Portable, handheld, pneumatic driven medicinal nebulizer

• US 7,013,894 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph L. Mcfarland Jr
• Original Assignee: Joseph L. Mcfarland Jr
• Inventors: McFarland, Jr., Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US10/839,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20040206351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.18, 128/200.19, 128/202.27, 128/202.22, 128/203.12, 128/204.23, 128/204.24, 128/205.18, 128/205.21, 128/205.22, 128/205.24, 128/200.22, 128/203.14, 128/204.26, 137/505, 137/505.24, 137/505.25, 137/625.34, 239/304, 239/311, 600/529, 222/129, 222/135, 222/145.1, 222/145.5
• US Class Current: 128/205.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/02 operated by air or other gas pressure applied to the liquid or other product to be sprayed or atomised sprayers for horticulture A01G, A01H; killing insects A01M; air humidifying by nozzles F24F6/14, F24F6/18; cooling by spraying F28B, F28C
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0083 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6081 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/702 automatically during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/80 voice-operated command
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8225 using incorporated gas cartridges for the driving gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/43 Composition of exhalation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]

Abstract

A portable, handheld medicine delivery device capable producing atomized agents that are adapted to be inhaled through a nebulizer by a patient suffering from a respiratory condition. In addition, the present invention provides a means wherein the dose of the inhaled agent can be remotely monitored and, if required altered, by a physician or doctor. Finally, the present invention embodies an apparatus and method for reducing a high-pressure delivery gas into a lower pressure gas suitable for atomizing a medicinal agent and for inhalation.

Claims

1. A handheld portable gas storage and pressure regulator device, comprising:

a housing adapted for receiving a portable container of a high pressure gas;

a discharge means interconnected to said housing and in operable relationship with said high pressure container, wherein the high pressure gas may be selectively released from said portable container into a main gas passage positioned downstream from said housing;

a valve positioned downstream from said main gas passage and in operable communication with the high pressure gas to create a low pressure gas; and

a low pressure gas transfer chamber comprising a biasing means engaged to a piston communicated to a calibrated spool to reduce said pressure of said gas exiting the regulator.

2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein said piston is magnetized for retention in an upright position.

3. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust port to further reduce the pressure of said low-pressure gas.

4. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, wherein said high-pressure gas is reduced in pressure at least about 500 psi.

5. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a helical spring.

6. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein said device has a total length no greater than about 6.0 inches.

7. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, wherein said discharge means comprises a lever operably positioned for engagement by a user'"'"'s hand.

8. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein said device may be selectively operated in a non-continuous, interim mode of flow.

9. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, wherein said high pressure gas is oxygen.

10. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, further comprising a filtering means positioned downstream from said main gas passage for removing impurities from the high pressure gas.

11. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring means in communication with said valve.

12. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, wherein said valve is a needle valve.

13. The pressure regulator device of claim 1, further comprising a medicine receptacle and delivery means in communication with said low pressure gas transfer chamber adapted to receive a predetermined amount of medicine.

14. The pressure regulator device of claim 13, further comprising a mouthpiece in communication with said medicine delivery means and said monitoring means, wherein said gas and said medicine combine to generate a plurality of aerosol sized particles that are adapted for inhalation by a patient.