Device and interface for relieving pain and / or delivering sedation

Abstract

The invention relates to a device 1 for relieving pain and / or delivering sedation, such as through the administration of a sedative, analgesic or anaesthetic substance in a breathable form. The device

Claims

1. A device for relieving pain and / or delivering sedation, the device comprising a patient delivery interface with an evaporation medium for receiving a volatile substance for inhalation, a delivery system for delivering the volatile substance to the evaporation medium and a control system for controlling delivery of the volatile substance by the delivery system, wherein the control system is configured to deliver a predetermined volume of volatile substance in a single delivery event, the predetermined volume having an upper limit calculated as that which can be completely vaporised from the evaporation medium and inhaled by a user in a single inhalation event.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the evaporation medium comprises a pad of absorbent material.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the evaporation medium comprises multiple layers of a cotton material.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the evaporation medium is positioned in a gas flow path within the patient delivery interface, such that inhaled air passes through the evaporation medium5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein perforations are introduced into the evaporation medium.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a transmission tube for carrying the volatile substance from a substance reservoir to the evaporation medium, wherein an end of the transmission tube opens directly onto the evaporation medium.

7. A device according to claim 6, further comprising a cover for the evaporation medium, the cover comprising an aperture for receiving an end of the transmission tube.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the transmission tube is received in the aperture with a friction fit.

9. A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the patient delivery interface comprises retaining features to prevent removal of the transmission tube from the aperture.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the patient delivery interface comprises a delivery chamber, in which the evaporation medium is housed.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the patient delivery interface comprises an inhalation valve positioned downstream of the evaporation medium.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the patient delivery interface comprises a respiration sensor for detecting inhalation and / or exhalation of a user.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the respiration sensor comprises a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor.

14. A device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the control system is configured to deliver the predetermined volume of volatile substance to the evaporation medium during a detected exhalation.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the patient delivery interface comprises a mask for securing around the nose and / or mouth of a user.

16. A device for relieving pain and / or delivering sedation, the device comprising a patient delivery interface for delivering a vaporised or gaseoussubstance to a cavity for inhalation by a user, a reservoir for containing a predetermined volume of gaseous or volatile substance, and one or more exhalation filters in an outlet flow path from the cavity, wherein the total filter capacity of the one or more filters is equal to the predetermined volume of the substance in the reservoir.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the or each exhalation filter is an activated carbon filter.

18. A device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the or each exhalation filter comprises a filter cartridge having a flow path therethrough, and wherein the filter cartridge comprises a hydrophobic barrier at one or both ends of the flow path.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the hydrophobic barrier comprises a polypropylene scrim.

20. A device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the filter cartridge comprises a one-way exhalation valve.

21. A device according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the or each exhalation filter is mounted on the patient delivery interface.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the or each exhalation filter is removably secured to the patient delivery interface.

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the or each exhalation filter is removable from the patient delivery interface from one side only.Application No: GB2407490.8Examiner:Dr Matthew ParkerClaims searched: 1-15Date of search: 26 September 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1- 3,6,7,10- 15 EP 1177807 A2 (ARADIGM CORP), see Figure 5 X 1- 3,6,7,10- 15 WO 2006 / 065202 Al (LAMBERT HANS), see claim 6 X 1- 3,6,7,10- 15 US 2004 / 0250813 Al (POST et al ), see Figure 5Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family J7 Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From A61M 0016 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 A61M 0016 / 18 01 / 01 / 2006Application No: GB2407490.8Examiner:Dr Matthew ParkerClaims searched: 16-23Date of search: 13 February 2025Patents Act 1977Further Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance A - US 2009 / 0126723 Al (DHUPER et al.) A - US 2012 / 0325213 Al (ORR et al.) A - US 2023 / 0263975 Al (KAHN) A - US 2024 / 0024603 Al (WHITE et al.)Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if combined with one or more other documents of same category. P Document published on or after the declared priority date but before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From A61M 0016 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 A61M 0016 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006 A61M 0016 / 18 01 / 01 / 2006

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