Collapsible, disposable medication inhalation spacer and method
Inventors
Hyde, Joel • Johnson, Jennifer
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11383051-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A medication inhalation apparatus includes an outer housing, movable between collapsed and expanded states, encompassing a first volume. An inner housing within the outer housing encompasses an inner volume. An inhaler opening to the first volume is within a wall of the outer housing at a first location. A mouth opening to the inner volume is within a wall of the outer housing and the inner housing at a second location. A one-way inhalation valve connecting the first volume and the inner volume is within a wall of the inner housing. A one-way exhalation valve connecting the inner volume and the exterior of the outer housing is within a wall of the outer housing and inner housing at a third location. In the expanded state, gas flows from the inhaler to the first volume, the first volume to the inner volume, and the inner volume to a user's mouth.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a disposable medication inhalation apparatus configured as a collapsible outer housing and an inner flap that together expand from a substantially flat configuration into an expanded state. The outer housing bounds a first volume adapted to receive a plume of medication particles ejected by an MDI (metered dose inhaler), and the inner flap bounds a second volume within the outer housing. Substantially airtight interfaces are used when expanded to define a controlled, two-volume inhalation flow pathway.
The expanded-state fluid pathway is defined so that gas is flowable from the connected MDI to the first volume, from the first volume to the second volume, and from the second volume to the mouth of a user or patient. A one-way inhalation valve connects the first volume and the second volume, while a one-way exhalation valve connects the second volume to an exterior of the outer housing. The apparatus includes a first opening through a wall of the outer housing adapted to accommodate a mouthpiece of the MDI and a second opening forming a user mouth opening in fluid communication with the second volume.
In manufacturing and construction, the apparatus is described as being formed from sheet or paperboard stock with fold or popup mechanisms, including an outer housing and an inner flap with panels connected along straight scored fold lines. Additional described features include antistatic material or static dissipative coating, sealing arrangements to prevent bypass or leakage, membrane-based valves/windows, and structural refinements such as inner housing side panels and embodiments with a separate sealed mouthpiece chamber, tension relief lines, and recessed or beveled corners to reduce backflow.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims that cover an expandable two-volume medication inhalation apparatus and a method for manually expanding it from an initially flat, collapsed state into an expanded, substantially airtight state. Across the independent claims, the inventive subject matter is organized around the expandable outer housing and inner flap defining first and second volumes, with valve-coupled flow from the MDI plume to the user mouth and exhalation venting to the exterior.
Collapsible outer housing bounding a first volume for MDI plume reception
An outer housing collapsible into a substantially flat configuration and expandable to bound a first volume adapted to receive a plume of medication particles ejected by an MDI (metered dose inhaler).
Inner flap expandable to bound a second volume with substantially airtight expanded interface
An inner flap located within the outer housing and, together with the outer housing, expandable to bound a second volume within the outer housing, wherein the outer housing and inner flap are substantially airtight when expanded.
Panelized fold structure for outer housing and inner flap
The inner flap includes panels connected to one another along straight scored fold lines, including side panels connected along further straight scored fold lines.
Two-volume inhalation flow path defined by one-way inhalation valve
A one-way inhalation valve connecting the first volume and the second volume, wherein gas is flowable from the connected MDI to the first volume and from the first volume to the second volume.
User mouth opening and MDI mouthpiece opening in fluid communication with volumes
A first opening formed through a wall of the outer housing adapted to accommodate a mouthpiece of the MDI and a second opening adapted to form a user mouth opening in fluid communication with the second volume.
One-way exhalation valve venting the second volume to exterior
A one-way exhalation valve located within a wall of the outer housing, the exhalation valve connecting the second volume and an exterior of the outer housing, wherein gas is flowable from the second volume to the mouth of a user or patient.
Manual pressing and expansion from initially flat collapsed state to expanded state
A method of expanding a medication inhalation apparatus from an initially flat, collapsed state to an expanded state comprising pressing opposite sidewall panels on the outer housing and manually expanding the outer housing and inner flap to create a first volume encompassed by the outer housing and a second volume encompassed by the inner flap and the outer housing.
Valve-positioned openings enabling controlled gas flow from inhaler to patient mouth
The inhaler opening is in fluid communication with the first volume, the mouth opening is in fluid communication with the second volume, the inhalation valve connects the first volume and the second volume, and the exhalation valve connects the second volume and an exterior of the outer housing, wherein gas is flowable from the inhaler to the first volume, from the first volume to the second volume, and from the second volume to the mouth of a patient.
Across independent claims, the apparatus centers on an expandable outer housing and an inner flap that define a two-volume inhalation chamber system. The claims require panel fold layouts, specific inlet and mouth openings for an MDI mouthpiece and a user mouth opening, a one-way inhalation valve connecting the first and second volumes, and a one-way exhalation valve venting the second volume to the exterior while maintaining an expanded, substantially airtight configuration.
Stated Advantages
Test results are described as showing minimal dose drop between coordinated vs uncoordinated breathing versus a rigid commercial Aerochamber.
Documented Applications
Use as a disposable collapsible medication inhalation spacer for MDI plume delivery, including delivering gas flow from an MDI connected to a mouthpiece opening to a user or patient mouth opening.
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