Abstract: The invention provides methods, devices and compositions for use in inhalation therapy of neonates, infants or children younger than 12 years, e.g. from 1 to 8 years, suffering from a disease, optionally a pulmonary disease, such as asthma, by which high amounts of inhaled drugs are directed to the small airways of the peripheral lungs of neonates, infants and children using slow, controlled flow rates and pre-set inhalation volumes. A novel inhalation device tailored for use in neonates, infants and children and adapted to provide said slow, controlled flow rates with a simplified jet nebuliser set-up is disclosed, together with kits comprising the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, and in particular to a mixing channel with improved injection and mixing properties for injecting and mixing a liquid drug into an air flow streaming in the mixing channel, thereby producing an aerosol to be inhaled by a patient. One aspect of the invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an injection zone located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, wherein the injection zone has a longitudinal center axis, wherein the injection zone comprises (a) a built-in nebulizer, or (b) a detachable nebulizer, or (c) a member adapted to receive a detachable nebulizer, wherein the effective cross sectional area of the mixing channel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis is smaller in the injection zone than upstream of the injection zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inhalation device which has two pumps, one providing a nebulizer flow and the other providing a support flow. The nebulizer flow passes through a nebulizing nozzle to generate an aerosol flow from a liquid. The aerosol flow and the support flow are combined to provide a total flow through a mouthpiece to a patient. The device can be configured specifically for pediatric use by removing the support flow pump. The invention also provides a method of providing a flow of aerosol and / or air to a patient using the device, in particular a device which provides a defined volume of air and aerosol as a bolus at a defined flow rate on each inhalation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, devices and compositions for use in inhalation therapy of neonates, infants or children younger than 12 years, e.g. from 1 to 8 years, suffering from a disease, optionally a pulmonary disease, such as asthma, by which high amounts of inhaled drugs are directed to the small airways of the peripheral lungs of neonates, infants and children using slow, controlled flow rates and pre-set inhalation volumes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-use, pre-packaged, sealed container (1) for use with a nebulizer device having an aerosol generator comprising a membrane, the container containing a cleaning liquid (3) and being configured to fit onto the nebulizer device, so that the container is held in place on the nebulizer device and the membrane is immersed in the liquid. The invention also provides a strip comprising a plurality of containers (10), wherein each container is detachable from the rest of the strip; a pack comprising a multi-day supply of a drug and containers; and a method for cleaning the membrane of a nebulizer device using the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, and in particular to a mixing channel with improved injection and mixing properties for injecting and mixing a liquid drug into an air flow streaming in the mixing channel, thereby producing an aerosol to be inhaled by a patient. One aspect of the invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an injection zone located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, wherein the injection zone has a longitudinal center axis, wherein the injection zone comprises (a) a built-in nebulizer, or (b) a detachable nebulizer, or (c) a member adapted to receive a detachable nebulizer, wherein the effective cross sectional area of the mixing channel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis is smaller in the injection zone than upstream of the injection zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refillable container (1) for use with a nebulizer device having an aerosol generator comprising a transducer body and a membrane having pores, the container having an opening being fillable with a cleaning liquid (3), wherein the opening is sized and shaped to fit onto the transducer body, so that the container is held in place on the nebulizer device and the membrane is immersed in the liquid inside the container. The invention also provides a pack comprising a multi-day supply of a drug, one or more cleaning liquids and one or more containers; and a method for cleaning the membrane of a nebulizer device using the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, and in particular to a mixing channel with improved injection and mixing properties for injecting and mixing a liquid drug into an air flow streaming in the mixing channel, thereby producing an aerosol to be inhaled by a patient. One aspect of the invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an injection zone located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, wherein the injection zone has a longitudinal center axis, wherein the injection zone comprises (a) a built-in nebulizer, or (b) a detachable nebulizer, or (c) a member adapted to receive a detachable nebulizer, wherein the effective cross sectional area of the mixing channel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis is smaller in the injection zone than upstream of the injection zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing system for an inhalation device which is capable of aliquoting a precise and accurately metered volume from a larger pre-defined fill volume. The dosing system comprises a filling chamber for receiving a liquid to be aerosolized, the filling chamber having a lateral wall, an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a closing means (11) for closing the outlet opening. The dosing system further comprises an overflow chamber surrounding the inlet opening of the filling chamber and a plunger which can be inserted, at least partially, into the filling chamber, and which sealingly contacts the lateral wall such as to displace liquid from said filling chamber upon insertion, and push a metered volume of the liquid out from the filling chamber through the outlet opening and feed it to the nebulizing means of the inhalation device.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of RSV infections in young children. More specifically, methods are provided wherein polypeptides that bind F protein of hRSV and that neutralize RSV infection are administered to the lungs of young children at specific dose regimens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-use, pre-packaged, sealed container (1) for use with a nebulizer device having an aerosol generator comprising a membrane, the container containing a cleaning liquid (3) and being configured to fit onto the nebulizer device, so that the container is held in place on the nebulizer device and the membrane is immersed in the liquid. The invention also provides a strip comprising a plurality of containers (10), wherein each container is detachable from the rest of the strip; a pack comprising a multi-day supply of a drug and containers; and a method for cleaning the membrane of a nebulizer device using the container.

Abstract: An inhalation device, assembly or system can include a kit and a pharmaceutical composition. The device can be adapted for administering therapeutic aerosols to pediatric patients, including neonates, infants or toddlers. The device can further include a vibrating mesh aerosol generator that can be insertable into a flow channel of the inhalation device through a lateral opening, and a valved face mask. The device can be connectable to a gas source through which a gas, such as oxygen, can be received into the flow channel at a low flow rate.

Abstract: The invention provides an inhalation device for enabling a user to inhale at a desired inspiratory flow rate and/or pressure, comprising a feedback system configured to indicate to a user by means of a signal during an inhalation maneuver whether an inhalation parameter, such as the inspiratory flow rate, is within a predefined target range. The signal may be an optical or a non-optical signal, such as a light signal, an acoustic signal, or a tactile signal.

Abstract: An inhalation device, assembly or system can include a kit and a pharmaceutical composition. The device can be adapted for administering therapeutic aerosols to pediatric patients, including neonates, infants or toddlers. The device can further include a vibrating mesh aerosol generator that can be insertable into a flow channel of the inhalation device through a lateral opening, and a valved face mask. The device can be connectable to a gas source through which a gas, such as oxygen, can be received into the flow channel at a low flow rate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of RSV infections in young children. More specifically, methods are provided wherein polypeptides that bind F protein of hRSV and that neutralize RSV infection are administered to the lungs of young children at specific dose regimens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing system for an inhalation device which is capable of aliquoting a precise and accurately metered volume from a larger pre-defined fill volume. The dosing system comprises a filling chamber for receiving a liquid to be aerosolized, the filling chamber having a lateral wall, an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a closing means (11) for closing the outlet opening. The dosing system further comprises an overflow chamber surrounding the inlet opening of the filling chamber and a plunger which can be inserted, at least partially, into the filling chamber, and which sealingly contacts the lateral wall such as to displace liquid from said filling chamber upon insertion, and push a metered volume of the liquid out from the filling chamber through the outlet opening and feed it to the nebulizing means of the inhalation device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, and in particular to a mixing channel with improved injection and mixing properties for injecting and mixing a liquid drug into an air flow streaming in the mixing channel, thereby producing an aerosol to be inhaled by a patient. One aspect of the invention relates to a mixing channel for an inhalation device, comprising an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and an injection zone located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, wherein the injection zone has a longitudinal center axis, wherein the injection zone comprises (a) a built-in nebulizer, or (b) a detachable nebulizer, or (c) a member adapted to receive a detachable nebulizer, wherein the effective cross sectional area of the mixing channel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis is smaller in the injection zone than upstream of the injection zone.

Abstract: The invention provides an inhalation device for enabling a user to inhale at a desired inspiratory flow rate and/or pressure, comprising a feedback system configured to indicate to a user by means of a signal during an inhalation manoeuvre whether an inhalation parameter, such as the inspiratory flow rate, is within a predefined target range. The signal may be an optical or a non-optical signal, such as a light signal, an acoustic signal, or a tactile signal.

Abstract: A device for the flow rate limitation at low differential pressures, in particular for the limitation of the inhalation volume flow during the inhalation of therapeutic aerosols, comprising a housing with at least an inlet opening, at least an outlet opening and a flow channel arranged therebetween, wherein the flow channel is restricted by a flexible wall extending along the flow channel, characterized in that the flexible wall has a control area of less than 100 mm2.