# US 6,295,982 B1 · Apparatus for and methods of administering volatile substances into an inhalation flow path

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- Number: US 6,295,982 B1
- Document ID: US6295982B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/355,147
- Filed: 1999-07-23
- Granted: 2001-10-02
- Earliest claimed: 1999-07-23
- Inventors: Fred Dewitt Reed, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6295982B1

## CPC

- A61M 15/08: Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
- A61M 15/02: with activated or ionised {fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices}; Ozone-inhalators {with radioactive tagged particles}
- A61M 15/085: {Fixing means therefor}
- 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 method of introducing a vapor (41) of a volatile substance into an inhalation flow path (24, 25) of a respiratory organ (22, 23), the method comprising the steps of providing a carrier (31, 51, 51′) having a volatile substance and engaging the carrier (31, 51, 51′) at the inhalation flow path (24, 25) of the respiratory organ (22, 23).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of introducing a vapor of at least one volatile substance into an inhalation flow path of a respiratory organ, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a carrier conformable to a surface of skin;
providing the carrier with at least one volatile substance;
providing a barrier coupled to a surface of the carrier, the barrier being substantially impermeable to the one or more volatile substances carried by the carrier; and
engaging the carrier to the surface of skin proximate an inhalation flow path of a respiratory organ with the barrier adapted to be interposed between the carrier and the skin to prevent the one or more volatile substances from contacting the skin.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a carrier further includes the steps of providing a substantially absorbent member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the carrier with at least one volatile substance further includes the step of impregnating the carrier with at least one volatile substance.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the step of impregnating the carrier with at least one volatile substance further includes the steps of:
providing a rupturable capsule containing at least one volatile substance;
embedding the rupturable capsule in the carrier; and
rupturing the rupturable capsule.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the step of impregnating the carrier with at least one volatile substance further includes the step of dispensing one or more volatile substance onto the carrier.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the carrier proximate an inhalation flow path further includes the step of adhesively engaging the carrier proximate the inhalation flow path of the respiratory organ.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the carrier proximate an inhalation flow path further includes the step clamping the carrier to the respiratory organ proximate the inhalation flow path.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the step of clamping the carrier to the respiratory organ proximate the inhalation flow path further includes the steps of:
providing a clamp;
coupling the clamp to the carrier; and
engaging the clamp to the respiratory organ.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the step of coupling the clamp to the carrier further includes the step of adhesively coupling the clamp to the carrier.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the steps of providing a clamp and engaging the clamp to the respiratory organ further includes the steps of:
providing a deformable element; and
deforming the deformable element against the respiratory organ.

### Claim 11

A vehicle for introducing a vapor of one at least one volatile substance into an inhalation flow path of a respiratory organ, the vehicle comprising:
a carrier conformable to a surface of skin;
at least one volatile substance carried by the carrier;
a barrier coupled to a surface of the carrier, the barrier being substantially impermeable to the at least one volatile substances carried by the carrier; and
means for engaging the carrier is a surface of skin proximate an inhalation flow path of the respiratory organ with the barrier adapted to be interposed between the carrier and the surface of skin to prevent the at least one volatile substances from contacting the skin.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the carrier includes a substantially absorbent member.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the means includes adhesive carried by the barrier, the barrier dividing the carrier from the adhesive backing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, further including a barrier dividing the carrier from the adhesive backing, the barrier being substantially impermeable to the one or more volatile substances carried by the carrier.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the means includes a deformable element deformably engagable against the respiratory organ.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the means includes a clip clippingly engagable against the respiratory organ.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the at least one volatile substance carried by the carrier is carried in a rupturable capsule embedded in the carrier.