Aerosol medication inhalation system

• US 8,459,252 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2011
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pari Innovative Manufacturers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pari Innovative Manufacturers, Inc.
• Inventors: Gallem, Thomas, Gowanlock, Kevin Grant, Lynch, Robert Carlton
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US13/288,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20120042874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.23, 128/200.22, 128/200.17
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0016 located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• 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 2205/0233 Conductive materials, e.g. antistatic coatings for spark prevention
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/16 Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows

Abstract

An apparatus for use in conjunction with a metered dose inhaler which includes a novel valve system to aid in the delivery of aerosolized medicament to a subject. The apparatus also includes a novel rotational flow generator to aid in the useable delivery of said medication and avoid its loss either in the apparatus or by non-useful delivery to said subject.

Claims

1. A medication delivery apparatus comprising:

an antistatic holding chamber comprising a material having a surface resistivity that reduces a risk of resistance to medicament flow, wherein said holding chamber has an input end and an output end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis;

a patient interface component connected to said output end and comprising an interior surface defining a flow passage; and

a one-way valve disposed adjacent said output end, said one-way valve moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said one-way valve has a central opening when in said open position, said central opening having a flow path along said longitudinal axis, wherein no portion of said interior surface of said patient interface component downstream of said one-way valve intersects said flow path in an orthogonal relationship, so as to facilitate an unobstructed flow from the antistatic holding chamber to a patient.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a backpiece separate from said holding chamber and comprising an elastomeric material having a surface resistivity that reduces a risk of resistance to medicament flow, wherein said backpiece is connected to said input end of said holding chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said backpiece comprises an opening formed therethrough, said opening shaped and adapted to receive a portion of a pressurized metered does inhaler.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second antistatic component separate from said holding chamber and comprising a material having a surface resistivity that reduces a risk of resistance to medicament flow, and wherein said second antistatic component is connected to said holding chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said second antistatic component comprises said patient interface component connected to said output end of said holding chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said second antistatic component comprises a backpiece connected to said input end of said holding chamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said backpiece comprises an elastomeric material.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said backpiece comprises an opening formed therethrough, said opening shaped and adapted to receive a portion of a pressurized metered dose inhaler.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said patient interface component comprises a mouthpiece.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said interior surface of said mouthpiece is not antistatic.