Manifold nebulizer system

• US 3,874,379 A
• Filed: 08/15/1973
• Issued: 04/01/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Professional Medical Products, Inc. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Gandi, Stuart A. Enfield
• Inventors: Enfield, Stuart A., Gandi, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US05/388,486
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 128/194,186,187,201,203,209,142.2,142.3,142.4,145.8,2.08,DIG.2,192 248/290,291,324,339
• US Class Current: 128/200.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0808 Condensation traps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/08 Supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers

Abstract

A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit. The system includes a nebulizer module and an exhaust module. The nebulizer module consists of a vial to contain liquid and has structure for producing an aerosol of liquid particles for entrainment in a stream of gas. The exhaust module has a valve for facilitating inhalation of the aerosol by the patient and removal of exhaled gases received from the patient. Adjustable surfaces are on the modules to permit relative movement therebetween. In this manner, the manifold nebulizer is capable of assembly into a multiplicity of flow line arrangements and positions.

Claims

1. A disposable plastic manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising:

a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross;

means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway for removal connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion;

the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid;

means forming an opening in the cap and for the cap to be removably connected to a secondary source of gas;

a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in alignment with the opening in the cap and in fluid communication with the gas from the secondary source passing through the opening in the cap so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber;

a tube in the cap and extending beyond the depending skirt so as to extend into the vial connected with the cap with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in liquid contained in the vial so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module;

an exhaust module having a body portion with a through passageway;

an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening;

means for removably coupling the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein to a patient connection;

adjustable surfaces on the manifold nebulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof; and

releasable connection means on the nebulizer module and the exhaust module to permit the interconnection therebetween to provide an interchangeable configuration which could take the form of serial and parallel relationship between the modules thereby facilitating function of the manifold nebulizer with the nebulizer module and exhaust module in desired relative position to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a variety of different breathing circuit configurations whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of the circuit.