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Publication Number
US-11076774-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides a patient inhalation/exhalation device such as a spirometer, respiratory inhaler or spacer, the device comprising: at least one aperture for inlet or outlet of air into/from the device; a mouthpiece for communication with the mouth of the patient; and a body defining an air flow path extending between the aperture and the mouthpiece along which air is drawn to the mouthpiece by inhalation by the patient or air is forced towards the aperture by exhalation by the patient. The body comprises an air flow rate indicator operable to generate a sound signal to indicate when the air flow rate along the air flow path is at or above a predetermined minimum level. In another aspect, the present invention provides a device for indicating a desired fluid flow rate along a fluid flow path through a respiratory inhaler. The device comprises an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture for fluid communication with the fluid flow path through the respiratory inhaler, and a body defining a second fluid flow path extending between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture. The body comprises a connector portion for connection to the respiratory inhaler and a fluid flow rate indicator operable to generate a sound signal to indicate when the fluid flow rate along the second fluid flow path is at a predetermined fluid flow rate. The air flow rate indicators comprise a corrugated portion having at least one or a plurality of corrugations extending into their fluid flow paths.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to devices for indicating a desired fluid flow rate along a fluid flow path through a respiratory inhaler. The device includes an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the fluid flow path, and a body defining a second fluid flow path between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture, with a connector portion for connection to the respiratory inhaler.
A fluid flow rate indicator generates a sound signal when the fluid flow rate along the second fluid flow path reaches a predetermined fluid flow rate, including a predetermined minimum level or a desired fluid flow rate. The sound signal is produced by a corrugated portion having parallel ridges/peaks spaced by curved troughs/furrows that at least partially encircle the second fluid flow path.
The device can include structural configurations where the corrugated portion is integrally formed on or within a substantially tubular channel/body portion, including orientations of ridges/troughs relative to the flow path and a connector portion having a tubular recess that receives and retains the respiratory inhaler. A dual-flow-rate embodiment provides two tubular flow paths and corresponding corrugated indicators that generate respective sound signals for different predetermined fluid flow rates, and a sound receiver detects the sound signal.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims define respiratory inhaler fluid-flow-rate indicating devices using corrugated inner flow-path portions that generate sound signals at predetermined fluid flow rates. Across the independent claims, the inventive features are corrugated portions with parallel ridges/peaks and curved troughs/furrows that at least partially encircle a fluid flow path, generation of a sound signal to indicate when the flow rate reaches a predetermined value, and device structures that include apertures and a connector portion or mouthpiece.
Sound-signal corrugated flow-path indicator for predetermined flow rate
A fluid flow rate indicator generates a sound signal to indicate when the fluid flow rate along a fluid flow path is at a predetermined fluid flow rate, wherein the fluid flow rate indicator comprises a corrugated portion extending into the fluid flow path and having parallel ridges/peaks spaced by curved troughs/furrows that at least partially encircle the fluid flow path.
Corrugated second fluid flow path with inlet/outlet apertures and inhaler connector
A device includes an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture for fluid communication with a fluid flow path through a respiratory inhaler, and a body defining a second fluid flow path between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture, the body including a connector portion for connection to the respiratory inhaler and a fluid flow rate indicator operable to generate a sound signal when the flow rate along the second fluid flow path is at a predetermined fluid flow rate, the sound signal being generated by a corrugated portion with parallel ridges/peaks and curved troughs/furrows that at least partially encircle the second fluid flow path.
Mouthpiece flow-path device with aperture and corrugated indicator
A device includes an aperture and a mouthpiece, and a body defining a fluid flow path extending between the aperture and the mouthpiece, the body comprising a fluid flow rate indicator operable to generate a sound signal when the fluid flow rate along the fluid flow path is at the predetermined fluid flow rate, wherein the fluid flow rate indicator comprises a corrugated portion with parallel ridges/peaks spaced by curved troughs/furrows that at least partially encircle the fluid flow path.
The independent claims are directed to corrugated portions that extend into a fluid flow path and produce a sound signal when the fluid flow rate reaches a predetermined value. The claims also specify inlet/outlet apertures or an aperture and mouthpiece, together with a connector portion for connection to a respiratory inhaler.
Stated Advantages
Indicates when the fluid flow rate along the fluid flow path is at a predetermined fluid flow rate by generating a sound signal.
Produces a narrow-frequency sound signal associated with resonant turbulent oscillations at the predetermined flow rate, with laminar flow below the predetermined flow rate.
Documented Applications
Respiratory inhaler testing and monitoring using a respiratory inhaler attachment device for a patient inhalation/exhalation device, including spirometer/inhaler/spacer/face mask testing contexts described in the partial content summary.
Determining a desired or optimal inhalation fluid flow rate for respiratory drug inhalers by detecting a sound signal and monitoring duration of optimal inhalation time.
Drug aerosol performance comparison for pMDI/DPI/corrugated configurations, including particle size distribution comparisons and reporting similar particle size/aerosol performance to a standard pMDI in the described experimental results.
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