# US 10,864,344 B2 · Receptacle having a removable discharge nozzle and methods for reconfiguring a medication delivery apparatus and adminstering a medication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,344 B2 - Document ID: US10864344B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/290,650 - Filed: 2016-10-11 - Published: 2017-06-01 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2005-04-28 - Assignees: Trudell Medical International - Applicants: Trudell Medical International - Inventors: Jerry R. Grychowski; Martin P. Foley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864344B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/14: by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase - A61M 15/0015: {located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product} - A61M 15/0018: {with exhalation check valves} - A61M 15/0021: {Mouthpieces therefor} - A61M 15/0065: {Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices (A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52)} - A61M 15/0086: {Inhalation chambers} - A61M 15/009: {using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08)} - A61M 16/04: Tracheal tubes (catheters in general A61M25/00) - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/0833: {T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece} - A61M 16/0891: {Closed circuit, e.g. for anaesthesia} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/08: Bellows; Connecting tubes {(having means for taking samples G01N1/22); Water traps; Patient circuits} - A61M 2205/0233: Conductive materials, e.g. antistatic coatings for spark prevention - A61M 2240/00: Specially adapted for neonatal use - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A ventilator circuit for use in administering medication to a patient includes a housing, a one-way inhalation valve and a one-way exhalation valve. A metered does inhaler receptacle is in fluid flow communication with an interior space of the housing holding chamber. An exhaust conduit communicates between input and output passageways disposed on opposite sides of the interior space. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle comprising: a socket component defining a recess shaped to receive a portion of a medicament container, wherein the socket component is coupled to a holding chamber having an interior space; and a discharge nozzle comprising a well shaped to receive a valve stem of the medicament container and a nozzle portion comprising an orifice in fluid communication with the well, wherein the discharge nozzle is removably secured in the recess of the socket component in an operative position such that the nozzle portion is disposed in the interior space of the holding chamber and the orifice is in fluid communication with the interior space of the holding chamber, and wherein the discharge nozzle is non-moveable relative to the socket when the discharge nozzle is in the operative position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 1 wherein the interior space of the holding chamber has an output opening, wherein the socket component is spaced apart from the output opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 1 wherein the discharge nozzle comprises a flange portion disposed in the socket component, wherein the nozzle portion extends from the flange portion, and wherein the orifice is positioned on the nozzle portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 1 wherein the recess has an obround cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 2 wherein the recess has a circular cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 2 wherein the holding chamber has an input opening spaced apart from the output opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 6 further comprising a one-way valve disposed adjacent the input opening and coupled to the holding chamber to permit one-way flow through the input opening into the interior space of the holding chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 1 wherein the orifice comprises a first orifice, and wherein the discharge nozzle further comprises a second orifice. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 8 wherein the first and second orifices are different sizes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 1 wherein the medicament container comprises a metered dose inhaler comprising the valve stem disposed in the well of the discharge nozzle. ### Claim 11 A pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle comprising: a holding chamber having an interior space, wherein the interior space of the holding chamber has an output opening, and wherein the holding chamber has an input opening spaced apart from the output opening; a one-way valve disposed adjacent the input opening and coupled to the holding chamber to permit one-way flow through the input opening into the interior space of the holding chamber; a socket component defining a recess shaped to receive a portion of a medicament container, wherein the socket component is spaced apart from the output opening; and a discharge nozzle comprising a well shaped to receive a valve stem of the medicament container and an orifice in fluid communication with the well, wherein the discharge nozzle is removably secured in the recess of the socket component, wherein the orifice is in fluid communication with the interior space of the holding chamber, wherein the discharge nozzle comprises a flange portion disposed in the socket component and a nozzle portion extending from the flange portion, wherein the orifice is positioned on the nozzle portion, and wherein the discharge nozzle comprises an arm extending into the interior space of the holding chamber, the arm located to prevent the dislodgement of the one-way valve from the holding chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle of claim 11 wherein the one-way valve comprises a center post valve member. ### Claim 13 A pressurized metered dose inhaler receptacle comprising: a socket component defining a recess shaped to receive a portion of a medicament container, wherein the socket component is coupled to a holding chamber having an interior space; and a discharge nozzle comprising a first well shaped to receive a valve stem of the medicament container and a nozzle portion comprising a first orifice in fluid communication with the first well, wherein the discharge nozzle is removably secured in the recess of the socket component such that the nozzle portion is disposed in the interior space of the holding chamber and the first orifice is in fluid communication with the interior space of the holding chamber, and wherein the discharge nozzle further comprises a second orifice and a second well communicating respectively with the second orifice. ### Claim 14 A method of reconfiguring a medication delivery apparatus comprising: inserting a first discharge nozzle comprising a first nozzle portion having a first orifice into a receptacle such that the first discharge nozzle is in a first operative position, wherein the first nozzle portion is disposed in an interior space of a holding chamber, the first orifice is in fluid communication with the interior space of the holding chamber and the first discharge nozzle is non-moveable relative to the receptacle when the first discharge nozzle is in the first operative position; coupling a first medication container to the first discharge nozzle; removing the first discharge nozzle from the receptacle; inserting a second discharge nozzle comprising a second nozzle portion having a second orifice into the receptacle such that the second discharge nozzle is in a second operative position, wherein the second nozzle portion is disposed in the interior space of the holding chamber, the second orifice is in fluid communication with the interior space of the holding chamber, and the second discharge nozzle is non-moveable relative to the receptacle when the second discharge nozzle is in the second operative position, and wherein the first and second discharge orifices are different sizes; and coupling a second medication container to the second discharge nozzle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method of administering a medication comprising the steps of claim 14 and further comprising: dispensing a dose of a first medication from the first medication container through the first discharge orifice into the interior space of the holding chamber; causing the first medication to flow through an output opening of the holding chamber; dispensing a dose of a second medication from the second medication container through the second discharge nozzle into the interior space of the holding chamber; and causing the second medication to flow through the output opening of the holding chamber.