New Device offers greater peace of mind and security for asthmatics

(PRWEB) June 29, 2003

Mississauga, Ontario (PRWEB) June 30, 2003 — A small suburban Toronto based company has developed a locking device that easily attaches to a metered dose inhaler(MDI). Albuterol "puffers" are an asthmatic's front line defense in case of an acute attack. For that reason, asthma sufferers carry their inhalers with them at all times. Current MDI's provide no protection against accidental discharge while being carried in a pocket, purse, back-pack, tote bag or under a pillow at night. Company spokesman Stan Langford says "The MDI Trigger Guard is a simple C shaped clip with the singular purpose of preventing accidental discharge of medication, while not significantly or in any meaningful way hindering the rapid deployment of the puffer."

The sudden and potentially lethal results of an asthma attack necessitate that MDIs be designed for rapid deployment. The user has only to shake the canister, remove the cap covering the mouthpiece and place the mouthpiece upright in their mouth. Pressing down on the canister, which protrudes above the body of the device, releases a specific amount of medicine which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and directly into the lungs alleviating the asthmatic symptoms. However, this design*, which allows the inhaler to be deployed quickly, also makes it vulnerable to being accidentally discharged while being transported. The MDI Trigger Guard simply and effectively addresses this problem.

An MDI Trigger Guard could significantly reduce the amount of Albuterol prescribed at a savings to individuals, insurers and governments, with no cost to the health, welfare or safety of the consumer... and it could potentially save a life.

According to the American Lung Association, in 2001 it was estimated that 20.3 million Americans suffered from asthma. Of these, 12 million (4 million children under 18) had an asthma attack or episode during that same year. Close to 2 million emergency room visits were attributed to asthma in 2000, and sadly 4487 deaths.

An application is being prepared to the US FDA for premarket approval. Similar approval is being sought in Canada.

For information: http://www.mditriggerguard.com or

Contact: info@mditriggerguard.com

Phone: 416-930-5617

*It is important to note that the existing MDI is not defective or of poor design, and is probably not in need of modification. Only a percentage of MDI users will benefit from the Trigger Guard. Redesigning the existing MDI to include a built in lock might make it more costly or bulky, which might in turn lead to reduced patient compliance.