Adrian D Smith

US Patent:

6543448, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/583300

Inventors:

Adrian E. Smith - Belmont CA
John D. Burr - Redwood City CA
Jeffrey W. Etter - Castro Valley CA
George S. Axford - Menlo Park CA
Jack M. Anthony - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

A61M 1500

US Classification:

12820315, 12820321

Abstract:

A method for aerosolizing a powdered medicament comprises coupling a powder inlet end of a feed tube with a penetration in a receptacle containing the powder. Powder is drawn upward through the tube and dispersed in a high pressure gas stream flowing past a portion of the feed tube. Apparatus comprise the feed tube mounted within a base enclosure proximate a holder for one or more receptacles, which may be in the form of a cartridge containing a plurality of receptacles formed in a continuous web. The cartridge may be reciprocated relative to the feed tube and a separate piercing mechanism in order to sequentially piercing the receptacle and thereafter couple the feed tube through the resulting penetration for extracting the powder. Alternatively, penetration(s) through the receptacle may be formed as the feed tube is coupled, or some penetrations formed prior to coupling with other penetrations formed at the time of coupling.

US Patent:

6546929, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Jun 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/873946

Inventors:

John D. Burr - Redwood City CA
Adrian E. Smith - Belmont CA
Randy K. Hall - Mountain View CA
Herman Snyder - Belmont CA
Carlos Schuler - Cupertino CA
George S. Axford - San Mateo CA
Charles Ray - Foster City CA

Assignee:

Inhale Therapeutic Systems, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

A61M 1500

US Classification:

12820315, 12820321

Abstract:

The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas. A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the extended position. The second interlock remains engaged if the receptacle is only partially inserted into the carriage assembly.

US Patent:

6581650, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Jun 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/873771

Inventors:

Derrick J. Parks - San Carlos CA
Michael J. Rocchio - Hayward CA
Kyle Naydo - Sunnyvale CA
Dennis E. Wightman - Cupertino CA
Adrian E. Smith - Belmont CA

Assignee:

Nektar Therapeutics - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

B65B 120

US Classification:

141 12, 141 2, 141 18, 141 67, 141 71, 141125, 141129, 141234, 141237, 141238, 141241, 141242, 141280, 141286

Abstract:

The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.

US Patent:

6901929, Jun 7, 2005

Filed:

Dec 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/327633

Inventors:

John D. Burr - Redwood City CA, US
Adrian E. Smith - Belmont CA, US
Randy K. Hall - Dublin GA, US
Herman Snyder - Pacifica CA, US
Carlos Schuler - Cupertino CA, US
George S. Axford - Pacifica CA, US
Charles Ray - Brentwood CA, US

Assignee:

Nektar Therapeutics - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

A61M015/00

US Classification:

12820315, 12820321

Abstract:

The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas. A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the extended position. The second interlock remains engaged if the receptacle is only partially inserted into the carriage assembly.

US Patent:

7304750, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Dec 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/731317

Inventors:

Normand Nantel - San Carlos CA, US
Adrian Smith - Belmont CA, US
Scot Cheu - San Jose CA, US
Derrick J. Parks - Belmont CA, US
Jamshed Ghandi - San Carlos CA, US

Assignee:

Nektar Therapeutics - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

G01B 11/14

US Classification:

356625, 356338

Abstract:

The invention provides systems and methods for measuring the mass of a substance. In one method, energy is applied to a substance and a response resulting from the application of energy as measured. The mass of the substance is then determined based at least in part on the measured response.

US Patent:

7422013, Sep 9, 2008

Filed:

Mar 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/076418

Inventors:

John D. Burr - Redwood City CA, US
Adrian E. Smith - Emerald Hills CA, US
George S. Axford - Pacifica CA, US

Assignee:

Nektar Therapeutics - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

A61M 11/00
A61M 15/00

US Classification:

12820023, 12820321

Abstract:

The invention provides various apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a powdered medicament. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a pressurization cylinder, and a piston which is slidable within the cylinder to pressurize a gas. A handle is coupled to the piston and is movable between an extended position and a home position to pressurize the gas. An aerosolizing mechanism is included and is configured to aerosolize a powdered medicament that is held within a receptacle with pressurized gas from the cylinder. A carriage assembly is included to receive the receptacle and to couple the receptacle to the aerosolizing mechanism. A first and a second interlock are operably engageable with the carriage assembly to prevent coupling of the receptacle with the aerosolization mechanism. The first interlock is released to allow movement of the carriage upon movement of the handle to the extended position. The second interlock remains engaged if the receptacle is only partially inserted into the carriage assembly.

US Patent:

7552655, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Dec 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/999316

Inventors:

Normand Nantel - San Carlos CA, US
Adrian Smith - Emerald Hills CA, US
Scot Cheu - San Jose CA, US
Derrick J. Parks - Belmont CA, US
Jamshed Ghandhi - San Carlos CA, US

Assignee:

Novartis Pharma AG - Basel

International Classification:

G01G 9/00

US Classification:

73865

Abstract:

The invention provides systems and methods for measuring the mass of a substance. In one method, energy is applied to a substance and a response resulting from the application of energy as measured. The mass of the substance is then determined based at least in part on the measured response.

US Patent:

7624771, Dec 1, 2009

Filed:

Apr 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/418966

Inventors:

Derrick J. Parks - Belmont CA, US
Michael J. Rocchio - Hayward CA, US
Kyle A. Naydo - Mountain View CA, US
Dennis E. Wightman - Cupertino CA, US
Adrian E. Smith - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

Novartis Pharma AG - Basel

International Classification:

B65B 1/08

US Classification:

141 67, 141 8, 141125, 141237, 141242, 141286

Abstract:

The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.