Patent ID: 6457471
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A dual-purpose medical device for upper airway treatment, the device comprising:(a) a disposable cassette having a first opening, a second opening and an interior volume, said cassette being connectable to an airflow generator by means of said first opening said cassette further comprising: (i) at least one partition dividing said interior volume into at least two chambers; and (ii) an irreversibly openable region in each of said at least one partition; (b) said airflow generator having an intake valve; wherein said airflow generator is manually operable and relies upon ambient air to create a flow of air; andwherein said airflow generator is capable of generating a flow of air through said disposable cassette in at least two directions, such that:(i) aerosol delivery of a drug residing in said internal volume of said cassette may be accomplished if said flow of air is in a first direction into said internal volume of said cassette via said first opening and outward from said internal volume via said second opening towards an airway of a patient; and (ii) suction of unwanted secretions may be accomplished if said flow of air is in a second direction into said internal volume of said cassette via said second opening and outward from said internal volume via said first opening towards said airflow generator.