Sealed backpressure attachment device for nebulizer

• US 20020134384A1
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sam O'Rourke
• Original Assignee: Sam O'Rourke
• Inventors: Bienvenu, Robert, OʼRourke, Sam
• Granted Patent: US 6,609,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.29
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0015 located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves

Abstract

An attachment for use with a nebulizer for delivery of aerosol medication to respiratory airways of a user has an elongated conduit provided with a one-way valve for admitting ambient air on one of its ends and a mouthpiece—on its opposite end. A calibrated pressure exhalation valve allows escape of exhaled gas once the pressure in the conduit exceeds a pre-determined setting of the valve. The outlet valve is spring-loaded and allows for various calibrations. The conduit is attachable to a nebulizer and facilitates build-up of positive pressure in the user'"'"'s sealed airways to help maintain the airways distended for more effective delivery of the medication.

Claims

1. A sealed back pressure attachment device for nebulizer designed to deliver aerosol medication for inhalation by a user, the attachment device comprising:

an elongated conduit having a first open end and a second open end;

a one-way valve mounted on the first open end of the conduit for admitting ambient air into the conduit while preventing escape of gas from the first open end of the conduit;

a mouthpiece detachably secured on the second open end of the conduit for engaging by a mouth of the user during use of the device;

a calibrated outlet pressure valve mounted in fluid communication with an interior of said conduit, said valve allowing escape of gas from said conduit during exhalation of the user; and

a means for attaching the conduit to a nebulizer in fluid communication with said nebulizer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said one-way valve is provided with an inlet opening oriented in a substantially co-axial relationship with a central longitudinal axis of said conduit.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said outlet pressure valve is provided with a means for maintaining a pre-determined pressure within said conduit prior to allowing exhalation gas to escape the conduit.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining a pre-determined pressure is a tension spring regulating opening of said outlet pressure valve.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said outlet pressure valve is has a central axis, said valve central axis being oriented substantially perpendicularly to a central longitudinal axis of said conduit.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said conduit is formed from a flexible resilient material to facilitate passage of fluid through said conduit.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching the conduit to the nebulizer comprises a manifold having a first portion oriented substantially co-axially with a central longitudinal axis of said conduit and a second portion oriented substantially perpendicularly to said first portion, said second portion having an open end for engaging an open top of the nebulizer.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a means for mounting the outlet pressure valve to the conduit, said attachment means comprising a three-way manifold.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said outlet pressure valve is calibrated to maintain a positive pressure within said conduit of between 5 cm to 10 cm of water.

10. An attachment device for nebulizer designed to deliver aerosol medication for inhalation by a user, the attachment device comprising:

an elongated flexible resilient conduit having a first open end and a second open end;

a one-way valve mounted on the first open end of the conduit for admitting ambient air into the conduit while preventing escape of gas from the first open end of the conduit, said one-way valve being provided with air inlet opening oriented in a substantially co-axial relationship with a central longitudinal axis of said conduit;

a mouthpiece detachably secured on the second open end of the conduit for engaging by a mouth of the user during use of the device;

a calibrated outlet pressure valve mounted in fluid communication with an interior of said conduit, said valve allowing escape of a gas flow from said conduit during exhalation of the user after said gas flow pressure exceeds a pre-determined value;

a means for attaching said outlet pressure valve to said conduit; and

a means for attaching the conduit to a nebulizer in fluid communication with said nebulizer.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said outlet pressure valve is calibrated to maintain a positive pressure within said conduit of between 5 cm to 10 cm of water.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said outlet pressure valve creates resistance to an exhalation gas flow of the user, thereby helping keep user'"'"'s airways distended for delivery of medication from said nebulizer.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said outlet pressure valve is provided with a means for maintaining the pre-determined pressure inside said conduit, said pressure maintaining means comprising a tension spring that regulates opening of said outlet pressure valve.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein said means for attaching the conduit to the nebulizer comprises a manifold having a first portion oriented substantially co-axially with a central longitudinal axis of said conduit and a second portion oriented substantially perpendicularly to said first portion, said second portion having an open end for engaging an open top of the nebulizer.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein said outlet pressure valve has a central axis, said valve central axis being oriented substantially perpendicularly to a central longitudinal axis of said conduit.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein said means for attaching said outlet pressure valve comprises a three-way manifold positioned a distance from said means for attaching the conduit to the nebulizer.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein said means for attaching said outlet pressure valve comprises a four-way manifold positioned on an opposite side of said conduit in a diametrically-opposing relationship to said means for attaching the conduit to the nebulizer.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said outlet pressure valve is calibrated to maintain a sealed positive pressure within said conduit of between 5 cm to 10 cm of water pressure.

18. A sealed backpressure attachment device for nebulizer designed to deliver aerosol medication for inhalation by a user, the attachment device comprising:

an elongated flexible resilient conduit having a first open end and a second open end;

a one-way valve mounted on the first open end of the conduit for admitting ambient air into the conduit when the user inhales, while preventing escape of gas from the first open end of the conduit when the user exhales, said one-way valve being provided with an inlet opening oriented in a substantially co-axial relationship with a central longitudinal axis of said conduit;

a mouthpiece detachably secured on the second open end of the conduit for engaging by a sealed mouth of the user and establishing a fluid communication between the conduit and user'"'"'s respiratory airways;

a calibrated variable pressure exhalation valve mounted in fluid communication with an interior of said conduit, said valve allowing escape of exhaled gas from said conduit after said gas flow pressure exceeds a pre-determined value, said valve being positioned a distance from said mouthpiece in a substantially perpendicular relationship to said conduit; and

a manifold for attaching the conduit to a nebulizer in fluid communication with said nebulizer, said manifold comprising a first portion oriented substantially co-axially with a central longitudinal axis of said conduit and a second portion oriented substantially perpendicularly to said first portion, said second portion having an open end for engaging an open top of the nebulizer, said second portion being positioned in a location between said exhalation valve and said mouthpiece.