WATERFALL NEBULIZER
First Claim
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1. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
- a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid;
a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized;
a nebulizer tube having;
a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, anda liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel; and
an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor, the impactor having a curved surface to direct the nebulized liquid towards the housing exit port.
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a nebulizer, and more particularly but not exclusively to a compact nebulizer that efficiently utilizes medication.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
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a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid; a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized; a nebulizer tube having; a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, and a liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel; and an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor, the impactor having a curved surface to direct the nebulized liquid towards the housing exit port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
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a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid; a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized; a monolithic nebulizer tube having; a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, and a liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel; and an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor.
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20. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
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a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid; a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized; a nebulizer tube having; a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, and a liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel, wherein the second end of the gas channel comprises convergent to divergent passageway to provide a nozzle to enhance atomization; and an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor.
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21. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
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a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid; a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized; a nebulizer tube having; a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, and a liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel; an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor; and an overflow wall disposed between the reservoir and the exit port to deter the passage of liquid through the exit port.
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22. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
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a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid, wherein the housing comprises an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion that may be joined together to form an enclosure, each housing portion having a sidewall with an interior wall surface; a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized; a nebulizer tube having; a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, and a liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel; an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor; and a curtain wall that is positioned to provide a protective curtain at the point of joinder between the upper and lower housing portions to deter passage of liquid into the point of joinder. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
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a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid; a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized; a nebulizer tube having; a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, wherein the gas channel comprises a convergent channel that has a cross-sectional dimension that decreases from the first end toward the second end, and a liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, and wherein the gas channel has a minimal cross-sectional dimension proximate the second end of the liquid feed channel, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel; and an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor.
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28. A nebulizer for delivering a mist of liquid, comprising:
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a housing having an exit port for delivering a mist of liquid; a reservoir disposed internally to the housing for containing a liquid to be nebulized, wherein the reservoir comprises depression into which the liquid may pool; a nebulizer tube having; a gas channel having a first end for receiving a compressed gas and a second end for expelling compressed gas and nebulized liquid, and a liquid feed channel having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving the liquid from the reservoir and having a second end in fluid communication with the gas channel, and wherein the first end of the liquid feed channel is disposed proximate the deepest portion of the reservoir, whereby application of compressed gas to the first end of the gas channel creates a siphon in the liquid feed channel to draw liquid into the feed channel and to expel the liquid and compressed gas from the second end of the gas channel; and an impactor disposed proximate the second end of the gas channel to nebulize the expelled liquid when the expelled liquid strikes the impactor.
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Specification