Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Liquid, flowable formulations including aqueous formulations of a pharmaceutically active drug are packaged in individual dosage unit containers which containers are interconnected to form a cellular array designed to be integrated into a dispensing device capable of individually opening dosage unit containers and aerosolizing the contents through a nozzle for delivery to a patient. The cellular array is comprised of a plurality of containers with each container having an opening(s) thereon from which a drug-containing formulation may be aerosolized. The dispensing device is a hand-held, self-contained, portable device comprised of a means for removing covers from the containers and automatically dispensing the formulation from individual containers, preferably in response to a signal obtained as a result of measuring the inspiratory flow of a patient. The cellular array is loaded into the dispensing device to form a system which can be used in a method of delivering drugs to a patient via the intrapulmonary route. In a preferred embodiment each container includes an opening covered by a membrane having a plurality of pores therein wherein the pores have a diameter of about 0.5 microns to 50 microns and the dispensing device includes a vibrating device which creates a vibration frequency such that formulation forced through the pores is aerosolized to particles having a diameter of about 1 micron to 100 microns.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim