Portable universal inhaler system

Abstract

A portable universal inhaler system formed from an outer part and an inner part slidably received in the outer part. The inner part defines a compartment for receiving a medication canister and includes a universal connector for making a fluid dispensing connection to a variety of commercially available canisters. The inner and outer parts, when assembled, together form a housing that defines a chamber of sufficient volume to house a metered dose of medication. A mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location is provided in fluid communication with the chamber for permitting inhalation of medication from the chamber. The structure of the device makes it compact and portable, in the closed position, allows for storage of a medication canister in operative engagement with the device, and provides a convenient way to dispense medication, using a medication canister and a chamber, for inhalation by a user.

1 . An inhaler system which comprises,
 an outer part,   an inner part adapted to be slidably received in said outer part, said inner part comprising a compartment of sufficient size to receive a medication canister and a connector for operatively connecting to said medication canister for dispensing of a metered dose of medication from the canister,   said inner and outer parts together forming a housing that defines a chamber of sufficient volume to hold a metered dose of medication, said chamber being in fluid communication with said connector, and   one of said inner and outer parts including a mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location in fluid communication with said chamber for permitting inhalation of medication from said chamber via said mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location.   
     
     
         2 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inner part is adapted to slide a sufficient distance, relative to said outer part, to permit insertion of a canister into said compartment without disengaging said inner part from said outer part. 
     
     
         3 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said connector is a universal connector. 
     
     
         4 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a counter located on said housing for providing an indication of the number of metered doses dispensed from a canister. 
     
     
         5 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a flow meter for providing an indication of a flow rate of fluid from said chamber to said mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location. 
     
     
         6 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a cover releasably attached to said inner part. 
     
     
         7 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said cover includes a surface provided with information thereon. 
     
     
         8 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said cover is pivotally attached to said inner part. 
     
     
         9 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said cover includes structure for covering the mouthpiece or mouthpiece attachment location. 
     
     
         10 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inhaler system further comprises mixing structure located between said connector and said chamber. 
     
     
         11 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said mixing structure comprises a plurality of baffles. 
     
     
         12 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said mixing structure comprises a swirler. 
     
     
         13 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said mixing structure comprises a swirler. 
     
     
         14 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said swirler is mounted for rotational movement about an axis of said swirler. 
     
     
         15 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inner part further comprises a handle to facilitate sliding said inner part relative to said outer part to move said inhaler system from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         16 . An inhaler system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said inner part comprises at least two compartments for receiving canisters.