MEDICAL NEBULIZER FOR FAST DRUG DELIVERY
First Claim
1. A nebulizer configured to atomize a liquid medication for inhalation by a user, the nebulizer comprising:
- a jar defining a reservoir configured to hold the liquid medication, the jar defining a compressed gas passage configured to receive a flow of compressed gas;
the compressed gas passage terminating in a jet orifice defined by the jar through which the liquid medication and the compressed gas are discharged through to form an aerosol flow having the liquid medication entrained in the compressed gas;
a cap connected to the jar to define an inner chamber inside the nebulizer, the cap comprising;
an entrainment port configured to provide an inlet for a flow of ambient room air;
an entrainment chimney having a first opening in fluid communication with the entrainment port and a second opening in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the entrainment port and entrainment chimney together defining an entrainment pathway for the ambient room air;
a deflector base spaced below the second opening of the entrainment chimney by a predetermined distance to define at least one entrainment vent configured to provide a flow of the ambient room air into the inner chamber for enhancing nebulization speed of the nebulizer, such that the at least one entrainment vent is configured to rapidly entrain the ambient room air into the aerosol flow to form an ambient air-entrained aerosol spray for inhalation by the user.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A nebulizer is provided to atomize a liquid medication for rapid delivery of an aerosol spray to a user via inhalation. The nebulizer includes a jar having a compressed gas passage. A jet cooperates with the jar and has a jet orifice through which the liquid medication and the compressed gas are discharged to form an aerosol flow. The cap is connected to the jar to define an inner chamber. The cap includes an entrainment port for ambient room air, and a chimney in fluid communication with the entrainment port and the inner chamber. A deflector base having an impingement member is located adjacent to the entrainment chimney and is spaced below an opening thereof by a predetermined distance to provide a flow of the ambient room air to be entrained in the aerosol flow in order to enhance nebulization speed while maintaining a desired aerosol particle size.
7 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A nebulizer configured to atomize a liquid medication for inhalation by a user, the nebulizer comprising:
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a jar defining a reservoir configured to hold the liquid medication, the jar defining a compressed gas passage configured to receive a flow of compressed gas; the compressed gas passage terminating in a jet orifice defined by the jar through which the liquid medication and the compressed gas are discharged through to form an aerosol flow having the liquid medication entrained in the compressed gas; a cap connected to the jar to define an inner chamber inside the nebulizer, the cap comprising; an entrainment port configured to provide an inlet for a flow of ambient room air; an entrainment chimney having a first opening in fluid communication with the entrainment port and a second opening in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the entrainment port and entrainment chimney together defining an entrainment pathway for the ambient room air; a deflector base spaced below the second opening of the entrainment chimney by a predetermined distance to define at least one entrainment vent configured to provide a flow of the ambient room air into the inner chamber for enhancing nebulization speed of the nebulizer, such that the at least one entrainment vent is configured to rapidly entrain the ambient room air into the aerosol flow to form an ambient air-entrained aerosol spray for inhalation by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification