutical products, the flow of the product evenly across a circular pattern may prove difficult. Thus, in an alternate embodiment, a more linear pattern of droplet sources may be used. 
     Prevention of contamination, both from airborne particulate matter as well as organic matter such as bacteria is an important concern with the inhaler. Typically, openings  414  in circular head  412  are substantially larger than the droplet size ejected. For example, a typical opening size for ejection of a 10 micron diameter droplet may be approximately 100 microns. When droplet sources are not activated, the pharmaceutical product is maintained within the circular head  412  via surface tension across opening  414 . The relatively large exposed surface area of opening  414  may allows dust and other particulate matter to enter the openings and contaminate the pharmaceutical product. 
     A cover  413  that fits over the circular head  412  helps minimize particulate contamination. In one embodiment opening and closing cover  413  may switch on and off the inhaler. An alternate method of avoiding contamination uses micro electromechanical structure (MEMS) covers  416  positioned over each opening. MEMS cover  416  may open for a short time interval allowing droplets to be ejected and remain closed during other time periods. In one embodiment, the cover, whether a large area cover or a MEMS covers, may be electronically controlled such that the ejection of droplets causes the cover to automatically retract out of the path of the ejected droplets. Such electronic control may be achieved by synchronizing a cover control with the electrical impulse driving the transducers. 
     Besides particulate contamination, bacterial contamination should also be minimized. One method of controlling bacterial contamination is to regularly sterilize the ejector head using UV radiation. However, may patients do not have the discipline to regularly sterilize the ejector head. One method of forcing a regular sterilization schedule is to automatically expose the ejector heads to UV radiation whenever the inhaler power supply is being recharged. 
     Often, even with sterilization and covers, some contamination of the ejector heads over time is inevitable. Furthermore, when Fresnel zone plates are used as acoustic lenses, the ejector may be hard to clean making it difficult to use the same ejector head with several different medications. Plastic spherical lenses are easier to clean and can be used at lower frequencies, such as are typically associated with a capillary action droplet ejector. In systems where several different medications are being administered or where the ejector becomes otherwise contaminated, the ejector head  420  detaches from a body of the inhaler and can be replaced by a replacement head or a disposable ejector head. A clip-on or other fastener mechanism attaches ejector head  420  to the body. In one embodiment of the invention, an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source  430  sterilizes ejector head  420 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a cut away side view of one embodiment of inhaler  500  including ejector head  504  and body  508 . Electrical conductors  512  connect each piezoelectric element  516  in ejector head  504  to a power source  520  when a switch  524  is closed. The power source may be a battery such as an alkaline or nickel/cadmium battery. 
     A typical ejector uses approximately two nanojoules of acoustic energy at the liquid surface per drop of liquid ejected. Multiplying the power needed at the liquid surface by the loss factor of the ejector results in an approximate power requirement of 20 nanojoules per ejector at the ejector head. The total power used is calculated by multiplying the power per ejector at the ejector head by the total number of ejectors. To deliver a 100 microliter dose five times a day, the total power requirement is approximately 140 joules which is well within the power capabilities of most batteries, including most rechargeable nickel/cadmium batteries. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a handle  527  of the AIP inhaler includes a container that stores a reservoir  525  of medication. When the ejector head is attached to the inhaler body, a pipe  529 , typically a hypodermic needle punctures a seal  531  that seals the reservoir  525  of medication. Typically, seal  531  is a rubber gasket that covers a section of the container of medication. A second pressurization needle  533  also punctures the rubber gasket and pumps gas into reservoir  525  slightly pressurizing the medication. The applied pressure should be sufficient to force the medication up pipe  529 ; however, the pressure should not be excessive such that it breaks the surface tension at the openings of the ejector head. Breaking the surface tension will prematurely force medication from the openings of the ejector head. Pressure detection system  535  monitors the pressure differential between the ambient surroundings and the pressure inside reservoir  525  and maintains the desired pressure to keep fluid in the ejector head without breaking the surface tension of each opening. 
     When drops are to be ejected, ejection switch  524  is closed. Closing ejection switch  524  activates the ejectors on ejector head  504  for a predetermined time interval. In one embodiment the invention, switch  524  is a trigger  526 . After the droplet ejectors are placed in close proximity to an oral cavity, a patient presses trigger  526  closing of switch  524 . Closing switch  524  cause the ejection of medication. In a second implementation of a switch control, an airspeed detector  527  controls the closing of switch  524 . In particular, when an inhalation by the patient causes the speed of air around the ejectors to approximately match the expected speed of ejected droplets, the airspeed detector closes switch  524 . The matched air speed provides an optimal air current for carrying droplets from the ejector into a patient&#39;s lungs. 
     Dosage setting switch  528  allows the user to adjust the dosage of medication provided by adjusting the duration of ejector operation after switch  524  is closed. In the illustrated embodiment, dosage setting switch  528  controls timer  532 . Timer  532  determines a time duration over which power is provided to piezoelectric  516 . The time interval is typically proportional to the dosage set on dosage setting switch  528 . When all ejectors are fired, the time interval is typically the dosage divided by the total output of ejectors on ejector head  504  per unit time. 
     When small dosages are desired, the dosage setting switch  528  may be programmed to reduce the number of ejectors fired on ejector head  504  by adjusting a control signal. The control signal switches ejectors in drive circuit  536 . Reducing the number of ejectors fired reduces the output of pharmaceutical product per unit time. The duration of ejector firing may also be selected based on the droplet ejector switching mechanism. When an airspeed detector  527  is used, extension of the pharmaceutical discharge time may be undesirable. Instead, it may be desirable to maximize the ejection of droplets during a very short time interval to take advantage of the optimal air speed, thus typically all ejectors will fire for a fraction of a second. However, in trigger based or manual operation, it may be desirable to extend the time interval slightly to allow for imprecise synchronization between ejection of droplets and inhalation. 
     Drive circuit  536  provides the drive signal to the ejectors on ejector head  504 . In a simple implementation of drive circuit  536 , all ejectors are simultaneously activated. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, all ejectors may be connected in parallel such that closing switch  524  results in simultaneous ejection of droplets from all ejectors. However, circumstances may dictate that all ejectors not be fired at once. For example, when power source  520  is low on energy and needs recharging, the electric current provided may be insufficient to fire all ejectors simultaneously. In such cases, the drive circuit may detect the lower power output and fire different ejectors at different times or switch some ejectors off altogether with a corresponding increase in time duration to allow dispensing of the recommended dosage. As previously described, a request for a very low dosage may also result in firing of less than all of the ejectors at once. System design my also dictate that not all ejectors are fired at once. Typically, RF power is power is switched on to a group of ejectors for a time duration, on the order of microseconds, and then switched off for several microseconds. In order to minimize the peak power requirements of the inhale when the RF power is switched off to the group of ejectors, a second group of ejectors may receive RF power. Thus in one embodiment, the drive circuit  536  includes a multiplexing circuit that may alternately switch groups of ejectors on and off and avoid overlapping firing times. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the use of the inhaler by a human subject. In the illustrated embodiment, the patient  600  inserts the applicator or ejector head  604  of the inhaler  608  into an oral cavity  612 . After insertion of inhaler  608 , a finger such as a pointer or trigger finger  616  applies pressure to a switch  620 . Alternately, the inhalation of air causes an airspeed indicator to detect the airspeed in aperture  624  and trigger a switch when the airspeed reaches a desired value. Under either implementation, the switch closes at a particular point in time causing power to be provided to the ejectors for a preset time duration and the ejection of a mist of medication into oral cavity  612 . 
     As the mist of medication is produced, the patient deeply inhales. The inhalation causes air currents  628  to carry the droplets  632  of pharmaceutical product to the patient&#39;s lungs  636  where the pharmaceutical product is absorbed. The matching of the ejection speed of droplets  632  with the speed of air currents  628  and the small size of droplets  632  maximizes the percentage of pharmaceutical product that reaches lungs  636  and minimizes the percentage of pharmaceutical product deposited on the back of the throat  640 . 
     While the preceding invention has been described in terms of a number of specific embodiments, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications and variations may be performed while still remaining within the scope of the teachings contained herein. For example, specific power consumption of ejectors, ejector arrangements, methods of switching on the ejectors and methods of maintaining sterility of the inhaler have been described. However, such details should not be used to limit the scope of the invention and are merely provided to serve as examples for performing the claimed invention and lend clarity to the description. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited by the embodiments used to exemplify it, but rather should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the following claims and its equivalents, including all such alternative, modifications and variations.