Device and method for targeted delivery of aerosolized particles to the lungs

1. A nebulizer device comprising:

an air intake port positioned downstream of a nebulizer element, and a mouthpiece positioned upstream of the nebulizer element; and

a flow control sensor coupled to a controller, the flow control sensor comprising a fixed orifice and a variable orifice arranged in parallel;

wherein the controller is configured to integrate an inhaled air flow signal received from the flow control sensor for determining an inhaled air volume;

wherein the controller is configured to turn on the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a first predetermined threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to turn off the nebulizer element when the inhaled air volume reaches a second predetermined threshold.

2. The nebulizer device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first predetermined threshold and the second predetermined threshold is a patient-specific threshold.

3. The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising:

a removable storage container, the nebulizer device comprising a plurality of deposition detection elements configured to mate with a plurality of deposition identification elements disposed on the removable storage container.

4. The nebulizer device of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of deposition detection elements are a plurality of detection pins.

5. The nebulizer device of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of deposition identification elements are a plurality of metal contacts connected to the nebulizer element.

6. The nebulizer device of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of deposition identification elements are indicative of a target deposition area within lungs of a patient.

7. The nebulizer device of claim 3 , wherein an opening to the removable storage container is at least partly defined by the nebulizer element.

8. The nebulizer device of claim 7 , wherein the nebulizer element is a nebulizer mesh.

9. The nebulizer device of claim 3 , wherein the removable storage container comprises an interior cup nested within a chamber of the removable storage container.

10. The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising a one way valve positioned directly over the flow control sensor configured to permit airflow only in an upstream direction.

11. The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising:

a drip cup positioned between the mouthpiece and the flow control sensor.

12. The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising:

an exhalation valve positioned between the mouthpiece and the storage container.

13. The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising:

a portable power source coupled to the controller and nebulizer element, and stored within a housing of the nebulizer device.

14. The nebulizer device of claim 1 further comprising:

a status indicator coupled to the controller and comprising at least one of a light indicator and an auditory indicator.

15. The nebulizer device of claim 14 , wherein the status indicator is configured to activate when the inhaled air volume reaches the first predetermined threshold.

16. The nebulizer device of claim 13 , wherein the status indicator is configured to activate when the inhaled air volume reaches a second predetermined threshold.

17. The nebulizer device of claim 13 , wherein the nebulizer device is a handheld device.

18. A method for targeted delivery of aerosolized particles to the lungs comprising:

providing the nebulizer device of claim 1 ;

determining a deposition identity from the removable storage container;

measuring and integrating an inspiratory flow to determine inspiratory volume;

activating the nebulizer element when the inspiratory volume reaches a first volume threshold associated with the deposition identity; and

deactivating the nebulizer element when the inspiratory volume reaches a second volume threshold associated with the deposition identity.

19. The nebulizer device of claim 1 , wherein the variable orifice is configured to increase resistance sensitivity as airflow increases.