Nebulizer apparatus and method

• US 6,644,304 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• 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 F.
• Application Number:
  US10/241,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20030015193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.18, 128/200.19, 128/200.21, 128/202.28, 128/202.25, 128/203.11, 128/203.12, 128/205.15, 239/338
• US Class Current: 128/200.18
• 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;

an air outlet communicating with the chamber;

a liquid outlet located in the chamber;

a pressurized gas outlet located in the chamber adjacent to the liquid outlet;

a diverter located in the chamber and relative to the pressurized gas outlet and the liquid outlet, the diverter movable from a nebulizing position where pressurized gas from the gas outlet is diverted across the liquid outlet to aerosolize a liquid from the liquid outlet, to a non-nebulizing position; and

a biasing member connected to the diverter, the biasing member comprising a flexible membrane.

2. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a ring-shaped membrane.

3. The nebulizer of claim 2, wherein the ring-shaped membrane further comprises an inner circumference connected to the diverter.

4. The nebulizer of claim 3, wherein the ring-shaped membrane further comprises an outer circumference connected to the housing.

5. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is responsive to a change of pressure in the chamber.

6. The nebulizer of claim 2, wherein the ring-shaped membrane comprises a rolled cross-sectional profile.

7. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane biases the diverter toward the non-nebulizing position.

8. The nebulizer of claim 1, wherein the diverter is configured to move between the nebulizing position and the non-nebulizing position in coordination with a patient'"'"'s breathing.

9. A nebulizer comprising:

a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol;

an air outlet communicating with the chamber;

liquid supply means for providing a liquid to the chamber;

pressurized gas supply means for supplying a pressurized gas to the chamber, the pressurized gas supply means located in the chamber adjacent to the liquid supply means;

means for aerosolizing liquid from the liquid supply means with pressurized gas from the pressurized gas supply means in the chamber when the means for aerosolizing is in a first position, and for ceasing aerosolization of liquid from the liquid supply means when the means for aerosolizing is in a second position, wherein the means for aerosolizing is operatively connected with a flexible membrane.

10. The nebulizer of claim 9, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a ring-shaped membrane.

11. The nebulizer of claim 9, wherein the flexible membrane is connected with the housing and the means for aerosolizing at a plurality of points.

12. The nebulizer of claim 10, wherein the ring-shaped membrane further comprises an inner circumference connected to the means for aerosolizing.

13. The nebulizer of claim 12, wherein the ring-shaped membrane further comprises an outer circumference connected to the housing.

14. The nebulizer of claim 9, wherein the flexible membrane is responsive to a change of pressure in the chamber.

15. The nebulizer of claim 10, wherein the ring-shaped membrane comprises a rolled cross-sectional profile.

16. The nebulizer of claim 9, wherein the flexible membrane biases the aerosolizing means toward the second position.

17. The nebulizer of claim 9, wherein the aerosolizing means is configured to move between the first position and the second position in coordination with a patient'"'"'s breathing.