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US 8,944,050 B2Granted
Inhalation airflow regulation devices and methods of using the same
AssigneeThe Corporation of Mercer University
InventorsSinjae Hyun, Melissa Erin Sindelar, Haley Marie Swearingen, Bennett Welch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Inhalation airflow regulation devices and inhalers are disclosed. Methods of making and using inhalation airflow regulation devices are also disclosed.
Claims19
An inhalation airflow regulation device suitable for use with one or more inhaler components, said inhalation airflow regulation device comprising:
- a tubular member having a first end, an opposite second end, and an air flow cross-sectional area between said first end and said opposite second end;
- an air outlet positioned proximate said first end;
- a first air inlet positioned proximate said opposite second end;
- an air flow regulating member positioned along said tubular member, said air flow regulating member comprising one or more coplanar sheets of material (i) positioned at a first location within said tubular member, (ii) secured to said tubular member so as to block a portion, but not all, of said air flow cross-sectional area so as to allow two-way air flow thru said tubular member at the first location, and (iii) secured to said tubular member so that at least a portion of said one or more coplanar sheets of material moves toward said first end within said tubular member in response to a threshold amount of an inhalation force applied thereon;
- and
- a medication inlet positioned along said tubular member between said air outlet and said first air inlet;
- said air flow regulating member being positioned along said tubular member between said medication inlet and said first air inlet so as to regulate air flow that passes thru said tubular member and by said medication inlet.
4 more elements
An inhalation airflow regulation device suitable for use with one or more inhaler components, said inhalation airflow regulation device comprising:
- a tubular member having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a mouthpiece positioned proximate said first end;
- a first air inlet positioned proximate said opposite second end;
- a medication inlet positioned along said tubular member between said mouthpiece and said first air inlet;
- and
- an air flow regulating member positioned at a first location along said tubular member within a plane between said medication inlet and said first air inlet, said air flow regulating member regulating air flow that passes thru an air flow cross-sectional area of said tubular member and by said medication inlet;
- and wherein said air flow regulating member comprises one or more coplanar sheets of material (i) positioned at said first location within said tubular member, (ii) secured to said tubular member so as to block at least a portion of an air flow cross-sectional area of said tubular member, and (iii) secured to said tubular member so that at least a portion of said one or more coplanar sheets of material moves out of said plane toward said first end within said tubular member in response to a threshold amount of an inhalation force applied thereon.
4 more elements
A method of making the inhalation airflow regulation device suitable for use with one or more inhaler components, said inhalation airflow regulation device comprising:
- a tubular member having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a mouthpiece positioned proximate said first end;
- a first air inlet positioned proximate said opposite second end;
- a medication inlet positioned along said tubular member between said mouthpiece and said first air inlet;
- and an air flow regulating member positioned at a first location along said tubular member within a plane between said medication inlet and said first air inlet, said air flow regulating member regulating air flow that passes thru an air flow cross-sectional area of said tubular member and by said medication inlet;
- and wherein said air flow regulating member comprises one or more coplanar sheets of material (i) positioned at said first location within said tubular member, (ii) secured to said tubular member so as to block at least a portion of an air flow cross-sectional area of said tubular member, and (iii) secured to said tubular member so that at least a portion of said one or more coplanar sheets of material moves out of said plane toward said first end within said tubular member in response to a threshold amount of an inhalation force applied thereon, said method comprising:
- forming the tubular member;
- forming the mouthpiece and positioning the mouthpiece proximate the first end;
- and
- positioning the air flow regulating member along the tubular member, the air flow regulating member regulating air flow that passes thru the tubular member.
7 more elements
A method of using the inhalation airflow regulation device suitable for use with one or more inhaler components, said inhalation airflow regulation device comprising:
- a tubular member having a first end and an opposite second end;
- a mouthpiece positioned proximate said first end;
- a first air inlet positioned proximate said opposite second end;
- a medication inlet positioned along said tubular member between said mouthpiece and said first air inlet;
- and an air flow regulating member positioned at a first location along said tubular member within a plane between said medication inlet and said first air inlet, said air flow regulating member regulating air flow that passes thru an air flow cross-sectional area of said tubular member and by said medication inlet;
- and wherein said air flow regulating member comprises one or more coplanar sheets of material (i) positioned at said first location within said tubular member, (ii) secured to said tubular member so as to block at least a portion of an air flow cross-sectional area of said tubular member, and (iii) secured to said tubular member so that at least a portion of said one or more coplanar sheets of material moves out of said plane toward said first end within said tubular member in response to a threshold amount of an inhalation force applied thereon, said method comprising:
- positioning the inhalation airflow regulation device within a user's mouth;
- and
- breathing thru the inhalation airflow regulation device.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.