Abstract: A device for use in an aerosol inhalation system for delivering aerosolized medication includes a housing that is operatively connected to a source of aerosolized medication such that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the housing. The device also includes a patient interface member removably connected to the housing and being separate therefrom. The patient interface member is in the form of a face mask for placement about a face of the patient and in communication with a mouth of the patient for delivering the aerosolized medication. The patient interface member incorporates an integral inhalation valve and safety feature for protecting against displacement of the inhaltation valve.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system also includes 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 a first holding chamber. The adapter has 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, thereby creating a closed system that is therefore capable of delivering a fixed concentration of the medication to the patient due to a valve of the valve mechanism being closed when the patient inhales and the medication is delivered to the patient.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system includes 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. The system also includes 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 has 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.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a single source of gas; a connector and an accessory having a main conduit body. A nebulizer is sealingly and removably coupled to the main conduit body. A supplemental gas inlet port is in fluid communication with the connector for introducing a flow of supplemental gas from the single gas source to the patient under select conditions. The gas from the gas source that flows to the supplemental gas inlet port passes through a flow metering member that is remote from the supplemental gas inlet port that controls the flow rate of the supplemental gas to the patient interface. The flow rate of the gas through the supplemental gas inlet port is different than a gas flow rate into the nebulizer for generating the aerosolized medication.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a ventilator system includes (a) a ventilator device having an inhalation port and exhalation port; (b) a patient conduit for delivering to and removing gas from the patient; (c) an exhalation conduit fluidly connected to the exhalation port and the patient conduit; (d) an inhalation conduit fluidly connected to the inhalation port and the patient conduit; and (e) a device for generating aerosolized medication, the device being fluidly connected to the inhalation conduit so that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the patient as the patient inhales. According to the present invention, at least the inhalation conduit has a variable length to position the device for generating aerosolized medication a predetermined distance from the patient conduit.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system also includes 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 a first holding chamber. The adapter has 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, thereby creating a closed system that is therefore capable of delivering a fixed concentration of the medication to the patient due to a valve of the valve mechanism being closed when the patient inhales and the medication is delivered to the patient.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a single source of gas and a Y-connector having a first port in fluid communication with the gas source via a conduit. The system also has an accessory having a main conduit body that fluidly connected to the Y-connector via a conduit to permit gas from the single source to flow through the main conduit body. The accessory includes a patient interface conduit that delivers aerosolized medication to a mouth of the patient. A nebulizer is sealingly and removably disposed within the main conduit body and includes a gas inlet port that is fluidly connected to the Y-connector to permit gas from the single source to flow into the nebulizer to create the aerosolized medication that is delivered into the main conduit body and to the patient through the patient interface conduit.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an accessory for an aerosol inhalation system includes a main conduit body having an outlet end for placement close to a mouth of a patient, and first and second leg conduits that are in fluid communication with the main conduit body. The accessory further includes 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 one port associated with the first leg conduit and the second compartment is sealingly and fluidly coupled to a port associated with the second leg conduit. An arrangement of valves is provided for directing fluid along prescribed flow paths depending on whether the patient inhales or exhales.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol inhalation system including an accessory is defined by a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient, as well as a first holding chamber for holding the aerosol particles prior to deliver to the first conduit member. The accessory includes a valve mechanism associated with the first conduit member and including a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly. The aerosol inhalation system includes at least one device in fluid communication with the first holding chamber for producing the aerosol particles. For example, the device can be either an MDI, a nebulizer or both devices can be used simultaneously. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol inhalation system is a closed system and is therefore capable of delivering a fixed concentration of the medication to the patient, thereby overcoming the above deficiencies that are associated with the prior art devices.

Abstract: A device for use in an aerosol inhalation system for delivering aerosolized medication includes a means for generating aerosolized medication and a housing that is operatively connected to the means for generating aerosolized medication such that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the housing. The device also includes a patient interface member removably connected to the housing and being separate therefrom. The patient interface member is for placement about a face of the patient and in communication with a mouth of the patient for delivering the aerosolized medication. The patient interface member incorporates a first flow control means that is positionable between an open position where aerosolized medication flows into an interior of the patient interface member when the patient inhales and a closed position when the patient exhales. The exhaled gas is vented from the interior through at least one vent port that is part of the patient interface member.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system includes 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. The system also includes 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 has 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.

Abstract: A device which forms a closed compartment for an expandable container to permit a vacuum to be created around the flexible container so as to reduce the pressure inside the container and thereby permit the transfer of fluid materials into the expandable container. The vacuum device is simple in its construction in that it comprises a cover and base member forming a compartment which houses the expandable container and through which a vacuum line is interconnected. In a preferred manner, the cover has a pocket which supports the expandable container and positions it in a slanted manner such that a sealable inlet port is in a raised position as it extends through the cover. The cover member also has means to release the vacuum in the compartment. As a further embodiment, an electrical inlet and outlet are provided in the base which by means of a switch can operate a vacuum pump in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cover.

Abstract: A device for use in an aerosol inhalation system for delivering aerosolized medication includes a housing that is operatively connected to a source of aerosolized medication such that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the housing. The device also includes a patient interface member removably connected to the housing and being separate therefrom. The patient interface member is in the form of a face mask for placement about a face of the patient and in communication with a mouth of the patient for delivering the aerosolized medication. The patient interface member incorporates an integral inhalation valve and safety feature for protecting against displacement of the inhaltation valve.