Columbia Technology Ventures

Inhalation device for targeted therapeutic delivery to the throat

This technology, called HAVA, is a low cost, portable, and disposable inhalant device for the delivery of therapeutics to target the throat.

Unmet Need: Targeted treatment of sore throats and other laryngeal related conditions

Inflammation of the larynx, vocal folds and trachea often results in throat pain, irritation, hoarseness, and coughing. Traditional over the counter medications including gargles, sprays, and lozenges limit treatment to localized areas within the oral cavity and pharynx and do not target deeper regions in the throat. The availability of inhalation devices that directly deliver therapeutic agents to inflamed areas in the larynx, vocal folds, and upper trachea remain sparse. Effective treatment strategies necessitate a specialized delivery device containing nebulized particles of a specific size to target these laryngeal conditions.

The Technology: Inhalation device for targeted therapeutic delivery to the throat

This technology is a portable and disposable inhalation device for targeted delivery of natural therapeutics to the larynx, vocal folds, and upper trachea. The device features an enclosed chamber that contains the therapeutic formula (HAVA-1) in particle form. A mesh is incorporated in the device design to nebulize the therapeutic formula into 10-35-micron particles, within the required size range for optimal regional delivery. The resulting mist travels through a mouthpiece that minimizes therapeutic sample loss and allows for targeted delivery to specific regions of the throat to improve laryngeal conditions as well as optimize vocal function in target populations.

Applications:

  • Inhalation device for laryngeal disorders
  • Targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to the throat
  • Nebulizer for precise particle sizing and fabrication
  • Natural therapeutic formulation for treatment
  • Optimization of vocal fold function for healthy professional voice users

Advantages:

  • Cost-effective
  • Portable and disposable
  • Uses natural therapeutics
  • Targeted therapeutic delivery
  • Precise sizing of drug delivery particles

Lead Inventor:

Michael Pitman, M.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

  • IR CU20287, CU23297

  • Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik