Methods and systems for operating an aerosol generator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, comprising:
- a ventilator,a breathing circuit,a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough;
a controller configured to control vibration of the vibratory aerosolization element,wherein the controller may be configured to vibrate the vibratory aerosolization element during a selected interval of a breathing cycle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A nebule comprising at least one identification marker or label can be coupled an aerosol generator. The identification marker can be sensed by a sensing device on the aerosol generator so as to identify the liquid in the nebule to the controller of the aerosol generator. The controller of the aerosol generator can control the aerosol generator based on the information read from the identification marker.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, comprising:
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a ventilator, a breathing circuit, a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough; a controller configured to control vibration of the vibratory aerosolization element, wherein the controller may be configured to vibrate the vibratory aerosolization element during a selected interval of a breathing cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 20, 21, 22)
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5. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:
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a breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal tube portion and an outlet portion; a nebulizer positioned to provide nebulized fluid into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising;
a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough;wherein the vibratory element may be caused to vibrate at least in part by an electrical signal in a manner so as to draw fluid into the apertures at the first face thereof and emit the fluid as a low velocity nebulized cloud from the second face, and wherein the force of the emitted cloud is small enough that substantially no aerosol is lost though the outlet portion when there is no inspiratory flow through the inlet portion. - View Dependent Claims (6, 23, 24, 25)
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7. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:
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a breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal tube portion and an outlet portion; a nebulizer positioned to provide nebulized fluid into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising;
a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough;wherein the vibratory element may be caused to vibrate at least in part by an electrical signal in a manner so as to draw fluid into the apertures at the first face thereof and emit the fluid as a low velocity nebulized cloud from the second face, and wherein the force of the emitted cloud is small enough that substantially all of the cloud may travel no further than the inlet portion of the Y connector when there is no inspiratory flow through the inlet portion. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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8. A method of providing nebulized fluid to a patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:
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providing a ventilator, providing a breathing circuit to connect the ventilator to a patient, the breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal portion and an outlet portion, providing a nebulizer positioned to provide aerosol into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising a vibratory aerosolization element, the vibratory aerosolization element operable in part by an electronic signal; providing an electronic signal that causes the aerosolization element to vibrate in such a manner as to deliver a cloud of mist into the inlet portion of the inlet portion during an interval in which there is substantially no inhalation flow through the inlet portion, such that the cloud remains substantially within the inlet portion; providing an inhalation flow from the ventilator in such a manner as to sweep substantially the entire cloud of mist through the endotracheal tube portion to the patient substantially upon the commencement of the inhalation flow. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 35, 36, 37)
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9. A method of providing nebulized fluid to a neonatal patient receiving air from a ventilator, comprising:
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providing a ventilator, providing a breathing circuit to connect the ventilator to a patient, the breathing circuit comprising a Y connector, the Y connector comprising an inlet portion, an endotracheal portion and an outlet portion, providing a nebulizer positioned to provide aerosol into the inlet portion of the Y connector, the nebulizer comprising a vibratory aerosolization element, the vibratory aerosolization element operable in part by an electronic signal; providing an electronic signal that causes the aerosolization element to vibrate in such a manner as to deliver a cloud of mist into the inlet portion of the inlet portion during an interval in which there is substantially no inhalation flow through the inlet portion, such that the cloud remains substantially within the inlet portion; providing an inhalation flow from the ventilator in such a manner as to sweep substantially the entire cloud of mist through the endotracheal tube portion to the patient substantially upon the commencement of the inhalation flow. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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10. A system for providing aerosol into a ventilator circuit, comprising;
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a ventilator capable of providing at least one cycle of inhalation air; a ventilator circuit comprising an inhalation tube, and exhalation tube and an intubation tube, and a Y connector therebetween; a sensor configured to monitor a point within an inhalation cycle of the ventilator; a nebulizer comprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to calculate an inhalation profile based on the sensed point of operation of the ventilator, the microprocessor further configured to follow at least one algorithm for operating the nebulizer based on an inhalation profile, wherein the algorithm is configured to provide a point for the commencement of aerosolization and a point for the cessation of aerosolization. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing a nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, the method comprising:
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providing a ventilator having a breathing circuit; vibrating an aerosolization element in the presence of a fluid, wherein the aerosolization element includes a plurality of apertures that nebulize the liquid while the aerosolization element is vibrating; introducing the nebulized liquid into the breathing circuit; and controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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Specification