NASAL CANNULA WITH INTEGRATED NEBULIZER
Nasal cannulas are described herein. The nasal cannula ( 110 ) includes a cannula housing ( 112 ), a reservoir ( 160 ), a nebulizer channel ( 154 ), and a gas channel ( 120 ). The cannula housing includes at least one nasal extension ( 116 ) extending from the cannula housing, wherein the at least one nasal extension is configured to be disposed within a patient's nares. The reservoir includes a reservoir volume configured to dispense a medicament. The nebulizer channel is in fluid communication with the reservoir volume and the at least one nasal extension. The gas channel is configured to direct a gas flow toward the at least one nasal extension through the nebulizer channel, drawing a portion of the medicament from the reservoir through the nebulizer channel with the gas flow toward the at least one nasal extension.
1 . A nasal cannula, comprising:
a cannula housing defining a housing volume, the cannula housing comprising at least one nasal extension extending from the cannula housing, wherein the at least one nasal extension is configured to be disposed within a patient's nares;
a reservoir disposed at least partially within the housing volume, wherein the reservoir comprises a reservoir volume configured to dispense a medicament;
a nebulizer channel in fluid communication with the reservoir volume and the at least one nasal extension; and
a gas channel in fluid communication with the nebulizer channel, wherein the gas channel is configured to direct a gas flow toward the at least one nasal extension through the nebulizer channel, drawing a portion of the medicament from the reservoir through the nebulizer channel with the gas flow toward the at least one nasal extension.
2 . The nasal cannula of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is removable from the housing volume.
3 . The nasal cannula of claim 2 , wherein the reservoir can be releasably attached to the cannula housing.
4 . The nasal cannula of claim 1 , wherein the nebulizer channel comprises a sealing membrane.
5 . The nasal cannula of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with a medicament delivery line, wherein the medicament delivery line is configured to deliver the medicament into the reservoir volume.
6 . The nasal cannula of claim 1 , wherein the medicament comprises a liquid medicament.
7 . The nasal cannula of claim 1 , wherein the medicament comprises a powdered medicament.
8 . The nasal cannula of claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic gas channel in fluid communication with the at least one nasal extension, wherein the therapeutic gas channel is configured to direct a therapeutic gas flow toward the at least one nasal extension.
9 . The nasal cannula of claim 8 , wherein the gas channel comprises a flow restrictor to proportion flow between the gas channel and the therapeutic gas channel.
10 . The nasal cannula of claim 9 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises an elastomeric member configured to extend at least partially into a tapered portion of the gas channel to restrict flow in the gas channel.
11 . The nasal cannula of claim 9 , wherein the flow restrictor is configured to proportion flow between the therapeutic gas channel and the gas channel at a ratio of between 4:1 to 10:1.
12 . The nasal cannula of claim 8 , further comprising a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the therapeutic gas channel.
13 . The nasal cannula of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the medicament and the gas flow form a nebulizing gas flow directed toward the at least one nasal extension.
14 . The nasal cannula of claim 13 , wherein the nebulizing gas flow and the therapeutic gas flow are configured to mix together to form a combining volume.
15 . The nasal cannula of claim 1 , wherein the gas channel comprises a baffle, and wherein the gas flow impinges upon the baffle.
16 . A nasal cannula, comprising:
a cannula housing defining a housing volume, the cannula housing comprising at least one nasal extension extending from the cannula housing, wherein the at least one nasal extension is configured to be disposed within a patient's nares;
a reservoir disposed at least partially within the housing volume, wherein the reservoir comprises a reservoir volume configured to dispense a medicament;
a nebulizer channel in fluid communication with the reservoir volume and the at least one nasal extension;
a gas channel in fluid communication with the nebulizer channel, wherein the gas channel is configured to draw a portion of the medicament from the reservoir through the nebulizer channel with the gas flow and form a nebulizing gas flow directed toward the at least one nasal extension; and
a therapeutic gas channel in fluid communication with the at least one nasal extension, wherein the therapeutic gas channel is configured to direct a therapeutic gas flow toward the at least one nasal extension.
17 . The nasal cannula of claim 16 , wherein the nebulizing gas flow and the therapeutic gas flow are configured to mix together to form a combining volume.
18 . The nasal cannula of claim 16 , wherein the nebulizing gas flow is in fluid communication with a first nasal extension and the therapeutic gas flow is in fluid communication with a second nasal extension.
19 . The nasal cannula of claim 16 , wherein the gas channel comprises a baffle, wherein the gas flow impinges upon the baffle.
20 . A method comprising:
introducing at least one nasal extension of a cannula housing into a patient's nares;
directing a gas flow through a nebulizer channel toward the at least one nasal extension;
drawing a portion of a medicament from a reservoir through the nebulizer channel with the gas flow, wherein the reservoir is disposed within the cannula housing; and
directing the gas flow and the portion of the medicament toward the patient's nares via the at least one nasal extension.
21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising directing the gas flow through the nebulizer channel to create negative pressure to draw the portion of the medicament from the reservoir.
22 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising pulverizing the portion of the medicament into an aerosol in the nebulizer channel.
23 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising introducing turbulence to the gas flow within the nebulizer channel.
24 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising introducing the reservoir into the cannula housing.
25 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising releasably attaching the reservoir to the cannula housing.
26 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising accessing the medicament from the reservoir through a sealing membrane.
27 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising directing a therapeutic gas flow through a therapeutic gas channel toward the patient's nares via the at least one nasal extension.
28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising proportioning flow between the gas flow and the therapeutic gas flow.
29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the gas flow and the portion of the medicament form a nebulizing gas flow, and wherein the nebulizing gas flow and the therapeutic gas flow combine in a combining volume of the cannula housing.
30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the gas flow and the portion of the medicament form a nebulizing gas flow, and wherein the nebulizing gas flow is directed to the patient through a first nasal extension and the therapeutic gas flow is directed to the patient through a second nasal extension.