Abstract: A medication inhalation apparatus preferably formed of a single, unitary sheet of stock, includes an outer housing, movable between collapsed and expanded states, encompassing a first volume. An inner housing within the outer housing encompasses an inner or second volume. An inhaler opening to the first volume is within a wall of the outer housing at a first location. A mouth opening to the inner volume is within a wall of the outer housing and the inner housing at a second location. A one-way inhalation valve connecting the first volume and the inner volume is within a wall of the inner housing. A one-way exhalation valve connecting the inner volume and the exterior of the outer housing is within a wall of the outer housing and inner housing at a third location. The valve preferably includes an elongated spring body formed of a semi-pliant material with a strength and rigidity providing limited flexibility.

Abstract: A medication inhalation apparatus includes an outer housing, movable between collapsed and expanded states, encompassing a first volume. An inner housing within the outer housing encompasses an inner volume. An inhaler opening to the first volume is within a wall of the outer housing at a first location. A mouth opening to the inner volume is within a wall of the outer housing and the inner housing at a second location. A one-way inhalation valve connecting the first volume and the inner volume is within a wall of the inner housing. A one-way exhalation valve connecting the inner volume and the exterior of the outer housing is within a wall of the outer housing and inner housing at a third location. In the expanded state, gas flows from the inhaler to the first volume, the first volume to the inner volume, and the inner volume to a user's mouth.

Abstract: A medication inhalation apparatus formed of a single, unitary sheet of stock, includes an outer housing, movable between collapsed and expanded states, encompassing a first volume. An inner barrier within the outer housing delineates a second volume. An inhaler opening to the first volume is within a sidewall of the outer housing at a first location. A mouth opening to the second volume is within a sidewall of the outer housing at a second location. A one-way inhalation valve connecting the first volume and the second volume is formed from a sidewall of the inner barrier. A one-way exhalation valve connecting the second volume and the exterior of the outer housing is formed from a sidewall of the outer housing and inner barrier at a third location. In the expanded state, gas flows from the inhaler to the first volume, the first volume to the second volume, and the second volume to a user's mouth.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger for both conducting a stream of air produced by a ventilator to a moisturizing medium and internally bypassing the moisturizing medium if aerosolized medication is introduced into the stream includes a housing having a ventilator-side port coupled to an outlet of a ventilator and a source of aerosolized medication. The housing has a patient-side port for coupling to a patient to provide ventilation including either air or air carrying aerosolized medication. A first path conducts air from the ventilator-side port through the moisturizing medium and the patient-side port, and a second path conducts air carrying aerosolized medication from the ventilator-side port directly to the patient-side port. A two-way valve mechanism in the housing selectively couples the ventilator-side port into fluid communication with one or the other of the first and second paths.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger for both conducting a stream of air produced by a ventilator to a moisturizing medium and internally bypassing the moisturizing medium if aerosolized medication is introduced into the stream includes a housing having a ventilator-side port coupled to an outlet of a ventilator and a source of aerosolized medication. The housing has a patient-side port for coupling to a patient to provide ventilation including either air or air carrying aerosolized medication. A first path conducts air from the ventilator-side port through the moisturizing medium and the patient-side port, and a second path conducts air carrying aerosolized medication from the ventilator-side port directly to the patient-side port. A two-way valve mechanism in the housing selectively couples the ventilator-side port into fluid communication with one or the other of the first and second paths.

Abstract: A disposable, expandable/collapsible medication inhalation apparatus for use with an MDI inhaler includes an elongated housing for receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by the MDI inhaler, a mouthpiece, and an inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the housing. A pair of foldable side sections are pressed together to expand the apparatus. An exhalation port in the mouthpiece allows exhalation through the mouthpiece. A collapsible boot adapter receives a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler. The inhalation apparatus is constructed from a single sheet of foldable sheet material.

Abstract: A disposable, expandable/collapsible medication inhalation apparatus for use with an MDI inhaler includes an elongated housing for receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by the MDI inhaler, a mouthpiece, and an inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the housing. A pair of foldable side sections are pressed together to expand the apparatus. An exhalation port in the mouthpiece allows exhalation through the mouthpiece. A collapsible boot adapter receives a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler. The inhalation apparatus is constructed from a single sheet of foldable sheet material.

Abstract: An inexpensive, disposable, collapsible medication inhalation apparatus for use with an MDI inhaler includes an elongated housing for receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by the MDI inhaler, a mouthpiece, and an inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the housing. An exhalation port or valve in the mouthpiece allows exhalation through the mouthpiece, presenting very little resistance to the exhalation effort of the patient. An adapter receives and stabilizes a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler. The inhalation valve includes an inhalation flap hanging adjacent to a valve seat. Exhalation into the mouthpiece presses the inhalation flap against the valve seat, forcing exhaled gas through the exhalation port or valve. Inhalation causes the inhalation flap to swing away from the valve seat to open a path for the medication plume. In one embodiment, the entire inhalation apparatus is constructed from a single sheet of foldable sheet material.

Abstract: A medication inhalation apparatus for use with an MDI inhaler includes an elongated housing for receiving a plume of medication particles ejected by the MDI inhaler, a mouthpiece, and an inhalation valve disposed between the mouthpiece and the housing. An exhalation valve in the mouthpiece allows exhalation through the mouthpiece, presenting very little resistance to the exhalation effort of the patient. An adapter receives and stabilizes a mouthpiece of the MDI inhaler. The inhalation valve includes an inhalation membrane hanging adjacent to a valve seat. Exhalation into the mouthpiece presses the inhalation membrane against the valve seat, forcing exhaled gas through the exhalation valve. Inhalation causes the inhalation membrane to swing away from the valve seat and mostly out of a path of the medication plume. Impaction of medication particles against the inhalation membrane is avoided, and very little resistance is presented to the inhalation effort of the patient.

Abstract: A system for introducing a dose from a metered dose inhaler canister into the inspiratory stream (1B) of a ventilator system including an inspiratory tube (32), a Y connector (3), and an endotracheal tube (7) intubated in a patient, including a valved T connector (30) having a valved port (30A) and first (30B) and second (30C) ports coupled to conduct the inspiratory stream (1B) through the valved T connector, an MDI canister (14), and a nozzle adapter structure (31) having a first port (31A) for insertion into the valved port (31A) to open a valve thereof and a nozzle (31B) receiving a stem (14A) of the MDI canister (14) and ejecting a plume (17) of MDI medication particles upon activation of the MDI canister. A dry gas inlet (31D) receives dry gas which flows through the nozzle adapter structure (31) into the valved port (30A) and into the inspiratory stream (1B), and carries the plume from the nozzle adapter structure (31) through the valved port (30A) into the inspiratory stream (1B).

Abstract: A dispenser for medication from an MDI canister is connected into an inspiratory stream from a ventilator to the lungs of an intubated patient. The MDI canister valve is actuated so as to deliver a stream of medication-containing liquid propellant through a medication nozzle from which the liquid is simultaneously ejected in upstream and downstream directions through upstream and downstream exit ports, respectively. The two ejected streams of medication-containing liquid form expanding upstream and downstream plumes of rapidly evaporating medication-containing droplets. The upstream and downstream exit ports of the medication nozzle are sized such that few evaporating droplets of the expanding plumes reach the inner wall of the inspiratory path before they entirely evaporate. Therefore, a high percentage of medication particles become dry and are carried by the inspiratory air stream and efficiently delivered into the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: A disposable adapter valve inserted into a T connector in a ventilator hose allows connecting and disconnecting a nebulizer to the hose without loss of positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP). An integral press-on cap covers the open end of the adapter valve when the nebulizer or a drain container is not connected, preventing leakage of fluids and preventing contamination of the inner surface of the adapter valve by airborne bacteria and the like.