Inventors:
Gerald C. Smaldone - Setauket NY, US
Lucy B. Palmer - Nissequogue NY, US
Assignee:
The Research Foundation for the State University of New York - Albany NY
International Classification:
A61M 11/00, A61M 16/10
US Classification:
12820315, 12820014, 12820024, 12820312
Abstract:
The invention provides improved devices for treating tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia in intubated patients, with aerosolized anti gram-positive and anti-gram negative antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when aerosol is delivered into the ventilator circuit. In one embodiment, the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the ventilator circuit. The devices eliminate the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the ventilator circuit. The treatment also concentrates the therapeutic agent at affected sites in the lung such that therapeutic levels of administrated drug are achieved without systemic exposure of the patient to the drug. The invention further provides a dose control device to govern this regimen.