Technology Information  Title Smart Inhaler System for Targeted Drug-Aerosol Delivery Manager Kelly Sexton Case Number 05096 Abstract North Carolina State University is seeking a licensee to commercialize a novel smart inhaler system for targeted drug-aerosol delivery. NC State is currently seeking patent protection for this technology in the US and in foreign countries. Researchers at NCSU have developed a novel smart inhaler system for targeted drug-aerosol delivery. In contrast to current systems, which at best distinguish targets in either the upper (bronchial) or lower (alveolar) regions, the novel inhaler, developed by NCSU Professors Clement Kleinstreuer and Stefan Seelecke, implements a technology that, for the first time, allows the targeting of regions at specific generations in either the left or the right lobe of the lung. Together with virtually eliminated parasitic wall deposition in the upper oral airways and on other healthy tissue, this feature is envisioned to enable a new technology for safer and more efficient treatment of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. In addition, the system will also create a platform for novel oral intake methods of various other kinds of pharmaceuticals such as insulin with unmatched efficiency. The targeted drug deposition is achieved by injecting the drug aerosols from an optimal release position in the mouth inlet cross section by means of a controllable nozzle. In addition, the smart inhaler system is designed to modify the patient's inhalation pattern to produce a desired inhalation waveform, which has the added benefit of eliminating extra training phases. Prototypes of the smart inhaler system have been constructed and used to demonstrate selective deposition of drug aerosols in a model lung system. Advantages Avoidance of drug deposition on non-target lung tissue reduces potential for deleterious side effects in chemotherapeutical treatment. Platform is compatible with conventional aerosol sources. High deposition efficiency and control results in less wasted drug, enhancing cost effectiveness. About the Inventors Dr. Clement Kleinstreuer is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NCSU. He received his M.S. from Stanford University and his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Kleinstreuer's research interests include computational biofluid mechanics, convection heat and mass transfer, and system optimization. Dr. Stefan Seelecke is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NCSU. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. from the Technical University Berlin. Dr. Seelecke's research interests include smart materials and structures, modeling and simulation of smart materials actuators and sensors, novel real-time control techniques, SMA-based MEMS actuators, novel SMA damping elements, and biomedical applications. Taxonomy NCSU Technology Categories/Respiratory/Diseases NCSU Technology Categories/Medical Device NCSU Technology Categories/Drug Delivery/Medical Device NCSU Technology Categories/Therapeutic NCSU Technology Categories/Drug Delivery/Therapeutic Keywords Inhaler System, Targeted Drug-Aresol Delivery  Web Links  Name Open Link J. Biomechan. Eng. Open Link Published Patent Application No. 20070044793 Open Link Request Information If you are a registered user, please login before requesting information by clicking the Login button. If you have not registered, click the Login button for registration information.