Flow regulator for aerosol drug delivery and methods

An aerosolization device, comprising:

• a housing having a mouthpiece;
• a flow path arrangement in fluid communication with the mouthpiece, the flow path arrangement having a flow regulating valve and a threshold valve, wherein the threshold valve is configured to open at a first vacuum level and to close at a second vacuum level that is less than the first vacuum level;
• wherein the housing includes a region that is adapted to hold a powder in fluid communication with the flow path arrangement, wherein air drawn through the mouthpiece opens the threshold valve once the first vacuum level is exceeded and remains open until the vacuum falls below the second vacuum level, and the flow rate of the air drawn through the mouthpiece is regulated by the flow regulating valve to remain within a certain range while the threshold valve remains open.

A valve comprising:

• a valve body having an inlet end, an outlet end and a gas flow passage between the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the valve body is constructed of a resilient material and wherein the valve body at the outlet end has a central region and a plurality of extending regions that extend outwardly from the central region, whereby the extending regions are drawn together to limit the flow of gases through the gas flow passage as the vacuum downstream of the outlet end increases.