Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a respiratory passage sprayer for administration of substances to a subject and a method of use of the respiratory passage sprayer.

Background of the Invention

Mixing of substances is known to increase, in some cases, lability of one or more of the constituent molecules in the mixture. In some cases, such admixture of substances may lead, in addition to instability of one or more molecules, to decomposition of labile molecules. Such instability and/or decomposition may be due to concentration effects, enzymatic action, heat, light, a redox reaction, other components in the same solution reacting with labile molecules, physicochemical factors such as pH, and/or solvent effects. It will be appreciated that a lack of stability of a molecule represents a major cause for concern in medical chemistry.

Accordingly, a device and method to reduce instability and/or decomposition of one or more labile molecule(s) in preparations for administration to animals would be of benefit for the extension of the shelf-life of such preparations.

A particular benefit would be derived where the device and/or method relates to potentially labile substances for administration to a subject facilitates mixture of one or more labile substance with another substance shortly before administration to the subject without exposure to contamination of the mixed substances.

Summary

The following is a broad summary of various exemplary embodiments of a respiratory passage sprayer for administration of substances to a subject and a method of use of the respiratory passage sprayer.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for delivering a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of a first substance and a second substance to a respiratory passage of a subject, the method including:

providing a sprayer having a nozzle, a first chamber configured to hold the first substance, a second chamber configured to hold the second substance, and an actuator;

moving the actuator to open the first chamber to release the first substance from the first chamber into the second chamber; mixing the first substance from the first chamber with the second substance in the second chamber to create the pharmaceutically acceptable mixture; and

moving the mixture through a passageway of the sprayer to exit the nozzle of the sprayer.

In another embodiment, the moving of the actuator may include moving a shaft with a sharp end to pierce a seal associated with the first chamber.

In another embodiment, the moving of the actuator may include signalling a cover to open to release the first substance from the first chamber into the second chamber.

In another embodiment, the mixing may include moving a plunger through the second chamber and in a direction of the nozzle.

In another embodiment, the mixing may include rotating at least one vane within the second chamber around a central longitudinal axis of the sprayer to create a vortex.

In another embodiment, the method may further include inserting a cartridge containing the first substance into the first chamber.

In another embodiment, the method may further include inserting a tray of powder capsules into the second chamber.

In another embodiment, the method may further include signalling a user that the first substance level is below a predetermined threshold level.

In another embodiment, the powdered substance may include a chemical substance selected from the group consisting of a carbohydrate, a carbomer, a carotene, a chemotherapeutic agent, a coenzyme, a cofactor, a curcuminoid, a first messenger, a flavonol, a fullerene, a fungal extract, a ginsenoside, a lipid, a macrolide, a nicotinamide derivative, a nucleic acid, a nucleotide monophosphate, a nucleotide diphosphate, a nucleotide triphosphate, a peptide, a phytoalexin, a plant extract, a protein, a redox cofactor, a second messenger, a senolytic agent, a steroid, a sterol, a stilbenoid, a sugar substitute, a surfactant, a transcription factor, an agonist, an amino acid, an antagonist, an antioxidant, an enzyme activator, an enzyme inhibitor, an enzyme, an enzyme complex, and an organosulfur compound.

In another embodiment, the fungal extract may be an extract of a fungus belonging to a family selected from the group consisting of Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae. In another embodiment, the plant extract may be an extract of a plant belonging to a family selected from the group consisting of Arecaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a respiratory passage sprayer, including:

a nozzle;

a first chamber for holding a first substance;

a second chamber for holding a second substance, the first chamber being intermediate the nozzle and the second chamber; and

an actuator including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end along a central longitudinal axis of the shaft, the distal end including a portion configured to breach the first chamber to permit the first substance from the first chamber to enter the second chamber, the shaft including at least one vane spaced from the distal end and projecting from the shaft, the at least one vane being configured to move within the second chamber when the actuator is actuated by a user.

In another embodiment, the shaft may be configured to rotate during actuation to move the at least one vane in a circular motion about the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

In another embodiment, movement of the shaft through the second chamber may cause the at least one vane to rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

In another embodiment, the distal end may include a point configured to puncture a seal attached to the first chamber.

In another embodiment, the nozzle may be removable from a housing holding the first and second chambers, the first chamber being accessible after removal of the nozzle so that a cartridge or bladder holding the first substance may be inserted into the first chamber.

In another embodiment, the respiratory passage sprayer may include a level detector for measuring a level selected from the group consisting of: the first substance level in the first chamber, the second substance level in the second chamber, and a mixture of the first substance and the second substance in the second chamber following admixture of the first substance and the second substance in the second chamber. In another embodiment, the respiratory passage sprayer may include a channel configured to communicate between the second chamber and the nozzle to deliver a mixture of the first substance from the first chamber with the second substance from the second chamber.

In another embodiment, the channel may be concentrically located around the shaft.

In another embodiment, the first chamber may include a coaxial channel configured to permit the delivery of a mixture of the first substance from the first chamber with the second substance from the second chamber, the channel being closed off from the first chamber.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country.

The claims as filed and attached with this specification are hereby

incorporated by reference into the text of the present description.

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of a respiratory passage sprayer as herein disclosed.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section view of another embodiment of a respiratory passage sprayer as herein disclosed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the respiratory passage sprayer as disclosed in

Fig. 1 .

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of the invention refer to the accompanying drawing. Alternative embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from consideration of the specification. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims which follow. It will be understood that the term“comprising” is intended to have a broad, open meaning and not limited to a particular embodiment. It will also be understood that the term“subject” as used herein is intended to include all animals having a respiratory tract, including humans.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the respiratory passage sprayer 100 includes a nozzle 102, a first chamber 104 for containing a first substance (NS), a second chamber 106 for containing a second substance (NS). The respiratory passage sprayer 100 also includes an actuator 108 having a shaft 1 10 with a proximal end 1 12 and a distal end 1 14 opposite the proximal end 1 12 located along a central longitudinal axis 1 16 of the shaft 1 10. A portion 1 18 of the distal end 1 14 of the shaft 1 10 is configured to breach the first chamber 104 to enter the second chamber 106. The distal end 1 14 of the shaft 1 10 can include a point (NS) configured to puncture a seal 122 attached to the first chamber 104. The nozzle 102 is removable from a housing 124 that holds the first chamber 104 and the second chamber 106.

Specifically referring to Fig. 2, the shaft 1 10 includes at least one vane 120 spaced from the distal end 1 14 and projecting from the shaft 1 10, which is configured to move within the second chamber 106 when the actuator 108 is actuated by a user (NS). It will be appreciated that the shaft 1 10 may cause the at least one vane 120 to be rotated in a circular motion about the central longitudinal axis 1 16 when the actuator 108 is actuated by the user (NS). The first chamber 104 is shaped and configured to accommodate a cartridge or bladder 126 holding the first substance.

Specifically referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the respiratory sprayer 100 includes a channel 136, which upon actuation, communicates between the second chamber 106 and the nozzle 102 to deliver a mixture (NS) of the first substance from the first chamber 104 with the second substance from the second chamber 106. The actuator 108 includes a spring 109 for reciprocating the actuator 108 from a first position (NS) to a second position (NS) during actuation.

Specifically referring to Fig. 3, the respiratory passage sprayer includes a level detector 328 for measuring a level selected from the group consisting of: the first substance level in the first chamber 104, the second substance level in the second chamber 106, and a mixture of the first substance and the second substance in the second chamber 106 following admixture of the first substance and the second substance in the second chamber 106.

It will be appreciated that the channel 136 can be concentrically located around the shaft 1 10. It will also be appreciated that the first chamber 104 of the respiratory passage sprayer 100 may include a coaxial channel configured to permit the delivery of a mixture of the first substance from the first chamber 104 with the second substance from the second chamber 106, the channel being closed off from the first chamber 104. A respiratory passage should be understood to include a buccal cavity and a nasal cavity.

Substances that may be administered using the respiratory sprayer disclosed herein include a carbohydrate, a carbomer, a carotene, a chemotherapeutic agent, a coenzyme, a cofactor, a curcuminoid, a first messenger, a flavonol, a fullerene, a fungal extract, a ginsenoside, a lipid, a macrolide, a nicotinamide derivative, a nucleic acid, a nucleotide monophosphate, a nucleotide diphosphate, a nucleotide triphosphate, a peptide, a phytoalexin, a plant extract, a protein, a redox cofactor, a second messenger, a senolytic agent, a steroid, a sterol, a stilbenoid, a sugar substitute, a surfactant, a transcription factor, an agonist, an amino acid, an antagonist, an antioxidant, an enzyme activator, an enzyme inhibitor, an enzyme, an enzyme complex, and an organosulfur compound.

Peptides and proteins that may be administered using the respiratory sprayer disclosed herein include a vaccine, an antibody including an antivenom, a heat- sensitive peptide and/or protein, and a protein that is sensitive to enzymatic degradation including a protein having inherent protease activity.

The foregoing description is by way of example only and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. Reciprocating means other than a spring may be used, for example only, a piston. The respiratory passage sprayer may be configured for medicaments of different forms, for example only, powder capsules, liquid capsules, etc. The respiratory passage sprayer may be configured to receive a tray with individual capsules that may be moved or rotated to place a capsule in position for breaching the capsule and delivery of any medicament therein. The wall of the respiratory passage sprayer may include a transparent portion so that a user can easily discern a substance level within the body. The respiratory passage sprayer may include anti-tamper mechanisms as desired. A microchip may be included to facilitate automatic dosing and delivery.

The respiratory passage sprayer may include a locking mechanism customised to reduce the likelihood that an unauthorised person will use the sprayer. For example only, the respiratory passage sprayer may be configured with a biometric touchpad that may be programmed to register, calibrate the respiratory passage sprayer for use, and/or unlock the respiratory passage sprayer for use upon successful identification of a user’s finger or thumb print. A person skilled in the art will appreciate other forms of biometric measurements may be employed to register, calibrate the respiratory passage sprayer for use, and/or unlock the respiratory passage sprayer for use. Such biometrics may include, for example, facial recognition, hand geometry, handwritten biometric recognition, iris recognition, retinal scan, blood vessel matching, and voice analysis.

The respiratory passage sprayer may include a transceiver configured to communicate usage and/or storage data to a mobile communications device or remote server. The transceiver may be configured with a peer-to-peer communications technology such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. The respiratory passage sprayer may be configured to permit actuation only when a recognised cartridge is inserted.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

It will also be appreciated that the respiratory sprayer disclosed herein may be used to extend the shelf life of pharmaceutical compounds.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with, or interchanged with, the features of other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.