The present invention provides an
improved method and novel devices for treating tracheobronchitis,
bronchiectasis and pneumonia in the intubated patient, preferably with aerosolized anti
gram-positive and anti-
gram negative
antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim in reliably sufficient amounts for
therapeutic effect. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when
aerosol is delivered into the
ventilator circuit. In one embodiment the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by
aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when
aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the
ventilator circuit. The devices eliminate the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the
ventilator circuit. The treatment also concentrates the therapeutic agent specifically at affected sites in the
lung such that therapeutic levels of administrated
drug are achieved without significant systemic
exposure of the patient to the
drug. The invention further provides a
dose control device to govern this specialized
regimen.