Nasal inhaler
First Claim
1. A nasal inhaler for introducing a substance to a nasal cavity of a user, said nasal inhaler comprising:
- a chamber having an interior and an exterior, wherein said chamber is made of a flexible material;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway, said one-way air inlet valve operative to permit said one-way flow of air from said exterior of said chamber into said interior of said chamber; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A nasal inhaler for introducing a substance to a nasal cavity of a user. The nasal inhaler comprises a chamber having an interior and an exterior, an outlet comprising an air exit passageway in flow communication with the interior of the chamber, a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with the interior of the chamber, and a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with the interior of the chamber. A container includes a dispensing portion disposed in the dosage inlet passageway. In preferred embodiment, an adapter defines the dosage inlet passageway and is connected to the chamber. A mask also can be connected to the outlet. A method for dispensing a substance into the nasal cavity of the user comprises inserting the outlet into the nasal cavity, dispensing the substance into the chamber and inhaling through the outlet. A method for assembling a nasal inhaler assembly also is provided.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A nasal inhaler for introducing a substance to a nasal cavity of a user, said nasal inhaler comprising:
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a chamber having an interior and an exterior, wherein said chamber is made of a flexible material;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway, said one-way air inlet valve operative to permit said one-way flow of air from said exterior of said chamber into said interior of said chamber; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A nasal inhaler for introducing a substance to a nasal cavity of a user, said nasal inhaler comprising:
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a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway, said one-way air inlet valve operative to permit said one-way flow of air from said exterior of said chamber into said interior of said chamber;
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location; and
an adapter defining said dosage inlet passageway, wherein said chamber comprises a base having an opening and wherein said adapter has an insert portion disposed in said opening of said base in a releasable engagement therewith. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A nasal inhaler for introducing a substance to a nasal cavity of a user, said nasal inhaler comprising:
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a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway, said one-way air inlet valve operative to permit said one-way flow of air from said exterior of said chamber into said interior of said chamber; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location, wherein said air exit passageway defines a first axis and wherein said dosage inlet passageway defines a second axis, and wherein said first and second axes are offset.
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16. A nasal inhaler for introducing a substance to a nasal cavity of a user, said nasal inhaler comprising:
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a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
a plurality of outlets, each of said plurality of outlets comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, and each of said plurality of outlets shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageways, said one-way air inlet valve operative to permit said one-way flow of air from said exterior of said chamber into said interior of said chamber; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageways and from said first location.
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17. A nasal inhaler for introducing a substance to a nasal cavity of a user, said nasal inhaler comprising:
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a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a pair of nose plugs positioned on opposite sides of said outlet and extending from said exterior of chamber adjacent said outlet, each of said nose plugs shaped to be received in the nasal cavity of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway, said one-way air inlet valve operative to permit said one-way flow of air from said exterior of said chamber into said interior of said chamber; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location.
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18. A method for dispensing a substance into a nasal cavity of a user comprising:
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providing a nasal inhaler comprising;
a chamber having an interior and an exterior, wherein said chamber is made of a flexible material;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location;
providing a container holding said substance, said container comprising a dispensing portion disposed in said dosage inlet passageway;
inserting said outlet into said nasal vestibule;
dispensing said substance from said container into said chamber;
dispensing said substance from said chamber through said outlet; and
compressing said chamber during said dispensing of said substance from said chamber and thereby forcing said substance within said chamber through said outlet. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method for dispensing a substance into a nasal cavity of a user comprising:
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providing a nasal inhaler comprising;
a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location;
providing a container holding said substance, said container comprising a dispensing portion disposed in said dosage inlet passageway;
providing an adapter defining said dosage inlet passageway, wherein said adapter is releasably connected to said chamber;
inserting said outlet into said nasal vestibule;
dispensing said substance from said container into said chamber; and
dispensing said substance from said chamber through said outlet. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for dispensing a substance into a nasal cavity of a user comprising:
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providing a nasal inhaler comprising;
a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location;
providing a container holding said substance, said container comprising a dispensing portion disposed in said dosage inlet passageway;
inserting said outlet into said nasal vestibule;
dispensing said substance from said container into said chamber at a first velocity; and
dispensing said substance from said chamber through said outlet at a second velocity, wherein said second velocity is less than said first velocity.
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27. A method for dispensing a substance into a nasal cavity of a user comprising:
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providing a nasal inhaler comprising;
a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location, wherein said air exit passageway defines a first axis and wherein said dosage inlet passageway defines a second axis, and wherein said first and second axes are not co-axial;
providing a container holding said substance, said container comprising a dispensing portion disposed in said dosage inlet passageway;
inserting said outlet into said nasal vestibule;
dispensing said substance from said container into said chamber; and
dispensing said substance from said chamber through said outlet.
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28. A method for dispensing a substance into a nasal cavity of a user comprising:
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providing a nasal inhaler comprising;
a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
a pair of outlets each comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, each of said outlets shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location;
providing a container holding said substance, said container comprising a dispensing portion disposed in said dosage inlet passageway;
inserting at least one of said outlets into said nasal vestibule;
dispensing said substance from said container into said chamber; and
dispensing said substance from said chamber through said at least one outlet.
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29. A method for dispensing a substance into a nasal cavity of a user comprising:
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providing a nasal inhaler comprising;
a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a first nasal vestibule of the user and wherein said nasal inhaler further comprises a nose plug extending from said exterior of chamber adjacent said outlet;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway; and
a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location;
providing a container holding said substance, said container comprising a dispensing portion disposed in said dosage inlet passageway;
inserting said outlet into said first nasal vestibule;
inserting said nose plug into a second nasal vestibule;
dispensing said substance from said container into said chamber; and
dispensing said substance from said chamber through said outlet. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A nasal inhaler for introducing a dosage of a substance to a nasal cavity of a user, said nasal inhaler comprising:
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a chamber having an interior and an exterior;
an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of the user;
a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway, said one-way air inlet valve operative to permit said one-way flow of air from said exterior of said chamber into said interior of said chamber;
an adapter moveably connected with said chamber, said adapter comprising a dosage inlet passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a second location spaced from said exit passageway and from said first location, said adapter moveable relative to said chamber between a retracted position, wherein at least a portion of said adapter is disposed in said interior of said chamber, and an extended position, wherein at least a portion of said adapter extends from said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of assembling a nasal inhaler assembly comprising:
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providing a chamber having an interior, an exterior, and comprising an intake portion having an intake opening, an outlet comprising an exit passageway in flow communication with said interior of said chamber, said outlet shaped to be received in a nasal vestibule of a user, a one-way air inlet valve in one-way flow communication with said interior of said chamber at a first location spaced from said exit passageway, and an adapter having a dosage inlet passageway and an insert portion;
connecting said insert portion of said adapter with said intake portion of said chamber, wherein said dosage inlet passageway is placed in flow communication with said interior of said chamber through said intake opening at a second location spaced from said air exit passageway and from said first location;
providing a container holding said substance, said container comprising a dispensing portion; and
inserting said dispensing portion into said dosage inlet passageway. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification