Dynamic particle size control for aerosolized drug delivery

摘要

A device is provided which creates aerosolized particles by forcing a formulation of drug in a carrier through a nozzle (which nozzle may be in the form of a porous membrane) into a channel to a patient for inhalation. While in the channel energy is added to the particles in an amount sufficient to evaporate carrier and thereby reduce particle size. The amount of energy added can be adjusted depending on factors such as the particle size, the amount of the carrier to be evaporated, the water vapor content of the surrounding air and the composition of the carrier. Energy may be added in an amount sufficient to evaporate all carrier and thereby provide particles of dry powdered drug to patient which particles are uniform in size regardless of the surrounding humidity and smaller due to the evaporation of the carrier. Air drawn into the device by the patient may be drawn through a desiccator containing a desiccant which removes moisture from the air thereby improving evaporation efficiency when the carrier is water. Alternatively, water vapor may be introduced to the channel to saturate inhaled air thereby preventing evaporation of carrier and maintaining uniform particle size.