The inhalation spacer appeared on the market relatively recently - this is a development in recent years, which is designed to make life easier for people who have to systematically take medications by spraying them into the throat. The most common group among them are asthmatics, who, in order to stop an attack, need to quickly deliver into the lungs a drug that relieves spasm and causes expansion of the lumen of the bronchi.
But not only they need inhalations. Many people use nebulizers and pocket inhalers - patients with bronchitis and pneumonia, obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. Constant access to medicines allows them to relieve the symptoms of their illnesses and live a full life, no matter what.
AeroChamber
Delivers particles no larger than 2 microns Country: Turkey Average price: 1450 rub. Rating (2019): 4.7
The AeroChamber spacer is sold with masks made of medical silicone in 3 sizes, optimal for different age categories; depending on the modification, the color of the chamber design is different: blue (the largest) - for children from 5 years and adults, yellow - for children from 1 up to 5 years, red - from birth to 18 months. Bright colors will distract the child's attention for successful inhalation. The universal adapter is suitable for all types of bottles.
The spacer valve opens only when inhaling, which prevents air from entering the chamber when exhaling. AeroChamber delivers drug particles no larger than 2 microns into the respiratory tract, since larger ones usually remain in the middle of the lungs, not reaching the alveoli. Judging by the reviews, the spacer is especially common in pharmacies in Ukraine, but in Russia it will be more difficult to find it, but you can always resort to online stores for allergy sufferers.
Inhalation spacer for children
It differs only in size and color scheme . Some manufacturers make the attachment in the form of toys for young children. A children's spacer for inhalation delivers medicine directly to pathological areas, reducing the likelihood of developing systemic side effects. When using a special nozzle, the child can simply breathe calmly, and sufficient quantities of medication will enter the lungs and bronchi.
How to choose a spacer
The device must match the dimensions of the inhaler used, i.e. have the desired size and shape. Some products are produced for specific nebulizer models, others are universal, and others are intended for a specific age group. When choosing a spacer for children, you should give preference to two-valve options with a mask made of hypoallergenic material. The antistatic effect improves the performance of the device.
When purchasing equipment, it is necessary to ensure that its connecting hole matches the size of the mouthpiece of the metered canister. Collapsible attachments for inhalers are easier to care for, and a spacer without a mask will be useful for seriously ill people prone to severe attacks. For patients who are unable to inhale the required volume of solution, and for small children, devices with a mask are suitable. If you have to carry a nebulizer with you, it is better to buy a small-volume mechanism.
Types and features of spacers
Medical device manufacturers create many types of spacers designed for a variety of patient populations. They are united by a similar design - two cone-shaped plastic components, one of which is equipped with a mouthpiece, and the second has a special hole where the inhaler is connected. The most common types of spacers are:
- Devices with inhalation and exhalation valves that prevent evaporation of the aerosol during spraying. Such nozzles make it easier to inhale the medication.
- Small volume spacers designed to complete metered-dose nebulizers. They are not equipped with valves.
- Children's spacers with valves and a mask. With their help, doses of the drug penetrate the respiratory system evenly and deeply, without requiring much effort from the child.
Dimensions
The volume of one breath of a small child and an adult is completely different, so manufacturers have provided several options for the size of inhalation devices. The nebulizer nozzle for older patients is equipped with a larger chamber with a capacity of up to 350 ml. The children's spacer is smaller in size and has a bright design. The mask supplied with the device can be removable or built-in; its parameters correspond to the age category of the patient.
Number of valves
Modern versions of spacers for inhalers are equipped with one valve for inhalation or two for inhalation and exhalation. These details reduce the loss of the sprayed medication and significantly simplify the inhalation procedure. The inhaled solution opens the valve, and when exhaled, the other valve closes. The remaining amount of medicine remains in the chamber, it is suitable for subsequent use.
Dosage regimen
The standard scheme for using the aerosol method of drug administration involves inhaling the required portion of the drug in one spray. Some adults and children are physically unable to immediately inhale the required volume, so they are advised to take several consecutive breaths over 30 seconds. When using two doses, manipulations should be carried out with an interval of half a minute.
The best ultrasonic inhalers
Ultrasound waves of modern nebulizers break down medications into a fine dispersion. And, unlike compressors, they do it very quietly. True, there are also more restrictions on the drugs used here.
A&D UN-231 – compact and quiet
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
89%!
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
With modest dimensions of 60x140x50 mm and a weight of 185 g, the AND inhaler can safely be classified as a portable device. Moreover, it works both from the network and from a battery or cigarette lighter in a car (the adapter is included).
The device is almost silent - at a distance of a meter it produces only 34 dB. It has an auto shut-off function, 5 replaceable cups for medicines, and an adult and children's mask included. Suitable for the treatment of all respiratory diseases.
Advantages:
- Small dimensions;
- Controlled by one button;
- Air flow adjustment;
- Very quiet;
- Automatic shutdown after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Flaws:
- Due to its low weight it is not stable;
- If you knock it over, the medicine will immediately spill.
UN-231 is suitable for periodic procedures outside the home (in the car, at work). It is very convenient for treating children on the go, but it is better to hold it in your hands during inhalation.
Little Doctor LD-250U is a safe device
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
88%!
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
LD-250U is a new generation equipment with a cooling function for the finished aerosol. The inhaler is safe and requires virtually no supervision. For this purpose, a special sensor is built in, which itself monitors the liquid level in the tank, as well as a shutdown timer.
The device is characterized by relatively quiet operation (55 dB), the medication reservoir holds 12 ml of solution. All family members can use this nebulizer, since the kit includes masks for children and adults.
Advantages:
- Spraying the medicine up to 1-5 microns;
- Fixed tubes;
- Protection against overheating and idle operation;
- High productivity 1.5 ml/min;
- Relatively quiet.
Flaws:
- High price;
- You need to hold the lid of the medicine compartment.
Little Doctor will help in the treatment of not only colds and respiratory diseases, but also cope with asthma, tuberculosis and other serious ailments. You just have to get used to its whims - the operation of the inhaler really depends on the water level in the tank.
Vote for the best ultrasonic inhaler!
- A&D UN-231
- Little Doctor LD-250U
Vote
Indications
Using a spacer, allergic and bronchial asthma are treated, and with the use of an additional nozzle, some types of pulmonary and colds are treated. The device prevents the risk of complications associated with the sedimentation of medications in the pharynx. Modern models of the device are used to treat diseases that require an inhalation method of drug delivery.
Indications for the use of a spacer for children and adults are:
- acute bronchitis;
- cystic fibrosis;
- pharyngeal stenosis;
- diseases for which treatment requires a metered dose inhaler.
Philips Respironics OptiChamber Diamond
Philips Respironics OptiChamber Diamond is the most acclaimed spacer model, which today collects excellent user ratings. Reviews note that the spacer, when transpiring the spray, helps to avoid unpleasant and “dragon” feelings in the throat. The small dimensions of the chamber (11.5 cm, with a capacity of 140 ml) allow the device to be transported, for example, in a small handbag.
With a spacer from Philips, you will not only have a safe and comfortable inhalation, but also save the drug, because by slowing down the stream, it actually disperses the drug, delivering its very small particles to the bronchi. You can find a silicone mask attachment on sale as an accessory, which will greatly simplify the use of the spacer for a child or an elderly person. The manufacturer also suggests an audible signal notifying that the inhalation rhythm is exceeding the speed.
How to use the device
To get maximum benefit from using the device, you should adhere to certain rules:
- Before the procedure, remove the covers from the devices.
- Insert the inhaler upside down on the side of the spacer opposite the mouthpiece.
- After assembly, the device should be shaken well.
- Immediately before inhalation, you need to exhale strongly.
- Place the mouthpiece in the mouth and press it with your lips.
- Press the can of aerosol medicine so that the required amount of solution enters the chamber.
- Take a leisurely breath. Some models allow you to take several consecutive sips of air.
- To allow the medication to settle in the bronchi, hold your breath for a while.
- Remove the device from your mouth and exhale calmly. If the model has a check valve, then you can release the air without removing the spacer.
It is recommended to inhale the next dose after half a minute. After the procedure, rinse the parts and return all protective covers to their place. When using a mask, you should wash your face.
If the disease forces you to take hormones and steroids, then after inhalation your mouth must be rinsed. The tactics for using an inhaler by a child are similar to the description above.
Free-breath Baby Flow
Quality materials. Favorable price Country: China Average price: 670 rub. Rating (2019): 4.4
Free-breath Baby Flow was created specifically for children under 5 years of age, but this does not exclude the possibility of using the spacer for inhalation by adults, because the manufacturer has launched additional masks for sale (small, medium, large). The chamber volume is 175 ml, which is optimal for a child’s lungs. With a spacer from Free-breath, you can be sure that the exhaled air will not remain inside the device and will not enter the lungs again.
The chamber is made of antiseptic polymer material. You will not find phthalates, latex, or bisphenol-A in the composition, which not all manufacturers can boast of. The device is manufactured in accordance with GOST; declarations of conformity can be found in the public domain. The best sterility will be ensured by the cap on the mouthpiece. A big advantage will be the cuff developed by the company, which ideally secures inhalation bottles of various shapes.
Precautions and contraindications for use
There are no radical warnings regarding the use of a spacer. Precautions and contraindications relate more to the scope of its practical use during inhalation procedures. In particular, you need to remember the following:
- the device is used only as prescribed by a doctor and in compliance with the operating conditions;
- select the size of the silicone mask according to the patient’s age and the parameters of his facial disc;
- monitor the cleanliness of all components of the device and prevent the formation of black mold, which parasitizes products made of plastic and polymer materials;
- do not use the spacer if the integrity of the component parts is damaged;
- choose an inhalation chamber according to the patient’s age.
Before starting to use a spacer, you should consult with your attending pulmonologist, with whom it is advisable to immediately select a therapeutic aerosol, the contents of which will be delivered to the lungs as a medicine.
Instructions for using the spacer
Having learned what a nebulizer spacer is, the patient begins to wonder how to use it correctly. Experts have developed several recommendations to help improve the effectiveness of treatment. They require compliance with the following rules:
- Before installing the balloon into the spacer, you need to remove the protective cap and connect the mask (if available).
- The bottom of the can should be up and the mouthpiece down.
- Cover the mouthpiece of the spacer tightly with your lips without closing your teeth.
- Immediately after pressing the valve, take a deep breath or several breaths in succession.
- After this, hold your breath for 5-10 seconds and exhale.
- Having completed the procedure, you need to disassemble, rinse and dry the nozzle without using too much hot water or chemicals.
Making a spacer with your own hands from a plastic bottle
It’s not difficult to make a spacer with your own hands, just follow the following scheme:
- take a plastic bottle and rinse it thoroughly;
- cut off the bottom (3-5 cm) and then cover the cut area with adhesive tape - this will help avoid injury to the skin;
- then we apply the plastic bottle to the face, tightly covering the oral cavity with it, inject the drug through the neck and inhale it through the mouth until the plastic begins to shrink, which indicates the end of the air.
This device must be washed after each use.
The best inhaler spacers
The operating principle of such devices is quite simple: the medicine from a regular pharmaceutical bottle enters the spacer chamber, where it is converted into an aerosol. A system of valves inside the inhaler nozzle keeps the cold steam in the chamber until the patient takes a breath.
Pari Vortex – for all ages
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
89%!
buyers recommend this product
This universal spacer has a special antistatic chamber that facilitates accurate dosing of the drug and does not allow it to settle on the walls of the device. When you inhale, the silicone blades located here begin to move. They create an additional vortex flow, accelerating the movement of aerosol particles through the respiratory tract.
The inhaler is sold in three modifications: with a mask for infants, for children 2-4 years old and with a universal mouthpiece.
Advantages:
- Transparent mouthpiece through which the operation of the valve is visible;
- Possibility of sterilization and disinfection of the device;
- Elastic nozzle compatible with dispensers of various aerosols;
- Affordable price.
Flaws:
- Difficult assembly/disassembly.
Vortex will help with bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases. With its help, it is convenient to give aerosol preparations even to newborn children who cannot control their inhalation.
What is the essence of the spacer's action?
The most effective medications for bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis are prescribed by inhalation. They are specially designed to be as effective locally (topical) as possible, and to have as little effect on the entire body as possible (minimal systemic effect). Therefore, ensuring direct delivery of the medicinal substance to the site of its action, i.e., is of paramount importance. into the bronchi.
This requires the following conditions: firstly, only particles of a certain size (2-5 microns, the so-called respirable fraction) enter the lower respiratory tract. Larger ones are deposited in the pharynx, larynx and trachea, and smaller ones are deposited in the alveoli, or do not remain in the lungs at all. Secondly, the patient must take a fairly strong and deep breath. Thirdly, the release of the medicine and the inhalation must coincide.
The most popular and accessible inhalation drugs are metered-dose aerosol inhalers.
. But their use is fraught with some difficulties. The aerosol jet that appears when you press the can has a high initial speed - more than 100 km/h, the inhalation speed is much less - and consists of a mixture of particles of larger and smaller sizes. This leads to the fact that most of the dose of the drug settles on the back wall of the pharynx and is swallowed. Coordination of inhalation and pressing on the balloon is required, which is difficult in itself, and in some patients, inhalation is interrupted reflexively. According to various studies, only 20-40% of patients (even those with experience) use a metered-dose inhaler correctly, but there are many times more of those who are confident that they are doing everything correctly.
The spacer's job is to eliminate difficulties and problems.
It slows down the speed of movement of the aerosol cloud, large particles settle on the walls. No coordination of inhalation and pressing is required. In addition, a spacer with a mask allows inhalation in almost any situation where spontaneous breathing is maintained, for example during a severe asthma attack. With the help of a spacer, inhalation becomes possible for children who are too small to directly use inhalers. The spacer can be carried with you (not everyone can afford to have a portable battery-powered nebulizer model). What are the minimum spacer sizes?
The minimum length is 5 cm, but larger volume spacers are more effective.
Is a large volume spacer always needed?
To be effective, the spacer must have a large volume, but then it is inconvenient to carry. Most large volume spacers are foldable, but still take up a lot of space. Therefore, spacers have been created, the shape of which is aerodynamically adjusted so that the speed of the aerosol jet and the particle size are ideal. Such spacers no longer need huge sizes.
Do you need a mask?
If you are able to use a spacer without a mask, then it is better to do so, since the use of a mask reduces the effectiveness of treatment: part of the drug is deposited on the face. The mask is a necessity for children under 5 years of age who are not yet able to use it; it is usually used in children under 5 years of age; it may be necessary for weakened and elderly patients, as well as patients in serious condition. Some patients require a mask psychologically.
What role does the presence of valves play in the spacer? Are they always needed?
The most advanced models of spacers have valves. This prevents aerosol loss and makes it easier to use, allowing you to take several breaths from the spacer. For children, it is recommended to use only valve spacers.
Why is the use of a spacer especially important when treating with inhaled hormonal drugs?
In the case of hormonal inhaled drugs, getting a significant part of the dose onto the back wall of the pharynx and into the upper respiratory tract can lead to the development of hoarseness and the development of candidiasis (“thrush”) of the oral cavity, causing a reflex cough. In addition, in the future, that part of the drug that settles in the pharynx is swallowed and can cause a systemic effect. The spacer reduces the sedimentation of drugs in the pharynx and upper respiratory tract, thereby preventing the development of such complications. All patients who are prescribed inhaled hormonal drugs in the form of a metered aerosol are recommended to use them through a spacer.
How to use a spacer? Should the rule “one dose, one breath” always be followed?
The best option is to inhale one dose per spray. If 2 doses are needed, give 2 separate inhalations with a short time interval (usually about 30 seconds). Inhalation of several doses from a spacer is less effective than using the same doses separately (this technique is sometimes used for severe attacks). On the other hand, very young children may not be able to inhale the entire volume from a spacer in one breath. Spacers for them usually have inhalation and exhalation valves. For example, for the Babyhaler spacer it is stipulated that a child weighing 10 kg requires approximately 5 breaths per dose of the drug. In addition, the patient cannot always take a deep enough breath, and during the time that the aerosol in the spacer remains unchanged (about 30 seconds), not one, but several breaths can be taken.
How to use a powder inhaler
The variety of models of powder inhalers presented does not allow us to describe in detail the principle of use of each of them. We will give only general points, and more details about the use of a specific model can be found in the instructions supplied with it.
The main difference between using powder inhalers and aerosol inhalers is that you need to inhale quickly, not slowly. You may have difficulty with this, in which case you should consult your doctor. He or she may recommend that you use a different type of inhaler. Short term pregnant women should be careful with inhalers; they must use them under the supervision of a doctor.
Using a powder inhaler does not require a spacer. It also includes rinsing your mouth after inhalation.
