Patent ID: 7748385
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: A61M,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valved holding chamber comprising: (a) a housing having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a chamber defined in the housing, wherein a first chamber opening is defined in the first end portion and a second chamber opening is defined in the second end portion; (b) a mouthpiece having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the mouthpiece is coupled to the first end portion of the housing; and (c) a valve assembly operatively coupled to the first end portion of the housing or the first end portion of mouthpiece such that fluid flow in a first direction from the housing to the mouthpiece passes through the valve assembly defining a fluid flow path, wherein the valve assembly comprises: (1) a conical flange having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the conical flange is operatively coupled to the housing, or the mouthpiece, wherein the conical flange is disposed such that the conical flange tapers inwardly along a first direction extending from the first end portion of the conical flange to the second end portion of the conical flange, wherein the first end portion of the conical flange abuts an interior wall of the chamber, and (2) a one-way valve element disposed at the second end portion of the conical flange, the one-way valve element is integral with the conical flange, the one-way valve element is movable to selectively permit or impede fluid flow, wherein no portion of the valved holding chamber downstream of the housing intersects the fluid flow path perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing.