Method of dispensing and/or a dispenser
First Claim
1. A dispenser, comprising:
- a supply means to supply inhalable material in inhalable form;
a mouthpiece;
said supply means being in communication with the atmosphere and said mouth piece;
a flow control means to selectively allow or substantially prevent flow between said supply means and said mouth piece and between said supply means and the atmosphere;
a signalling means to indicate to the user when to inhale and subsequently when to exhale;
a first detection means to detect the commencement of inhalation and to cause a first timer to time a predetermined inhalation period, said first detection means also causing said flow control means to permit said inhalable material to move from said supply means to said mouth piece during a predetermined part of said period of inhalation, and to substantially prevent further inhalation at the end of said inhalation period; and
a second detection means to detect the commencement of exhalation subsequent to the end of the period of inhalation and to cause a second timer to time a predetermined exhalation period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for dispensing inhalable material includes the steps of indicating to a patient that a breath should be taken, detecting the start of inhalation, causing inhalable material to be supplied to the air passages of the patient during a preselected part of the period of inhalation, then after a predetermined inhalation period substantially preventing further inhalation, indicating to the patient that exhalation should begin, detecting the start of exhalation, and after a predetermined exhalation period again indicating that a breath should be taken. The dispenser includes a supply of inhalable material, a mouthpiece, and a control device for selectively controlling the flow between the supply and the mouthpiece, as well as between the supply and the atmosphere. The device also includes a signalling means for indicating to the user when to inhale and subsequently when to exhale. Also included is a detection device to detect commencement of inhalation and to start a timer, as well as a second detection device to detect commencement of exhalation and to cause a second timer to start, to time a predetermined exhalation period.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A dispenser, comprising:
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a supply means to supply inhalable material in inhalable form; a mouthpiece; said supply means being in communication with the atmosphere and said mouth piece; a flow control means to selectively allow or substantially prevent flow between said supply means and said mouth piece and between said supply means and the atmosphere; a signalling means to indicate to the user when to inhale and subsequently when to exhale; a first detection means to detect the commencement of inhalation and to cause a first timer to time a predetermined inhalation period, said first detection means also causing said flow control means to permit said inhalable material to move from said supply means to said mouth piece during a predetermined part of said period of inhalation, and to substantially prevent further inhalation at the end of said inhalation period; and a second detection means to detect the commencement of exhalation subsequent to the end of the period of inhalation and to cause a second timer to time a predetermined exhalation period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 14. A method of dispensing inhalable material comprising the steps of indicating to a patient that a breath should be taken, detecting the start of inhalation, causing inhalable material to be supplied to the air passages of the patient during a selected part of the period of inhalation, after a predetermined inhalation period substantially preventing further inhalation, indicating to the patient that exhalation should begin, detecting the start of exhalation and after a predetermined exhalation period again indicating that a breath should be taken.
Specification