Portable, disposable cool air inhaler and methods of treatment using same
First Claim
1. Inhaler apparatus, comprising:
- a housing defining a volume and adapted to contain a low temperature material;
an airflow pathway positioned in said housing, said airflow pathway defining a passageway isolated from air in the remainder of said housing volume; and
a flexible member defining a volume in fluid communication with said housing and adapted to contain an activating agent for causing said low temperature material to cool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inhaler having a housing containing a low temperature material. Positioned in the housing is a coil or other pathway isolated from the housing and defining an airflow passageway. The coil and the air inside the coil are cooled by the low temperature material when activated. The low temperature material is normally in an inactive state, and requires activation in order to cool. Activation can be initiated immediately prior to use by flexing a flexible or collapsible member in which an activating agent is stored. Also disclosed is a method of activating a low temperature material by causing the low temperature material to contact an activating agent, and inhaling (or forcing manually or automatically) cool air from the device to cause cool air to enter the airways of a patient.
28 Citations
18 Claims
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1. Inhaler apparatus, comprising:
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a housing defining a volume and adapted to contain a low temperature material; an airflow pathway positioned in said housing, said airflow pathway defining a passageway isolated from air in the remainder of said housing volume; and a flexible member defining a volume in fluid communication with said housing and adapted to contain an activating agent for causing said low temperature material to cool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of activating a low temperature material to cool air to be inhaled, comprising:
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providing a housing having an isolated airflow pathway; providing a low temperature material in said housing; providing an activating agent in a flexible member in fluid communication with said housing; flexing said flexible member to cause said activating agent to flow into said housing and contact said low temperature material to cool said low temperature material, thereby cooling air in said airflow pathway. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of cooling the airways of an individual, comprising:
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providing an inhaler comprising an intake opening and a chamber for a low temperature material, providing an airflow pathway in said chamber for carrying air isolated from air in the remainder of said chamber; activating said low temperature material by contacting said low temperature material with an activating agent to cool said low temperature material; and inhaling ambient air through said intake opening, causing said inhaled air to flow through said airflow pathway where it is cooled by said low temperature material. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification