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: An endotracheal tube for insertion into a patient's trachea includes a drug delivery feature and is formed of an elongated body having a proximal end for connection to a ventilator device and an opposing distal end with a bore formed therein and terminating in at least one ventilation opening. The tube also has at least one drug delivery conduit formed in the elongated body and terminating at one end with a proximal opening and at an opposite end with a distal opening. The proximal opening is adapted to be fluidly connected to a drug delivery device adapter, wherein the at least one drug delivery conduit is separated from the bore along its entire length thereof from the proximal opening to the distal opening. The distal opening is formed at the distal end of the elongated body and is located closer to the distal end than the ventilation opening.

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: Current methods of drug administration to the lungs are inefficient. ‘Endotracheal Tube with Aerosol Delivery Apparatus III’ is specifically designed for uniform intrapulmonary delivery of aerosolized medication in patients on mechanical ventilation. As opposed to the current methods of drug delivery where aerosol particles are generated at the proximal end of the ETT, with majority of the particles adhering to the endotracheal tube during delivery, this invention bypasses the endotracheal tube by generating aerosol particles at its distal end. The invention consists of two coaxial hollow tubes fused to each other. The inner coaxial tube and/or one or more secondary cannulation(s) in the wall of the outer coaxial tube terminate at proximal and as MDI adapters and at the distal tip as a single or multiple micrometric orifices.

Abstract: Current methods of drug administration to the lungs are inefficient. ‘Endotracheal Tube with Aerosol Delivery Apparatus II’ is specifically designed for uniform intrapulmonary delivery of aerosolized medication in patients on mechanical ventilation. As opposed to the current methods of drug delivery where aerosol particles are generated at the proximal end of the ETT, with majority of the particles adhering to the endotracheal tube during delivery, this invention bypasses the endotracheal tube by generating aerosol particles at its distal end. This invention incorporates 1 to 6 (preferably 4 to 6) secondary cannulations in the wall of the ETT with pinhole terminal orifices at the distal tip of the ETT arranged symmetrically. The secondary cannulations continue proximally as semi-flexible tubules that terminate as MDI adapters to fit the nozzle of MDI canister. This device generates 1-6 aerosol plumes.

Abstract: Current methods of drug administration to the lungs are inefficient. ‘Aerosol Delivery Apparatus’ in specifically designed for uniform intrapulmonary deposition of aerosolized medication in patients on mechanical ventilation. As opposed to the current methods of drug delivery where aerosol particles are generated at the proximal end of the ET tube, with majority of the particles adhering to the endotracheal tube during delivery, this invention bypasses the endotracheal tube by generating aerosol particles at its distal end. This invention incorporates a medicament dispenser with an adapter (MDA) to perfectly fit the nozzle of a conventional metered dose inhaler and an L-shaped ventilator connector with adapter (VCA) to fit MDA. From the distal end of MDA adapter originates a semi-rigid cannula with a narrow lumen that terminates as a pinhole opening distally where aerosol particles are generated on actuation of MDI valve.

Abstract: Current methods of drug administration to the lungs are inefficient. ‘Endotracheal Tube with Aerosol Delivery Apparatus’ is specifically designed for uniform intrapulmonary deposition of aerosolized medication in patients on mechanical ventilation. As opposed to the current methods of drug delivery where aerosol particles are generated at the proximal end of the ET tube, with majority of the particles adhering to the endotracheal tube during delivery, this invention bypasses the endotracheal tube by generating aerosol particles at its distal end. This invention incorporates an external adapter designed to perfectly fit the nozzle of the conventional metered dose inhaler at it's proximal end. From the distal end of this adapter originates a secondary cannula with a pinhole inner diameter that enter the ET tube at its proximal end and continues distally within the wall of the ET tube to terminate as a pinhole opening, where aerosol particles are generated.