Abstract: Percussive ignition systems and heat packages incorporating percussively igniter systems capable of being activated by inhalation are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods of entraining a substance within an airflow are disclosed. Condensation aerosol delivery devices and methods of consistently producing multiple doses of a substance, such as a drug, having high purity, high yield, characterized by a particle size distribution appropriate for pulmonary delivery, and which can be administered to a user in a single dose are also disclosed.

Abstract: High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of recording a medical event in real-time. One aspect of the invention comprises providing a subject an electronic diary for recording one or more aspects of a medical event, wherein the diary electronically records a time at which entries to the diary are made without requiring the subject to input the time of each entry and wherein the diary further prompts the subject to make an entry in the diary at various time intervals. Other aspects of the invention include methods of determining whether a medical treatment produces a therapeutic effect in a subject using real-time data; methods of measuring response of a subject experiencing panic attack symptoms to a treatment in real-time; and methods of assessing the relative effectiveness in real-time of a first medical treatment and a second medical treatment.

Abstract: Devices comprising a housing defining an airway, at least one support configured to couple to the airway comprising at least one area selected from a first area and a second area, wherein a first compound is disposed on the first area, and a second compound is disposed on the second area, and wherein the second compound can counteract the pharmacological effects of the first compound; and a mechanism configured to release the first compound into the airway, wherein the device comprises at least one first area and at least one second area are disclosed. Methods of producing an aerosol of a first compound comprising providing at least one first area on which is disposed a first compound, and at least one second area on which is disposed a second compound, providing an airflow over at least a portion of the at least one first area, and releasing the first compound from at least a portion of at least one first area into the airflow, wherein the first compound forms an aerosol in the airflow, are also disclosed.

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 composition, wherein the composition comprises a sedative-hypnotic, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles with 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 coating of a sedative-hypnotic drug composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of antihistamines through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing diphenhydramine 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 diphenhydramine. In a method aspect of the present invention, diphenhydramine 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 diphenhydramine, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles, which is inhaled by the mammal.

Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of opioids through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing opioids that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an opioid is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, wherein the composition comprises an opioid, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles with less than 5% opioid degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering an opioid through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an opioid composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: Methods for determining the film thickness of a compound composition needed to provide a selected purity and yield of a condensation aerosol via vaporization of the compound composition have applications in aerosol delivery technology, in pulmonary drug delivery, and in other therapeutic treatment regimes. The methods for determining such film thickness, for use in a device having a film of drug composition to be aerosolized, include generating purities and yields of a drug composition by vaporizing films of the drug composition from substrates at two or more temperatures in the range of 150° C. to 500° C. and two or more film thickness in the range of 0.05 to 50 microns, determining from these yields and purities if a thickness and temperature exist where the aerosol has at least 90% purity and at least 50% yield, and repeated such measurements until the selected purity and yield requirement are met.

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 composition aspect of the present invention, the aerosol comprises particles comprising at least 5 percent by weight of acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol. In a method aspect of the present invention, one of acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol 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 acetaminophen, orphenadrine or tramadol, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles, which is inhaled by the mammal.

Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. These heating units can be actuated by electrical resistance or by percussion. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for rapid heating while controlling the uniformity of temperature of a substrate and peak temperatures are disclosed. Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles employing these methods are disclosed. Rapid heating is obtained by use of a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermnic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. These heating units can be actuated by electrical resistance or by optical ignition. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.

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 compounds for the treatment of Parkinsons through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing antiparkinsonian drugs 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 an antiparkinsonian drug. In a method aspect of the present invention, an antiparkinsonian drug 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 an antiparkinsonian drug to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles, which is inhaled by the mammal.

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 composition aspect of the present invention, the aerosol comprises particles comprising at least 5 percent by weight of chlordiazepoxide, betahistine, clonidine, testosterone, conjugated estrogens, estrogen esters, estradiol, estradiol esters, ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol esters, or hyoscyamine. In a method aspect of the present invention, chlordiazepoxide, betahistine, clonidine, testosterone, conjugated estrogens, estrogen esters, estradiol, estradiol esters, ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol esters, or hyoscyamine is delivered to a mammal through an inhalation route.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of anti-migraine compounds through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing sumatriptan, frovatriptan, or naratriptan 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 sumatriptan, frovatriptan, or naratriptan. In a method aspect of the present invention, one of sumatriptan, frovatriptan, or naratriptan 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 sumatriptan, frovatriptan, or naratriptan, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles, which is inhaled by the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of diazepam through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing diazepam 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 diazepam. In a method aspect of the present invention, diazepam 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 diazepam, 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 diazepam through an inhalation route to a mammal is provided which comprises: a) a composition comprising at least 5 percent by weight of diazepam; and, b) a device that forms a diazepam containing aerosol from the composition, for inhalation by the mammal.

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