Nebulizer apparatus and method

• US 6,748,945 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2002
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Inventors: Baran, George, Foley, Martin P., Grychowski, Jerry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weiss, Jr., Joseph F.
• Application Number:
  US10/241,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20030005929A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.18, 128/200.19, 128/200.21, 128/202.28, 128/202.29, 128/203.11, 128/203.12, 128/205.15, 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;

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 in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas outlet and the liquid outlet so as to divert pressurized gas from the gas outlet across the liquid outlet to aerosolize liquid from the liquid outlet; and

a shield positioned in the chamber, the shield movable in coordination with a patient'"'"'s breathing.

2. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein the shield substantially prevents escape of the aerosol during the patient'"'"'s exhalation.

3. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein the shield substantially prevents generation of a vacuum across the liquid outlet such that substantially no liquid is drawn from the liquid outlet.

4. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising a biasing member connected to the shield.

5. The nebulizer of claim 4 wherein the biasing member comprises a spring.

6. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein the nebulizer comprises multiple liquid outlets located in the chamber.

7. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising an air inlet communicating with ambient air connected to an air outlet located in the chamber.

8. The nebulizer of claim 1 comprising a suction chamber communicating with the chamber.

9. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising a means for limiting movement of the shield.

10. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein during an inhalation, the shield is moved relative to the gas outlet and gas diverter and forms an opening such that the aerosol may escape into the chamber.

11. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein the shield is movable into an aerosol blocking position adjacent the gas outlet.

12. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein the liquid outlet has an annular shape surrounding the gas outlet.

13. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a ventilator circuit; and

wherein the chamber connects to the ventilator circuit to deliver the aerosol thereto.

14. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a ventilator circuit; and

wherein the air outlet connects to an inspiratory portion of the ventilator circuit.

15. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a ventilator circuit;

and wherein the housing includes;

an air inlet into the chamber;

wherein the air inlet connects to an inspiratory portion of the ventilator circuit to receive airflow therefrom; and

wherein the air outlet connects to a patient.

16. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a ventilator circuit including an inspiratory portion and an expiratory portion; and

wherein the shield is connected to the expiratory portion.

17. The nebilizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a ventilator circuit including an inspiratory portion and an expiratory portion; and

wherein the shield is connected to said inspiratory portion.

18. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a ventilator circuit including an inspiratory portion and an expiratory portion; and

wherein the shield is connected to both the inspiratory portion and the expiratory portion.

19. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising:

a mouthpiece; and

wherein the air outlet connects to the mouthpiece.

20. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising indicator means associated with the shield to provide a confirmation of operation.

21. The nebulizer of claim 20 wherein the indicator means further comprises a pair of colored markings visible on an outside portion of the nebulizer.

22. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising a spacer having an inlet connected to the air outlet.

23. The nebulizer of claim 1 further comprising a liquid reservoir in liquid communication with the liquid outlet.

24. The nebulizer of claim 1 wherein the shield is movable relative to the diverter in coordination with the patient'"'"'s breathing.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising the steps of:

exhaling into the nebulizer through the air outlet; and

blocking the nebulized medication with the movable shield so that substantially no nebulized medication escapes into the chamber.

27. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

exhaling into the nebulizer through the air outlet; and

impeding a flow of gas from the pressurized gas nozzle with the movable shield to at least substantially prevent generation of nebulized medication.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein the medication avoids substantially impacting a surface after being drawn from the liquid outlet during inhalation.

25. A method of supplying nebulized medication to a patient comprising the steps of:

providing a nebulizer having an outlet for delivery to a patient, a chamber, a biasing member attached to the chamber, a gas diverter fixedly positioned relative to a pressurized gas nozzle in the chamber, and a movable shield attached to the biasing member inside the chamber;

inhaling air from the chamber through the patient outlet;

moving the biasing member with the force of the inhaled air, the biasing member moving the movable shield from an initial position adjacent at least a portion of at least one of the pressurized gas outlet and the gas diverter to a second position relative to the pressurized gas outlet, wherein the movable shield moves between the initial position and the second position in coordination with the patient'"'"'s breathing.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of blocking the nebulized medication comprises unflexing the biasing member with the force of the exhaled air and moving the movable shield to the initial position.