Metered dose medication adaptor with improved incentive spirometer

• US 5,522,380 A
• Filed: 01/18/1995
• Issued: 06/04/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Paul Dwork
• Inventors: Dwork, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Christopher A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACITI, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US08/375,157
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.23, 128/200.23, 128/200.14, 128/725, 128/203.24
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0875 using means carried by the fluid stream, e.g. free floating balls
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/003 with a flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/183 the sound being generated pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

A unique adaptor and improved incentive spirometer for delivering medication to patients from metered dose inhaler canisters. The improved apparatus is comprised of a unique universal adaptor has an inlet configured to receive a variety of incentive devices, an outlet to connect a mouthpiece and a socket for receiving a metered dose medication canister. The socket is constructed to accept a wide variety of metered dose inhaler spray tips and includes a nozzle spray tip constructed to provide optimum misting. The inlet of the unique, universal adaptor is constructed to receive a variety of incentive devices to improve medication penetration. An improved incentive spirometer for connection to the inlet of the unique universal adaptor is also disclosed. The improved incentive spirometer may also be used for efficient inspiratory and expiratory volume exercising.

Claims

1. An inspiratory flow control device for controlling inspiratory airflow under resistance for inhalation therapy comprising:

a first universal adaptor having means for receiving an MDI canister having a spray tip, said first universal adaptor having a first end and a second end and an axis connecting said ends;

a tapered mouthpiece connectable to said first end of said first universal adaptor, said tapered mouthpiece providing means for accelerating a flow of air passing through said first universal adaptor and into the mouth of a user;

an incentive spirometer means connectable to said second end of said first universal adaptor, said incentive spirometer means for indicating a user'"'"'s inhalation flow rate and for indicating the optimal inhaled volume for activation of an MDI canister;

said incentive spirometer further comprising selectably variable resistance means for regulating inspiratory airflow.

2. The inspiratory flow control device of claim 1 wherein said first universal adapter further comprises a whistle.

3. The inspiratory flow control device of claim 1 wherein said first universal adaptor further comprises a tapered passageway means for accepting a variety of MDI canister nozzles.

4. The inspiratory flow control device of claim 1 wherein said first universal adaptor further comprises a nozzle jet.

5. The inspiratory flow control device of claim 4, wherein said nozzle jet is angled with respect to said axis of said first universal adaptor.

6. The inspiratory flow control device of claim 1 further comprising a second universal adaptor and receiving a second MDI canister and spray stem, and having a first end and a second end;

said second end of said second universal adaptor connectable to said first end of said first universal adaptor, and said first end of said second universal adaptor connectable to said mouthpiece.

8. The inspiratory flow control device according to claim 1 in which said incentive spirometer comprises;

first and second tubes;

a bottom cap constructed to receive a lower end of said first and second tubes;

a top cap constructed to receive and connect an upper end of said first and second tubes;

a regulating ball in said first tube;

a cylindrical pedestal in said bottom cap to hold said regulating ball spaced from the bottom end of said first tube, the diameter of said pedestal being substantially smaller than the diameter of said first tube;

an outlet in said bottom cap communicating with said second tube for connecting a mouthpiece;

air inlet means in the bottom cap in communication with said first tube;

whereby air drawn through said outlet causes air to be drawn through said inlet in said first tube to raise said ball in said first tube so that said ball indicates the volume of air being inspired.

9. The inspiratory flow control device according to claim 8 further comprising selectably variable resistance means having a plurality of holes in said top cap;

a rotatable disc mounted on said top cap;

said rotatable disc having an arcuate slot for selective registration with said plurality of holes;

whereby rotation of said disc increases or decreases the maximum volume of airflow in said incentive spirometer.

10. The inspiratory flow control device according to claim 9 in which said selectably variable resistance means includes incremental means for varying airflow volume in selected incremental amounts.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 in which said incremental means comprises;

an arcuate channel in said top cap;

a plurality of spaced apart detents in said arcuate channel; and

a pin on said rotatable disc engaging said arcuate channel;

whereby rotation of said rotatable disc moves said pin from one detent to another to provide a positive indication of an incremental adjustment in airflow volume.

12. The inspiratory flow control device according to claim 1 in which said selectably variable resistance means comprises;

a plurality of hole in said top cap;

a rotatable disc mounted on said top cap;

said rotatable disc having an arcuate slot for selective registration with said plurality of holes;

whereby rotation of said disc increases or decreases the maximum volume of airflow in said incentive spirometer.

13. The inspiratory flow control device according to claim 12 in which said valve means includes incremental means for varying airflow volume in selected incremental amounts.

14. The inspiratory flow control device according to claim 13 in which said incremental means comprises;

an arcuate channel in said top cap;

a plurality of spaced apart detents in said arcuate channel; and

a pin on said rotatable disc engaging said arcuate channel;

whereby rotation of said rotatable disc moves said pin from one detent to another to provide a positive indication of an incremental adjustment in airflow volume.

7. The inspiratory flow control device of claim 30, wherein one or more additional universal adaptors are selectably connectable in end-to-end fashion between said first and second universal adaptors.

15. An improved inspiratory and expiratory breathing exerciser comprising:

a pair of incentive spirometers, each said incentive spirometer comprising first and second tubes;

a bottom cap constructed to receive a lower end of said first and second tubes;

a top cap constructed to receive and connect an upper end of said first and second tubes;

a regulating ball in said first tube;

an outlet in said bottom cap communicated with said second tube for connecting a respiratory flow;

air inlets in the bottom cap in communication with said first tube; and

selectably variable resistance means for regulating respiratory airflow;

whereby air drawn through said outlet causes air passed through said inlet in said first tube to move said ball in said first tue so that said ball indicates the volume of air passing through the spirometer;

a first of said pair of incentive spirometers being oriented right side up, a second of said pair of incentive spirometers being oriented upside down;

a y-shaped adaptor having an inlet/outlet for connecting a mouthpiece;

an inlet connected to said first incentive spirometer and an outlet connected to said second incentive spirometer;

whereby said breathing exerciser meters inhaled and exhaled air when said outlets in said bottom caps of said incentive spirometers are subject to respiratory flow through said y-shaped adaptor.

16. The improved breathing exerciser of claim 15 wherein each of said selectably variable resistance means further comprises:

a plurality of holes in said top cap;

a rotatable disc mounted on said top cap;

said rotatable disc having an arcuate slot for selective registration with said plurality of holes;

whereby rotation of said disc increases or decreases the maximum airflow in said incentive spirometers.

17. The improved breathing exerciser of claim 16 wherein each of said selectably variable resistance means further comprises a pin on said rotatable disc engaging said arcuate slot.