Abstract: A device for directing a nebulized mixture includes a receiver, disposed at lower end of the device, to receive a nebulizer, an exhaust port to expel a nebulized mixture from the device, and a passage to transport the nebulized mixture from the nebulizer to the exhaust port. The device has an external shape of a novelty.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of pulmonary delivering to a subject at least one pharmacologically active agent being in a plant material, which is effected by pulmonary delivering the agent to the subject using a metered dose inhaler device that is configured to vaporize at least one pre-determined vaporized amount of the agent upon controllably heating the plant material, wherein the pre-determined vaporized amount is selected so as to achieve at least one pre-determined pharmacokinetic effect and/or at least one pre-determined pharmacodynamic effect induced by the agent in the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adjustable bite block for positioning within a person's mouth and maintaining the mouth in an open position. The adjustable bite block comprising at least one band of curved material comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions configured to be coupled to one another so as to define a closed loop with an opening defined therethrough, wherein the first and second portions are further configured to be selectively adjusted relative to one another so as to adjust a radial dimension of the loop, and wherein the band is configured to be positioned within the person's mouth such that at least a portion of the loop maintains the person's mouth in an open position. Embodiments of the adjustable bite block may use snap tabs spaced along the band or a ratchet mechanism for adjustment of the radial dimension.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include monitoring at least one health attribute of an individual during an artificial sensory experience, associating a characteristic of the artificial sensory experience with the at least one health attribute of the individual, and modifying at least one of an inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent or the artificial sensory experience at least partially based on associating a characteristic of the artificial sensory experience with the at least one health attribute of the individual.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting an indication of an individual's compliance with an artificial sensory experience and presenting an indication of an inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent at least partially based on the indication of the individual's compliance with the artificial sensory experience.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one indication of use of an inhalation device configured to dispense a bioactive agent to an individual and presenting at Least one artificial sensory experience to monitor at Least one side effect of the bioactive agent on the individual.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include measuring at least one effect of an inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent and artificial sensory experience on an individual and modifying at least one of the inhalation device-dispensed bioactive agent or the artificial sensory experience at least partially based on the at least one effect.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include accepting at least one indication of bioactive agent use by an individual and/or presenting an indication of an artificial sensory experience programmed to detect at least one effect of the bioactive agent at least partly based on the at least one indication of the bioactive agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient. The breathing gas CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) during the expiration of breathing gases by the patient, the end tidal (EtCO2), CO2 partial pressure, and the CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) of the blood are measured. The volume (V) of breathing gases expired during the expiration of breathing gases by the patient is also measured and a relationship between changes in breathing gas CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) and changes in breathing gas volume (V) in an alveolar expiration phase of patient expiration is determined. The difference between the blood CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) and the end expiration CO2 partial pressure is divided by the relationship between PCO2 and V produce a quantity which is compared to a threshold value. If the quantity is below the threshold value, the absence of a pulmonary embolism is indicated.

Abstract: A compliance monitor (20) is attachable to or forms part of a drug delivery device, such as an inhaler (2). The monitor comprises a flexible portion (38) to enable a switch which is actuated by a user when delivering a dose of medicament. The monitor further comprises a sensor for sensing whether the device is properly positioned in contact with or relative to the user's body for administration of the medicament. For example, where the device is an inhaler and the sensor a temperature sensor, temperature variations caused by insertion of an inhaler mouthpiece into the user's mouth indicate whether the dose has been delivered into the patient's mouth. A memory in the compliance monitor stores a compliance record indicating whether or not the device was properly positioned each time a dose was delivered.

Abstract: A device for aiding intubation of a patient comprising a generally ovular palate bridge having a flexible convex surface to allow the device to conform to a roof of a patient's mouth and a flexible concave surface to allow for space in the mouth for placement of an endotracheal tube or to clear an oral airway which is attached to a teeth guard to prevent dental trauma and an esophageal block to block aspiration from a patient's stomach into a patient's lungs and to prevent erroneous intubation.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for delivering metered doses of product from a pressurized dispensing container, having a housing for receiving, in use, the pressurized dispensing container, and an outlet through which, in use, metered doses of product from the pressurized dispensing container can be dispensed. The housing has an aperture via which the pressurized dispensing container can be inserted into the housing. The dispensing apparatus is at least partially enclosed by a shrink wrapped film, the shrink wrapped film including an opening which is: (a) at least partly aligned with the aperture of the housing; and (b) dimensioned so as to allow, in use, said pressurized dispensing container to pass through the opening in order to be inserted into the housing via the aperture.

Abstract: The dispenser has a body (1), with a mouthpiece cover (2). Opening of the cover urges a junction member (3) towards a source (4) of a medicament to be released as a dose by pressing a spout (5) of the source inwards of the source. The source is supported by a cap (11) clipped to the end of a source-enclosing barrel (12) with intern al splines (10). The barrel is welded (15) to the main to part (16) of the body at a position determined by the extension of the source towards the distal end (17) of the barrel when the cover is open, the welding position being determined by a plug (18) simulating the cap and its bush.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method to aid in administering inhaled pharmaceutical aerosol to a patient is configured to maintain a tongue in proper position and offset the patients upper and lower jaws during aerosol delivery. An adjustable member (26) is provided adjacent a mouthpiece and at least partially surrounds and moves with respect to the body of the apparatus. The adjustable member has a step structured (32, 34) to impart a selected amount of mandibular advancement to a patient during aerosol delivery. A tongue depressor (40) which may be integrally formed with the adjustable member configured to prevent a tongue from occluding a flow of aerosol is also provided.

Abstract: A dose indicator for indicating the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from a fluid dispenser device, the indicator being characterized in that it comprises an indicator body, a drive element, a rotary transmission element, a first rotary counter element, and a second rotary counter element, said first and second rotary counter elements being disposed side by side in a common plane and turning about parallel axes of rotation, said first and second counter elements co-operating to provide a common indication on each occasion the indicator is driven, said first rotary counter element being a disk having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface including first indicator means located close to the outer peripheral edge of said top surface, and said bottom surface including a first gear co-operating with a drive gear provided on said rotary transmission element, said first rotary counter element including a drive tooth adapted to co-operate on each complete revoluti

Abstract: A drug delivery apparatus (5, 5?, 5?, 5??) for delivering an aerosol including a drug to a patient includes an aerosol generator (45, 50, 55, 60) for generating the aerosol from a supply of the drug, and a mouthpiece component (30, 30?, 30?, 30??) structured to be inserted into the mouth of the patient. The mouthpiece component is operatively coupled to the aerosol generator for receiving the aerosol and delivering the aerosol to the patient. The mouthpiece component has a ventral surface (85, 85?, 85?) structured to face a tongue (100) of the patient when the mouthpiece component is inserted into the mouth of the patient and may include a tongue apex positioning element (90, 90?, 90??, 105) provided on the ventral surface. The ventral surface, and if present, the tongue apex positioning element is/are structured to engage the apex (95) of the tongue of the patient during use of the drug delivery apparatus to properly position the tongue.

Abstract: An inhaler includes an accurate and consistent mechanical dose metering system that dispenses dry powdered medicament in discrete amounts or doses for patient inhalation, a pressure relief system that manages pressure within a medicament reservoir of the inhaler to ensure consistently dispensed doses, and a dose counting system indicating the number of doses dispensed by or remaining in the inhaler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel capsule for receiving an active substance to be administered by inhalation, which is preferably intended for use in a powder inhaler operating on the Bernoulli principle.

Abstract: An anesthetic dispensing device (100) particularly adapted to apply anesthetic agent to the oral cavity and upper tracheal area of a medical patient prior to intubation of such patient. An exemplary dispenser (100) includes a handle (110) operably connected to a retractor (112) that carries an anesthetic dispensing device (104). A currently preferred dispensing device (104) includes a fluid-dispersing nozzle (118) in fluid communication with a syringe (116). Sometimes, an optical device (164) is coupled to the dispenser (100) to permit direct visualization of the application of anesthetic agent.

Abstract: An article for use in an aerosol device, for producing an aerosol of a drug composition is disclosed. The article includes a heat-conductive substrate having a surface with a selected surface area, and a drug composition film on the substrate surface having a selected film thickness of between 0.05 and 20 ?m. The film thickness is such that an aerosol formed by vaporizing the drug composition by heating the substrate and condensing the vaporized compound contains 10% or less drug-degradation product and at least 50% of the total amount of drug composition contained in the film. The selected substrate surface area is such as to yield an effective human therapeutic dose of the drug aerosol. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the article.

Abstract: An inhaler includes an accurate and consistent mechanical dose metering system that dispenses dry powdered medicament in discrete amounts or doses for patient inhalation, a pressure relief system that manages pressure within a medicament reservoir of the inhaler to ensure consistently dispensed doses, and a dose counting system indicating the number of doses remaining in the inhaler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of diphenhydramine through an inhalation route. In a composition aspect of the present invention, a composition of a diphenhydramine condensation aerosol is presented. In a method aspect of the present invention, diphenhydramine aerosol is formed by: a) heating a thin layer of diphenhydramine on a solid support to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% degradation product and an aerosol having an MMAD less than 3 microns. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering a condensation aerosol is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of diphenhydramine; and b) a device for dispensing the diphenhydramine as an aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of physiologically active compounds through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing physiologically active compounds that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, the physiologically active compound is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a coating of a physiologically active compound, on a solid support, to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% physiologically active compound degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering a physiologically active compound through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of a physiologically active compound, and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of migraine headache drugs through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing migraine headache drugs that are used in inhalation therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of caffeine through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing caffeine that are used in inhalation therapy. In a composition aspect of the present invention, the aerosol comprises particles comprising at least 5 percent by weight of caffeine. In a method aspect of the present invention, caffeine is delivered to a mammal through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, wherein the composition comprises at least 5 percent by weight of caffeine, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles, which is inhaled by the mammal. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering caffeine through an inhalation route to a mammal is provided which comprises: a) a composition comprising at least 5 percent by weight of caffeine; and, b) a device that forms a caffeine containing aerosol from the composition, for inhalation by the mammal.

Abstract: A dosage device capable of delivery of a full dosage of medicament to a person in need of treatment through the mouth comprising a storage chamber for more or less temporarily storing the medicament after receiving the medicament from a suitable dispenser, such as an MDI inhaler, and a mouthpiece having a sealing ring for sealing the mouthpiece within the mouth of the person using the dosage device connected to the storage chamber in which a one way valve is located intermediate the storage chamber and mouthpiece to prevent air exhaled by the person from re-entering the storage chamber to reduce or prevent the risk of contamination or cross-contamination occurring within the storage chamber thereby allowing repeated use of the dosage device even by different persons, without the absolute need to clean the dosage device after each use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of anti-migraine compounds through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing lidocaine, verapamil, diltiazem, isometheptene, or lisuride that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, lidocaine, verapamil, diltiazem, isometheptene, or lisuride is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of lidocaine, verapamil, diltiazem, isometheptene, or lisuride, on a solid support to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% drug degradation products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aerosols containing of atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, of atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol, on a solid support to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering of atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an atenolol, pindolol, esmolol, propranolol, or metoprolol composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of antiparkinsons drugs through an inhalation route. In a method aspect of the present invention, an antiparkinsons drug is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of an antiparkinsons drug on a solid support to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering an antiparkinsons drug through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of a an antiparkinsons drug composition; and, b) a device for dispending said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of analgesics through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an analgesic is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol, on a solid support to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol through an inhalation is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aerosols containing alprazolam, estazolam, midazolam or triazolam that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, alprazolam, estazolam, midazolam or triazolam is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of alprazolam, estazolam, midazolam or triazolam, on a solid support to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering alprazolam, estazolam, midazolam or triazolam through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an alprazolam, estazolam, midazolam, or triazolam composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of antiemetics through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing antiemetics that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an antiemetic is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of an antiemetic, on a solid support, to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% antiemetic degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering an antiemetic through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin layer of an antiemetic drug and b) a device for dispensing said thin layer an antiemetic as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of erectile dysfunction drugs through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing erectile dysfunction drugs that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an erectile dysfunction drug is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin film of an erectile dysfunction drug, on a solid support, to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% erectile dysfunction drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering an erectile dysfunction drug through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin film of an erectile dysfunction drug composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin film as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of sedative-hypnotics through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing sedative-hypnotics that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, a sedative-hypnotic drug is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a thin layer of a sedative-hypnotic, on a solid support, to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% sedative-hypnotic drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering a sedative-hypnotic through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin layer of a sedative-hypnotic drug and b) a device for dispensing said thin layer a sedative-hypnotic drug as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of stimulants through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing stimulants that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, a stimulant is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a coating of a stimulant, on a solid support, to form a vapor; and, b) passing air through the heated vapor to produce aerosol particles having less than 5% stimulant degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering a stimulant through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a coating of a stimulant drug and b) a device for dispensing said coating a stimulant as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: A combined tongue depressor and oral spray adapted to be connectable to a container containing an oral spray material to enable material contents contained within the container to be dispensed through the tongue depressor and oral spray to reach a throat cavity and a rear portion of the tongue, including a universally moveable longitudinal tube member having an inner passageway extending from a proximal and thereof to a distal end thereof; the proximal end being connected to the container for permitting universal movement of the longitudinal tube relative to the container; and a material exit associated with the distal end of the longitudinal tube for permitting material contained in the container to exit from the container and pass through the tube and out of the tube to reach the rear of the tongue and the throat cavity and the rear of the mouth.

Abstract: A metering device suitable for use in a dry powder inhaler comprises a housing defining a reservoir. The reservoir contains a powder. A rotatable auger, having a first and second end, has one or more flutes extending between the ends. The first end of the auger communicates with the reservoir. A dosing member, defining a dosing recess having a desired volume, is positionable adjacent said second end of said auger. Rotation of said auger causes the powder to be transferred through the flutes and into the dosing recess to fill the recess volume with a specific dose of powder.