VALVED HOLDING CHAMBER AND MASK THEREFOR
First Claim
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1. A valved holding chamber, comprising:
- a main chamber housing; and
a mouthpiece assembly coupled to a first end of said main chamber housing, said mouthpiece assembly including an exhalation valve element providing a one-way flow of gas from within said mouthpiece assembly to ambient atmosphere, said exhalation valve element having a first portion and a second portion, wherein when a first exhalation gas flow having a gas flow rate that is less than or equal to a threshold gas flow rate is present within said mouthpiece assembly, said first portion will be caused to exhibit a first degree of movement as a result of said first exhalation gas flow and said second portion will be caused to exhibit a second degree of movement as a result of said first exhalation gas flow, said first degree of movement being greater than said second degree of movement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of a valved holding chamber and a mask for a respiratory drug delivery apparatus each having an exhalation valve element having two portions which, based on the movement thereof, encourages proper use of the device. Also, a valved holding chamber having an MDI adapter having a rigid outer portion and a flexible inner portion structured to receive and hold an outlet of an MDI. In addition, a mouthpiece assembly for a valved holding chamber that includes a main body portion and a mouthpiece portion having a plurality of legs for supporting the valved holding chamber in a first orientation and preventing it from freely rolling.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. A valved holding chamber, comprising:
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a main chamber housing; and a mouthpiece assembly coupled to a first end of said main chamber housing, said mouthpiece assembly including an exhalation valve element providing a one-way flow of gas from within said mouthpiece assembly to ambient atmosphere, said exhalation valve element having a first portion and a second portion, wherein when a first exhalation gas flow having a gas flow rate that is less than or equal to a threshold gas flow rate is present within said mouthpiece assembly, said first portion will be caused to exhibit a first degree of movement as a result of said first exhalation gas flow and said second portion will be caused to exhibit a second degree of movement as a result of said first exhalation gas flow, said first degree of movement being greater than said second degree of movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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- 16. The valved holding chamber according to claim 16, wherein said main body portion includes a tether holding peg positioned between a first one of said legs and a second one of said legs.
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24. A valved holding chamber, comprising:
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a main chamber housing; and an MDI adapter coupled to an end of said main chamber housing, said MDI adapter having a rigid outer portion for coupling said MDI adapter to said end of said main chamber housing and a flexible inner portion structured to receive and hold an outlet of an MDI. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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35. A valved holding chamber, comprising:
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a main chamber housing; and a mouthpiece assembly coupled to an end of said main chamber housing, wherein said main chamber housing is generally cylindrically shaped, and wherein said mouthpiece assembly includes a main body portion and a mouthpiece portion, said main body portion having a plurality of legs, said legs supporting said valved holding chamber in a first orientation and preventing said valved holding chamber from freely rolling. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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- 38. A mask for a respiratory drug delivery apparatus, comprising an exhalation valve element providing a one-way flow of gas from within said mask to ambient atmosphere, said exhalation valve element having a first portion and a second portion, wherein when a first exhalation gas flow having a gas flow rate that is less than or equal to a threshold gas flow rate is present within said mask, said first portion will be caused to exhibit a first degree of movement as a result of said first exhalation gas flow and said second portion will be caused to exhibit a second degree of movement as a result of said first exhalation gas flow, said first degree of movement being greater than said second degree of movement.
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49. A valved holding chamber, comprising:
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a main chamber housing; and an MDI adapter coupled to an end of said main chamber housing, at least a portion of said MDI adapter comprising a flexible portion having an inner surface defining an opening for receiving an outlet of an MDI, said inner surface having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom, said ribs each being structured to engage a respective portion of said outlet of said MDI. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A valved holding chamber, comprising:
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a main chamber housing; and an MDI adapter coupled to an end of said main chamber housing, at least a portion of said MDI adapter comprising a flexible portion having an opening for receiving an outlet of an MDI, said flexible portion further having an automatic protective closure mechanism coupled to said opening, said automatic protective closure mechanism having an open condition and a closed condition, said automatic protective closure mechanism being structured to move from said closed condition to said open condition in response to a force being applied to said automatic protective closure mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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Specification