Inhalation devices and systems and methods including the same

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 inlet end member includes a ring member to which the sleeve member is affixed, and a cover member mounted on the ring member, wherein the cover member is removable from and replaceable on the ring member to provide access to the interior of the inhalation device for cleaning;
• and
• wherein the cover member is formed of a first material including a resilient, deformable elastomer, and the ring member is formed of a second material more rigid than the first material.

A method for administering a dose of a medication to a patient from a metered dose inhaler (MDI) dispenser, the method comprising:

• 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;
• b) placing the inhalation device in the open position;
• 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;
• wherein the inlet end member includes a ring member to which the sleeve member is affixed, and a cover member mounted on the ring member, wherein the cover member is removable from and replaceable on the ring member to provide access to the interior of the inhalation device for cleaning;
• and
• wherein the cover member is formed of a first material including a resilient, deformable elastomer, and the ring member is formed of a second material more rigid than the first material.