Nebulizer apparatus and method

• US 8,844,520 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Inventors: Foley, Martin P., Grychowski, Jerry R., Blacker, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon, Annette
• Application Number:
  US13/768,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20130247903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 12820011-20022, 128/200.24, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 239/102.1, 239/102.2, 239/330, 239/335, 239/338, 239/505
• US Class Current: 128/200.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/002 by flow deviation causing inertial separation of transported particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0093 without arming or cocking, e.g. acting directly on the delivery valve

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.

Claims

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an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;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 diverter surface positioned in the chamber in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas inlet, the diverter surface defining a fluid orifice positioned at a non-parallel angle to the fluid orifice, wherein the diverter surface is positioned to divert gas issuing from the pressurized gas inlet over the fluid orifice defined by diverter surface;

a fluid channel in communication with 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 is configured to permit 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid channel air inlet valve is positioned in the housing such that a first side of the valve is in contact with ambient air outside the chamber and a second side of the valve is in contact with a body of air inside the chamber, the fluid channel air inlet valve positioned to actuate the nebulizer in response to a physical contact received on the first side of the valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diverter surface comprises a curved surface having a proximal sloped portion facing toward the pressurized gas inlet, a distal sloped portion facing away from the pressurized gas inlet, and a raised peak portion between the proximal and distal sloped portions.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the diverter surface is a continuously curved surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a longitudinal axis of the fluid orifice is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pressurized gas inlet.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fluid orifice is off-center from the raised peak portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fluid orifice is positioned between the raised peak portion and the distal sloped portion of the diverter surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pressurized gas inlet is positioned over the diverter surface between the proximal sloped portion and the raised peak portion.

9. 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 constricted tubular segment located in the chamber, the constricted tubular segment having two open ends each with a diameter greater than a diameter of a middle portion positioned between the two open ends, wherein the pressurized gas inlet is surrounded by a first of the two open ends and oriented toward a second of the two open ends;

wherein an interior surface of the constricted tube segment comprises a diverter surface and the diverter surface defines a fluid orifice;

wherein the diverter surface is positioned to divert gas issuing from the pressurized gas inlet over the fluid orifice defined by diverter surface;

a fluid channel in communication with 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 is configured to permit 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.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fluid channel air inlet valve is positioned in the housing such that a first side of the valve is in contact with ambient air outside the chamber and a second side of the valve is in contact with a body of air inside the chamber, the fluid channel air inlet valve positioned to actuate the nebulizer in response to a physical contact received on the first side of the valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the diverter surface comprises a curved surface having a proximal sloped portion facing toward the pressurized gas inlet, a distal sloped portion facing away from the pressurized gas inlet, and a raised peak portion between the proximal and distal sloped portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the diverter surface is a continuously curved surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a longitudinal axis of the fluid orifice is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pressurized gas inlet.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fluid orifice is off-center from the raised peak portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fluid orifice is positioned between the raised peak portion and the distal sloped portion of the diverter surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pressurized gas inlet is positioned over the diverter surface between the proximal sloped portion and the raised peak portion.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a longitudinal axis of the pressurized gas inlet is positioned off-center of a longitudinal axis of the constricted tubular segment.

18. A nebulizer for providing an aerosol to an inhaling patient, 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 constricted tubular segment located in the chamber, the constricted tubular segment having two open ends each with a diameter greater than a diameter of a middle portion positioned between the two open ends,

wherein the pressurized gas inlet is surrounded by a first of the two open ends and oriented toward a second of the two open ends;

wherein an interior surface of the constricted tube segment comprises a diverter surface and the diverter surface defines a fluid orifice;

wherein the diverter surface is positioned to divert gas issuing from the pressurized gas inlet over the fluid orifice defined by diverter surface;

a fluid channel in communication with 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the diverter surface is in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas inlet.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

the diverter surface comprises a continuously curved surface having a proximal sloped portion facing toward the pressurized gas inlet, a distal sloped portion facing away from the pressurized gas inlet, and a raised peak portion between the proximal and distal sloped portion; and

wherein the fluid orifice is off-center from the raised peak portion.