Respiratory Adapter and Method of Use

[0045]The invention is further described in detail by reference to the following experimental examples. These examples are provided for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified. Thus, the invention should in no way be construed as being limited to the following examples, but rather, should be construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident as a result of the teaching provided herein.

[0046]Without further description, it is believed that one of ordinary skill in the art may, using the preceding description and the following illustrative examples, utilize the present invention and practice the claimed methods. The following working examples therefore, specifically point out exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way the remainder of the disclosure.

[0047]Respiratory Adapter Improves Flow Efficiency and Reduces Loss of Media

[0048]Bench top studies were performed using the respiratory adapter with a pneumotachometer at various locations to demonstrate sparing of flow and media contact, which effectively reduces loss of media during both inspiratory and expiratory flow cycles. As shown in FIG. 3A, a pneumotachometer was placed in line with the inspiratory arm, distal to the media generator and bypass flow bridge. As shown in FIG. 3B, this configuration supports flow only in the inspiratory phase. In addition to this configuration, pneumotachometers were placed in two additional locations: the bridge and the expiratory arm distal to the artificial lung (not shown). In these configurations, the flow tracings demonstrated flow and media sparing at the appropriate phases of respiration. For example, when positioned in the expiratory arm, no flow was observed during inspiration as all flow was directed either into the artificial lung ...

A Respiratory Bridge Adapter (RBA) for Improved Inhaled Media Delivery

[0052]Despite the use of patient or ventilator triggered aerosol / nebulizer (A / N) devices for delivery during inspiration, media loss remains during both inspiration (I) and expiration (E) due to bias flow through the media reservoir and flow adjustments associated with pressure and / or volume controlled respiratory assist devices. As such, the recommended dose is not delivered and targeted dosing is often “to effect”. Furthermore, with the development of expensive therapeutics, biomarkers, and tracers for inhaled delivery, there is an additional economic need for maximizing delivery and deposition of these media in the lung.

[0053]The RBA design is based on an (I) and (E) arm, each with a proximal and distal end. A bypass flow bridge connects the (I) and (E) arms near their distal ends and a media reservoir / driver (MRD) port is positioned in the (I) arm between its proximal end and the bypass flow bridge. One-way va...