The OptiChamber Diamond is a valved holding chamber that attaches to a metered dose inhaler (the small pressurized canister used for asthma and other lung conditions) to make inhaled medication easier to use and more effective. Made by Philips, it acts as a middle step between the inhaler and your lungs, holding the medication in a small chamber so you can breathe it in at your own pace rather than trying to time your breath perfectly with the inhaler spray.
How It Works
When you press a metered dose inhaler on its own, the medication sprays out fast. If you don’t inhale at exactly the right moment, much of the drug hits the back of your throat instead of reaching your lungs. The OptiChamber Diamond solves this by capturing the spray inside a clear plastic chamber. Once inside, the larger, heavier drug particles settle onto the chamber walls (these are the particles that would have landed in your mouth and throat anyway), while the finer particles that can actually reach deep into your lungs stay suspended in the air inside the chamber, waiting for you to inhale them.
The result is somewhat counterintuitive: even though the chamber retains some of the total drug dose, the fraction that actually reaches your lungs can increase compared to using an inhaler alone. Less medication is wasted in your mouth and throat, meaning more of what matters gets where it needs to go.
The Valve System
The device uses two valves. The inspiratory valve, the one you breathe in through, is a low-resistance duck-billed design. “Low resistance” means it opens easily, so even young children or people with weak breathing can pull air through without struggling. This matters because if the valve were stiff, patients might not get enough airflow to carry the medication into their lungs.
The exhalation valve handles the air you breathe out. It’s positioned so that when you exhale, air exits through the valve rather than blowing back into the chamber and disrupting the medication cloud. This valve is also clearly visible through the chamber walls, which gives parents or caregivers a useful visual cue. You can watch it move with each breath to confirm the child is actually breathing through the device and to count breaths.
Who It’s Designed For
The OptiChamber Diamond is primarily meant for people who have difficulty coordinating the “press and breathe” timing that metered dose inhalers require. In practice, that includes most young children, many older adults, and anyone whose condition makes it hard to take a deep, well-timed breath. It works with most standard pressurized metered dose inhalers.
For infants and small children who can’t form a seal around a mouthpiece, the device pairs with LiteTouch face masks in small, medium, and large sizes. The mask covers the nose and mouth, creating a seal so the child can simply breathe normally through the chamber. Older children and adults typically use the built-in mouthpiece without a mask.
Antistatic Design
One of the device’s key features is its antistatic chamber material. Static electricity on plastic surfaces is a real problem for inhaler chambers. When the inside walls carry a static charge, they attract the fine medication particles like a magnet, pulling them out of the air before you can inhale them. The OptiChamber Diamond uses materials designed to reduce this effect, keeping more of the drug suspended and available for you to breathe in. This is especially important in the first few seconds after the inhaler is pressed, when the medication cloud is at its densest.
Cleaning and Replacement
Keeping the chamber clean prevents medication buildup and bacterial growth. The recommended routine is straightforward: once a week, take the device apart and agitate the pieces in soapy water for about two minutes, then soak them for ten minutes. Rinse with clean water and let everything air dry completely. Don’t towel-dry the parts, as this can reintroduce static charge to the chamber walls. An alternative weekly option is wiping the mask and mouthpiece with 70% rubbing alcohol, then rinsing with sterile water.
The device should be replaced every six months, or immediately if you notice cracks, a sticky valve, or any visible damage. Over time, the antistatic properties of the chamber material can degrade, and the valves lose their responsiveness. A fresh device every six months keeps drug delivery consistent.
Using It Effectively
The basic technique is simple but worth getting right. Shake your inhaler, insert it into the back of the chamber, and press it once to release a puff of medication into the chamber. Then breathe in slowly and steadily through the mouthpiece (or mask) for three to five seconds, hold your breath briefly if you can, and exhale. If you hear a whistling sound, you’re breathing in too fast. The device is designed to work with gentle, tidal breathing, tested at flow rates that match normal relaxed breathing.
For young children using a mask, the process is similar, but instead of one deep breath, you’ll let them breathe normally through the mask for five or six breaths to empty the chamber. Watch the exhalation valve to count breaths and confirm the seal is good. If the mask leaks, the valve won’t move with each breath, which is your signal to adjust the fit.
If your prescription calls for multiple puffs, wait about 30 to 60 seconds between each one. Always deliver one puff at a time into the chamber. Spraying multiple puffs at once causes the particles to clump together and stick to the walls, reducing how much reaches your lungs.