Abstract: A nebulizer includes a piezoelectric transducer for aerosolizing a drug solution in a disposable cup module disposed above the transducer. Acoustic waves generated by the transducer propagate sequentially through transmitting medium, a first barrier, coupling medium, and a second barrier that forms part of the cup module, and into the interior of the cup module. The transducer at least partially comprises silver. The silver fluidly contacts the transmitting medium to discourage bacteria growth in the transmitting medium. The device includes electronics components that drive the transducer and measure an electrical characteristic associated with the transducer during operation. The electronics components measures changes in the electrical characteristic to determine when the drug solution level falls below a predetermined threshold, and deactivates the device accordingly.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler is provided which includes a canister fitted in an actuator body. A metered dose of medication is delivered by compressing the canister in the actuator body. The metered dose inhaler includes an actuator that either fully (automatic) or partially (user-assisted) actuates the metered dose inhaler in order to deliver medication to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery device that uses an aerosol generator to nebulize a drug solution. The drug delivery device includes differently sized guide tubes and separator walls to provide substantially consistent particles that can be varied in size by using different guide tubes. The drug delivery device also includes a barrier that separates a fluid contained in the device from the drug solution at least a portion of the barrier is formed from Polyetheretherketone. The present invention also has a drug detection device that can detect the volume of drug in the device or whether the barrier has been compromised.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drug delivery device having a housing that includes a ventilator interface module and a base module removeably coupled to the ventilator interface module. An aerosol generator is disposed in the base module to nebulize a drug solution provided in the housing. The ventilator interface module has an outlet port through which nebulized particles of the drug solution can be communicated to a user, and an inlet port through which the housing receives intake gas. The housing has a flow path defined therein that directs intake gas from the inlet port to the outlet port such that the nebulized drug solution particles formed in the housing are motivated toward the outlet port when the base module is coupled to the ventilator interface module. A seal arrangement substantially seals the inlet port and outlet port from ambient atmosphere when the base module is uncoupled from the ventilator interface module, such that intake gas can be communicated from the inlet port to the outlet port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nebulizing drug delivery system for delivering an aerosolized drug to a user having various features to increase the capacity of the drug delivery device. The drug delivery system includes a heater to increase the viscosity of the drug, a double aerosolizing system to double the capacity of the device, and a valve system to continuously replenish drug to the aerosol generator thereby providing a high speed delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nebulizing device with a housing that includes a mouthpiece module., an intermediate module, and a base module. An aerosol generator is in communication with a fluid. A barrier is disposed between the fluid and a drug solution provided within the housing. A signal transmitter and a signal receiver are carried by the housing. The signal is either initiated or terminated when one of the modules is separated or misaligned from the other modules. The device further includes a variable volume resilient structure disposed in communication with the fluid to provide volumetric relief in the event that the fluid expands.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler is provided which includes a canister fitted in an actuator body. A metered dose of medication is delivered by compressing the canister in the actuator body. The metered dose inhaler includes an actuator that either fully (automatic) or partially (user-assisted) actuates the metered dose inhaler in order to deliver medication to the user.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a valved holding chamber suitable for use in an aerosol medication delivery system. The valved holding chamber includes a housing and a mouthpiece coupled to the housing. A one-way valve assembly is coupled to the housing, the mouthpiece, or both so that fluid flows in a first direction from the housing to the mouthpiece passes through the valve assembly but does not pass back into the housing. The valve assembly includes a conical flange disposed such that the conical flange tapers in the first direction to smooth the fluid flow in the first direction toward the patient. In a further embodiment, the mouthpiece includes an exhaust port defined in a conical collar portion of the mouthpiece, and an exhaust valve element is disposed over the exhaust port to provide a one-way flow of fluid from within the mouthpiece to ambient atmosphere via the exhaust port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling physical communications. A physical communication, such as a letter or a package is received and sorted. The sorting includes assigning one or more of a plurality of predetermined values to each of one or more of a plurality of predetermined characteristics relating to the physical communication. A handling procedure, including one or more handling steps is selected for the communication based on the values assigned in said assigning step and rules correlating the values to a handling procedure. The handling procedure can be modified based on destination specific rules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing communication, such as telephone calls. One or more of a plurality of predetermined values are assigned to each of one or more of a plurality of predetermined characteristics relating to a received communication. A destination is selected based on the assigned values and the communication is routed to the selected destination. Scripts can be generated to route the communication to a specified device of the destination.