Cool air inhaler and methods of treatment using same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- an outer housing;
an inner housing adapted to be positioned in said outer housing such that said inner and outer housings define therebetween an air flow passageway;
said inner housing comprising a perforated chamber adapted to contain a low temperature material; and
a cover having an intake opening adapted to be in fluid communication with said air flow passageway, and an outtake opening in fluid communication with said perforated chamber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inhaler device and a method of treating various symptoms associated with the airway and/or throat and/or respiratory system of a patient. The device is particularly designed to reduce swelling and inflammation of the larynx and or upper respiratory track, such as swelling and/or inflammation that result from croup, laryngitis'"'"'s, laryngotracheobronchitis, and other diseases and conditions. In its method aspects, the present invention includes inhaling (or forcing manually or automatically) cool and/or moist air from the device to cause cool and/or moist air to enter the airways of the patient.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. Inhaler apparatus, comprising:
-
an outer housing; an inner housing adapted to be positioned in said outer housing such that said inner and outer housings define therebetween an air flow passageway;
said inner housing comprising a perforated chamber adapted to contain a low temperature material; anda cover having an intake opening adapted to be in fluid communication with said air flow passageway, and an outtake opening in fluid communication with said perforated chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25)
-
-
9. A method of cooling the airways of an individual, comprising:
-
providing an inhaler comprising a chamber for a low temperature material, an intake opening, an outtake opening, an exhaust port, and an air passageway segregating said intake opening from said outtake opening and providing fluid communication between said intake opening and said outtake opening through said chamber; inhaling ambient air through said intake opening, causing said inhaled air to flow through said air passageway and into said chamber, be cooled by said low temperature material contained in said chamber, and flow out of said chamber into said outtake opening; and exhaling air into said outtake opening, causing said exhaled air to flow through said outtake opening and out said exhaust port.
-
-
10. An inhaler, comprising:
a housing having a chamber adapted to contain a low temperature material;
said chamber being in fluid communication with ambient air via a one-way valve, said ambient air upon activation of a driving force being drawn into said chamber and being cooled by said low temperature material, said cooled air then flowing out of said chamber.- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- 17. Inhaler apparatus, comprising an air intake, an air outtake, a perforated chamber adapted to contain a low temperature material, a melt chamber, and an air flow passageway providing fluid communication between said intake and said perforated chamber, said melt chamber being positioned to collect melting fluid from said low temperature material.
-
21. A method of providing humidified air to the airways of an individual, comprising:
-
providing an inhaler comprising a chamber for a low temperature material, an intake opening, an outtake opening, and an air passageway segregating said intake opening from said outtake opening and providing fluid communication between said intake opening and said outtake opening through said chamber; and inhaling ambient air through said intake opening, causing air to flow through said air passageway and into said chamber, be humidified by said low temperature material contained in said chamber, and flow out of said chamber into said outtake opening. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
-
Specification