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 having an input end and an output end and defining a longitudinal flow axis therebetween, the longitudinal flow axis extending in a longitudinal direction;   a patient respiratory system interface comprising a mouthpiece member and a retainer member, wherein the retainer member is disposed adjacent the output end of the holding chamber and wherein the mouthpiece member comprises an annular wall extending in a longitudinal direction and surrounding the longitudinal flow axis;   an inhalation flow control member positionable in the patient respiratory interface between the mouthpiece member and the retainer member, wherein the inhalation flow control member is self-contained in the patient respiratory system interface and is sealed between the mouthpiece member and the retainer member; and   an exhalation flow control member separate from the inhalation flow control member and moveably coupled to the mouthpiece member of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein the exhalation flow control member extends in the longitudinal direction;   wherein the patient respiratory system interface comprises an expiratory path window integral with, and defined by, the mouthpiece member of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein the expiratory path window is formed in the annular wall of the mouthpiece member, and wherein the exhalation flow control member is moveable between a first position, wherein at least a portion of the expiratory path window is open such that exhaust gases can escape through the expiratory path window during exhalation, and a second position, wherein the exhalation flow control member is positioned over and closes the expiratory path window.    
     
     
       23. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the inhalation flow control member comprises a duck-bill valve.  
     
     
       24. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer member comprises an annular wall fitting over and mating with an annular shoulder formed on the output end of the holding chamber.  
     
     
       25. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer member is releasably coupled to the mouthpiece member.  
     
     
       26. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer member is coupled to the mouthpiece member with a snap-fit.  
     
     
       27. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer member is coupled to the mouthpiece member with a friction fit.  
     
     
       28. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the mouthpiece and retainer members are permanently joined.  
     
     
       29. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 further comprising an aerosol delivery device containing a medicament coupled to the input end of the holding chamber.  
     
     
       30. The respiratory apparatus of claim 29 wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a pressurized metered dose inhaler.  
     
     
       31. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the annular wall is non-circular.  
     
     
       32. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the exhalation flow control member comprises a retaining portion secured to the mouthpiece member.  
     
     
       33. The respiratory apparatus of claim 32 wherein the retaining portion comprises a ridge fitting into a channel formed in the mouthpiece member.  
     
     
       34. The respiratory apparatus of claim 32 wherein the exhalation flow control member extends in the longitudinal direction from said retaining portion toward the input end of the holding chamber.  
     
     
       35. A respiratory apparatus comprising:
 a holding chamber having an input end and an output end and defining a longitudinal flow axis therebetween, the longitudinal flow axis extending in a longitudinal direction;   a patient respiratory system interface comprising a mouthpiece member and a retainer member, wherein the retainer member is disposed adjacent the output end of the holding chamber, wherein the mouthpiece member comprises an annular wall extending in a longitudinal direction and surrounding the longitudinal flow axis, and wherein the mouthpiece member comprises a front wall facing the user and extending transverse to the longitudinal direction;   an inhalation flow control member positionable in the patient respiratory interface between the mouthpiece member and the retainer member; and   an exhalation flow control member separate from the inhalation flow control member and moveably coupled to the mouthpiece member of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein the exhalation flow control member extends in the longitudinal direction;   wherein the patient respiratory system interface comprises an expiratory path window integral with, and defined by, the mouthpiece member of the patient, respiratory system interface, wherein the expiratory path window is formed in the annular wall of the mouthpiece member, and wherein the exhalation flow control member is moveable between a first position, wherein at least a portion of the expiratory path window is open such that exhaust gases can escape through the expiratory path window during exhalation, and a second position, wherein the exhalation flow control member is positioned over and closes the expiratory path window, and wherein the exhalation flow control member comprises a portion extending through the front wall of the mouthpiece member so as to be exposed to a user.    
     
     
       36. The respiratory apparatus of claim 28 wherein the mouthpiece and retainer members are bonded.  
     
     
       37. A respiratory apparatus comprising:
 a holding chamber having an input end and an output end and defining a longitudinal flow axis therebetween, the longitudinal flow axis extending in a longitudinal direction;   a patient respiratory system interface comprising a mouthpiece member and a retainer member, wherein the retainer member is disposed adjacent to the output end of the holding chamber;   an inhalation flow control member positionable in the patient respiratory interface between the mouthpiece member and the retainer member, wherein the inhalation flow control member is self-contained in the patient respiratory system interface and is sealed between the mouthpiece member and the retainer member, the inhalation flow control member comprising a base portion having a center hole, wherein said base portion remains stationary relative to the longitudinal direction during inhalation; and   an exhalation flow control member separate from the inhalation flow control member and moveably coupled to the mouthpiece member of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein the exhalation flow control member extends in the longitudinal direction:   wherein the patient respiratory system interface comprises an expiratory path window integral with, and defined by, the mouthpiece member of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein said expiratory path window is formed in a wall extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the exhalation flow control member is moveable between a first position, wherein at least a portion of the expiratory path window is open such that exhaust gases can escape through the expiratory path window during exhalation, and a second position, wherein the exhalation flow control member is positioned over and closes the expiratory path window.    
     
     
       38. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 wherein the inhalation flow control member comprises a duck-bill opening downstream of the center hole during inhalation.  
     
     
       39. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 wherein the retainer member comprises an annular wall fitting over and mating with an annular shoulder formed on the output end of the holding chamber.  
     
     
       40. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 wherein the retainer member is releasable coupled to the mouthpiece member.  
     
     
       41. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 wherein the retainer member is coupled to the mouthpiece member with a snap-fit.  
     
     
       42. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 wherein the retainer member is coupled to the mouthpiece member with a friction fit.  
     
     
       43. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 wherein the mouthpiece and retainer members are permanently joined.  
     
     
       44. The respiratory apparatus of claim 43 wherein the mouthpiece and retainer members are bonded.  
     
     
       45. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 further comprising an aerosol delivery device containing a medicament coupled to the input end of the holding chamber.  
     
     
       46. The respiratory apparatus of claim 50 wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a pressurized metered dose inhaler.  
     
     
       47. The respiratory apparatus of claim 37 wherein the exhalation flow control member comprises a retaining portion secured to the mouthpiece member.  
     
     
       48. The respiratory apparatus of claim 47 wherein the retaining portion comprises a ridge fitting into a channel formed in the mouthpiece member.  
     
     
       49. The respiratory apparatus of claim 47 wherein the exhalation flow control member extends in the longitudinal direction from said retaining portion toward the input end of the holding chamber.  
     
     
       50. A respiratory apparatus comprising:
 a holding chamber having an input end and an output end and defining a longitudinal flow axis therebetween, the longitudinal flow axis extending in a longitudinal direction;   a patient respiratory system interface comprising a mouthpiece member and a retainer member, wherein the retainer member is disposed adjacent to the output end of the holding chamber, and wherein wherein the mouthpiece member comprises a front wall facing the user and extending transverse to the longitudinal direction;   an inhalation flow control member positionable in the patient respiratory interface between the mouthpiece member and the retainer member, the inhalation flow control member comprising a base portion having a center hole, wherein said base portion remains stationary relative to the longitudinal direction during inhalation and   an exhalation flow control member separate from the inhalation flow control member and moveably coupled to the mouthpiece member of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein the exhalation flow control member extends in the longitudinal direction;   wherein the patient respiratory system interface comprises an expiratory path window integral with, and defined by, the mouthpiece portion of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein said expiratory path window is formed in a wall extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the exhalation flow control member is moveable between a first position, wherein at least a portion of the expiratory path window is open such that exhaust gases can escape through the expiratory path window during exhalation, and a second position, wherein the exhalation flow control member is positioned over and closes the expiratory path window, and wherein the exhalation flow control member comprises a portion extending through the front wall of the mouthpiece member so as to be exposed to a user.