Aerosol delivery apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and method for performing positive pressure (PP) therapy alone or in combination with an aerosol delivery apparatus. The positive pressure apparatus includes a positive pressure valve having a continuously variable respiratory window. The PP valve may be associated with a patient respiratory system interface alone, such as, but not limited to, a mask or mouthpiece, or in combination with an aerosol delivery apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A positive respiratory pressure apparatus comprising:
 a patient respiratory system interface; 
 a one-way valve positionable in the patient respiratory interface and configured to pass a fluid traveling in a predetermined direction from a first side to a second side of the one-way valve; and 
 wherein the patient respiratory system interface comprises a bypass window integral with, and defined by, the patient respiratory interface, the bypass window positioned adjacent the one-way valve, and wherein the patient respiratory interface further comprises a window opening adjustment mechanism movably disposed in the patient respiratory system interface and operable to change a size of an opening between the patient respiratory system interface and ambient air outside of the patient respiratory system interface, whereby the bypass window and window opening adjustment mechanism cooperate to selectively create one of a plurality of fluid resistances. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bypass window and window opening adjustment mechanism are configured to cooperate with the one-way valve to provide an inspiratory pressure at the patient respiratory system interface. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bypass window and window opening adjustment mechanism are movable into a plurality of overlapping positions. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the window opening adjustment mechanism comprises a tapered portion, and wherein the size of the opening is defined by an overlap position of the tapered portion relative to the bypass window. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the window opening adjustment mechanism is movable to overlap an edge wall of the bypass window at a non-perpendicular angle. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid traveling in the predetermined direction comprises inhaled gas and the one-way valve comprises a one-way inhalation valve, and wherein the one-way inhalation valve is configured to cooperate with the bypass window and window opening adjustment mechanism to create a positive expiratory pressure at the patient respiratory system interface. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the window opening adjustment mechanism is positioned over the bypass window. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the window opening adjustment mechanism is positioned beneath the bypass window. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bypass window comprises an opening in a curved wall formed in the patient respiratory interface, and the window opening adjustment mechanism is movably positioned adjacent the opening in the circular wall. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the opening defined by the bypass window and window opening adjustment mechanism is continuously adjustable between a first exhalation resistance and a second exhalation resistance. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patient respiratory system interface comprises a mouthpiece. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patient respiratory system interface comprises a mask. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patient respiratory system interface is integrally formed with a metered dose inhaler. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the patient respiratory system interface defines a circular opening at a proximal end. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the patient respiratory system interface defines an oblong opening at a proximal end. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the bypass window is oriented perpendicular to the one-way valve. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve comprises a duck-bill valve. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve comprises an annular valve. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an aerosol delivery apparatus in fluid communication with the patient respiratory interface. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the aerosol delivery apparatus comprises a nebulizer. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the aerosol delivery apparatus comprises an aerosol holding chamber. 
     
     
       22. A respiratory apparatus comprising:
 a holding chamber extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising input and output ends;   a mouthpiece in fluid communication with and connected to said output end, wherein said mouthpiece comprises:
 a first annular wall arranged around and defining an inhalation passageway and extending longitudinally away from an output end of said mouthpiece and towards said holding chamber in said longitudinal direction, said first annular wall having an inner side surface and an outer side surface, wherein said first annular wall has a window formed therein, wherein said window is formed by a notch defined in an edge of said first annular wall, and wherein said inner side surface of said annular wall defines an entirety of an exhaust conduit upstream of said window; 
 a second annular wall disposed laterally outwardly of said first annular wall and forming a gap between said first and second annular walls; 
 a one-way inhalation valve member disposed in said inhalation passageway; and 
 a flow control member extending in said longitudinal direction and positioned in said gap between said first and second annular walls immediately adjacent said outer side surface of said first annular wall, wherein said flow control member is moveable between a first position, wherein at least a portion of said window is open such that exhaust gases can escape through said window during exhalation, and a second position, wherein said flow control member is positioned over and closes said window. 
   
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said one-way inhalation valve member is configured as a duck-bill valve. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mouthpiece comprises a patient interface component and a connector component, wherein said connector component is coupled to said output end of said holding chamber.  
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said one-way inhalation valve comprises a base portion.  
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said base portion is secured between said patient interface component and said connector component.  
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said first annular wall seals against said base portion of said one-way inhalation valve member.  
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said patient interface component and said connector component are releasably connected.  
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said patient interface component and said connector component are releasably connected with a snap-fit.  
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mouthpiece comprises a first opening mating with said holding chamber and a second opening axially spaced from said first opening, wherein said second opening is smaller than said first opening.  
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein a portion of said mouthpiece has a dome- shaped interior surface.  
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mouthpiece comprises a mask.  
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a backpiece disposed at said input end, said backpiece having an opening shaped and adapted to receive a metered dose inhaler.