Inspiring Spacer

Current Spacer systems on the market work only with MDI inhalers where their capacity to improve inhaled delivery of aerosolised drug into the lungs is limited. The confined space causes high impaction and particle retention rate, aerosol loss through the valve, and persisting requirements for optimal timing and technique results in highly variable and often ineffective doses delivered from these spacers. The patient / parent / observer also has no reference as to whether or not the drug has been inhaled.

Virtually all jet or vibrating mesh Nebuliser Systems (excluding expensive breath actuated nebulisers) are open-circuit systems where all aerosolised drug produced while the user is breathing out is lost to the outside environment (known as fugitive aerosol), resulting in wastage of up to two-thirds of the drug placed in the nebuliser. This potentially toxic fugitive aerosol is a safety concern for family members and hospital staff by contaminating the users environment, and increasing the risk of spread of infection from the user to nearby persons.

Medical Device Design and Development: Inhaled Drug Delivery Device

Complete Product Development: Industrial Design + Mechanical Engineering

During exhalation, the valve system in the mouthpiece prevents exhaled air from re-entering the reservoir by directing it to the outside. This allows the reservoir to re-expand and refill with aerosol in readiness for the next inhalation. This simple principle addresses the deficiencies of current spacers, resulting in dramatically improved ease-of-use, safety, efficiency, and consistency of drug delivery performance.

Another issue with existing spacers is portability and the knock on effects this has on compliance with using the device. As by its very nature the USS reservoir is collapsible, it can easily be stored in it’s accompanying carry case and transported discreetly.