Nebulizer apparatus and method

• US 6,612,303 B1
• Filed: 10/07/1998
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: 1263152 Ontario Inc.
• Inventors: Baran, George, Foley, Martin P., Grychowski, Jerry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEISS JR, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/168,132
• Time in Patent Office: 1,791 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.18, 128/200.21, 128/200.14, 128/200.22, 128/203.25, 128/203.12, 128/20.15, 239/338
• US Class Current: 128/200.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/002 by flow deviation causing inertial separation of transported particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0093 without arming or cocking, e.g. acting directly on the delivery valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/206 Capsule valves, e.g. mushroom, membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient. In one aspect, a nebulizer is pressure sensitive so that nebulization is coordinated with a breathing cycle of the patient. The nebulizer includes a movable gas diverter that diverts pressurized gas across a liquid outlet. The diverter is moved in response to the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle. In one aspect, a biasing member moves the diverter. According to another aspect of the nebulizer, an annular liquid orifice disperses an aerosol in a radial direction in response to a pressurized gas flow from an orifice located concentrically thereto. Multiple liquid orifices may be provided. In a further aspect of the nebulizer, a reservoir includes an upper, wide portion and a lower narrow portion to apply relatively uniform pressure at a liquid orifice.

Claims

1. A nebulizer comprising:

a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol;

a chamber air outlet communicating with said chamber;

a liquid outlet located in said chamber;

a gas outlet located in said chamber and aligned to direct a flow of gas across said liquid outlet; and

an actuator mounted on said housing, the actuator movable between a nebulizing position and a non-nebulizing position, wherein the actuator is operative to move to the nebulizing position when the actuator is depressed, and to automatically return to the non-nebulizing position when the actuator is released.

2. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising:

an indicator mounted on said housing that indicates whether aerosol is being generated in said chamber.

3. The nebulizer of claim 2 wherein said indicator is mounted on said actuator.

4. The nebulizer of claim 2 wherein said indicator is a visual indicator.

5. The nebulizer of claim 2 wherein said indicator is comprised of colored markings.

6. The nebulizer of claim 5 wherein said colored markings are comprised of red and green markings.

7. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein said actuator is coupled to a diverter in the chamber to cause redirection of a flow of gas from said gas outlet across said liquid outlet.

8. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein said actuator is manually operable.

9. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein said actuator is mounted on a top side of said housing.

10. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein said actuator extends through an opening of said housing.

11. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein operation of said actuator causes nebulization to start and nebulization to cease.

12. A nebulizer comprising:

a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol;

a chamber air outlet communicating with said chamber;

a liquid outlet located in said chamber;

a gas outlet located in said chamber and aligned to direct a flow of gas across said liquid outlet;

an indicator mounted on said housing, wherein said indicator indicates whether a diverter positioned in the chamber is in one of a nebulizing position relative to the liquid outlet and the gas outlet and a non-nebulizing position relative to the liquid orifice and gas outlet.

13. A nebulizer comprising:

a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol;

a chamber air outlet communicating with said chamber;

an air inlet in communication with the chamber for allowing a supply of air to enter the chamber;

a liquid outlet located in said chamber;

a gas outlet and a diverter located in said chamber, said gas outlet aligned to cooperate with said diverter to direct a flow of gas across said liquid outlet; and

an actuator mounted on said housing, the actuator movable between a nebulizing position and a non-nebulizing position, wherein the actuator is operative to move to the nebulizing position when the actuator is depressed, and to automatically return to the non-nebulizing position when the actuator is released.

14. The nebulizer of claim 13 further comprising:

an indicator mounted on said housing that indicates whether aerosol is being generated in said chamber.

15. The nebulizer of claim 14 wherein said indicator is mounted on said actuator.

16. The nebulizer of claim 14 wherein said indicator is a visual indicator.

17. The nebulizer of claim 14 wherein said indicator is comprised of colored markings.

18. The nebulizer of claim 17 wherein said colored markings are comprised of red and green markings.

19. The nebulizer of claim 13 wherein said actuator is coupled to the diverter in the chamber to cause redirection of a flow of gas from said gas outlet across said liquid outlet.

20. The nebulizer of claim 13 wherein said actuator is manually operable.

21. The nebulizer of claim 13 wherein said actuator is mounted on a top side of said housing.

22. The nebulizer of claim 13 wherein said actuator extends through an opening of said housing.