Patent ID: 7445006

Claim:
An accessory for an aerosol inhalation system comprising: a main conduit body having an outlet end for placement close to a mouth of a patient; a first leg conduit in fluid communication with the main conduit body an extending therefrom and including a distal end; a second leg conduit in fluid communication with the main conduit body and extending therefrom and including a distal end, the second leg conduit being spaced apart from the first leg conduit; a first port formed as part of the first leg conduit for attachment to a device that generates aerosol particles as a means for delivering medication to the patient; a second port formed as part of the first leg conduit; a third port formed as part of the second leg conduit; a holding chamber having a first compartment and a second compartment separated from the first compartment, with the first compartment being sealingly and fluidly coupled to the second port and the second compartment being sealingly and fluidly coupled to the third port, the holding chamber being separate from the device that generates aerosol particles; a supplemental gas port in fluid communication with the second compartment and for attachment to a supplemental gas source that delivers a prescribed amount of gas to the second compartment for storage therein and for being inhaled by the patient, the first and second compartments being connected to the first and second legs, respectively; and an arrangement of valves such that when the patient exhales, the first leg conduit is sealingly closed off from the main conduit body and the second leg conduit resulting in the aerosol particles flowing into and being held in the first compartment of the holding chamber and when the patient exhales, the first compartment is sealed off from the main conduit and the second compartment is sealed off from the main conduit to cause the supplemental gas to be stored in the second compartment and exhaled gas is prevented from flowing into the second compartment as the patient exhales and instead the exhaled gas flows through the main conduit and the second leg conduit where it is vented therefrom and conversely, when the patient inhales, the first leg conduit is opened to the main conduit body and in fluid communication with the second leg conduit resulting in the aerosol particles delivered through the first port being delivered to the patient, the arrangement of valves including an inhalation valve located within the first leg between the main conduit body and the second port and an exhalation valve for venting exhaled gas from the patient, wherein the first compartment is located such that gas containing the aerosol particles enters the first leg, flows into the first compartment and when the inhalation valve is opened, the gas with aerosol particles flows into the main conduit body, the second compartment being located and operatively connected to the main conduit so that it receives and stores the supplemental gas that is also delivered to the patient when the patient inhales.