Central Medical Equipment Company
Central Medical Equipment Company is a single source supplier of a broad line of high quality medical products and services for the physician, extended care facility and home care patient/client.
Pressurized metered-dose inhalers produce an aerosol of mixed particle size. While many of the particles are the 10 microns or less in diameter required for deposition in the airways of the lung, a considerable proportion are larger in size and deposit in the mouth. Orally deposited steroids can cause local side effects or be swallowed and become available for absorption and systemic side effects. Deposition of topically active steroid in the mouth can increase susceptibility to local Monilia infestation.
Spacers are simply chambers to collect the aerosol released by the canister before inhalation. In the spacer, larger particles deposit, while the smaller particles remain airborne for inhalation. Spacers also make it easier for patients who have difficulty coordinating actuating the device and inhaling slowly a moment later. The chamber holds the aerosol for long enough for the individual to take the slow breath that results in optimum lower airway deposition.
Spacers are not needed with dry powder inhalers. One inhaled steroid, Azmacort®, comes with a built in spacer.
Navigation Links
Research: Centers for Disease Control / National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute / Asthma Clinical Research Network / Childhood Asthma Research & Education Network
Resources and Education: American Thoracic Society / American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology / Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America / American Lung Association / Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
Durable Medical Equipment: Asthma Freedom, Inc. / Central Medical Equipment Company / Harrell Medical, Inc. / Young's Medical Equipment