Patent ID: 7861713

Claim:
An aerosol inhalation system comprising: a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient; a first holding chamber for holding the aerosol particles prior to deliver to the first conduit member; and a valve mechanism associated with the first conduit member and including a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly, the first valve assembly being positionable between an open position and a closed position where the fluid is prevented from flowing between the first holding chamber and the first conduit member as when the patient exhales, the first valve assembly assuming the open position as the patient inhales, the second valve assembly being positionable between an open position where the first conduit member is vented to atmosphere as when the patient exhales and a closed position when the patient inhales and the first valve assembly opens, and a first device in fluid communication with the first holding chamber for producing the aerosol particles and being sealingly yet releasably received within an adapter that forms an entrance into the first holding chamber, the adapter having a compressible material disposed thereon which is at least partially compressed by insertion of the first device to form the seal between the first device and the adapter; wherein the aerosol inhalation apparatus is a closed system and is therefore capable of delivering a fixed concentration of the medication to the patient due to the second valve assembly being closed when the patient inhales and the medication is delivered to the patient; wherein the adapter is a hollow structure with a side wall that defines a bore formed therethrough, the wall having an inner surface, with the compressible material being formed at least one an inner surface of the side wall of the adapter; the side wall extending outwardly from a main wall and has an inner diameter that is greater than a diameter of an opening formed in the main wall that is axially aligned with the bore so as to form a shoulder between the side wall and main wall which defines a floor for locating and supporting the compressible material, wherein an upper edge of the side wall includes an inwardly directed annular lip that defines a ceiling and overlies the floor and serves to locate and support the compressible material.