Portable universal inhaler system

Abstract

A portable universal inhaler system formed from an outer part and an inner part slidably received in the outer part. The inner part defines a compartment for receiving a medication canister and includes a universal connector for making a fluid dispensing connection to a variety of commercially available canisters. The inner and outer parts, when assembled, together form a housing that defines a chamber of sufficient volume to house a metered dose of medication. A mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location is provided in fluid communication with the chamber for permitting inhalation of medication from the chamber. The structure of the device makes it compact and portable, in the closed position, allows for storage of a medication canister in operative engagement with the device, and provides a convenient way to dispense medication, using a medication canister and a chamber, for inhalation by a user.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 223,625, filed on Sep. 9, 2005, currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a portable universal inhaler system for effectively delivering medications by inhalation through the mouth. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable inhaler system that can be used with a variety of different medication canisters.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The delivery of a metered dose of medication via inhalation into the lungs is a common method used for administration of a variety of drugs, including, but not limited to, asthma medications, insulin, steroids and treatments for pulmonary diseases. Although the metered dose inhaler canister dispenses a fixed, metered dose of medication, only a portion of the metered dose actually reaches the lungs of a pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In another aspect, the present invention relates to an inhaler system that is easily portable and includes structure that permits insertion of different medication canisters. In this aspect, the inhaler system includes at least two parts, one of which parts fits at least partially within another part to thereby enhance the portability of the device.

[0012]In another aspect, the present invention relates to an inhaler system that can be easily cleaned and / or sterilized. In this aspect, the inhaler system includes two or more parts that can be readily disassembled and reassembled to allow thorough cleaning or sterilization of the surfaces of the device.

Problems solved by technology

Even if inhalation is properly timed with the dispensing of the medication from the inhaler, the amount of medication reaching the lungs is inconsistent, depending on various factors including the quantity of medication dissolved and / or entrained in the air entering the patient's lungs, and the quantity of medication that is deposited on one or more surfaces of the inhaler, the mouth and / or oropharyngeal area of the patient.

Deposition of medication in the mouth or oropharyngeal area of the patient can cause complications, such as candidiasis, and may leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

Many patients also have practical problems with the use of inhalers, such as difficulty compressing the dose canister, difficulty in timing inhalation with the dispensing of medication, and an inability to inhale a full dose of medication in a single breath.

This is a documented response to the difficulty and inconsistency of medication delivery, which response undermines the effectiveness of metered dose inhalers, thereby leading to concerns such as over-medication, under-medication, and waste, as well as higher costs for treatment.

The problem with improper storage and difficulty with sterilization techniques also poses risk for further unwanted fungal and bacterial infections.

One method of attaching a spacer to a canister of a metered dose inhaler is to insert the inhaler into a universal adapter such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,588, but this is bulky and awkward to use.

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