Aerosol medication inhalation system
An apparatus for use in conjunction with a metered dose inhaler which includes a novel valve system to aid in the delivery of aerosolized medicament to a subject. The apparatus also includes a novel rotational flow generator to aid in the useable delivery of said medication and avoid its loss either in the apparatus or by non-useful delivery to said subject.
1. A medication delivery apparatus comprising:
an antistatic holding chamber comprising a material having a surface resistivity that reduces a risk of resistance to medicament flow, wherein said holding chamber has an input end and an output end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis;
a patient interface component connected to said output end and comprising an interior surface defining a flow passage; and
a one-way valve disposed adjacent said output end, said one-way valve moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said one-way valve has a central opening when in said open position, said central opening having a flow path along said longitudinal axis, wherein no portion of said interior surface of said patient interface component downstream of said one-way valve intersects said flow path in an orthogonal relationship, so as to facilitate an unobstructed flow from the antistatic holding chamber to a patient.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a backpiece separate from said holding chamber and comprising an elastomeric material having a surface resistivity that reduces a risk of resistance to medicament flow, wherein said backpiece is connected to said input end of said holding chamber.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said backpiece comprises an opening formed therethrough, said opening shaped and adapted to receive a portion of a pressurized metered does inhaler.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second antistatic component separate from said holding chamber and comprising a material having a surface resistivity that reduces a risk of resistance to medicament flow, and wherein said second antistatic component is connected to said holding chamber.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said second antistatic component comprises said patient interface component connected to said output end of said holding chamber.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said second antistatic component comprises a backpiece connected to said input end of said holding chamber.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said backpiece comprises an elastomeric material.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said backpiece comprises an opening formed therethrough, said opening shaped and adapted to receive a portion of a pressurized metered dose inhaler.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said patient interface component comprises a mouthpiece.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said interior surface of said mouthpiece is not antistatic.