Medication delivery system phase one

• US 4,926,852 A
• Filed: 09/30/1988
• Issued: 05/22/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore Maryland
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Laube, Beth L., Zoltan, Bart J., Adams, George K. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHLE, KARIN M
• Application Number:
  US07/251,454
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.4, 128/200.2, 128/200.23, 128/205.11, 128/200.18, 128/203.12, 128/203.24, 128/205.13, 128/205.17, 128/205.21, 128/205.24 , 128/205.25, 272/203.15, 272/99
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0088 with variable volume
• 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 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves

Abstract

An apparatus for use in inhaling pharmaceutical aerosols. The apparatus includes a mouthpiece and a rigid housing for receiving an aerosolized medicine. The rigid housing has one or more orifices which are spaced from the mouth piece so that flow through the housing is possible but is limited by the orifice(s) to a desired volumetric flow rate. The patient is aided by having the initial velocity of the aerosolized medicine reduced to zero by virtue of the initial delivery of the same to the housing interior, and by having the volumetric flow rate of the inhaled medication maintained below required limits thereby providing the conditions for optimal dosing. Further, the ability of the patient to inhale to total lung capacity with the flow through chamber enhances penetration of aerosolized drug to the lung periphery, and improves the ease of use for the patient.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering medication to a patient, comprising:

a mouthpiece, said mouthpiece having a proximal end, a distal end, and means for coupling a medication container thereto intermediate said proximal and distal ends, said proximal end being shaped to be accommodated by a human mouth, said mouthpiece having first and second passages defined therethrough, said first passage extending from said proximal end to said distal end and said second passage extending from said means for coupling to said distal end; and

a rigid housing, said rigid housing having a first end, a second end, and a main body portion so as to define a chamber therewithin, said first end having an aperture defined therethrough, said housing being coupled to said mouthpiece so that said chamber is fluidly coupled to said first and second passages at said distal end of said mouthpiece through said aperture in said first end, said rigid housing further having at least one orifice defined through at least one of said first end, said second end, and said main body portion for limiting the volumetric flow rate of air into said chamber;

whereby, medication can be delivered through said second passage into said chamber and, by breathing in through said first passage from said proximal end of said mouthpiece, a patient can inhale medicated air from the chamber and then continue inhaling to his total lung capacity.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling comprises means for coupling a medication container containing a pressurized aerosol.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling comprises means for coupling a medication container having a spray dispenser.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one orifice limits the volumetric flow of air into said rigid housing to 30 liters per minute or less under the influence of normal inhalation force.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are at least two orifices and at least one of said orifices may be closed off.

6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said main body portion of said rigid housing is defined by axially collapsible wall means.

7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein said axially collapsible wall means comprises a plurality of rigid wall elements coupled together in side-by-side relation, said wall elements each having a different cross-section and being coupled together in order of increasing cross-section, and so as to be slidably receivable within a next adjacent, larger wall element.

8. An apparatus for aiding a patient in inhaling medication, comprising:

a mouthpiece, said mouthpiece having a proximal end, a distal end, and means for coupling a medication container thereto intermediate said proximal and distal ends, said proximal end being shaped to be accommodated by a human mouth, said mouthpiece having first and second passages defined therethrough, said first passage extending from said proximal end to said distal end and said second passage extending from said means for coupling to said distal end;

a first rigid housing, said rigid housing having a first end, a second end, and a main body portion so as to define a chamber therewithin, said first end having an opening defined therethrough, said first rigid housing being coupled to said mouthpiece so that said chamber is fluidly coupled to said first and second passages at said distal end of said mouthpiece through said opening in said first end, said rigid housing further having at least one orifice defined through at least one of said first end, said second end, and said main body portion for limiting the volumetric flow rate of air into said chamber; and

means for closing off said at least one orifice until the volumetric flow rate through said orifices is at or below 30 liters per minute;

whereby medication can be delivered into said chamber through said second passage and a patient can inhale air containing the medication from the chamber through the first passage of the mouthpiece.