Patent ID: 6202643
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A medication inhalation apparatus, comprising:(a) a collapsible/expandable housing collapsible into a substantially flat configuration and expandable to bound a first volume, the first volume receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by an MDI inhaler;(b) a collapsible/expandable mouthpiece section disposed at a first opening of the housing and bounding a second volume, the mouthpiece section including a mouthpiece opening in an end of the mouthpiece section;(c) a one-way inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece opening and the first volume for allowing one-way flow of gas from the first volume to the mouthpiece opening; and(d) a boot adapter panel connected to an inlet end of the housing, and an opening for receiving a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler,the one-way inhalation valve including an inhalation flap and a valve seat, whereby an exhalation by a patient through the mouthpiece opening presses the inhalation flap against the valve seat to prevent flow of exhaled gas from the mouthpiece opening into the first volume, the exhaled gas flowing through an opening in the mouthpiece section between the oneway inhalation valve and the mouthpiece opening,inhalation through the mouthpiece opening causing a portion of the inhalation flap to move away from the valve seat to provide a path for the flow of gas from the first volume into the mouthpiece section.