Medical nebulizer

• US 6,598,602 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB (Getinge AB)
• Original Assignee: Siemens-Elema AB (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Sjöholm, Gösta
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Erezo, Darwin P.
• Application Number:
  US09/597,806
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.18, 128/200.19, 128/200.21, 128/203.12, 239/338
• US Class Current: 128/200.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/007 Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/025 Bubble jet droplet ejection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/147 the respiratory gas not passing through the liquid container
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/18 Vaporising devices for anaesthetic preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit

Abstract

A medical nebulizer has a reservoir for medical liquid, a capillary nozzle having a proximal end for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a distal end connectable to an inspiration gas flow path to deliver liquid droplets into an inspiration gas flow, a pump for supplying liquid from the reservoir through the capillary nozzle, and a regulator for regulating the delivery of the liquid to a predetermined amount. The pump supplies the liquid in a continuous flow throughout the delivery of the predetermined amount and a stimulator, such as a piezoelectric vibrator, is provided for vibrating the distal end of the nozzle to stimulate droplet formation.

Claims

1. A medical nebulizer comprising:

a reservoir containing a medical liquid;

an inspiration gas flow path adapted to deliver inspiration gas to a patient;

a capillary nozzle having a first end communicating with said reservoir for receiving said medical liquid therefrom and an open second end in direct communication with said inspiration gas flow path;

a pump for supplying liquid from said reservoir through said capillary nozzle in a continuous flow;

a regulator for regulating delivery of said medical liquid to said second end of said nozzle in a predetermined amount; and

a stimulator in mechanical connection with said second end of said capillary nozzle for vibrating said second end to convert said continuous flow of medical liquid into droplets, said droplets being delivered into said inspiration gas flow directly from said second end of said capillary nozzle.

2. A medical nebulizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said regulator comprises a valve arrangement operable to limit supply of said medical liquid through said capillary nozzle to said predetermined amount.

3. A medical nebulizer as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a power supply for said pump, and wherein said regulator regulates said power supply to limit the supply of said medical liquid through said capillary nozzle to said predetermined amount.

4. A medical nebulizer as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flow meter in said inspiration gas flow path which emits a signal dependent on inspiration flow in said inspiration gas flow path, and wherein said regulator is supplied with said signal from said flow meter and regulates the delivery of said medical liquid dependent on said inspiration flow.

5. A medical nebulizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pump comprises a syringe pump.

6. A medical nebulizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said syringe pump contains said reservoir, and wherein said reservoir contained in said syringe pump is releasably couplable to said first end of said capillary nozzle.

7. A medical nebulizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inspiration gas flow path comprises an inspiration gas flow path of a mechanical breathing assist apparatus.

8. A medical nebulizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said capillary nozzle is a first capillary nozzle, and wherein said medical nebulizer further comprises plurality of additional capillary nozzles, each having a first end in communication with said reservoir and a second end in communication with said inspiration gas flow, and each having an individual amount of said medical liquid delivered therethrough in a continuous flow by said pump, the respective individual amounts collectively comprising said predetermined amount, and wherein said stimulator is connected to all of the respective second ends of said capillary nozzle for vibrating all of said second ends to produce droplets which are introduced at said respective second ends into said inspiration gas flow path.