The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 20, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 20, 1999
David T. Sladek, Tucson, AZ (US);
Thayer Medical Corporation, Tucson, AZ (US);
Abstract
An inexpensive, disposable, collapsible medication inhalation apparatus for use with an MDI inhaler includes an elongated housing for receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by the MDI inhaler, a mouthpiece, and an inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the housing. An exhalation port or valve in the mouthpiece allows exhalation through the mouthpiece, presenting very little resistance to the exhalation effort of the patient. An adapter receives and stabilizes a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler. The inhalation valve includes an inhalation flap hanging adjacent to a valve seat. Exhalation into the mouthpiece presses the inhalation flap against the valve seat, forcing exhaled gas through the exhalation port or valve. Inhalation causes the inhalation flap to swing away from the valve seat to open a path for the medication plume. In one embodiment, the entire inhalation apparatus is constructed from a single sheet of foldable sheet material.