Inhalation devices and systems and methods including the same
First Claim
1. A collapsible inhalation device for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser, the MDI dispenser operable to dispense a dose of a medication therefrom, the inhalation device comprising:
- an outlet end member including a mouthpiece;
an inlet end member including an inlet port and an MDI dispenser mount structure configured to receive and engage the MDI dispenser; and
a tubular, pliable, collapsible sleeve member having first and second opposed ends attached to the inlet end member and the outlet end member, respectively;
wherein the inhalation device is positionable in each of an open position, wherein the outlet end member and the inlet end member are spaced apart and the sleeve member is extended such that the outlet end member, the inlet end member and the sleeve member define a chamber, and a closed position, wherein the sleeve member is collapsed and the outlet end member and the inlet end member are proximate one another and envelope the sleeve member;
wherein, when the inhalation device is in the open position with the MDI dispenser mounted in the MDI dispenser mount structure, a dose of the medication can be dispensed from the MDI dispenser into the chamber through the inlet port to mix with air in the chamber and thereby form a mixture of the air and the dose of the medication that can be inhaled by a patient from the chamber through the mouthpiece;
wherein the inhalation device includes a latch mechanism to releasably secure the outlet end member to the inlet end member when the inhalation device is in the closed position; and
wherein the inhalation device includes at least one release tab operable by a user to warp the inhalation device to actuate the latch mechanism to release the outlet end member from the inlet end member to open the inhalation device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collapsible inhalation device for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser includes an outlet end member, an inlet end member and a tubular, pliable, collapsible sleeve member attached at either end to the inlet and outlet members. The outlet end member includes a mouthpiece. The inlet end member includes an inlet port and an MDI dispenser mount structure configured to receive and engage the MDI dispenser. The inhalation device is positionable in each of an open position, wherein the sleeve member defines a chamber, and a closed position, wherein the sleeve member is collapsed and enveloped by the outlet end member and the inlet end member.
82 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A collapsible inhalation device for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser, the MDI dispenser operable to dispense a dose of a medication therefrom, the inhalation device comprising:
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an outlet end member including a mouthpiece; an inlet end member including an inlet port and an MDI dispenser mount structure configured to receive and engage the MDI dispenser; and a tubular, pliable, collapsible sleeve member having first and second opposed ends attached to the inlet end member and the outlet end member, respectively; wherein the inhalation device is positionable in each of an open position, wherein the outlet end member and the inlet end member are spaced apart and the sleeve member is extended such that the outlet end member, the inlet end member and the sleeve member define a chamber, and a closed position, wherein the sleeve member is collapsed and the outlet end member and the inlet end member are proximate one another and envelope the sleeve member; wherein, when the inhalation device is in the open position with the MDI dispenser mounted in the MDI dispenser mount structure, a dose of the medication can be dispensed from the MDI dispenser into the chamber through the inlet port to mix with air in the chamber and thereby form a mixture of the air and the dose of the medication that can be inhaled by a patient from the chamber through the mouthpiece; wherein the inhalation device includes a latch mechanism to releasably secure the outlet end member to the inlet end member when the inhalation device is in the closed position; and wherein the inhalation device includes at least one release tab operable by a user to warp the inhalation device to actuate the latch mechanism to release the outlet end member from the inlet end member to open the inhalation device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for administering a dose of a medication to a patient from a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser, the method comprising:
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a) providing a collapsible inhalation device including; an outlet end member including a mouthpiece; an inlet end member including an inlet port and an MDI dispenser mount structure configured to receive and engage the MDI dispenser; and a tubular, pliable, collapsible sleeve member having first and second opposed ends attached to the inlet end member and the outlet end member, respectively; wherein the inhalation device is positionable in each of an open position, wherein the outlet end member and the inlet end member are spaced apart and the sleeve member is extended such that the outlet end member, the inlet end member and the sleeve member define a chamber, and a closed position, wherein the sleeve member is collapsed and the outlet end member and the inlet end member are proximate one another and envelope the sleeve member; wherein the inhalation device includes a latch mechanism to releasably secure the outlet end member to the inlet end member when the inhalation device is in the closed position; and wherein the inhalation device includes at least one release tab operable by a user to warp the inhalation device to actuate the latch mechanism to release the outlet end member from the inlet end member to open the inhalation device; b) placing the inhalation device in the open position, including using the at least one release tab to warp the inhalation device to actuate the latch mechanism to release the outlet end member from the inlet end member to open the inhalation device; c) mounting the MDI dispenser in the MDI dispenser mount structure; and
thereafter;d) dispensing a dose of the medication from the MDI dispenser into the chamber through the inlet port to mix with air in the chamber and thereby form a mixture of the air and the dose of the medication that can be inhaled by a patient from the chamber through the mouthpiece. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A collapsible inhalation device for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser, the MDI dispenser operable to dispense a dose of a medication therefrom, the inhalation device comprising:
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a rigid, unitary outlet end member including a mouthpiece; an inlet end member including an inlet port and an MDI dispenser mount structure configured to receive and engage the MDI dispenser; and a tubular, pliable, collapsible sleeve member having first and second opposed ends attached to the inlet end member and the outlet end member, respectively, to define therewith a chamber; wherein, when the MDI dispenser is mounted in the MDI dispenser mount structure, a dose of the medication can be dispensed from the MDI dispenser into the chamber through the inlet port to mix with air in the chamber and thereby form a mixture of the air and the dose of the medication that can be inhaled by a patient from the chamber through the mouthpiece; wherein the outlet end member further includes; a one-way inhalation valve that enables outflow of air from the chamber through the mouthpiece and prevents inflow of air into the chamber through the mouthpiece; and a one-way blowback relief valve that enables outflow of air from the mouthpiece through the one-way blowback relief valve and prevents inflow of ambient air into the mouthpiece through the one-way blowback relief valve; and wherein; the outlet end member includes a valve member including the one-way inhalation valve; the one-way inhalation valve is a self-sealing valve; the outlet end member defines an exhaust port fluidly connected to the mouthpiece; the outlet end member is configured to direct exhalation air flow from the patient through the mouthpiece, through the one-way blowback relief valve, and out through the exhaust port; and the exhaust port and the mouthpiece are located on an axial end face of the outlet end member. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for forming a collapsible inhalation device, the method comprising:
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providing an end member including an annular ring member, the ring member having a radially outwardly facing outer attachment surface and defining a through passage; providing a tubular, pliable, collapsible sleeve member having first and second sleeve sections; bonding the first sleeve section to the outer attachment surface; and inverting the sleeve member through itself and routing the second sleeve section through the through passage of the ring member such that the sleeve member is wrapped around the ring member. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A collapsible inhalation device for use with a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser, the MDI dispenser operable to dispense a dose of a medication therefrom, the inhalation device comprising:
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a rigid, unitary outlet end member including a mouthpiece; an inlet end member including an inlet port and an MDI dispenser mount structure configured to receive and engage the MDI dispenser; and a tubular, pliable, collapsible sleeve member having first and second opposed ends attached to the inlet end member and the outlet end member, respectively, to define therewith a chamber; wherein, when the MDI dispenser is mounted in the MDI dispenser mount structure, a dose of the medication can be dispensed from the MDI dispenser into the chamber through the inlet port to mix with air in the chamber and thereby form a mixture of the air and the dose of the medication that can be inhaled by a patient from the chamber through the mouthpiece; wherein the outlet end member further includes; a one-way inhalation valve that enables outflow of air from the chamber through the mouthpiece and prevents inflow of air into the chamber through the mouthpiece; and a one-way blowback relief valve that enables outflow of air from the mouthpiece through the one-way blowback relief valve and prevents inflow of ambient air into the mouthpiece through the one-way blowback relief valve; and wherein; the outlet end member includes a valve member including the one-way inhalation valve; the one-way inhalation valve is a self-sealing valve; the valve member is unitary; the valve member further includes an integral, radially extending valve flap forming a part of the one-way blowback relief valve; the outlet end member defines an exhaust port; the valve flap is positioned in a closed position wherein the valve flap blocks air from entering the mouthpiece through the exhaust valve; and opening of the valve flap permits exhalation air from the patient to flow through the mouthpiece and out through the exhaust port. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification