Nebulizer apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A nebulizer for generating an aerosol, the nebulizer comprising:
- a housing having an air inlet and a chamber for holding the aerosol;
an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;
a pressurized gas inlet located in the chamber;
a fluid orifice positioned at a fixed location in the chamber relative to the pressurized gas inlet, the fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel;
a diverter positioned in the chamber in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas inlet and the fluid orifice, wherein pressurized gas from the pressurized gas inlet is diverted over the fluid orifice;
a fluid channel air inlet in communication with the fluid channel; and
a fluid channel air inlet valve movably positioned adjacent the fluid channel air inlet, wherein the fluid channel air inlet valve is moveable in response to a patient'"'"'s breathing between a nebulizing position, where the fluid channel air inlet valve seals against the fluid channel air inlet to permit a negative pressure to draw a fluid through the fluid channel, and a non-nebulizing position, wherein the fluid channel air inlet valve permits air to enter the fluid channel air inlet so as to prevent formation of a negative pressure sufficient to draw the fluid through the fluid channel.
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Abstract
A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a fluid channel air inlet and fluid channel air inlet valve responsive to either a manual force external of the nebulizer, or a patient'"'"'s breathing, to begin the nebulization process. Also provided is a method of providing nebulization including the steps of moving a fluid channel air inlet valve against a fluid channel air inlet so that a negative pressure may build up over the fluid in the fluid channel to draw fluid from the fluid reservoir and begin nebulization during inhalation.
202 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A nebulizer for generating an aerosol, the nebulizer comprising:
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a housing having an air inlet and a chamber for holding the aerosol; an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber; a pressurized gas inlet located in the chamber; a fluid orifice positioned at a fixed location in the chamber relative to the pressurized gas inlet, the fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel; a diverter positioned in the chamber in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas inlet and the fluid orifice, wherein pressurized gas from the pressurized gas inlet is diverted over the fluid orifice; a fluid channel air inlet in communication with the fluid channel; and a fluid channel air inlet valve movably positioned adjacent the fluid channel air inlet, wherein the fluid channel air inlet valve is moveable in response to a patient'"'"'s breathing between a nebulizing position, where the fluid channel air inlet valve seals against the fluid channel air inlet to permit a negative pressure to draw a fluid through the fluid channel, and a non-nebulizing position, wherein the fluid channel air inlet valve permits air to enter the fluid channel air inlet so as to prevent formation of a negative pressure sufficient to draw the fluid through the fluid channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing a patient with an aerosol flow of fluid comprising:
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providing a nebulizer having an air inlet for receiving air and an outlet for delivering the aerosol to the patient a chamber in communication with the outlet, a fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel, and a fluid channel air inlet valve responsive to a change of pressure in the chamber to seal a fluid channel air inlet; inhaling air from the chamber through the outlet; moving the fluid channel air inlet valve so that the fluid channel air inlet valve moves from an initial position spaced away from the fluid channel air inlet to a second position where the fluid channel air inlet valve seals against the fluid channel air inlet; creating a negative pressure over fluid in the fluid channel by directing pressurized gas over the fluid orifice; and drawing medication through the fluid orifice with the negative pressure.
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17. A nebulizer comprising:
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a housing having an ambient air inlet and a chamber for holding an aerosol; an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber; a fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel and fluid in a fluid reservoir; a pressurized gas inlet adjacent the fluid orifice and in a fixed position relative to the fluid orifice, the pressurized gas inlet in communication with the chamber; a diverter positioned in the chamber in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas inlet; and
,means responsive to an inhalation through the air outlet for generating a negative pressure over fluid in the fluid channel.
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18. A nebulizer comprising:
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a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol; an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber; a fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel and fluid in a fluid reservoir; a pressurized gas inlet adjacent the fluid orifice and in a fixed position relative to the fluid orifice, the pressurized gas inlet in communication with the chamber; and
,a valve responsive to an inhalation through the air outlet for sealing against a fluid channel air inlet and allowing ambient air to enter the chamber such that a negative pressure is generated over fluid in the fluid channel and the fluid is drawn up and nebulized. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification