Methods and apparatus for intrapulmonary therapy and drug administration

Claim 1

An endotracheal catheter assembly for intrapulmonary transfer of liquid drugs and other liquid therapeutic agents in a mammalian patient, comprising: a first tube having a first outer wall, a first inner wall, a first lumen, at least one first proximal section and at least one first distal tip, said first tube having a length suitable for endotracheal insertion of said first tube in an airway of the patient to position said first distal tip near a carina of said patient; a second tube of approximately the same length as said first tube, said second tube having a second outer wall, a second inner wall, a second lumen, at least one second proximal section, and at least one second distal tip, said first and second distal tips arranged to form at least one nozzle, said nozzle defining a high velocity gas/liquid interface formed between the first and second distal tips characterized by the first lumen having a comparative cross-sectional area relative to a cross-sectional area of said second lumen, at a position of said nozzle, of between approximately 0.4:1.0 and 4.0:1.0; gas receiving means connected to said first tube at or near said first proximal section is gaseous connection with said first lumen to allow transfer of gas to and from said first lumen; and liquid receiving means connected to said second tube at or near said second proximal section in liquid connection with said first lumen, to allow transfer of liquid to and from said first lumen.