Medication inhaler with adult mask

• US 5,012,804 A
• Filed: 05/23/1990
• Issued: 05/07/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical Limited
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical Limited
• Inventors: Foley, Martin P., Cruz, Exequiel D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/527,287
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.18, 128/200.23, 128/200.24, 128/203.12, 128/203.13, 128/203.15, 128/203.29, 128/207.14, 128/911, 128/912 , 128/204.18, 128/206.22, 128/206.23, 128/206.24, 128/207.15, 128/DIG. 26, 128/202.28, 128/202.29, 128/203.11, 128/202.27
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0016 located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08

Abstract

A medication inhaler is provided having a cylindrical body usable with different inlet and outlet fittings at the opposite ends thereof. An inlet end fitting is provided with inner and outer cylindrical flanges gripping the upstream end of the cylindrical body and adapted to receive structure for misting medication into said cylindrical body. The downstream or outlet end fitting snaps over the downstream end of the cylindrical body and is provided with an axially extending protrusion impinging against and securing a flexible diaphragm to an inwardly directed flange at the exit end of the cylindrical body. The outlet end fitting may take different forms such as a mouthpiece to fit into a patient'"'"'s mouth, a mask to fit over a patient'"'"'s mouth and nose, or a connection for flexible tubing leading to an endotracheal tube.

Claims

1. A modular medication inhaler comprising a cylindrical body having an upstream entering end and a downstream exit end and open at both ends, means providing an abutment at the exit end, a fitting on the entering end to receive structure for supplying medication into said cylindrical body, a flexible diaphragm at said exit end having a slit therein, said diaphragm flexing and opening said slit upon inhalation for passing air and medication, and a fitting at the exit end of said cylindrical body and secured to said body, said exit end fitting having means thereon engaging said diaphragm adjacent the periphery thereof and clamping said diaphragm against said abutment, said exit fitting having a cylindrical extension, and a flexible mask on said cylindrical extension opening outwardly therefrom in frustoconical shape and an integral flexible edge to engage the face of a patient in conforming relation thereto, and an integral flexible outward protrusion on said frustoconical mask extending from edge to edge of the frustoconical shape to accommodate the nose of a patient, said protuberance being thinner and more flexible than the frustoconical shape and forming means for permitting squeezing of the patient'"'"'s nose therethrough to insure patient inhalation through the mouth.

2. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 1, and further including a collar on said cylindrical extension, said mask having a portion shaped complementary to and interfitting with said collar for retention of said mask on said cylindrical extension.

3. A modular medication inhaler as set forth in claim 2 and further including an annular ridge on said cylindrical extension, and a plurality of teeth on said collar snapping over said ridge to retain said collar on said cylindrical extension.

4. A mask for use with a medication inhaler and made of generally flexible material permitting adaptation thereof to the face of a patient, said mask having a substantially cylindrical portion adapted for mounting to a medication inhaler, and including further a frustoconical portion extending from said cylindrical portion to an integral flexible open outer edge to engage the face of a patient, said frustoconical portion including an outward protrusion of relatively narrow width and extending throughout the length of the frustoconical portion and of substantially thinner material rendering the protrusion more flexible, said protrusion accommodating a patient'"'"'s nose and adapted for squeezing of a patient'"'"'s nose therethrough to insure patient inhalation through the mouth.