US 5,954,047 A · Methods and apparatus for delivering aerosolized medication

Abstract

A metered dose inhaler (10) for use with a pressurized aerosol canister (18) includes a housing (12) defining a conduit (16) with a mouthpiece (56), and an actuator (26) with a nozzle discharge orifice (30) arranged to discharge aerosol into the conduit. An air tube (34) is arranged within the conduit with an inlet (38) of the air tube formed in the conduit wall (74) and an outlet (36) of the air tube in opposing relationship with the nozzle orifice. Inhalation through the mouthpiece causes air to be drawn into the inlet and flow out of the outlet of the air tube to form an air jet which impinges on an oppositely moving aerosol plume from the orifice.

Claims21

Dependent claims

In an inhaler having an aerosol canister containing medication, a housing supporting the canister and defining a conduit having an open end adapted to be inserted into the mouth of a user, and an aerosol nozzle connected to the canister and having an exit orifice disposed within the conduit, a method for delivering a dose of the medication through the open end of the conduit as a dispersed aerosol, comprising the steps of:

discharging a dose of the medication from the exit orifice of the nozzle to direct a plume of aerosolized medication into the conduit;
and
at least during the discharging step, directing ambient air from outside the conduit through a tube supported within the conduit, the tube having a single outlet arranged opposite to and along the same longitudinal line as the nozzle discharge orifice so as to create an air jet directed generally against the direction of the plume so as to impinge on the plume, the air jet being formed by an inspiratory effort exerted on the open end of the conduit by a user.

An inhaler apparatus adapted to be used with a pressurized canister containing medication, the apparatus comprising:

a housing adapted to support the pressurized canister and including a generally tubular conduit having an open end, the housing further including an actuator and nozzle assembly having a bore adapted to receive a hollow outlet stem of the canister and a nozzle discharge orifice in fluid communication with the bore, the nozzle discharge orifice being positioned to direct a plume of aerosolized medication into the conduit;
and
an air tube supported within the conduit and having a single outlet arranged opposite to and along the same longitudinal line as the nozzle discharge orifice and an inlet in fluid communication with ambient air outside the conduit, the air tube being oriented so that air flowing out of the air tube outlet is directed so as to impinge on a plume of aerosolized medication discharged from the canister through the nozzle discharge orifice;
whereby an inspiratory effort exerted on the open end of the conduit causes air to flow into the air tube inlet and out the air tube outlet to impinge on the plume and thereby enhance dispersion and mixing of the medication within the conduit.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for delivering aerosolized medication

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for delivering aerosolized medication

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21