The pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) is the most commonly prescribed aerosol medication system. Effective therapy is largely based on proper technique.  Health care professionals spend a significant amount of time educating patients on proper use and technique.  Despite efforts at proper education, as many as 60-70% of pMDI users do not use acceptable technique.  Valved Holding Chambers (VHCs) play a very significant role in ensuring the effective delivery of fine particles to the lung by helping overcome the challenges of proper pMDI technique.

The use of a metered dose inhaler with a Monaghan Valved Holding Chamber ("VHC") provides many benefits to patients including:

• Optimization of inhaled particle size.  Quality valved holding chambers achieve this by fine particle selectivity which is largely a function of the valve and baffle system;
• Minimization of oropharyngeal deposition by reducing the velocity at which the aerosol is delivered and by removing larger (>4.7µ) non-respirable particles;
• Improved coordination; and
• Cost savings compared to other standard aerosol delivery modalities such as regular continuous nebulization.

VHCs are particularly beneficial for those individuals who do not follow or find coordinating the prescribed pMDI maneuver difficult to master.

Our valved holding chambers have been marketed since the early 1980s, and supported by at least 300 publications, are the most commonly prescribed holding chambers in the world. 

Each AeroChamber Plus® VHC model includes a highly responsive Inspiratory Valve. This one-way valve opens with minimal effort to allow inhalation of the aerosol cloud and closes, upon exhalation, to protect any remaining aerosol still inside the chamber for the next breath. These valves must be responsive to very low inspiratory efforts, especially during situations such as exacerbation when flow rates can be significantly reduced. The design of the inspiratory valve has a profound effect on emitted dose. If a valve is not responsive to low inspiratory efforts, much needed medication may not be delivered to the patient.  

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