Aerosol delivery system

• US 5,301,663 A
• Filed: 11/19/1992
• Issued: 04/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Respironics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: HealthScan Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Small, John C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Funk, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/978,631
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.18, 128/200.21, 128/911, 128/205.24, 239/338, 251/321, 137/512.15, 137/512.4
• US Class Current: 128/200.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• 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 15/002 with air flow regulating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0012 Apparatus for achieving spraying before discharge from the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7843 Integral resilient member forms plural valves

Abstract

An improved aerosol delivery system utilizes a pair of horizontally-extending passageways terminating in common opposed ends, the first end being mouthpiece-adjustable, the second end being coupled to the atmosphere. A dual action valve, utilizing a single diaphragm element, provides for opposed one-way air flow through the passageways. A nebulizer is mounted transversely through the passageways, and outputs into the passageway allowing inspiratory flow to the user. A combination adjustment knob/fill port is located at the top of the nebulizer, which extends upwardly above the passageways. The knob is coupled to a valve which meters the liquid to be aspirated which may be aligned with an aperture in the top of the nebulizer for filling purposes. During normal use the apertures are out of alignment, closing the fill port.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing a nebulized fluid to a user, comprising a tubular body having an ambient air inlet at a first end and a mouthpiece outlet at a second end, a transverse horizontal divider extending substantially along the length of said tubular body dividing said body into first and second parallel passageways;

valve means mounted at an end of said divider and having a unitary valve flap for providing independent one-way air flow inwardly into said tubular body from said inlet end through said first parallel passageway and outwardly from said tubular body from said second parallel passageway through said inlet;

a nebulizer having a body extending transversely through said first and second passageways and having an adjustment means for controlling fluid flow rate extending upwardly from said body and a gas inlet extending downwardly from said body;

said nebulizer body having a nebulized-liquid output port located within said first parallel passageway oriented towards said second end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nebulizer includes a top affixed to said nebulizer body, said adjustment means comprising a knob located above and adjacent said top, said top and adjustment knob each having an aperture;

and means for permitting rotation of said adjustment knob to and from a position wherein said apertures are aligned to allow liquid to be nebulized to be loaded into the body of said nebulizer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a shaft coupled to said adjustment knob for rotation therewith, said shaft having a plate mounted thereon with an aperture therethrough in alignment with said aperture in said adjustment knob.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a hub projecting outwardly from said first valve plate portion proximate the edge thereof, said flap having an aperture adapted to accept said hub therethrough.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said nebulizer includes a hollow stem extending upwardly within said body from said gas inlet and having a gas nozzle at its upper end;

a cylindrical orifice assembly surrounding an upper portion of said stem whereby an annular fluid flow channel is defined between said orifice assembly and said stem; and

co-acting valve means on said stem and orifice assembly connected to said adjustment means responsive to a relative longitudinal relationship between said stem and orifice assembly to control the passage of fluid through said annular fluid channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said co-acting valve means comprise a tapered portion of said stem and an internal step portion of said orifice assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said tapered portion of said stem is proximate said upper end of said stem.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an intermediate drive element coupled between said adjustment means and said stem and orifice assembly.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said drive element is coupled to a baffle plate assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said drive element comprises a shaft having a cam surface and a cam follower operatively connected to said orifice assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a spring mounted to said orifice assembly to bias said follower against said cam surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a baffle plate mounted upon said orifice assembly, said baffle plate bearing said cam follower.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a baffle plate assembly mounted for vertical travel within said nebulizer body adjoining said orifice assembly, said baffle plate assembly bearing said cam follower.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said baffle plate assembly includes a target surface positioned above said gas nozzle.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said valve comprises a hollow valve body defining a passageway therethrough;

first and second perforated valve plate portions each having front and rear faces, extending substantially across an opposed portion of said passageway, said first and second valve plates being offset from each other such that the front face of said first valve plate portion is rearward of the rear face of said second valve plate, said first and second valve plates each having an adjacent edge extending across said passageway defining a space therebetween;

said unitary flap being mounted against said front face of said first valve plate portion and the rear face of said second valve plate portion, said valve body being mounted within said tubular body whereby the edge of said second valve plate is aligned with said transverse divider.