Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A metered dose inhaler for administering asthmatic medication comprising an upright cylindrical air chamber adapted to be held in the hand, said air chamber having an upper end and a lower end, means adjacent said upper end for supporting a pressurized cartridge of asthmatic medication, means for establishing fluid communication from said cartridge into said air chamber adjacent the upper end thereof for spraying a measured dose of medication into said air chamber, a one way valve adjacent the lower end of said air chamber for admitting air but retaining medication, a mouthpipe disposed laterally of said air chamber adjacent the upper end thereof for receipt in a patient's mouth, said air chamber opening into said mouthpipe, and one way valve means between said air chamber and said mouthpipe to pass misted medication from said air chamber through said mouthpipe and into said patient upon patient inhalation and to preclude entrance of air through said mouthpipe into said air chamber upon patient exhalation, said one way valve means having bypass means for venting exhaled air to atmosphere.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A metered dose inhaler for administering asthmatic medication comprising an upright cylindrical air chamber adapted to be held in the hand, said air chamber having an upper end and a lower end, means adjacent said upper end for supporting a pressurized cartridge of asthmatic medication, means for establishing fluid communication from said cartridge into said air chamber adjacent the upper end thereof for spraying a measured dose of medication into said air chamber, a one way valve adjacent the lower end of said air chamber for admitting air but retaining medication, a mouthpipe disposed laterally of said air chamber adjacent the upper end thereof for receipt in a patient's mouth, said air chamber opening into said mouthpipe, and one way valve means between said air chamber and said mouthpipe to pass misted medication from said air chamber through said mouthpipe and into said patient upon patient inhalation and to preclude entrance of air through said mouthpipe into said air chamber upon patient exhalation, said one way valve means having bypass means for venting exhaled air to atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the pressurized cartridge comprises a cylindrical wall upstanding from the upper end of said air chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for establishing fluid communication includes a diffuser for said spray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 3 wherein the diffuser comprises a porous element through which the medication passes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 3 wherein the diffuser comprises a flexible, resilient diaphragm having a normally closed aperture therein, said diaphragm deflecting upon pressurized dispensation of medication to open said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the one way valve at the lower end of the air chamber comprises a flexible, resilient diaphragm having at least one slit therein, and a member underlying said diaphragm and having a portion backing said slit to prevent exiting of mist through said slit, said diaphragm flexing upwardly and opening said slit upon inhalation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 6 wherein said one way valve at the bottom of said air chamber comprises a porous disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 1 wherein the one way valve means between the air chamber and the mouthpipe comprises a flexible, resilient diaphragm having at least one slit therein, and a member disposed between said diaphragm and said air chamber and having a portion backing said slit to prevent entrance of air into said air chamber upon exhalation, said diaphragm flexing and said slit opening upon inhalation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
An inhaler as set forth in claim 8 wherein said mouthpipe has a cylindrical extension confronting said diaphragm and spaced therefrom with said diaphragm in relaxed condition, and means providing bypass means disposed radially outwardly of said mouthpipe extension, said diaphragm flexing upon inhalation into engagement with said mouthpipe extension and sealing said exhaust means from said mouthpipe.