Patent ID: 6026807
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A cloud chamber for use with a pressurized medication dispenser comprising:a chamber having an open distal end for receiving therethrough a portion of a pressurized medication dispenser for dispensing a predetermined quantity of medication in a spray or mist form into said chamber,said distal end of said chamber including a retainer carried thereby for forming a closure of said distal end and releasably retaining a pressurized medication dispenser in said distal end,said chamber having an open proximal end for receiving a removable chamber cap forming a closure for the open proximal end of said chamber when received thereon and providing access to the interior of said chamber when removed from the proximal end,a chamber cap for positioning onto said proximal end of said chamber including a mouthpiece through which a user inhales inspiratory air and exhales expiratory air,an air flow control valve positioned between said mouthpiece and said chamber cap for mutually exclusively passing inspiratory and expiratory air as a user inhales and exhales through said mouthpiece,said air valve comprising an ellipse of resilient material having a central flapper valve portion between said mouthpiece and said chamber cap in fluid communication with said chamber, and at least one peripheral portion extending outwardly from between said mouthpiece and said chamber cap forming a peripheral flapper valve in fluid communication between said mouthpiece and an ambient environment,said central flapper valve portion moveable upon the inhalation of inspiratory air by a user from a closed position blocking the flow of expiratory air through said central flapper valve portion into said chamber upon the exhalation of expiratory air by a user and blocking the flow of inspiratory air from said chamber through said central flapper valve portion to the user, to an open position allowing inspiratory air to be inhaled through said chamber, andsaid peripheral flapper valve moveable upon the exhalation of expiratory air by a user from a closed position blocking the flow of inspiratory air through said peripheral flapper valve into said mouthpiece upon the inhalation of inspiratory air by a user and blocking the flow of expiratory air from said mouthpiece through said peripheral flapper valve into the ambient environment, to an open position allowing expiratory air to be expelled through said peripheral flapper valve into the ambient environment.