|
|
Air-propelled asthma medication inhaler |
|
Most inhalers used for delivering the
bronchial dilator albuterol currently use propellants such
as ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or their
replacement hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs). Both propellants,
which are also employed as industrial refrigerants, eject
albuterol at near-supersonic speeds. Another method is the
nebulizer, a large compressor-driven device that essentially
sprays droplets of albuterol. This is cumbersome and often
not available to an asthmatic when a fast-acting dose of
albuterol is needed.
Next Safety Inc., the United States, has brought out a
device that supplies medication in a stream of air by
ejecting it from a microfluidic pump automatically as the
patient breathes. The Next Safety device solves three
problems:
Propellants are eliminated;
The medicine is not ejected at high speeds, when it could
easily get deposited on the back of the throat and ingested;
and
Patients do not need to time their inhalation to match the
push of a button something critical when administering
albuterol to children.
The device delivers the droplets at the same speed of the
patients inhalation and in the correct size range for
bronchial delivery. It also provides an electronic output to
PDAs to enable doctors to monitor the results of specific
doses of medications in addition to patient compliance.
Contact: Mr. George Colvard, COO, Next Safety Inc., 676 S.
Main Street, Jefferson, NC 28640, United States of America.
Tel: +1 (336) 246 7700; Fax: +1 (336) 846 3978; E-mail:
georgecolvard@nextsafety.com.
Source:
www.marketwatch.com |
|
|
|
|
Dose counter for HFA-based MDIs |
|
The transition
of pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) from CFC to HFA
propellant has opened up new avenues of business to makers
of associated equipment. In one such case, Trudell Medical
International, Canada, has ramped up production of its
Aerocount Dose Indicator in preparation to supply Forest
Laboratories Inc., the United States, with commercial
volumes to support the latters transition from CFC to HFA
on Flunisolide inhalation aerosol.
Flunisolide, a CFC-based inhaled corticosteroid, has been
reformulated with a non-ozone depleting propellant. The
integration of Aerocount Dose Indicator to Forests
Flunisolide HFA product would remind patients how much
medication remains in their inhaler. The Aerocount Dose
Indicator is designed to maintain the same look and feel of
the pMDI. Contact: Trudell Medical International, 725 Third
Street, London, Ontario, Canada N5V 5G4. Tel: +1 (519) 455
7060; Fax: +1 (519) 455 7858: E-mail: tmi@trudellmed.com.
Source:
www.businesswire.com
|
|
|
|
|
HFA propellant with anticholinergic formulations |
|
|
Boehringer Ingelheim
Pharma GmbH, Germany, has patented an invention relating to
suspensions of crystalline tiotropium bromide monohydrate in
the propellant gases HFA 227 and/or HFA 134a. The propellents
may be optionally in an admixture with one or more other
propellant gases, preferably selected from the group
comprising alkanes, branched chain alkanes, dimethylether,
fluorocarbons, trifluoroethane, etc. The propellant-driven
inhalation suspension formulations may also contain other
ingredients such as surfactants, adjuvants, antioxidants or
flavourings.
Preferred suspensions according to the invention are those
that contain as propellant gas HFA 227 on its own, HFA 134a on
its own or a mixture of the two. If one or more other
propellant gases are used in the suspension formulations in
addition to the propellant gases HFA 227 and/or HFA 134a, the
proportion of this other propellant is preferably less than 30
per cent. The suspensions may preferably contain from 0.25 to
0.50 per cent tiotropium bromide monohydrate.
For administration by inhalation, it is necessary to prepare
the active substance in micronized form. After micronization,
the crystalline tiotropium bromide monohydrate preferably has
an average particle size of 1.5 to 5 m. The propellant
gas-containing suspensions according to the invention
mentioned above may be administered using pressurized metered
dose inhalers.
Source:
www.freepatentsonline.com
|
|
|
|
Medicinal aerosol composition
containing HFA propellants |
|
|
Chiesi Farmaceutici
S.p.A., Italy, has patented for use in pressurized metered
dose inhalers (pMDIs) a composition that comprises an active
material, a propellant containing a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), a
co-solvent and optionally a low-volatility compound. The use
of a mixture of HFA 134a and HFA 227 allows modulation of the
mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of aerosol particles
on actuation of the inhaler to target specific regions of the
respiratory tract.
Active materials that could be used include anti-leukotrienes,
bronchodilators, corticosteroids and anti-allergics that ate
administered by inhalation. Co-solvents that may be used in
these formulations include alcohols such as ethanol and
polyols such as propylene glycol. HFAs in particular, HFA
134a and HFA 227 are acknowledged to be the best candidates
for non-CFC propellants. Contact: Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.,
Via Palermo, 26/A, I-43100 Parma, Italy.
Source:
www.freepatentsonline.com
|
|
|
|
|
Pharmaceutical aerosol formulation containing HFA |
|
|
Baker Norton
Pharmaceuticals Inc., the United States, has patented an
aerosol formulation that is adapted for use in a pressurized
metered dose inhaler. The aerosol formulation comprises
Budesonide, Formoterol, one or more hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)
propellant, and a co-solvent present in an amount that
dissolves or solubilizes the Budesonide and Formoterol in the
mixture. Any HFA propellant suitable for inhalation can be
used, but HFA-134a or HFA-227ea is preferred. Aliphatic and/or
hydrocarbon gases may be added to modify propellant
characteristics. The propellant is normally present in an
amount of about 60-94 per cent by weight, based on the total
weight of the aerosol formulation. Preferably, the aerosol
formulation is substantially free of chlorofluorocarbons.
Source:
www.freepatentsonline.com |
|
|
|
|