Nebulizer apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A nebulizer comprising:
- a housing having an ambient air inlet and a chamber for holding an aerosol;
an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;
a pressurized gas inlet adjacent a fluid orifice, the pressurized gas inlet in communication with the chamber and the fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel, wherein an end of the fluid channel is positioned in a fluid reservoir in the chamber; and
, a fluid channel air inlet valve movably disposed across a fluid channel air inlet, wherein the fluid channel air inlet is in communication with the fluid channel and the fluid orifice.
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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.
124 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A nebulizer comprising:
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a housing having an ambient air inlet and a chamber for holding an aerosol;
an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;
a pressurized gas inlet adjacent a fluid orifice, the pressurized gas inlet in communication with the chamber and the fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel, wherein an end of the fluid channel is positioned in a fluid reservoir in the chamber; and
,a fluid channel air inlet valve movably disposed across a fluid channel air inlet, wherein the fluid channel air inlet is in communication with the fluid channel and the fluid orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A nebulizer for providing an aerosol to an inhaling patient, the nebulizer comprising:
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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 fluid orifice located in the chamber adjacent the pressurized gas inlet, the fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel and in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas inlet, wherein an end of the fluid channel is positioned in a fluid reservoir in the chamber; and
a fluid channel air inlet valve movably disposed across a fluid channel air inlet, wherein the fluid channel air inlet is in communication with the fluid channel and the fluid orifice. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17-35. -35. (canceled)
Specification