Patent ID: 9687626
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: A61M

Claim:
1. A kit, comprising: an inhalation mask or mouthpiece; a nebulizer that stores an inhalable drug and creates atomized suspension of the inhalable drug through a Venturi effect; and an adapter tube for joining the inhalation mask or mouthpiece with the nebulizer, such that the atomized suspension of the inhalable drug can be administered from the nebulizer to the respiratory tract of a patient through the inhalation mask or mouthpiece and the adapter, said adapter tube comprising: a first member comprising an interior surface, an outer surface, a distal leg and a proximal leg, said first member being a 90° elbow tube, wherein the distal leg and the proximal leg are oriented at a 90° angle, the distal leg comprises a cylindrical section adapted for fitting onto the nebulizer, and the proximal leg comprises a proximal convex frusto-spherical outer surface section; and a second member comprising an interior surface, an outer surface, a distal section and a proximal section, said second member being linear tubular, wherein the distal section comprises a distal concave frusto-spherical portion, and wherein the proximal section is adapted for fitting into the inhalation mask or mouthpiece; wherein the proximal convex frusto-spherical outer surface section of the first member fits inside the distal concave frusto-spherical portion of the second member to form a pivotally-flexible swivel joint providing a rigid pivotally flexible airway for conveying an aerosolized drug to the respiratory tract of the patient, wherein the distal concave frusto-spherical portion of the second member comprises at least three ribs provided on the interior surface of the second member, wherein the ribs are linear in the proximal-distal direction, wherein the proximal convex frusto-spherical outer surface section of the first member fits inside the ribs of the distal concave frusto-spherical portion of the second member to form the pivotally-flexible swivel joint, and wherein said ribs define vent openings in fluid communication with the proximal section of the second member and the exterior of the adapter tube, or wherein the proximal concave frusto-spherical portion of the first member comprises at least three ribs provided on the interior surface of the first member, wherein the ribs are linear in the proximal-distal direction, wherein the distal convex frusto-spherical outer surface section of the second member fits inside the ribs of the proximal concave frusto-spherical portion of the first member to form the pivotally-flexible swivel joint, and wherein said ribs define vent openings in fluid communication with the distal leg of the first member and the exterior of the adapter tube.