US20120272953A1 - Portable universal inhaler system - Google Patents
Portable universal inhaler system Download PDFInfo
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- US20120272953A1 US20120272953A1 US13/549,243 US201213549243A US2012272953A1 US 20120272953 A1 US20120272953 A1 US 20120272953A1 US 201213549243 A US201213549243 A US 201213549243A US 2012272953 A1 US2012272953 A1 US 2012272953A1
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- Prior art keywords
- inhaler system
- medication
- inner part
- mouthpiece
- chamber
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- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 63
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 8
- 210000004072 lung Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 229940071648 metered dose inhaler Drugs 0.000 description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 5
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 5
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- NOESYZHRGYRDHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N insulin Chemical compound N1C(=O)C(NC(=O)C(CCC(N)=O)NC(=O)C(CCC(O)=O)NC(=O)C(C(C)C)NC(=O)C(NC(=O)CN)C(C)CC)CSSCC(C(NC(CO)C(=O)NC(CC(C)C)C(=O)NC(CC=2C=CC(O)=CC=2)C(=O)NC(CCC(N)=O)C(=O)NC(CC(C)C)C(=O)NC(CCC(O)=O)C(=O)NC(CC(N)=O)C(=O)NC(CC=2C=CC(O)=CC=2)C(=O)NC(CSSCC(NC(=O)C(C(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC=2C=CC(O)=CC=2)NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(C)NC(=O)C(CCC(O)=O)NC(=O)C(C(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC=2NC=NC=2)NC(=O)C(CO)NC(=O)CNC2=O)C(=O)NCC(=O)NC(CCC(O)=O)C(=O)NC(CCCNC(N)=N)C(=O)NCC(=O)NC(CC=3C=CC=CC=3)C(=O)NC(CC=3C=CC=CC=3)C(=O)NC(CC=3C=CC(O)=CC=3)C(=O)NC(C(C)O)C(=O)N3C(CCC3)C(=O)NC(CCCCN)C(=O)NC(C)C(O)=O)C(=O)NC(CC(N)=O)C(O)=O)=O)NC(=O)C(C(C)CC)NC(=O)C(CO)NC(=O)C(C(C)O)NC(=O)C1CSSCC2NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(NC(=O)C(CCC(N)=O)NC(=O)C(CC(N)=O)NC(=O)C(NC(=O)C(N)CC=1C=CC=CC=1)C(C)C)CC1=CN=CN1 NOESYZHRGYRDHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- GIIZNNXWQWCKIB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Serevent Chemical compound C1=C(O)C(CO)=CC(C(O)CNCCCCCCOCCCCC=2C=CC=CC=2)=C1 GIIZNNXWQWCKIB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 description 1
- NDAUXUAQIAJITI-UHFFFAOYSA-N albuterol Chemical compound CC(C)(C)NCC(O)C1=CC=C(O)C(CO)=C1 NDAUXUAQIAJITI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940127225 asthma medication Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 208000022362 bacterial infectious disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
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- NBMKJKDGKREAPL-DVTGEIKXSA-N beclomethasone Chemical compound C1CC2=CC(=O)C=C[C@]2(C)[C@]2(Cl)[C@@H]1[C@@H]1C[C@H](C)[C@@](C(=O)CO)(O)[C@@]1(C)C[C@@H]2O NBMKJKDGKREAPL-DVTGEIKXSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/009—Inhalators using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
- A61M15/0021—Mouthpieces therefor
- A61M15/0025—Mouthpieces therefor with caps
- A61M15/0026—Hinged caps
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0065—Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices
- A61M15/0068—Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses
- A61M15/008—Electronic counters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0086—Inhalation chambers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
- A61M16/06—Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/58—Means for facilitating use, e.g. by people with impaired vision
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2206/00—Characteristics of a physical parameter; associated device therefor
- A61M2206/10—Flow characteristics
- A61M2206/14—Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2206/00—Characteristics of a physical parameter; associated device therefor
- A61M2206/10—Flow characteristics
- A61M2206/16—Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Anesthesiology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A portable universal inhaler system formed from an outer part and an inner part slidably received in the outer part. The inner part defines a compartment for receiving a medication canister and includes a universal connector for making a fluid dispensing connection to a variety of commercially available canisters. The inner and outer parts, when assembled, together form a housing that defines a chamber of sufficient volume to house a metered dose of medication. A mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location is provided in fluid communication with the chamber for permitting inhalation of medication from the chamber. The structure of the device makes it compact and portable, in the closed position, allows for storage of a medication canister in operative engagement with the device, and provides a convenient way to dispense medication, using a medication canister and a chamber, for inhalation by a user.
Description
- This application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/223,625, filed on Sep. 9, 2005, currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates to a portable universal inhaler system for effectively delivering medications by inhalation through the mouth. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable inhaler system that can be used with a variety of different medication canisters.
- The delivery of a metered dose of medication via inhalation into the lungs is a common method used for administration of a variety of drugs, including, but not limited to, asthma medications, insulin, steroids and treatments for pulmonary diseases. Although the metered dose inhaler canister dispenses a fixed, metered dose of medication, only a portion of the metered dose actually reaches the lungs of a patient. Even if inhalation is properly timed with the dispensing of the medication from the inhaler, the amount of medication reaching the lungs is inconsistent, depending on various factors including the quantity of medication dissolved and/or entrained in the air entering the patient's lungs, and the quantity of medication that is deposited on one or more surfaces of the inhaler, the mouth and/or oropharyngeal area of the patient. Deposition of medication in the mouth or oropharyngeal area of the patient can cause complications, such as candidiasis, and may leave an unpleasant aftertaste.
- Many patients also have practical problems with the use of inhalers, such as difficulty compressing the dose canister, difficulty in timing inhalation with the dispensing of medication, and an inability to inhale a full dose of medication in a single breath. In practice, patients frequently activate an inhaler multiple times in order to dispense a single dose, despite the fact that the desired metered dose should have been dispensed via a single activation of the inhaler. This is a documented response to the difficulty and inconsistency of medication delivery, which response undermines the effectiveness of metered dose inhalers, thereby leading to concerns such as over-medication, under-medication, and waste, as well as higher costs for treatment. The problem with improper storage and difficulty with sterilization techniques also poses risk for further unwanted fungal and bacterial infections.
- One proposed solution to the problem of inconsistent dosing has been to provide a “spacer” or “chamber” within the inhalation device, typically in the form of a reservoir of air. The spacer or chamber provides a location for mixing the metered dose of medication with air before inhalation, thereby potentially reducing the inconsistency of dosing due to timing difficulties. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,470,412; 4,790,305; 4,926,852; 5,012,803; 5,040,527; 5,042,467; 5,816,240; and 6,026,807 disclose various devices of this type.
- Additionally, some devices with spacers have been provided with a valve mechanism to permit inhalation of a single dose of medication in more than one breath. For example, see U.S. Pat Nos. 4,470,412 and 5,385,140. The articles, Demirkan, et al., “Salmeterol Administration by Metered-Dose Inhaler Alone vs. Metered-Dose Inhaler Plus Valved Holding Chamber,” Chest, 117 (2000) pp. 1314-1318, Finlay and Zuberbuhler, “In vitro comparison of beclomethasone and salbutamol metered-dose inhaler aerosols inhaled during pediatric tidal breathing from four valved holding chambers,” Chest, 114 (1998) pp. 1676-1680, and Konig, “Spacer devices used with metered-dose inhalers. Breakthrough or gimmick?” Chest, 88 (1985) pp. 276-284; also provide information in relation to such devices.
- For infants or other patients who have difficulty using a mouthpiece, a mask is commonly attached or incorporated onto the inhaler. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,809,692; 4,832,015; 5,012,804; 5,427,089; 5,645,049 and 5,988,160. Also, some devices include an audible signaling device to warn patients when inhalation exceeds a desirable rate, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,809,692 and 5,042,467.
- One method of attaching a spacer to a canister of a metered dose inhaler is to insert the inhaler into a universal adapter such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,588, but this is bulky and awkward to use. Other devices are designed to have a specific canister inserted into the device. It would be beneficial to be able to insert different canisters into a single inhaler.
- Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, there remains a need for an easily portable, universal inhaler system that can be easily used and cleaned. There is also a need for a design that permits the use of attachments for infants, if desired. These and other objects of various embodiments of the invention are addressed by one or more of the embodiments of the invention described below. It should be understood, however, that specific embodiments of the invention need not address each and every object listed herein in order to be considered part of the inventive concept.
- In one aspect, the present invention relates to an inhaler system that includes structure that permits insertion of different medication canisters.
- In another aspect, the present invention relates to an inhaler system that is easily portable and includes structure that permits insertion of different medication canisters. In this aspect, the inhaler system includes at least two parts, one of which parts fits at least partially within another part to thereby enhance the portability of the device.
- In another aspect, the present invention relates to an inhaler system that can be easily cleaned and/or sterilized. In this aspect, the inhaler system includes two or more parts that can be readily disassembled and reassembled to allow thorough cleaning or sterilization of the surfaces of the device.
- For the purpose of illustrating the invention, representative embodiments are shown in the accompanying figures, it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
-
FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of an inhaler system of the present invention, in the closed position. -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the inhaler system ofFIG. 1 in the closed position. -
FIG. 3 is an end view of the inhaler system ofFIG. 1 in the closed position. -
FIGS. 4-6 are top, side and end views, respectively, of the cover of the inhaler system ofFIGS. 1-3 . -
FIG. 7 is a top view of the inner part of the inhaler system shown inFIGS. 1-3 . -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the inner part of the inhaler system ofFIGS. 1-3 . -
FIG. 9 is a detail view of the portion IX ofFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 is a sagittal plane cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the outer part ofFIGS. 1-3 . -
FIG. 11 is a horizontal plane cross-sectional view of the outer part ofFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is an end view of the outer part ofFIG. 10 . -
FIGS. 13A-13B are cross-sectional views of nozzle outlets including fluid mixing structure. -
FIG. 14 is a side view of the inhaler system ofFIGS. 1-3 in the open position. -
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the inhaler system ofFIGS. 1-3 in the open position. -
FIG. 16 is an end view of the inhaler system ofFIGS. 1-3 in the open position. -
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the inner part of the inhaler system. - Referring to
FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown an embodiment of aninhaler system 10 in accordance with the present invention, depicted in the closed position. The closed position ofinhaler system 10 is designed for storage and transport of theinhaler system 10. In the closed position ofFIGS. 1-3 , the inhaler system is relatively small and can fit, for example, into a clothing pocket for storage or transport. Moreover, in this closed position, theinhaler system 10 houses at least one medication canister therein, thereby eliminating the need to carry a medication canister separately fromsystem 10. - In
FIG. 1 , is shown a top view ofinhaler system 10 in the closed position.Inhaler system 10 includes anouter part 12 and aninner part 14, which together form a housing.Inner part 14 is sized to fit withinouter part 12, optionally with a friction-fit, form fit or another type of fit that creates a seal betweeninner part 14 andouter part 12 to provide a substantiallyairtight chamber 18 within outer andinner parts -
Inner part 14 includes acanister compartment 20 into which a canister can be inserted.Canister compartment 20 is adapted to be substantially universal in that it is designed to accept canisters of different sizes and lengths.Tapered opening 22 ofcompartment 20 facilitates insertion and removal of different sized canisters intocompartment 20 ofinner part 14, by providing an area from which the canister can protrude outwardly fromcompartment 20. Since taperedopening 22 is tapered, as shown,compartment 20 can accommodate canisters of different lengths, while still permitting the user to depress the canister withincompartment 20 in order to dispense a metered dose of medication from the canister.Compartment 20 is sized to have a diameter which accommodates one of the widest, if not the widest, of the commercially available canisters so that canisters of smaller diameters can also be fit intocompartment 20 ofinner part 14. -
FIG. 2 depicts a side view of theinhaler system 10 ofFIG. 1 in a closed position. InFIG. 2 , cover 16 ofinhaler system 10 is shown.Cover 16 provides a convenient way to closeinhaler system 10 and may also be employed to retain outer andinner parts inner surface 24 ofcover 16 is a convenient location to provide product information, product literature, and/or instructions for use ofinhaler system 10.Cover 16 may also be provided with a graspingstructure 19 for facilitating grasping ofcover 16 by the user to open andclose cover 16. Any suitable, conventional grasping structure may be employed. -
FIG. 3 shows an end view ofinhaler system 10 ofFIG. 1 in a closed position. From this view, it can be seen thatcover 16 includes atab 17 that extends down and over a portion of the end ofinhaler system 10. The purpose oftab 17 is to covermouthpiece 40 ofinner part 14. Referring toFIGS. 4-6 , three different views ofcover 16 are shown, with these views corresponding to the views of theinhaler system 10 seen inFIGS. 1-3 . InFIGS. 4 and 6 , it can be seen that cover 16 may include a twopegs 26 which are designed to fit into correspondingrecesses 28 inouter part 12. In this manner, cover 16 can be releasably secured toouter part 12 by locatingpegs 26 inrecesses 28. Also, this manner of mountingcover 16 toouter part 12 permits cover 16 to pivot about pegs 26 to permit opening and closing of thecover 16, as shown, without removing thecover 16 from theouter part 12. Any other suitable, conventional structure for mountingcover 16 ontoouter part 12 may be employed, so long ascover 16 can be easily removed fromouter part 12 to permit cleaning of theinhaler system 10, and cover 16 can pivot about an axis located approximately between the locations ofpegs 26 ofcover 16, relative toouter part 12, to allow opening and closing ofcover 16. - Referring to
FIGS. 7-9 , there are shown three views ofinner part 14 ofinhaler system 10.Inner part 14 may be designed to be slidably received withinouter part 12 and thus is slightly smaller thanouter part 12 so thatinner part 14 fits withinouter part 12.Inner part 14 forms acompartment 20 for receiving a canister which may contain medication.Inner part 14 also includes ahandle 30 which can be formed by, for example, texturing a portion of the surface ofinner part 14, as shown inFIG. 7 . Other forms ofsuitable handles 30 may be employed, such as an indentation in part of the surface, an attached structure suitable for grasping, etc.Handle 30 is employed by the user to moveinner part 14 from the closed position ofFIGS. 1-3 wherein most ofinner part 14 is located withinouter part 12, to the open position ofFIGS. 10-12 , wherein at least a substantial portion ofinner part 14 protrudes fromouter part 12 sufficiently to allow insertion of a canister intocompartment 20 ofinner part 14 via taperedopening 22. - Also part of
inner part 14 isnozzle assembly 32.Nozzle assembly 32 includes anozzle inlet 34 and anozzle outlet 36.Nozzle inlet 34 is designed for fluid connection to a canister to dispense medication from the canister.Nozzle outlet 36 is in fluid communication withnozzle inlet 34 and directs fluid fromnozzle inlet 34 intochamber 18 ofinhaler system 10. Any conventional,suitable nozzle assembly 32 may be employed. Optionally,nozzle inlet 34 includes a conventional universal connector, not shown, that it is adapted to attach to a variety of different canisters. - In operation, a canister is operatively connected to
nozzle inlet 34, in a conventional manner. A portion of the canister will protrude fromcompartment 20 through taperedopening 22. The user will depress the protruding portion of the canister to dispense a metered dose of medication from the canister to thenozzle inlet 34. The metered dose of medication then proceeds tochamber 18 vianozzle outlet 36. - In an optional embodiment,
nozzle outlet 36 includes structure for mixing the medication with air as it flows throughnozzle outlet 36. Such structure may include, for example, a series of baffles, or a swirler shaped, for example, like a screw. The medication is forced through the mixing structure tochamber 18 to provide intimate mixing of air and medication to thereby entrain or disperse a greater amount of medication in air inchamber 18, than would be entrained or dispersed without a mixing structure. One suitable structure ofnozzle outlet 36, including a series ofbaffles 38, is shown, for example, inFIG. 13A . Asuitable swirler 42 included innozzle outlet 36 is depicted inFIG. 13B . In one embodiment, theswirler 42 may be mounted for rotational movement about an axis to enhance mixing of the medication with air. Alternatively, baffles 38 orswirler 42 can be located innozzle inlet 34,nozzle outlet 36, as shown, both locations, or combinations ofbaffles 38 and one or more swirlers 42 may also be employed. Onesuitable swirler 42 is available from Amici. - In another optional embodiment,
inhaler system 10 may be provided with acounter 44, shown schematically inFIG. 11 .Counter 44 may include abutton 46 and anindicator 48 to allow the user to keep track of the number of doses dispensed from a particular canister. Since most conventional canisters are designed to dispense a predetermined number of metered doses, and are not provided with a means to indicate how much medication remains in the canister, keeping track of the number of doses dispensed may be the only reliable way to determine when a particular medication canister is empty. Depression ofbutton 46 wouldincrement indicator 48 to indicate the number of doses.Indicator 48 can be any suitable indicator such as a digital display. - In another optional embodiment,
inhaler system 10 may include aflow meter 50, shown schematically inFIG. 11 . Any suitable,conventional flow meter 50 may be employed. For example, atelescoping flow meter 50 can be used in conjunction with a valve betweenchamber 18 andmouthpiece 40 to monitor peak flow of fluid intomouthpiece 40. Theflow meter 50 can be used to ensure flow of medication to the patient, as well as to provide the patient with an indication as to whether sufficient inhalation pressure is being exerted by the patient on themouthpiece 40 during inhalation of the medication/air mixture. This can be an important indication since higher peak flow rates will tend to reduce deposition of medication in the mouth or oropharyngeal area of the patient. - Referring now to
FIGS. 10-12 , there are shown three views ofouter part 12.Outer part 12 is adapted to receiveinner part 14 at least partially within its structure and to form achamber 18 in cooperation withinner part 14 for holding a metered dose of a mixture of medication and air for dispensing to a patient. For this purpose,outer part 12 includes amouthpiece 40 or mouthpiece attachment. In one embodiment,outer part 12 includes amouthpiece 40 as shown inFIGS. 10-12 . Alternatively, a separate mouthpiece or mask could be provided, in which case,outer part 12 would be provided with a suitable mouthpiece attachment, not shown, to which the separate mouthpiece or mask could be attached.Mouthpiece 40 is in fluid communication withchamber 18 for delivery of a mixture of medication and air fromchamber 18 to the mouth of a patient.Mouthpiece 40 or the mouthpiece connection can be formed as part of eitherouter part 12 orinner part 14, depending on the location on theinhaler system 10 at which themouthpiece 40 or mouthpiece connection is to be placed, as well as the specific design of the outer and inner parts, 12, 14, respectively. -
Chamber 18 may hold a volume of from about 130 to about 260 ml, more preferably from about 140 to about 180 ml, and most preferably, about 160-165 ml. -
Outer part 12 also includes arecess 29 at a suitable location to allow the user to have access to handle 30 ofinner part 14, wheninner part 14 andouter part 12 are in the closed position ofFIGS. 1-3 .Recess 29 can also facilitate disassembly ofinhaler system 10, for cleaning, as described below. - Referring to
FIGS. 14-16 , there are shown three views ofinhaler system 10 in the open position. The open position ofinhaler system 10 is designed for insertion of a canister, as well as for use ofinhaler system 10. Thus, when a user wishes to take a dose of medication, the user first openscover 16, as shown inFIG. 14 . The user then graspsinner part 14 byhandle 30 and pullsinner part 14 in the direction ofarrows 21 until it protrudes sufficiently fromouter part 12, as shown inFIG. 15 , that the user can depress a canister housed incompartment 20 ofinner part 14. The user then placesmouthpiece 40 in the user's mouth and depresses the canister to dispense a metered dose of medication tonozzle inlet 34. Medication is then mixed with air innozzle outlet 36, optionally as described above and the medication/air mixture passes intochamber 18 for inhalation into the lungs of the user viamouthpiece 40. Once inhalation is completed, the user pushesinner part 14 back intoouter part 12 and closes cover 16 to provide a small, easy to carryinhaler system 10 in the closed position ofFIGS. 1-3 . Another advantage of the device of the present invention is that the medication canister fits completely within the device and need not be removed from the device between doses of medication. - For cleaning, the
inhaler system 10 can be easily disassembled into three distinct parts,outer part 12,inner part 14 andcover 16, which can then be cleaned, for example, by soaking the parts in denture cleaning solution, with anti-bacterial soap and water, or by any other suitable means. Cleaning of inhaler systems is important since medication tends to deposit on surfaces of the system and may degrade or provide a good location for bacteria or other organisms to grow. Thus, the easy disassembly of the present device is an important advantage of the invention. To make cleaning easier, it is possible to fabricateinhaler system 10 from easy to clean plastic materials, such as food grade plastics, or other, suitable conventional materials. Also, the use of clear plastic materials to fabricateinhaler system 10 would allow the user to see when the system requires cleaning. - An alternative embodiment of an
inner part 14′ is shown inFIG. 17 . In this embodiment,inner part 14′ includes at least twocompartments 20 for housing two medication canisters.Compartments 20 may be the same or different. As shown inFIG. 20 , twodifferent compartments 20 are provided, each having different widths and depths. Each compartment is equipped with anozzle inlet 34. Alternatively, only one of the plurality ofcompartments 20 need be fitted with anoperative nozzle inlet 34, in which case other compartments could be used for storage of additional canisters of medication that can be inserted into theoperative compartment 20 when dispensing of a metered dose of medication is desired. - Suitable changes must also be made to
outer part 12 to provide twonozzle inlets 36 at locations corresponding to thenozzle inlets 34 ofinner part 14′. Also, theinhaler system 10 may have to be slightly larger for the embodiment ofFIG. 17 , than for other embodiments, to accommodate the canisters' length while still providing achamber 18 having a sufficient volume for the medication/air mixture. Such changes are within the ability of an ordinarily skilled person. This embodiment allows use of two different medications with the device without having to remove and replace a medication canister. Alternatively, two canisters of a single medication can be carried so that when one canister is depleted the new canister may be employed in order to prevent the patient from inadvertently running out of medication. Moreover, a separate mouthpiece specifically designed for infants can be attached to the various embodiments of the present invention if it is desired to use the device with an infant. - The foregoing detailed description has been provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way. The scope of the invention is to be determined from the claims appended hereto.
Claims (16)
1. An inhaler system which comprises,
an outer part,
an inner part adapted to be slidably received in said outer part, said inner part comprising a compartment of sufficient size to receive a medication canister and a connector for operatively connecting to said medication canister for dispensing of a metered dose of medication from the canister,
said inner and outer parts together forming a housing that defines a chamber of sufficient volume to hold a metered dose of medication, said chamber being in fluid communication with said connector, and
one of said inner and outer parts including a mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location in fluid communication with said chamber for permitting inhalation of medication from said chamber via said mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location.
2. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said inner part is adapted to slide a sufficient distance, relative to said outer part, to permit insertion of a canister into said compartment without disengaging said inner part from said outer part.
3. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said connector is a universal connector.
4. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a counter located on said housing for providing an indication of the number of metered doses dispensed from a canister.
5. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a flow meter for providing an indication of a flow rate of fluid from said chamber to said mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location.
6. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a cover releasably attached to said inner part.
7. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said cover includes a surface provided with information thereon.
8. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said cover is pivotally attached to said inner part.
9. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said cover includes structure for covering the mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location.
10. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said inhaler system further comprises mixing structure located between said connector and said chamber.
11. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said mixing structure comprises a plurality of baffles.
12. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said mixing structure comprises a swirler.
13. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said mixing structure comprises a swirler.
14. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said swirler is mounted for rotational movement about an axis of said swirler.
15. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said inner part further comprises a handle to facilitate sliding said inner part relative to said outer part to move said inhaler system from a closed position to an open position.
16. An inhaler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said inner part comprises at least two compartments for receiving canisters.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/549,243 US20120272953A1 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2012-07-13 | Portable universal inhaler system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/223,625 US8235036B2 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2005-09-09 | Portable universal inhaler system |
US13/549,243 US20120272953A1 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2012-07-13 | Portable universal inhaler system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/223,625 Continuation US8235036B2 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2005-09-09 | Portable universal inhaler system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20120272953A1 true US20120272953A1 (en) | 2012-11-01 |
Family
ID=37853819
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/223,625 Expired - Fee Related US8235036B2 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2005-09-09 | Portable universal inhaler system |
US13/549,243 Abandoned US20120272953A1 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2012-07-13 | Portable universal inhaler system |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/223,625 Expired - Fee Related US8235036B2 (en) | 2005-09-09 | 2005-09-09 | Portable universal inhaler system |
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US (2) | US8235036B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8235036B2 (en) * | 2005-09-09 | 2012-08-07 | Vedat Obuz | Portable universal inhaler system |
US8596265B2 (en) | 2008-10-22 | 2013-12-03 | Trudell Medical International | Modular aerosol delivery system |
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US4130116A (en) * | 1976-08-13 | 1978-12-19 | Sigma Tau S.P.A. Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite | Pocket inhalator |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8235036B2 (en) | 2012-08-07 |
US20070056581A1 (en) | 2007-03-15 |
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