Overview

Why is BPA Free Important?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a controversial chemical that is used to enhance the clarity and durability of some clear, plastic products. The use of BPA is the subject of discussion, research and public scrutiny as it may lead to negative health effects.1
Though current findings indicate low health risks from exposure to BPA, experts have been unable to come to an agreement regarding appropriate safe levels for consumer products.2  Nevertheless, the Government of Canada has taken steps to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles to reduce newborn and infant exposure.
Trudell Medical International has chosen to be proactive and manufacture the AeroChamber Plus* chambers with Flow-Vu* indicator without any BPA to eliminate any possible patient risk.  The medications taken with our chambers are critical to your health and it is our responsibility to lead in the development of innovative, consumer friendly products.

AeroChamber Plus* Valved Holding Chamber with Flow-Vu* Inspiratory Flow IndicatorWhat is the AeroChamber Plus* Valved Holding Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator?
The AeroChamber Plus* Valved Holding Chamber (or ‘chamber’) with Flow-Vu* Inspiratory Flow Indicator (or ‘indicator’) is a medical device designed to help improve delivery of pressurized metered dose inhaler (puffer) medications to your lungs.  It helps overcome the coordination problems many people have arising from the misuse of their inhaler.
The AeroChamber Plus* chamber with Flow-Vu* indicator may have either a mask or mouthpiece – and will hold the medication for a short time until you are ready to inhale it.  Without a chamber, medication may get trapped in your mouth or throat, which can leave a bad taste and often means that some of the medication isn't reaching your lungs.
Why use the AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator?
People who experience respiratory problems may be prescribed an inhaler to either control their symptoms or prevent future occurrences.  Aerosol medications are effective because they act quickly with few side effects, however many studies have shown that only a few people actually use their inhaler correctly.
To be most effective, the inhaler should be pressed during inhalation to optimize the medication delivery to the deepest part of the lungs.  Effective delivery of the medication to the lungs is difficult because inhalers deliver the medication dose at a very high rate of speed.  The AeroChamber Plus* chamber with Flow-Vu* indicator slows the speed of medication for optimal inhalation that helps ensure medication particles are delivered deep into the lungs.
Why is the AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator right for me?  Different people have very different needs, so we designed a family of AeroChamber* brand chambers to cater to the different needs.  The Flow-Vu* Indicator provides important inspiratory feedback – and can only be found on AeroChamber* brand chambers.
Small Mask (0 - 18 months)Anatomically shaped facemask creates a secure seal using minimal effort – critical for parents and caregivers administering aerosol medications to infants.
Medium Mask (1 - 5 years)Slightly larger mask will provide a secure seal as the child grows.
Mouthpiece (5 years+)Guidelines recommend patients be transitioned to a mouthpiece product as soon as they are able – usually around 5 years of age.
Large Mask (5 years+)Suitable for patients who may have difficulty with a mouthpiece, or who prefer the security a mask provides (e.g. elderly or older youth).

1 Okada H, Tokunaga T, Liu X, Takayanagi S, Matsushima A, Shimohigashi Y.  Direct evidence revealing structural elements essential for the high binding ability of Bisphenol A to human estrogen-related receptor-gamma.  Environ. Health Perspect.2008;116(1):32-38.   2 Lang IA, Galloway TS, Scarlett A; et al. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. JAMA. 2008;300(11): 1303-1310.

Instructions

The Flow-Vu* Indicator moves towards you when you inhale and returns to the vertical position when you exhale or are between breaths.
The Flow-Vu* Indicator helps to:
  • Confirm a good mask/mouthpiece seal to eliminate medication leakage
  • Count the number of breaths taken through the chamber
  • Find the right time to press the puffer at the start of inhalation to ensure medication reaches the deepest part of the lungs
  • Confirm that the patient is performing the inspiratory maneuver
By making it easier to confirm the proper use your inhaler and chamber, the Flow-Vu* Indicator helps to get the medication to where it is needed – deep in the lungs.
AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator Instructions
Why should I use a Chamber?This short animated video will help you understand why a Valved Holding Chamber such as the AeroChamber Plus* chamber with Flow-Vu* indicator is necessary to help deliver your puffer medication deep into your lungs - where it is needed most!Video Length:  1:23 mins
Importance of the Flow-Vu* IndicatorVideo Length:  2:00 mins

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AEROCHAMBER PLUS* CHAMBER WITH FLOW-VU* INDICATOR AND SMALL OR MEDIUM MASK
Look at your chamber to make sure it is not damaged. If it is damaged, replace it immediately.
Take the cap off the puffer.
Shake the puffer immediately before use – then insert it into the Backpiece of the chamber.
Apply the mask to the face.
When you are ready, gently exhale. Start to inhale and press your puffer so that your medicine is sprayed into the chamber. Only press one puff at a time.
Check the instructions for your puffer to see how many puffs your doctor wants you to take and how long to wait between puffs.
complete chamber instructions
AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator and Small or Medium MaskContains full instructions for use and cleaning of your chamber with mask.  Languages available are English, French, German, Spanish, Greek, Dutch, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and Hindi.
How to use our Chambers with ComfortSeal* Mask and Flow-Vu* IndicatorA short ‘How to Use’ video demonstrating the proper use of a puffer with our Valved Holding Chamber with mask.
Video Length:  1:50 mins

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR AEROCHAMBER PLUS* CHAMBERS WITH FLOW-VU* INDICATOR AND MOUTHPIECE OR LARGE MASK
Look at your chamber to make sure it is not damaged. If it is damaged, replace it immediately.
Take the cap off both the puffer and your chamber (if applicable).
Shake the puffer immediately before use – then insert it into the Backpiece of the chamber.
Put the mouthpiece in your mouth or apply the mask to the face.
When you are ready, gently exhale. Start to inhale and press your puffer so that your medicine is sprayed into the chamber. Only press one puff at a time.
Check the instructions for your puffer to see how many puffs your doctor wants you to take and how long to wait between puffs.

complete chamber instructions
AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator and Mouthpiece or Large MaskContains full instructions for use and care of your mouthpiece or large mask chamber.  Languages available are English, French, German, Spanish, Greek, Dutch, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and Hindi.

How to use our Chambers with Mouthpiece and Flow-Vu* IndicatorA short ‘How to Use’ video demonstrating the proper use of a puffer with our Valved Holding Chamber with mouthpiece.

Video Length:  2:10 mins

How to use our Chambers with ComfortSeal* Mask and Flow-Vu* IndicatorA short ‘How to Use’ video demonstrating the proper use of a puffer with our Valved Holding Chamber with mask.  Video Length:  1:50 mins
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Healthcare Professionals

MOST RECOMMENDED BY LEADING METERED DOSE INHALER COMPANIES
Different valved holding chambers can deliver different amounts of inhaled medication.  When prescribing a valved holding chamber it is important to give due consideration to the chamber that is listed on the Metered Dose Inhaler Summary of Product Characteristics (where specified by name).2
The AeroChamber Plus* Brand of Chamber is listed on the following leading metered dose inhaler’s companies’ Summary of Product Characteristics:
  • Airomir† – IVAX Pharmaceuticals UK
  • Alvesco† 40, 80 and 160 – Nycomed, UK
  • Atrovent† Inhaler CFC-Free –  Boehringer Ingelheim , UK
  • Flovent† HFA 44/110/ 220 – GlaxoSmithKline US
  • Fostair† 100 – Chiesi Ltd, EU
  • Qvar† 50/100 – IVAX Pharmaceuticals UK
  • Sabumalin† 100 – Aeropharm GmbH, EU
  • Seretide† Evohaler† 44 / 110 / 220 – GlaxoSmithKline, EU
  • Ventolin† Evohaler† – GlaxoSmithKline US, UK
  • Zenhale† – Merck Canada Inc.
Facemask Seal is a very important factor in aerosol drug delivery to infants and children.1
Improper mask fit or design can lead to gaps – as small as ½ cm – which may allow ambient air to enter the mask and  reduce medication delivery to the lungs by more than 50%.2
The anatomically designed ComfortSeal* Masks minimize the amount of dead space (the space between the valve and the patient).  Patients find this comfortable as it requires less pressure to form a secure seal. In addition, the EZ Flow Exhalation Valve, Flow-Vu* Indicator and Alignment Feature all help parents and caregivers ensure that the chamber is assembled and applied to the face correctly.
A recent study tested 7 commonly used facemasks and found the ComfortSeal* Masks incorporated in our Valved Holding Chambers have the lowest dead space volume3 resulting in improved aerosol delivery efficiency.  This is due in part to the integrated Exhalation Valve that minimizes re-breathing and directs exhaled flow away from the patient's face.
To ensure your patient is using a properly fitted mask, please download our custom Mask Sizer (see left hand column).
How to Select the Right AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator for Your Patient
Valved Holding Chambers should be recommended for:
  • Any child under the age of 6 that uses an inhaler
  • Anyone taking inhaled corticosteroids
  • Elderly patients that use an inhaler
  • Anyone who has difficulty coordinating actuation of their inhaler with inhalation
Device SelectionDifferent patients have very different needs, so we designed each of our chambers with this in mind.  The Flow-Vu* Indicator provides important inspiratory feedback – and can only be found on AeroChamber* brand chambers.

 


Small Mask (0 - 18 months)Anatomically shaped facemask creates a secure seal using minimal force – critical for parents or caregivers administering aerosol medications to infants.
Medium Mask (1 - 5 years)Slightly larger mask will provide a secure seal as the child grows.
Mouthpiece (5 years+)Guidelines recommend patients be transitioned to a mouthpiece product as soon as they are able – usually around 5 years of age.
Large Mask (5 years+)Suitable for patients who have coordination issues or who prefer the security a mask provides (e.g. elderly or older youth).
Counselling ToolsEncouraging compliance to a prescribed treatment program is an ongoing concern, so we have designed literature and videos to help your patients understand how their actions today will impact their ongoing health.

Mask SizerA helpful tool for determining the best mask size for your patient.

Patient Counselling ToolVisual aid to help explain how aerosol medication is delivered – with full instructions on how to use and clean the chamber on the back.

Consumer BrochureThis brochure explains the benefits of the AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator for a better understanding of how it can help them with their prescribed asthma therapy program.

Office PosterA visual reminder that asthma should not be an impediment to your patients' quality of life, with the benefit of having the instructions for use along the bottom.

Animals Have Asthma Too PosterClinics ask for this poster – knowing that even animals have to take medication for their asthma is comforting to some patients - especially children.

 

MULTIMEDIA resources

Why Use A Chamber?Addresses patient questions about why they should use our Valved Holding Chambers with Flow-Vu* Indicator.
Video Length:  1:23 mins

Importance of the Flow-Vu* IndicatorVideo Length:  2:00 mins

Product Instruction (Mask)Each ‘How to Use’ video is close to 2 minutes in length and demonstrates the proper use of a Metered Dose Inhaler with our Valved Holding Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator.
Video Length:  1:50 mins
Product Instruction (Mouthpiece)Same as above - short video demonstrating how to use our Valved Holding Chamber with mouthpiece and Flow-Vu* Indicator.
Video Length:  2:12 mins
Product Instruction (Mouthpiece)
Video Length:  1:52 mins
Product Instruction (Large Mask)
Video Length:  2:10 mins

1 P. Barnes, J.C. Virchow, J. Sanchis, T. Welte and S. Pedersen. Asthma management: important issues. European Respiratory Review, Volume 14, Number 97: 147-151.  2 Esposito - Festen et al. Effect of a Facemask Leak on Aerosol Delivery from a pMDI - Spacer System. JAM 2004; 17 (1): 1-6.    3  Shah SA, Berlinski AB, Rubin BK. Force-Dependent Static Dead Space of Face Masks Used with Holding Chambers. Respiratory Care, Feb 2006, Vol 51, No 2.

Technical Information


Proven Performance
Getting the medication to your patients’ lungs is priority one - the AeroChamber Plus* Valved Holding Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator is designed to do just that.
  • Proven dosing performance across a wide range of formulations
  • The only full line of aerosol delivery devices designed specifically for each patient
  • Most recommended chamber by leading metered dose inhaler manufacturers
  • Small volume chamber is portable and easy to use with equivalent performance to larger devices4

Attributes of a Well Designed Valved Holding ChamberFor over 25 years, Trudell Medical International has been the leader in the development of devices designed to enhance the delivery of aerosol medications and improve the lives of patients with respiratory diseases worldwide.
 Free from Bisphenol A (BPA)
  • BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which can mimic the body's own hormones and may lead to negative health effects2
  • Use of BPA in products continues to be a subject of discussion, research and public scrutiny - with experts unable to agree on 'safe' levels of exposure3
  • Health Canada has moved to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles
  • Trudell Medical International has chosen to protect patients and provide BPA free technology to eliminate any risk that may be present
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
  1. Mouthpiece Cap
    Protects the mouthpiece from dirt and debris when the device is not in use.
  2. Exhalation Valve
    Valve closes upon exhalation to retain any medication inside the chamber for the next breath.
  3. Flow-Vu* Indicator
    Moves with respiration and helps confirm proper inhalation technique.
  4. Alignment Feature
    Helps align the Backpiece for proper assembly after cleaning.
  5. FlowSignal* Whistle
    Provides audible feedback when the patient is inhaling too rapidly.
  6. Universal Backpiece
    Can be used with all commonly prescribed pressurized  Metered Dose Inhalers.
  7. Inhalation Valve
    Valve is responsive to very low inspiratory efforts, ensuring medication is delivered during acute exacerbations when flow rates can be significantly reduced.  Special 'low-flow' valves in pediatric chambers.
  8. ComfortSeal* Masks
    The anatomically designed ComfortSeal* Masks have a flexible, curved lip to ensure a reliable seal with as little as 0.7 kg applied force5 (gentle).  Exhalation valves mean the chamber can remain in place so patients do not have to remove the device to exhale.
clinical support

Targeting drugs to the airways:  the role of spacer devices
AIM: Spacer devices are inhalation aids of varying dimension and complexity, specifically designed to overcome problems with the use of pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). The aim of this review is to examine the current understanding about these inhalation devices and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: The pertinent literature concerning the characteristics and effects of spacers on delivery and lung deposition of inhaled medications, as well as their clinical efficacy in patients with reversible airway obstruction, is examined. RESULTS: Spacers minimise problems of poor inhalation technique with pMDI, reduce oropharyngeal deposition and increase lung deposition. Spacers improve the clinical effect of inhaled medications, especially in patients unable to use a pMDI properly. Compared to both pMDIs and dry-powder inhalers, spacers may increase the response to beta-adrenergic bronchodilators, even in patients with correct inhalation technique. A pMDI plus spacer has proven to be viable lower cost alternative to the use of a nebuliser for delivering large bronchodilator doses in patients with severe acute asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: pMDIs may be routinely fitted with a spacer, especially in situations where correct pMDI use is unlikely.    Lavorini F, Fontana GA. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2009; 6(1):91-102.
Medication Delivery Via Infant and Child Valved Holding Chambers (VHCs) with Facemask is Aided with Inhalation Flow Indicator
This study investigated movement of an integrated inspiratory flow indicator (IFI), number of inhalations and mass of medication delivered using simulations of infant (tidal volume (Vt)=50-ml; 25%-duty cycle; 30-cycles/min) and small child (Vt=155-ml; 33%-duty cycle; 25-cycles/min) tidal breathing.  AeroChamberPlus* VHCs incorporating the IFI feature, with infant or child facemask (n=5/group) were coupled to a breathing simulator.  Aerosol capture took place using a filter positioned where the mouth of a user would be located.  The dead volume in each facemask was 12-ml (infant) and 25-ml (child).  1-actuation of a beta-2 adrenergic agonist (Ventolin-HFA; GSK Inc.) was delivered via metered dose inhaler to the VHC and the filter removed after 1 inhalation.  This procedure was repeated, but removing the filter after 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 inhalations.  Total mass of salbutamol (mean ± SD, μg) for the ’infant’ condition was 15.5±2.4 mg (1-inhalation); 26.2±2.9 (2-inhalations); 33.9±3.1 (3-inhalations); 34.2±4.4  (4-inhalations); 35.2±3.5 (5-inhalations); 33.0±3.9 (6-inhalations).  Equivalent data for the ’child’ condition were 40.0±3.9 mg (1-inhalation); 50.3±4.7 (2-inhalations); 54.0±3.2 (3-inhalations); 48.0±4.3 (4-inhalations); 52.2±3.8 (5-inhalations); 51.2±5.6 (6-inhalations).  The IFI moved in synchrony with valve opening.  At least 3 successive inhalations were required to achieve consistent medication delivery under the optimum test conditions that reflect perfect coordination by the user.  The IFI is an important new feature confirming the number of inhalations that take place, thereby optimizing medication delivery.  Mark Nagel, Valentina Avvakoumova, Heather Mackay, Jolyon Mitchell, Jamie Malpass. Medical Aerosol Laboratory, Trudell Medical International, London, ON,Canada.

study summaries and technical information

 

Visual AidAn overview of the key features of the AeroChamber Plus* Chambers with Flow-Vu* Indicator.
AeroChamber Plus* Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator - Product MonographThe product monograph reviews indications and conditions of use of the AeroChamber Plus* Valved Holding Chamber with Flow-Vu* Indicator with information for safe and effective use of the devices.
AeroChamber* brand of Valved Holding Chambers - Study SummaryStudies that support the use of an AeroChamber* brand of Valved Holding Chamber in both clinical and in vitro environments.



1 P. Barnes, J.C. Virchow, J. Sanchis, T. Welte and S. Pedersen. Asthma management: important issues. European Respiratory Review, Volume 14, Number 97: 147-151.    2 Okada H, Tokunaga T, Liu X, Takayanagi S, Matsushima A, Shimohigashi Y.  Direct evidence revealing structural elements essential for the high binding ability of Bisphenol A to human estrogen-related receptor-gamma.  Environ. Health Perspect.2008;116(1):32-38.   3 Lang IA, Galloway TS, Scarlett A; et al. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. JAMA. 2008;300(11): 1303-1310.  4 TMI Aerosol Lab, Data on File.  5 Shah SA et al. Force-Dependent Static Dead Space of Face Masks Used With Holding Chambers. Respiratory Care, February 2006, Vol 51; No 2.

Where to Buy

 
Contact Information Please use the following contact information to get more information about where  AeroChamber* brand of Chambers can be purchased in your area.

We are currently seeking distribution partners for this product.

For more information please contact us using the information below.

European Union: 
Ritchie Sharpe - rsharpe [at] trudellmed [dot] com

International Distribution Partners (excluding Canada, Europe and USA):
Kathy Schreiber - kschreiber [at] trudellmed [dot] com

To submit a question or comment, please visit our Contact Us page for more options.