초록 ▼

A metered dose inhaler (10) for use with a pressurized aerosol canister (18) includes a housing (12) defining a conduit (16) with a mouthpiece (56), and an actuator (26) with a nozzle discharge orifice (30) arranged to discharge aerosol into the conduit. An air tube (34) is arranged within the condu

A metered dose inhaler (10) for use with a pressurized aerosol canister (18) includes a housing (12) defining a conduit (16) with a mouthpiece (56), and an actuator (26) with a nozzle discharge orifice (30) arranged to discharge aerosol into the conduit. An air tube (34) is arranged within the conduit with an inlet (38) of the air tube formed in the conduit wall (74) and an outlet (36) of the air tube in opposing relationship with the nozzle orifice. Inhalation through the mouthpiece causes air to be drawn into the inlet and flow out of the outlet of the air tube to form an air jet which impinges on an oppositely moving aerosol plume from the orifice. Auxiliary air inlets (46) in the closed end (24) of the conduit provide a boundary layer flow along the inner wall (44) of the conduit. Vortex generators (54) on the inner wall of the conduit add vorticity and turbulence to the boundary layer flow.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [5.] An aerosol flow control apparatus comprising:a housing including a generally tubular conduit having an inner wall and an open end;a medication dispenser assembly disposed within the housing and adapted to dispense a dose of aerosolized medication into the conduit; anda pl

[ What is claimed is:] [5.] An aerosol flow control apparatus comprising:a housing including a generally tubular conduit having an inner wall and an open end;a medication dispenser assembly disposed within the housing and adapted to dispense a dose of aerosolized medication into the conduit; anda plurality of vortex generators mounted on the inner wall of the conduit downstream of the medication dispenser, the vortex generators establish circumferential swirling turbulent boundary layer air flow along the inner wall of the conduit upon an air flow being established through the open end of the conduit.