Spacer for delivery of medications from an inhaler to children and breathing impaired patients

摘要

A spacer for delivering a medication spray from a metered dose inhaler includes a first conical body joined to a second conical body, forming a continuous spray conduit through first and second internal chambers of the respective first and second conical bodies. A mouthpiece is formed in the small diameter (proximal) end of the first conical body. A spray inlet for attachment to an MDI or similar device is formed at the large diameter (distal) end of the second conical body. A plurality of air inlets are placed downstream of the medication inlet proximate to, or in, the large diameter distal end surface of the first conical body. During use, high-pressure recirculation zones are created in the first and second chambers, near the spray inlet and the air inlets, and an air jacket is created along the inner surface of the wall of the first conical body. This forces the medication spray through the spacer into a defined, central airflow path through the spray conduit, minimizing particle deposition by contact with the walls of the spacer.