Ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets

• US 7,129,619 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Purzer Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Purzer Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yang, Che-Hua, Hsieh, Tiao-Ling, Tsai, Kun-Yi, Chang, Hsiu-Kang
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOW, CHARLES CHIANG
• Application Number:
  US10/617,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20040099218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 455/265, 455/255, 455/256, 455/575.1, 455/67.12, 455/75, 455/95, 455/556.2, 455/136, 455/164.1, 455/162.1, 455/147, 455/163.1, 455/164.2, 455/318, 455/319, 331/73, 331/74, 331/67, 331/109, 331/68, 331/116.R, 331/117.R, 331/76, 310/317, 310/316.01, 310/318, 310/311, 424/45, 424/46, 424/426, 424/434, 424/435, 424/489, 424/490, 128/200.16, 128/200.14, 128/203.12, 128/200.11, 128/200.13, 128/200.12, 239/4, 239/102.2, 239/102.1, 118/726, 118/715
• US Class Current: 310/317
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers

Abstract

An ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets is disclosed. The ultrasonic nebulizer utilizes a 3 or 5 MHz frequency as an oscillation frequency for producing sub-micron droplets. The nebulizer can also use at least one piezoelectric ceramic oscillator for increasing the volume of the droplets. The ultrasonic nebulizer comprises an ac/dc converter, an oscillator circuit, an amplifying device, a nebulization chamber, and at least one piezoelectric ceramic oscillator. The ac/dc converter rectifies an ac current to a dc current. The oscillator circuit produces an oscillation signal with a frequency larger than or equal to 3 MHz. The amplifying device amplifies the oscillation signal. The nebulization chamber has a lower face for holding a liquid to be nebulized. At least one piezoelectric ceramic oscillator is formed on the lower face of the nebulization chamber and connected to the amplified signal providing an ultrasonic output to cause nebulization for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets, comprising:

an ac/dc converter for rectifying an ac current to a dc current and providing a dc voltage;

an oscillator circuit powered by said dc voltage for producing an oscillation signal with a frequency larger than or equal to 3 MHz;

an amplifying device being connected to said oscillator circuit for amplifying the oscillation signal, wherein the amplifying device includes an NPN transistor having an emitter connecting a positive terminal of a diode and one terminal of a first inductor that has the other terminal connecting a negative terminal of a first capacitor and one terminal of a second inductor, a collector connecting a negative terminal of the diode, a positive terminal of the first capacitor, a positive terminal of the third capacitor and a positive terminal of a second capacitor that has a negative terminal connecting the other terminal of the second inductor, and a base connecting the oscillation signal through a resistor and a negative terminal of the third capacitor;

a nebulization chamber having a lower face for holding a liquid to be nebulized; and

at least one piezoelectric ceramic oscillator formed on the lower face of said nebulization chamber and being electrically connected to the amplified signal to provide an ultrasonic output to cause nebulization for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets.

2. The ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the ac/dc converter comprises a register and four diodes forming a Whetstone bridge for rectifying the ac current.

3. The ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the oscillator circuit comprises a plurality of resistors, a plurality of capacitors, a variable resistor and an oscillator for producing the oscillation signal.

4. The ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the amplifying device comprises a resistor, a plurality of capacitors, a plurality of inductances, a diode, and a power amplified transistor for amplifying the oscillation signal.

5. The ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets as claimed

in claim 1, wherein, the frequency of the oscillation signal is equal to or large than 3 MHz.