EP0363060A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aerosol inhaler
Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
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Filing: 1989-09-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-09-26
Abstract
Abstract Improved, compact apparatus for use in inhaling pharmaceutical aerosols. The apparatus increases aerosol deposition to the bronchiolus while it limits deposition in the oropharynx. The volumetric flow rate is limited by the use of orifices in the far end of the rigid holding chamber. The invention is also designed to make it easy for the patient to inhale the medication at the proper point in his respiratory cycle. Besides the rigid holding chamber the apparatus of the invention utilizes a unique and compact integrated flow meter to deliver to the patient a volume of unmedicated ambient air before the inhalation of the medicine containing aerosol. When the apparatus is not in use, it folds up, so that some of the integrated flow meter apparatus, and the mouthpiece are located inside the rigid holding chamber thereby minimizing the size of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Bart Joseph Zoltan
- 👤 Beth Louise Laube
- 👤 George Kenneth Adams, Iii
- 👤 Clarke F. Bow
- 👤 Ralph J. Devito
- 👤 Walter Harrington
- 👤 Louis S. Hoffman
- 👤 Charles B. Sanders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0091; A61M15/0086; A61M15/0096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A device for administering a medication to a patient comprising: means for receiving a medication container; a rigid housing for holding medication, 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, and said second end having at least one orifice for limiting the volumetric rate of flow through said chamber from said second end to said first end; first conduit means fluidly coupled to said means for receiving and fluidly coupled to said chamber so as to define a flow path for medication therebetween; a mouthpiece; second conduit means fluidly coupled to said mouthpiece and to said aperture so as to define a flow path therebetween; means defining a variable volume chamber for unmedicated ambient air; third conduits means fluidly coupled to said variable volume chamber and to said second conduit means so as to define a flow path therebetween; and means for initially allowing unmedicated, ambient air to flow from said variable volume chamber through said third conduit means and said second conduit means to said mouthpiece and, after a predetermined amount of unmedicated ambient air has flowed from said variable volume chamber to said mouthpiece, for allowing medicated air to flow from said chamber in said rigid housing through said second conduit means to said mouthpiece; whereby a patient can inhale a volume of unmedicated ambient air through said mouthpiece and thereafter automatically inhale medication from said chamber at a flow rate limited by said at least one orifice.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
262 words
A device for administering a medication to a patient comprising: means for receiving a medication container; a rigid housing for holding medication, 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, and said second end having at least one orifice for limiting the volumetric rate of flow through said chamber from said second end to said first end; first conduit means fluidly coupled to said means for receiving and fluidly coupled to said chamber so as to define a flow path for medication therebetween; a mouthpiece; second conduit means fluidly coupled to said mouthpiece and to said aperture so as to define a flow path therebetween; means defining a variable volume chamber for unmedicated ambient air; third conduits means fluidly coupled to said variable volume chamber and to said second conduit means so as to define a flow path therebetween; and means for initially allowing unmedicated, ambient air to flow from said variable volume chamber through said third conduit means and said second conduit means to said mouthpiece and, after a predetermined amount of unmedicated ambient air has flowed from said variable volume chamber to said mouthpiece, for allowing medicated air to flow from said chamber in said rigid housing through said second conduit means to said mouthpiece; whereby a patient can inhale a volume of unmedicated ambient air through said mouthpiece and thereafter automatically inhale medication from said chamber at a flow rate limited by said at least one orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1, in combination with a medication container, said medication container including a pressurized aerosol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the medication container includes a spray dispenser means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said at least one orifice limits the volumetric flow of air through said rigid housing to 30 liters per minute or less.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1, further comprising means for varying the volumetric flow through said third conduit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 5, further including indicia means for indicating said volumetric flow through said third conduit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as in claim 4, wherein there are at least two orifices and wherein at least one of said orifices may be closed off for the purpose of limiting the flow of air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device as in claim 1, further comprising a venturi defined in said second conduit means, said third conduit means being fluidly coupled to said conduit means at said venturi and wherein said means defining a variable volume chamber comprises a flexible diaphragm element coupled to a rigid wall element so as to define a collapsible chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as in claim 8, wherein said means for initially allowing includes valve means for closing said aperture when medication is conveyed from said means for receiving to said chamber in said rigid housing and for opening said aperture when said collapsible chamber has collapsed a predetermined amount.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said means for initially allowing includes lever arm means operatively coupled to said flexible diaphragm elements for holding said valve means in its closing position until said collapsible chamber has collapsed a predetermined amount.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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