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Nebulizer apparatus and method

  • US 8,397,712 B2
  • Filed: 07/13/2009
  • Issued: 03/19/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A nebulizer comprising:

  • a housing defining a chamber for holding an aerosol and a reservoir for holding a medicament;

    an air outlet extending from the housing and communicating with the chamber, the air outlet positioned to permit the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;

    a fluid orifice in fluid communication with the reservoir via a fluid channel, wherein a portion of the fluid channel is defined by a passage between a pressurized gas nozzle and a nozzle cover;

    a pressurized gas inlet adjacent the fluid orifice and positioned at an end of the pressurized gas nozzle;

    a diverter positioned within the chamber relative to the gas inlet to facilitate nebulization of a fluid from the fluid orifice;

    an air inlet having a one-way valve configured to allow air to enter the chamber, the one-way valve being movable in response to a change of pressure; and

    a fluid channel air inlet in communication with the fluid channel, the fluid channel air inlet positioned in the housing and comprising a conduit extending away from the fluid channel and adjacent a fluid channel air inlet valve, wherein the fluid channel air inlet valve is positioned such that the fluid channel air inlet valve seals against the fluid channel air inlet in response to an inhalation at the air outlet to permit a negative pressure to draw fluid through the fluid channel.

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