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Flow regulator for aerosol drug delivery and methods

  • US 7,185,651 B2
  • Filed: 05/14/2003
  • Issued: 03/06/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for regulating air flow, the method comprising:

  • providing a flow path arrangement having a flow regulating valve and a threshold valve, wherein the threshold valve is configured to open at a first vacuum level and to close at a second vacuum level that is less than the first vacuum level;

    producing a vacuum within the flow path arrangement sufficient to open the threshold valve and to permit a gas to exit the flow path arrangement at a certain flow rate; and

    maintaining the vacuum above the second vacuum level for at least a certain time to maintain the threshold valve open, with the flow regulating valve regulating the flow rate to be within a certain range while the threshold valve remains open,wherein the first vacuum level is in the range from about 20 cm H2O to about 50 cm H2O, and wherein the second vacuum level is in the range from about 0 cm H2O to about 12 cm H2O.

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