US 5,040,527 AGranted

Metered dose inhalation unit with slide means

AssigneeHealthscan Products, Inc.

InventorsDouglas A. Larson, Thomas J. Danowki

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Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of a spray-entrapped product, typically dispensed by a metered dose inhaler device, includes an elongated passageway having a mouthpiece portion and a main chamber portion. The metered dose inhaler is mounted between the mouthpiece and main chamber portions such that upon operation its spray is directed away from the mouthpiece. A two-position valve is provided to allow a first, low-level flow to be developed through the unit, followed by a higher flow rate as the metered dose inhaler unit is operated. This increased flow, passing through the device in the direction opposite to that of the MDI spray, contacts the spray plume to cause a high level of mixing and a decrease in spray particle size which results in an efficient draw of the spray medication into the lungs of the user.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of a spray-entrapped produce for introduction into the lungs of a user, comprising an elongated passageway having a mouthpiece portion terminating at a first end and a main chamber portion terminating at a second end, said mouthpiece and main chamber portions being joined by an intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising means for supporting a metered does inhalation dispenser having a body and an extending nozzle, said intermediate section having means for directing the metered output of said dispenser into said main chamber portion and in a direction away from said first end;

first and second air inlet aperture means for the introduction of ambient air into said main chamber portion for inhalation by the user, said first and second aperture means located at said second end;
and valve means operatively coupled to said metered does inhalation unit for activation by movement of said metered does inhalation unit and to said second air inlet apertures, said valve means having a first position wherein said second inlet air apertures are closed and a second position wherein said second air inlet apertures are opened as said metered does inhalation dispenser is moved and activated to output into said main chamber portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.