Antistatic medication delivery apparatus

Abstract

An aerosol medication delivery apparatus include a holding chamber having an input end and an output end and defining an interior space. In one embodiment, the holding chamber is antistatic and is made of a plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. In another embodiment, a component, such as a backpiece or mouthpiece, separate from the holding chamber, is antistatic and is made of a material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. The component is connected to the holding chamber, which may or may not be antistatic. In one embodiment, the component is made of an elastomeric material. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the holding chamber and/or component is see-through. Various methods for introducing an aerosol into the holding chamber at the input end thereof and inhaling the aerosol through the output end are also provided.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A medication delivery apparatus comprising:
 an holding chamber comprising a plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq, wherein said holding chamber has an input end and an output end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis;   a patient interface communicating with said output end, said patient interface and said holding chamber defining a flow path for an inhalation flow;   a viewing port located adjacent said flow path; and   a visual flow indicator visible through said viewing port and moveable between at least an at-rest position and an inhalation position so as to provide a visual cue about said inhalation flow.   
     
     
         48 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 47  further comprising a one-way valve disposed adjacent said output end, said one-way valve moveable between an open position allowing said inhalation flow and a closed position. 
     
     
         49 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 47  wherein said viewing port is coupled to said patient interface. 
     
     
         50 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said viewing port and said patient interface are integrally formed. 
     
     
         51 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 47  wherein said patient interface comprises a plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         52 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 47  wherein said viewing port comprises a see-through plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         53 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 47  wherein said plastic material comprises a polypropylene material. 
     
     
         54 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 47  wherein said plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, acetal, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene terephthalate glycol. 
     
     
         55 . The medication delivery apparatus of  claim 47  wherein said surface resistivity of said plastic material is between about 10E10 and about 10E11 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         56 . A method of delivering a medication comprising:
 introducing a medication into a holding chamber through an input end of said holding chamber, wherein said holding chamber comprises a plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq;   moving said medication through said holding chamber from said input end to an output end spaced from said input end along a longitudinal axis;   moving said medication from said output end to a patient interface;   inhaling said medication through said patient interface;   moving a visual indicator from an at-rest position to an inhalation position simultaneously with said inhaling said medication through said patient interface; and   viewing said visual indicator through a viewing port.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said moving said medication from said output end to said patient interface comprises moving said mediation through a one-way valve disposed adjacent said output end. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said viewing port is coupled to said patient interface. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58  wherein said viewing port and said patient interface are integrally formed. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said patient interface comprises a plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said viewing port comprises a see-through plastic material having a surface resistivity of between about 10E10 and about 10E12 ohm/sq. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said plastic material comprises a polypropylene material. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high density polyethylene, acetal, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene terephthalate glycol. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 56  wherein said surface resistivity of said plastic material is between about 10E10 and about 10E11 ohm/sq.