Casing and spirometer for metered dose inhaler
First Claim
1. An apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication and for measuring breathing functions of a human subject, said apparatus comprising:
- a casing defining a cavity, a first opening through which the subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second opening through which air enters the cavity when the subject inhales or discharges from the cavity when the subject exhales, obstruction means for obstructing the flow through the cavity and developing back pressure in the cavity, and a third opening in fluid communication with the cavity between the first opening and the obstruction means;
pressure sensing means in fluid communication with the third opening for sensing, between the first opening and the obstruction means, back pressure of breath moving through the cavity, developed by the obstruction means between the first opening and the obstruction means;
said casing also defining an open pocket for receiving a pressurized canister and passageway means including a fourth opening for discharging the contents of the canister from the canister directly into the cavity of the casing; and
means for indicating when to activate medication at a predetermined inspiratory flow during an inspiratory procedure.
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Abstract
An apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication and/or for measuring breathing function includes a casing that defines a cavity, a first or discharge opening from which a subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second or air opening through which air enters the cavity, and a third opening in fluid communication with the cavity between the first and second openings. The casing also defines an open pocket for receiving a pressurized canister and a fourth or medication opening through which the contents of the canister discharge into the cavity of the casing. A pressure transducer in fluid communication with the third opening senses the pressure of breath moving through the cavity. Alternatively, a fan and photocell assembly may replace the pressure transducer and sense the flow of gas through the cavity.
72 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication and for measuring breathing functions of a human subject, said apparatus comprising:
- a casing defining a cavity, a first opening through which the subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second opening through which air enters the cavity when the subject inhales or discharges from the cavity when the subject exhales, obstruction means for obstructing the flow through the cavity and developing back pressure in the cavity, and a third opening in fluid communication with the cavity between the first opening and the obstruction means;
pressure sensing means in fluid communication with the third opening for sensing, between the first opening and the obstruction means, back pressure of breath moving through the cavity, developed by the obstruction means between the first opening and the obstruction means;
said casing also defining an open pocket for receiving a pressurized canister and passageway means including a fourth opening for discharging the contents of the canister from the canister directly into the cavity of the casing; and
means for indicating when to activate medication at a predetermined inspiratory flow during an inspiratory procedure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- a casing defining a cavity, a first opening through which the subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second opening through which air enters the cavity when the subject inhales or discharges from the cavity when the subject exhales, obstruction means for obstructing the flow through the cavity and developing back pressure in the cavity, and a third opening in fluid communication with the cavity between the first opening and the obstruction means;
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13. An apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication for a human subject, said apparatus comprising:
- a casing defining a cavity, a discharge opening through which the subject receives the medication, a valve means for the discharge opening, said valve means opening under force provided by the subject'"'"'s inhaling, an air opening through which air enters the cavity, and a medication opening through which the aerosolized medication enters the cavity, the casing further defining an open pocket for receiving a pressurized canister and passageway means including the medication opening for allowing medication from the canister to discharge directly into the cavity; and
mean for indicating when to activate medication at a predetermined inspiratory flow during an inspiratory procedure;
said apparatus being sized to fit into a palm of a user'"'"'s hand. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- a casing defining a cavity, a discharge opening through which the subject receives the medication, a valve means for the discharge opening, said valve means opening under force provided by the subject'"'"'s inhaling, an air opening through which air enters the cavity, and a medication opening through which the aerosolized medication enters the cavity, the casing further defining an open pocket for receiving a pressurized canister and passageway means including the medication opening for allowing medication from the canister to discharge directly into the cavity; and
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19. In an apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication, a disposable member defining a cavity, a first opening through which a subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second opening through which air enters the cavity when the subject inhales or discharges from the cavity when the subject exhales, obstruction means for obstructing flow through the cavity, a third opening between the first opening and the obstruction means for sensing back pressure in the cavity, a fourth opening through which medication discharges into the cavity, said cavity being free of additional obstructions capable of developing additional back pressure between the first opening and the obstruction means to affect the operation of said apparatus, and attaching means for releasably connecting the disposable member to another segment of the apparatus.
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20. An apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication and for measuring breathing functions of a human subject, said apparatus comprising:
- a first, tube segment for defining a cavity, a first opening through which the subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second opening through which air enters the cavity or discharges from the cavity, and a third opening, said tube segment including obstruction means for developing back pressure in the cavity;
a second, canister segment releasably secured to the tube segment and defining an open pocket for receiving a canister;
pressure sensing means in fluid communication with the third opening for sensing the back pressure developed by the obstruction means between the first opening and the obstruction means;
said canister segment and said tube segment defining passageway means including a fourth opening for the cavity between the third and first openings, said passageway means directing the contents of the canister directly into the cavity; and
means for indicating when to activate medication at a predetermined inspiratory flow during an inspiratory procedure. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
- a first, tube segment for defining a cavity, a first opening through which the subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second opening through which air enters the cavity or discharges from the cavity, and a third opening, said tube segment including obstruction means for developing back pressure in the cavity;
Specification