Patent ID: 6026808
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
In an aerosol flow control apparatus having a housing defining a conduit with a longitudinally extending inner wall and an open end adapted to be inserted into the mouth ot a user and a substantially closed end remote from the open end, and a medication dispenser supported in the housing-and arranged to dispense a dose of aerosolized medication into the conduit, a method for delivering a dose of the medication through the open end of the conduit as a dispersed aerosol, comprising the steps of:discharging a dose of the medication from the medication dispenser to form a plume of aerosolized medication within the conduit; andat least during the discharging step, providing an auxiliary air flow along the inner wall of the conduit by an inspiratory effort exerted on the open end of the conduit, the auxiliary air flow being drawn through a plurality of air inlets formed through the substantially closed end of the conduit and thence over a plurality of vortex generators mounted on the inner wall, whereby a downstream of the medication dispenser circumferential swirling turbulent boundary layer flow is created along the inner wall of the conduit to reduce impaction and adhesion of medication thereon.