Backpiece for receiving an MDI adapter in an aerosolization spacer

• US 5,848,588 A
• Filed: 10/17/1996
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical Limited
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical Limited
• Inventors: Morton, Robert, Foley, Martin P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US08/734,388
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.22, 128/200.23
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers

Abstract

A fitting is provided for mounting a metered dose inhaler and adapter on the entering upstream end of a cylindrical aerosolization spacer. The fitting includes a cylindrical portion mounting on the cylindrical wall of said aerosolization spacer, and further includes a transverse wall having therein a centrally disposed opening having an oval shape truncated at the ends. The opening is reinforced by radially disposed ribs having inner longitudinal edges, which with the edge of the truncated oval opening comprises the sole structure of the fitting engages the mouthpiece of a metered dose inhaler adapter. A non-leaking fit between the adapter and the fitting is produced notwithstanding the shape of a particular metered dose inhaler adapter mouthpiece, such as truncated oval, oval, or circular.

Claims

1. A fitting for selectively mounting any of a plurality of metered dose inhaler adapters on an inlet end of a cylindrical aerosolization spacer, wherein said plurality of metered dose inhaler adapters have respectively different sizes or shapes of outlet mouthpieces, said fitting comprising a one-piece integral member molded of a resilient, flexible elastomeric material, said fitting comprising:

an outer cylindrical portion having a longitudinal extending axis of rotation for mounting said fitting on a cylindrical aerosolization spacer;

an integral transverse wall extending radially inwardly from said outer cylindrical portion, said integral transverse wall having a substantially central opening for receipt of an outlet mouthpiece of a metered dose inhaler adapter said central opening having a peripheral edge shaped substantially as a truncated oval having a major axis and having a pair of curved sides and a pair of opposite ends directed chordally of said oval and substantially perpendicular to the major axis of said oval; and

a plurality of ribs in angularly spaced relation about said transverse wall and said cylindrical portion and integral with said wall and said cylindrical portion, said ribs extending from said transverse wall in a direction of said axis of rotation, each rib having an inner longitudinally extending edge substantially parallel to said axis of rotation for engaging and supporting the outlet mouthpiece of a metered dose inhaler adapter and for bracing and reinforcing said transverse wall, said edges of all of said ribs being of substantially equal length parallel to said axis of rotation, said ribs extending substantially radially outwardly from said longitudinally extending edges towards said cylindrical portion, there being no metered dose inhaler outlet mouthpiece engaging portion of said fitting extending radially inwardly of said rib edges whereby only said peripheral edge of said wall opening and said longitudinally extending rib edges are engageable with a metered dose inhaler adapter outlet mouthpiece.

2. A fitting as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of said ribs includes a pair of ribs adjacent one of said curved sides of said opening, and a curved bracing wall between said pair of ribs and spaced radially outwardly of one of said curved sides.

3. A fitting as set forth in claim 2 and further including a second pair of ribs opposite to said first mentioned pair of ribs and respectively aligned with said mentioned pair.

4. A fitting as set forth in claim 1 and further including interiorly of said cylindrical portion and adjacent said transverse wall a compartment for a vibratory reed including a substantially chordal wall extending across said cylindrical portion and adjacent one of the curved walls of said opening and extending from said transverse wall substantially in the direction of said longitudinal axis of rotation, and a pair of said plurality of ribs extending outwardly from one of said curved sides only to and joined to said chordal wall.

5. A fitting as set forth in claim 2 and further including interiorly of said cylindrical portion and adjacent said transverse wall a compartment for a vibratory reed including a substantially chordal wall extending across said cylindrical portion and adjacent one of the curved walls of said opening and extending from said transverse wall substantially in the direction of said longitudinal axis of rotation, and a pair of said plurality of ribs extending outwardly from one of said curved sides only to and joined to said chordal wall.

6. A fitting as set forth in claim 5 and further including a reed structure disposed within said compartment and backing said chordal wall and thereby preventing displacement of said chordal wall, said chordal wall thereby limiting radial outward movement of the edges of the two walls joined to the chordal wall, a pair of ribs opposite to the pair of ribs joined to the chordal wall and being deflectable, and a bracing wall interconnecting the second mentioned pair of ribs and being flexible to allow deflection of said second pair of ribs.

7. A fitting as set forth in claim 1 wherein an radially outer portion of said transverse wall is of predetermined thickness, and an inner portion of said transverse wall in which said opening is disposed being of less thickness than said predetermined thickness to permit stretching of said opening and accommodation of a metered dose inhaler adapter outlet mouthpiece.

8. The combination comprising one of a plurality of metered dose inhalers including a cartridge and a metered dose inhaler adapter having an outlet mouthpiece, a cylindrical aerosolization spacer having a cylindrical inlet end, and a fitting mounted on said aerosolization spacer inlet end and receiving the outlet mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter, said fitting comprising a one-piece integral member molded of a resilient flexible elastomeric material and including an outer cylindrical portion having a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and being received on the inlet end of said aerosolization spacer, said fitting further including an integral transverse wall extending radially inwardly from said cylindrical portion and having a substantially central opening for receipt of the outlet mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter and having a peripheral edge shaped substantially as a truncated oval having a major axis and having a pair of curved sides and opposite ends directed chordally of said oval and substantially perpendicular to said major axis of said oval, and a plurality of ribs in angularly spaced relation about said transverse wall and said cylindrical portion and integral with said wall and with said cylindrical portion, said ribs extending from said wall in the direction of said axis of rotation, each rib having an inner longitudinally extending edge substantially parallel to said axis of rotation for engaging and supporting said outlet mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter and for bracing and reinforcing said transverse wall, said edges of all of said ribs being of substantially equal length parallel to said axis of rotation, said ribs extending substantially radially outwardly from said longitudinally extending edges toward said cylindrical portion, there being no portion of said fitting extending radially inwards of said rib edges, whereby only said peripheral edge of said wall opening and said longitudinally extending rib edges are engageable with said metered dose inhaler adapter outlet mouthpiece.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein an transverse shape of said metered dose inhaler adapter outlet mouthpiece is a truncated oval complimentary to and interfitting with said opening.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein an transverse shape of said metered dose inhaler outlet mouthpiece is that of a non-truncated oval and interfits with said opening.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein the transverse shape of said metered dose inhaler outlet mouthpiece is circular and interfits with said opening.

12. In combination:

a metered dose inhaler canister;

a metered dose inhaler adapter for receiving the metered dose inhaler canister and dispensing an aerosol from the metered dose inhaler canister through a mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler adapter; and

an aerosolization spacer having

an inlet connected to said mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter to receive the aerosol dispensed therefrom and

an outlet from which a patient can receive said aerosol,

wherein the improvement comprises;

a backpiece connected to the inlet of said aerosolization spacer, said backpiece comprising means for accommodating various sizes and shapes of metered dose inhaler adapter mouthpieces said accommodating means comprising a flexible, resilient opening means that flexibly conforms to different sizes of metered does inhaler mouthpieces.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said backpiece further comprises:

means for providing a tight seal around one of said metered dose inhaler mouthpieces.

14. The invention of claim 12 further comprising:

an audible sounding structure connected to said aerosolization spacer.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein said audible sounding structure is connected to said backpiece.

16. The invention of claim 15 further comprising:

a shelf connected to said backpiece adjacent to said audible sounding structure.

17. The invention of claim 12 wherein said backpiece includes an oval opening into which said mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter is received, and further comprising:

a membrane surrounding said oval opening.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein said membrane is relatively thinner than portions of said backpiece adjacent thereto.

19. The invention of claim 12 wherein said backpiece is composed of KRATON, a thermoplastic elastomer comprised of a copolymer of styrene and butadien.

20. The invention of claim 12 wherein said backpiece includes an oval opening into which said mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter is received, and wherein said accommodating means comprises:

a plurality of rib edges located interiorly of said oval opening.

21. The invention of claim 20 wherein said plurality of rib edges comprises six rib edges.

22. In combination:

an aerosolization spacer having a hollow spacer body having an inlet end and an outlet end from which a patient can receive an aerosol medication, wherein said aerosolization spacer is adapted for use with a metered dose inhaler adapter and a metered dose inhaler canister that dispenses an aerosol from a mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler adapter,

wherein the improvement comprises;

a backpiece fitting connected to said inlet end of said spacer body, said backpiece fitting having an opening located therein for receiving the mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter, said backpiece fitting being formed of a separate piece of material and easily removable from said spacer body to enable cleaning thereof, and further wherein said backpiece fitting includes means to stretchably deflect to accommodate different sizes and shapes of mouthpieces on different inhaler adapters whereby a single backpiece can accommodate different sizes and shapes of metered dose inhaler adapters and metered dose inhaler canisters.

23. In combination:

an aerosolization spacer having a hollow spacer body formed of a plastic material and having an inlet end and an outlet end from which a patient can receive an aerosol medication, wherein said aerosolization spacer is adapted for use with a metered dose inhaler adapter and a metered dose inhaler canister that dispenses an aerosol from a mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler adapter,

wherein the improvement comprises;

a backpiece fitting connected to said inlet end of said spacer body, said backpiece fitting having an opening located therein for receiving the mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter, said backpiece fitting being formed of a soft rubber-like, resilient material to enable said opening of said backpiece fitting to form an airtight seal about the mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler.

24. In combination:

an aerosolization spacer having a hollow spacer body having an inlet end and an outlet end from which a patient can receive an aerosol medication, wherein said aerosolization spacer is adapted for use with a metered dose inhaler adapter and a metered dose inhaler canister that dispenses an aerosol from a mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler adapter,

wherein the improvement comprises;

a backpiece fitting connected to said inlet end of said spacer body, said backpiece fitting having an opening located therein for receiving the mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter, said backpiece fitting being formed of a soft rubber-like, resilient material that is different than the material from which the spacer body is formed, wherein said resilient material of said backpiece fitting enables said opening thereof to stretchably deflect to accommodate different sizes and shapes of mouthpieces on different inhaler adapters whereby a single backpiece can accommodate different sizes and shapes of metered dose inhaler adapters and metered dose inhaler canisters.

25. In combination:

an aerosolization spacer having a hollow spacer body having an inlet end and an outlet end from which a patient can receive an aerosol medication, wherein said aerosolization spacer is adapted for use with a metered dose inhaler adapter and a metered dose inhaler canister that dispenses an aerosol from a mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler adapter,

wherein the improvement comprises;

a backpiece fitting connected to said inlet end of said spacer body, said backpiece fitting having an opening located therein for receiving the mouthpiece of said metered dose inhaler adapter, said backpiece fitting being formed of a separate piece of material and easily removable from said spacer body to enable cleaning thereof, and further wherein said material is a soft rubber-like, resilient material to enable said opening of said backpiece fitting to stretchably deflect to accommodate different sizes and shapes of mouthpieces on different inhaler adapters and further comprising means for forming an airtight seal about the mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler.

26. A fitting for selectively mounting a metered dose inhaler adapter on an inlet end of a cylindrical aerosolization spacer, wherein said metered dose inhaler adapter has an outlet mouthpiece and wherein said fitting comprises a one-piece integral member molded of a resilient, flexible elastomeric material, said fitting comprising:

an outer cylindrical portion having a longitudinal extending axis of rotation for mounting said fitting on a cylindrical aerosolization spacer;

an integral transverse wall extending radially inwardly from said outer cylindrical portion, said integral transverse wall having a substantially central opening for receipt of an outlet mouthpiece of a metered dose inhaler adapter, said central opening having a peripheral edge shaped substantially as a truncated oval having a major axis and having a pair of curved sides and a pair of opposite ends directed chordally of said oval and substantially perpendicular to the major axis of said oval;

a shelf protruding longitudinally from said integral transverse wall adjacent one of said pair of curved sides of said central opening;

a brace protruding longitudinally from said integral transverse wall adjacent the other of said pair of curved sides of said central opening; and

a plurality of ribs in angularly spaced relation about said transverse wall and said cylindrical portion and integral with said wall and said cylindrical portion, said ribs extending longitudinally in a direction of said axis of rotation and radially inward from said shelf and said brace, each rib having an inner longitudinally extending edge substantially parallel to said axis of rotation.

27. The fitting of claim 26 wherein said ribs are spaced from each other by 60 degrees.

28. The fitting of claim 26 wherein said integral transverse wall includes an opening therethrough between said shelf and said outer cylindrical portion, said opening adapted to receive a sounding structure.

29. The fitting of claim 26 further comprising:

an inner ring outer spaced radially inward from said cylindrical portion and extending in a longitudinal direction from said integral transverse wall.

31. The fitting of claim 29 wherein said integral transverse wall comprises;

an annular ring portion integrally joining upstream edges of said outer cylindrical ring and said inner ring; and

a frustoconical portion continuing inwardly as a planar thin membrane to said central opening.

30. A fitting for mounting a metered dose inhaler adapter on an inlet end of a cylindrical aerosolization spacer, wherein said metered dose inhaler adapter has an outlet mouthpiece, said fitting comprising a one-piece integral member molded of a resilient, flexible elastomeric material, said fitting comprising:

an outer cylindrical portion having a longitudinal extending axis of rotation for mounting said fitting on the cylindrical aerosolization spacer;

an inner ring spaced radially inward from said outer cylindrical portion and extending in a longitudinal direction;

an integral transverse wall extending radially inwardly from said outer cylindrical portion and said inner ring, said integral transverse wall having a substantially central opening for receipt of an outlet mouthpiece of a metered dose inhaler adapter, said central opening having a peripheral edge shaped substantially as a truncated oval having a major axis and having a pair of curved sides and a pair of opposite ends directed chordally of said oval and substantially perpendicular to the major axis of said oval;

a shelf protruding longitudinally from said integral transverse wall adjacent one of said pair of curved sides of said central opening;

a brace protruding longitudinally from said integral transverse wall adjacent the other of said pair of curved sides of said central opening; and

a first pair of ribs located on said shelf on a side thereof facing said central opening and extending longitudinally in a direction of said axis of rotation; and

a second pair of ribs located on said brace on a side thereof facing said central opening and extending longitudinally in a direction of said axis of rotation.

32. An aerosol delivery system for a metered dose inhaler adapter wherein said metered dose inhaler adapter has an outlet mouthpiece, said aerosol delivery system comprising:

a cylindrical aerosolization spacer having an inlet end and an outlet end; and

a fitting mounted on said inlet end of said cylindrical aerosolization spacer, said fitting formed of a one-piece integral member molded of a resilient, flexible elastomeric material and comprising;

an outer cylindrical portion having a longitudinal extending axis of rotation;

an inner ring spaced radially inward from said outer cylindrical portion and extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein said outer cylindrical portion and said inner ring define a circular cavity into which said inlet end of said cylindrical aerosolization spacer is received;

an integral transverse wall extending radially inwardly from said outer cylindrical portion and joining upstream edges of said outer cylindrical portion and said inner ring, said integral transverse wall having a substantially central opening for receipt of the outlet mouthpiece of the metered dose inhaler adapter, said central opening having a peripheral edge shaped substantially as a truncated oval having a major axis and having a pair of curved sides and a pair of opposite ends directed chordally of said oval and substantially perpendicular to the major axis of said oval;

a shelf extending longitudinally from said integral transverse wall adjacent one of said pair of curved sides of said central opening;

a brace extending longitudinally from said integral transverse wall adjacent the other of said pair of curved sides of said central opening;

a first plurality of ribs located on said shelf on a side thereof facing said central opening and extending longitudinally in a direction of said axis of rotation, and

a second plurality of ribs located on said brace on a side thereof facing said central opening and extending longitudinally in a direction of said axis of rotation.

33. The aerosol delivery system of claim 32 wherein each rib is approximately 0.080 inches thick.