Abstract: Stabilized dispersions are provided for the delivery of a bioactive agent. The dispersions preferably comprise a plurality of perforated microstructures dispersed in a suspension medium that typically comprises a liquid fluorochemical. As density variations between the suspended particles and suspension medium are minimized and attractive forces between microstructures are attenuated, the disclosed dispersions are particularly resistant to degradation, such as by settling or flocculation. In particularly preferred embodiments the stabilized dispersions may be directly administered to the lung of a patient using an endotracheal tube or bronchoscope.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having a plurality of air inlets. The chamber contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation or is sized to receive a receptacle which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. A shield covers at least one of the air inlets or a portion of at least one of the air inlets. The shield prevents blockage of the air inlet by a user grasping the apparatus and inadvertently covering the air inlet. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the receptacle.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for measuring the mass of a substance. In one method, energy is applied to a substance and a response resulting from the application of energy as measured. The mass of the substance is then determined based at least in part on the measured response.

Abstract: A method of forming droplets comprises flowing a liquid through a channel; spreading the liquid into a thin film in the channel; and impinging the thin film with a flowing gas to atomize the liquid into droplets. The droplets may then be dried to produce dried particles, such as particles comprising a pharmaceutical active agent. The droplets formed by the disclosed process have improved size and/or size distribution characteristics.

Abstract: A pressure-assisted breathing system comprises a pressure-generating circuit for maintaining a positive pressure within the system, and a patient interface device coupled to a patient's respiratory system. A respiratory circuit is positioned between the pressure-generating circuit and the patient interface device and a nebulizer is coupled to the respiratory circuit.

Abstract: A respiratory dispersion is provided for the pulmonary delivery of at least two bioactive agents. The dispersion comprises a propellant suspension medium having dispersed therein a plurality of perforated microstructures, wherein the two bioactive agents are incorporated into individual perforated microstructures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include apparatus and methods for aerosolizing liquid. One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for generating an aerosol. The apparatus includes an actuator having a first face and a second face and defining an opening therethrough, as well as a vibratory element in mechanical communication with the actuator, and a sealing member configured to isolate the vibratory element from a surrounding environment. In accordance with certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an aerosolization element mounted on the actuator and disposed substantially over the opening, wherein the aerosolization element defines at least one aperture therethrough. Hence, the vibratory element may be operated to vibrate to cause movement of the aerosolization element in such a manner that a liquid at the first face of the aerosolization element can be dispensed as an aerosol through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides storage stable dry powder compositions of IL-4R. The powder compositions demonstrate superior chemical and physical stability over their solution counterparts, particularly upon storage under varying conditions of temperature and humidity. Moreover, the powders, as prepared, possess good aerosol properties, which are maintained upon storage.

Abstract: A nebulized fluid, generated by vibrating an aerosolization element, is introduced into a breathing circuit during a certain interval of a patient's breathing cycle. In some embodiments, the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for aerosolizing medicament to be inhaled by a user. A housing is provided with an aerosol generator contained within the housing. A medicament feed system supplies medicament to the aerosol generator. A mouthpiece has separate medicament and air flow passages. The medicament flow passage provides aerosolized medicament from the aerosol generator to an outlet of the medicament flow passage, and the air flow passage has an inlet in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere. The outlets of the medicament and air flow passages are provided at an end of the mouthpiece to provide simultaneous flows of medicament and air that mix in the user's mouth upon inhalation by the user at the end of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a body defining an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an aerosolization chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The aerosolization chamber is adapted to receive an elongated receptacle, such as a capsule, containing a pharmaceutical formulation. The elongated receptacle rotates end-over-end about an axis substantially orthogonal to an axis passing through the outlet opening when air or gas flows through the body. In another version, the elongated receptacle rotates end-over-end about an axis substantially orthogonal to an inhalation direction.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for controlling the supply of liquid to an aerosol generator comprises operating a liquid supply system to supply a liquid to a vibratable aperture plate of an aerosol generator which senses an amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate, and controls operation of the liquid supply system to adjust the amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for delivery of a medicament to a respiratory system. A reservoir is provided for a liquid medicament with the reservoir having a liquid medicament inlet port and a medicament outlet. An aerosol generator is provided at the medicament outlet of the reservoir for aerosolizing the liquid medicament. A connector entrains the aerosolized medicament from the aerosol generator with a gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary systems and methods for producing dry powder formulations. In one embodiment, a system (10) includes at least one conditioning zone (12) having an inlet (20) to introduce an atomized formulation (18) into the conditioning zone. A controller (14, 16) controls temperature and relative humidity of the airflow into the conditioning zone to allow amorphous-to-crystalline transformation of the atomized formulation. In another embodiment, the formulation is suspended in the conditioning zone for a residence time of sufficient duration to allow surface orientation of surface active components. A dryer (24) is coupled to the conditioning zone to dry the atomized formulation, and a collector (28) collects the formulation in powder form.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having a plurality of air inlets. The chamber contains an aersolizable pharmaceutical formulation or is sized to receive a receptacle which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. A shield covers at least one of the air inlets or a portion of at least one of the air inlets. The shield prevents blockage of the air inlet by a user grasping the apparatus and inadvertently covering the air inlet. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the receptacle.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for measuring the mass of a substance. In one method, energy is applied to a substance and a response resulting from the application of energy as measured. The mass of the substance is then determined based at least in part on the measured response.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface using a tool with both a cleaning head and a cleaning fluid reservoir housing coupled to an elongated handle, the method comprising the following steps: attaching a cleaning pad to the cleaning head; inserting a replaceable cleaning fluid reservoir into the housing; fluidically coupling the cleaning fluid reservoir to the cleaning head; dispensing controlled amounts of cleaning fluid from the reservoir onto a surface; and distributing the cleaning fluid evenly over the surface with the cleaning pad.