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 disposed on the output end of the holding chamber, the patient respiratory system interface comprising a mouthpiece portion and a retainer portion, wherein the mouthpiece portion comprises a first wall having inner and outer surfaces and a second wall having inner and outer surfaces, wherein the inner surface of the first wall is laterally spaced apart from the outer surface of the second wall so as to form a gap between the first and second walls, the first wall extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a cavity surrounding the longitudinal flow axis, and the second wall extending in the longitudinal direction and having an end defining a first sealing surface, wherein the retainer portion defines a second sealing surface, wherein the second wall of the mouthpiece portion defines an expiratory path window and wherein the second sealing surface of the retainer portion is disposed in the cavity; and   an inhalation flow control member disposed in the cavity and comprising a circumferential valve seat member lying orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and seated between the first and second sealing surfaces.   
     
     
       23. 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 disposed on the output end of the holding chamber, the patient respiratory system interface comprising a mouthpiece portion and a retainer portion, wherein the mouthpiece portion comprises an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a cavity surrounding the longitudinal flow axis, and the inner wall extending in the longitudinal direction and having an end defining a first sealing surface, wherein the retainer portion defines a second sealing surface, wherein the inner wall of the mouthpiece portion defines an expiratory path window and wherein the second sealing surface of the retainer portion is disposed in the cavity;   an inhalation flow control member disposed in the cavity and comprising a circumferential valve seat member lying orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and seated between the first and second sealing surfaces; and   an exhalation flow control member separate from the inhalation flow control member and moveably coupled to the mouthpiece portion of the patient respiratory system interface, wherein the exhalation flow control member extends in the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
       24. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the inhalation flow control member comprises a duck-bill valve. 
     
     
       25. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer portion comprises an annular wall extending longitudinally from an end of the first wall of the mouthpiece portion toward the output end of the holding chamber, the annular wall fitting over and mating the output end of the holding chamber. 
     
     
       26. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer portion is releasably coupled to the mouthpiece portion. 
     
     
       27. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer portion is coupled to the mouthpiece portion with a snap-fit. 
     
     
       28. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the retainer portion comprises tabs received in apertures formed in the mouthpiece portion such that the retainer portion is coupled to the mouthpiece portion. 
     
     
       29. The respiratory apparatus of claim 23 wherein the mouthpiece portion comprises a front wall facing the user and extending transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the exhalation flow control member comprises a portion extending through the front wall of the mouthpiece portion so as to be exposed to a user. 
     
     
       30. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 wherein the mouthpiece and retainer portions are permanently joined. 
     
     
       31. The respiratory apparatus of claim 30 wherein the mouthpiece and retainer portions are bonded. 
     
     
       32. The respiratory apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a backpiece coupled to the input end of the holding chamber. 
     
     
       33. The respiratory apparatus of claim 32 further comprising an aerosol delivery device containing a medicament coupled to the backpiece of the holding chamber. 
     
     
       34. The respiratory apparatus of claim 33 wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a pressurized metered dose inhaler. 
     
     
       35. The respiratory apparatus of claim 25 wherein the annular wall is non-circular.