Patent ID: 8534280
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A device for use in an aerosol inhalation system for delivering aerosolized medication comprising: a means for generating aerosolized medication; a reservoir having a first compartment and a second compartment; an accessory having a housing that is operatively connected to the means for generating aerosolized medication such that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the housing, wherein the housing includes a first leg that is fluidly attached to the means of generating aerosolized medication, a second leg that is in selective communication with the first storage compartment and a third leg that is always in fluid communication with the second storage compartment, wherein there is an unobstructed flow path between the first and third legs; and a patient interface member removably connected to the housing and being separate therefrom, the patient interface member for placement about a face of the patient and in communication with a mouth of the patient for delivering the aerosolized medication, wherein the patient interface member comprises a face mask that includes a main body and an integral fluid receiving section that extends therefrom and is sealingly coupled to a patient interface section of the housing to permit the aerosolized medication to selectively flow into the interior of the face mask by passing through the fluid receiving section, wherein there is an unobstructed flow path between the second storage compartment and the fluid receiving section of the face mask, the face mask having a first flow control means that is free of attachment to the housing and is integral to the face mark and is positionable between an open position where aerosolized medication flows into an interior of the mask when the patient interface section of the housing is mated with the fluid receiving section of the face mask and when the patient inhales and a closed position when the patient exhales, the first flow control means being positioned within a flow path that is defined by the fluid receiving section, the exhaled gas being vented from the interior of the patient interface member through at least one vent port that is part of the face mask; wherein the housing includes a main body section that is in communication with first end of each of the first, second and third legs, the main body section having a patient interface section that sealingly mates with a complementary fluid receiving section of the patient interface member so that gas flowing into and through the housing is directed to the patient interface member; wherein the second compartment is for storing aerosolized medication that is delivered into the housing through the first leg and flows through the third leg to the second compartment and the first compartment stores non-medicated gas; wherein the second leg has a second flow control means associated therewith and a supplemental gas port associated therein for receiving a supplemental gas, the second flow control means being in the form of an inhalation valve that is disposed between the main body section and the supplemental gas port such that a clear open flow path is always defined between the supplemental gas port and the first compartment such that the supplemental gas can flow into the main body section only when the second flow control means is open; and when the second flow control means is closed, the supplemental gas flows into the first compartment where it is stored until the second flow control means opens.