USRE42911E1 - Atomizer - Google Patents
Atomizer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USRE42911E1 USRE42911E1 US12/060,577 US6057708A USRE42911E US RE42911 E1 USRE42911 E1 US RE42911E1 US 6057708 A US6057708 A US 6057708A US RE42911 E USRE42911 E US RE42911E
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- substance
- outlet
- deflector
- atomizer
- air
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
- A61M11/06—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes of the injector type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
- A61M11/001—Particle size control
- A61M11/002—Particle size control by flow deviation causing inertial separation of transported particles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
- B05B7/0012—Apparatus for achieving spraying before discharge from the apparatus
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M15/00—Inhalators
- A61M15/0091—Inhalators mechanically breath-triggered
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
- A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
- A61M2016/0015—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors
- A61M2016/0018—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors electrical
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
- A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
- A61M2016/003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure with a flowmeter
- A61M2016/0033—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure with a flowmeter electrical
Definitions
- the present invention relates to atomizers and, in particular, to atomizers of the type which include a gas exit, at least one outlet in the region of the gas exit and a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from the gas exit across the at least one outlet whereby a substance to be atomized is drawn out of the at least one outlet and atomized.
- atomizers atomize liquids or powders into the gas.
- atomizers of the above type operate continuously whether atomization is required or not. Strictly speaking, when such atomizers, frequently called nebulisers, are used in medical applications, atomization is only required during the inhalation phase of a breathing cycle so that a drug can be administered by deposition in the lungs. In practice a patient usually inhales for about 30 percent of the breathing cycle, consequently, use of a continuously operating atomizer results in a large proportion of the atomized drug being wasted.
- Some designs of medical atomizer overcome such wastage by giving the patient a trigger to start the atomization when they begin to inhale. Such a trigger controlled type of atomizer is not satisfactory since the patient must coordinate inhalation with trigger operation.
- a gas duct leads gas under pressure to a gas exit
- a reservoir for holding the substance to be atomized is formed around the base of the gas duct
- a sleeve placed around the gas duct defines a passageway through which the substance to be atomized may pass to at least one outlet.
- a fixed deflector in the form of a bar is disposed in line with the gas outlet so that gas issuing from the gas exit is deflected so as to pass over the outlet or outlets.
- the passage of gas over each outlet draws the substance to be atomised from the reservoir, through the passageway to each outlet.
- the deflected gas atomizes the substance, and atomized particles of the substance are carried away during the inhalation phase of the patient since the patient breathes air or gas in through the atomizer some of the drug is lost while the patient is not inhaling.
- Atomizers are used in other applications.
- powders or liquid may be sprayed from a jet, the liquid or powder being atomized and entrained by a propellant.
- operation is controlled by a valve for releasing propellant.
- the valve When the valve is released, the spraying operation is stopped and some of the liquid or powder collects in the jet since insufficient propellant has been released.
- the collected spray either dries to block the jet or is propelled by a re-started spraying operation in large droplets. Where paint is being sprayed, this causes splatter and uneven deposition on a surface to be painted.
- FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a relaxed position
- FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a first operational position in which atomization takes place
- FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of he invention in a second operational position in which atomization takes place
- FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a third operational position in which no atomization takes place
- FIGS. 5 and 6 show one embodiment of the flap valve and gas deflector
- FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a second operational position in which atomization takes place
- FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the movable baffle bar is located beneath the baffle
- FIG. 9 shows the further embodiment during inhalation by a patient.
- an atomizer includes a gas duct 6 which leads gas under pressure to a gas exit 4 within a jet head 3 .
- the gas duct 6 passes through a wall of a reservoir 7 within which a substance to be atomised is held.
- a sleeve 8 is disposed around the jet head 3 and the gas duct 6 . Passages are formed between the inner surface of the sleeve 8 and the outer surface of the gas duct 6 for leading the substance to be atomized from the reservoir 7 to outlets 5 in the jet head adjacent to the gas exit 4 .
- a deflector 1 For atomization of the substance to take place, a deflector 1 must be placed in the path of the pressurised gas exiting from the gas exit 4 so that it is redirected to pass directly over the outlets 5 .
- This flow of pressure air draws the substance to be atomized from the reservoir 7 , through the passage between the sleeve 8 and the gas duct 6 to the outlets 5 .
- the flow of pressure air atomizes the substance as the substance leaves the outlets 5 .
- a downwardly and outwardly shaped baffle 9 is disposed around the jet head 3 to deflect the atomized substance downwards before it is carried away. It is important that the substance is atomized into very fine droplets.
- the substance to be atomized is a drug for administering to a patient by lung deposition. The finer the droplets, the deeper into the lungs the drug will pass. This maximises the deposition of the drug. Larger droplets collect on the inside of the baffle 9 where they coalesce to drop back down into the reservoir 7 .
- the atomizer also includes an air inlet 13 and an air outlet 14 .
- air inlet 13 In the above-mentioned medical application, as a patient inhales, ambient air is drawn into the atomizer through the inlet 13 . The air then passes into the region of the air exit 4 and outlets 5 where droplets are entrained by the inhaled ambient air. The air then passes down under the baffle 9 before passing upwardly and out via the air outlet 14 carrying droplets of the drug to the patient. This action is described in more detail in British Patent application 9219327.5 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,501, which are hereby imported into this description in their entirety.
- a planar arcuate gas deflector 1 is mounted above the gas exit to be movable about a pivot in that plane.
- the gas deflector 1 may be disposed across the gas exit 4 , in which case atomization takes place, or may be disposed away from the gas exit 4 , in which case no atomization takes place.
- a vane 2 is joined to the deflector bar 1 so as to be pivotally mounted and to move with the deflector bar 1 .
- the flap 2 responds to the breathing pattern of a patient by moving around the pivot.
- the vane When the apparatus is not in use, the vane assumes the position shown in FIG. 1 in which the gas deflector is not disposed across the gas exit. The vane forms a partial seal against a curved surface 12 (shown in outline). Even when pressure gas is issuing from the gas exit, no atomization takes place since the deflector is not disposed in the path of the gas.
- the vane must move only a few degrees before the deflector bar 1 is brought into position to commence atomization, but must move a few more degrees before breaking the seal between the flap and the curved surface to permit ambient air to enter the nebulizer. This ensures that the deflector is fully in position and atomizing cleanly before the ambient air passes through the atomizer to carry the droplets away.
- the deflector extends further from the pivot than the flap so that the deflector can be positioned very close to the gas exit without obstruction from the flap.
- the curved surface 12 against which the vane seals therefore includes an arcuate slot through which the deflector may pass.
- the vane 2 assumes the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the deflector bar 1 remains in the path of the gas exit so that atomization takes place, but excess air passes directly from the air inlet 13 to the air outlet 14 without entraining the atomized substance.
- the main reason for this is that the efficiency of entrainment of droplets decreases where air passes through the atomizer too quickly since a proportion of droplets will impact against the walls of the atomizer.
- a typical optimum flow rate is of the order of twenty five liters per minute.
- the vane 2 When the patient exhales, the vane 2 is displaced to a position as shown in FIG. 4 where the deflector is displaced such that it is not in the path of the gas exit. Atomization therefore does not occur, and so no drug is wasted.
- the vane allows exhaled air to pass directly from the air outlet 14 to the air inlet 13 without having to pass through the atomizing chamber.
- the combination of the vane 2 and the deflector 1 therefore constitutes a one-way valve.
- the vane 2 When the patient is not breathing in or out, the vane 2 is biassed towards the position shown in FIG. 1 .
- the vane 2 and deflector 1 are mounted on a rubber tongue 11 extending from a fixed rubber block 10 .
- the vane 2 and deflector 1 are therefore resiliently mounted.
- the atomizer shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes three separable units.
- a base unit 15 includes the reservoir 7 , the gas duct 6 , the jet head 3 and outlets 5 .
- the reservoir 7 includes a threaded rim.
- An upper unit 16 includes three air inlet 13 , and the air outlet 14 .
- the baffle 9 , sleeve 8 , frame members 17 , the vane 2 , gas deflector 1 , the rubber tongue 11 and the fixed rubber block 10 constitute the third unit. Separation of the third unit permits the atomizer to be more easily cleaned.
- the vane 2 and gas deflector are connected to the air inlet 13 in the upper unit 16 , and to the baffle 9 since the gas deflector 1 must pass through a slot in the baffle.
- the sleeve 8 may be part of the base unit 15 , or part of the third unit.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 show the vane 2 and deflector 1 mounted on the fixed rubber block and rubber tongue.
- the rubber tongue 11 is held at the ends by the frame members 17 so that when the tongue 11 is bent by the vane, a load is applied.
- the vane 2 and deflector 1 are attached directly to the tongue 11 so that they are pivotally displaceable.
- FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of this invention in which the base unit 15 is exactly as described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 4 .
- the vane 2 and deflector 1 are also mounted as described above.
- the main difference in this second embodiment is that the air outlet 14 leading to a patient extends vertically from the atomizer as shown in FIG. 7 . Drug laden air does not have to pass around a sharp corner into the air outlet 14 once it has passed around the baffle 9 . Fewer drug droplets will collect on the inner surface of the air outlet 14 .
- the lower edge of the vane 2 forms a seal with the curved surface 12 as explained above.
- the vane 2 also includes two other edges which must be sealed.
- the vane 2 swings between two vertical wedge-shaped frame members 17 which form a seal so that flow of air to bypass the vane 2 is restricted when the vane 2 is disposed in any of the positions shown in FIG. 1 , 2 or 7 .
- the frame members 17 also act as supports for the fixed rubber block 10 .
- the frame members 17 may extend from the baffle 9 , from the edge of the curved surface 12 or from the base unit 15 . Where the frame members extend from the edge of the curved surface 12 , the vane 2 , deflector 1 and rubber block 10 are all mounted on the frame members 17 and within the upper unit 16 .
- the rubber block 10 is replaced by a metal spring eg, a leaf spring which permits the vane 2 and deflector 1 to be pivotally moveable in the same manner as described in relation to the rubber block 10 and tongue 11 .
- a metal spring eg, a leaf spring which permits the vane 2 and deflector 1 to be pivotally moveable in the same manner as described in relation to the rubber block 10 and tongue 11 .
- the vane 2 is omitted, and the deflector is movable into and out of the stream of gas issuing from the gas exit according to the breathing pattern of a patient.
- the vane is replaced by a flow sensor which detects when a patient begins to inhale and moves the deflector 1 into the path of gas issuing from the gas exit.
- the deflector is a bar which is moveable perpendicularly or laterally relevant to the longitudinal extent of the bar.
- the deflector 1 is displaceable up and down in line with the gas issuing from the gas outlet. Once the deflector is raised above a certain height, atomization ceases to take place.
- the deflector is not a straight bar, but is of any suitable shape for deflecting the gas across the outlets to cause atomization.
- the deflector may, for example, be a spherical ball disposed in the path of gas exiting the gas exit.
- the deflector may be a longitudinal blade movable into the path of the gas in the longitudinal direction of the blade.
- the atomizer is used for producing a spray.
- This spray may be liquid droplets or powder particles.
- the spray may contain a drug.
- This spray producing apparatus may be used for producing sprays of paint droplets, perfume droplets or any other suitable liquids or powders.
- a base unit 15 of FIGS. 1-4 may be used to produce a gas exit 4 and outlets S for the substance to be atomized.
- a moveable deflector 1 is displaceable by a user. The user first activates a compressor which sends gas through the gas duct.
- a mechanical compressor may be used, although this could be substituted for an aerosol propellant.
- the propellant then carries the droplets or powder through an outlet jet to form a spray.
- a two-stage button can be used whereby atomization only takes place when the button is fully depressed while gas issues from the gas exit when the button is only partially depressed.
- the deflector bar 1 is housed entirely within the baffle 9 so that any liquid which collects on the deflector bar merely drips back into the reservoir, or if it is sprayed from the deflector bar by the flow of gas from the gas exit 4 , is collected on the underside of the baffle 9 whereupon it coalesces and drops back down into the reservoir 7 .
- FIG. 8 shows the nebulizer in a position where the patient is not inhaling.
- the segment shaped deflector bar 1 is disposed outside the line of gas exiting from the gas exit 4 so that nebulization does not take place.
- the segment is pivoted at a pivot point 21 , and is also connected to the vane or flap 2 .
- a proportion of the inhaled air passes directly from the air inlet 13 to the air outlet 14 as shown by arrow A.
- the flow of air for entraining droplets B has passed beneath the baffle 9 , it returns around the outside of the baffle 9 to rejoin the through flow of air A.
- a further advantage of this embodiment is that only a certain volume of air passes under the baffle 9 in a given time.
- the nebulizer works most effectively when the flow of air for entraining droplets is of the rate of about 25 liters per minute. If this rate of flow of air is much greater than this or much less than this, the effectiveness of entrainment decreases. This means that if the patient inhales sharply, the rate of through flow of air A increases without significantly altering the flow of air for entraining droplets B passing beneath the baffle.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Anesthesiology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Nozzles (AREA)
- Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)
Abstract
An atomizer including a gas exit, an outlet adjacent the gas exit, and a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from the gas exit over the outlet for drawing a substance to be atomized out from one outlet and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from the gas exit characterised in that the deflector is movable between a first position in the path of the gas issuing from the gas exit for atomization and a second and non-atomizing position.
Description
More than one reissue application has been filed for U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,912, including continuation of Ser. No. 09/425,031 U.S. Reissue Patent, filed Oct. 19, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. Re. 40,591 reissued Dec. 2, 2008, the present application being a continuation thereof.
The present invention relates to atomizers and, in particular, to atomizers of the type which include a gas exit, at least one outlet in the region of the gas exit and a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from the gas exit across the at least one outlet whereby a substance to be atomized is drawn out of the at least one outlet and atomized. These atomizers atomize liquids or powders into the gas.
Most conventional atomizers of the above type operate continuously whether atomization is required or not. Strictly speaking, when such atomizers, frequently called nebulisers, are used in medical applications, atomization is only required during the inhalation phase of a breathing cycle so that a drug can be administered by deposition in the lungs. In practice a patient usually inhales for about 30 percent of the breathing cycle, consequently, use of a continuously operating atomizer results in a large proportion of the atomized drug being wasted.
Some designs of medical atomizer overcome such wastage by giving the patient a trigger to start the atomization when they begin to inhale. Such a trigger controlled type of atomizer is not satisfactory since the patient must coordinate inhalation with trigger operation.
In one conventional atomizer a gas duct leads gas under pressure to a gas exit, a reservoir for holding the substance to be atomized is formed around the base of the gas duct, and a sleeve placed around the gas duct defines a passageway through which the substance to be atomized may pass to at least one outlet. A fixed deflector in the form of a bar is disposed in line with the gas outlet so that gas issuing from the gas exit is deflected so as to pass over the outlet or outlets. The passage of gas over each outlet draws the substance to be atomised from the reservoir, through the passageway to each outlet. The deflected gas atomizes the substance, and atomized particles of the substance are carried away during the inhalation phase of the patient since the patient breathes air or gas in through the atomizer some of the drug is lost while the patient is not inhaling.
Atomizers are used in other applications. For example, powders or liquid may be sprayed from a jet, the liquid or powder being atomized and entrained by a propellant. In conventional sprays, operation is controlled by a valve for releasing propellant. When the valve is released, the spraying operation is stopped and some of the liquid or powder collects in the jet since insufficient propellant has been released. The collected spray either dries to block the jet or is propelled by a re-started spraying operation in large droplets. Where paint is being sprayed, this causes splatter and uneven deposition on a surface to be painted.
It is an object of this invention to reduce at least some of the above disadvantages of the above-mentioned prior art.
The present invention is defined in the appended claims.
Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 , an atomizer includes a gas duct 6 which leads gas under pressure to a gas exit 4 within a jet head 3. The gas duct 6 passes through a wall of a reservoir 7 within which a substance to be atomised is held. A sleeve 8 is disposed around the jet head 3 and the gas duct 6. Passages are formed between the inner surface of the sleeve 8 and the outer surface of the gas duct 6 for leading the substance to be atomized from the reservoir 7 to outlets 5 in the jet head adjacent to the gas exit 4. For atomization of the substance to take place, a deflector 1 must be placed in the path of the pressurised gas exiting from the gas exit 4 so that it is redirected to pass directly over the outlets 5. This flow of pressure air draws the substance to be atomized from the reservoir 7, through the passage between the sleeve 8 and the gas duct 6 to the outlets 5. The flow of pressure air atomizes the substance as the substance leaves the outlets 5.
A downwardly and outwardly shaped baffle 9 is disposed around the jet head 3 to deflect the atomized substance downwards before it is carried away. It is important that the substance is atomized into very fine droplets. In medical applications, the substance to be atomized is a drug for administering to a patient by lung deposition. The finer the droplets, the deeper into the lungs the drug will pass. This maximises the deposition of the drug. Larger droplets collect on the inside of the baffle 9 where they coalesce to drop back down into the reservoir 7.
The atomizer also includes an air inlet 13 and an air outlet 14. In the above-mentioned medical application, as a patient inhales, ambient air is drawn into the atomizer through the inlet 13. The air then passes into the region of the air exit 4 and outlets 5 where droplets are entrained by the inhaled ambient air. The air then passes down under the baffle 9 before passing upwardly and out via the air outlet 14 carrying droplets of the drug to the patient. This action is described in more detail in British Patent application 9219327.5 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,501, which are hereby imported into this description in their entirety.
A planar arcuate gas deflector 1 is mounted above the gas exit to be movable about a pivot in that plane. The gas deflector 1 may be disposed across the gas exit 4, in which case atomization takes place, or may be disposed away from the gas exit 4, in which case no atomization takes place.
A vane 2 is joined to the deflector bar 1 so as to be pivotally mounted and to move with the deflector bar 1. The flap 2 responds to the breathing pattern of a patient by moving around the pivot.
When the apparatus is not in use, the vane assumes the position shown in FIG. 1 in which the gas deflector is not disposed across the gas exit. The vane forms a partial seal against a curved surface 12 (shown in outline). Even when pressure gas is issuing from the gas exit, no atomization takes place since the deflector is not disposed in the path of the gas.
When a patient inhales, ambient air is drawn into the atomizer through the air inlet 13. The vane 2 is displaced into the position shown in FIG. 2 permitting and directing the ambient air to pass into the region of the gas exit before being directed downwardly and outwardly around the baffle. The air then escapes via the air outlet 14 to the patient. The displacement of the flap moves the deflector bar into the path of the gas issuing from the gas exit. Atomization therefore begins as soon as the patient begins to breath in. The atomized drug is carried away by the air passing through the atomizer. The vane must move only a few degrees before the deflector bar 1 is brought into position to commence atomization, but must move a few more degrees before breaking the seal between the flap and the curved surface to permit ambient air to enter the nebulizer. This ensures that the deflector is fully in position and atomizing cleanly before the ambient air passes through the atomizer to carry the droplets away.
The deflector extends further from the pivot than the flap so that the deflector can be positioned very close to the gas exit without obstruction from the flap. The curved surface 12 against which the vane seals therefore includes an arcuate slot through which the deflector may pass.
If the patient inhales sharply or quickly, the vane 2 assumes the position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the deflector bar 1 remains in the path of the gas exit so that atomization takes place, but excess air passes directly from the air inlet 13 to the air outlet 14 without entraining the atomized substance. The main reason for this is that the efficiency of entrainment of droplets decreases where air passes through the atomizer too quickly since a proportion of droplets will impact against the walls of the atomizer. A typical optimum flow rate is of the order of twenty five liters per minute.
When the patient exhales, the vane 2 is displaced to a position as shown in FIG. 4 where the deflector is displaced such that it is not in the path of the gas exit. Atomization therefore does not occur, and so no drug is wasted. The vane allows exhaled air to pass directly from the air outlet 14 to the air inlet 13 without having to pass through the atomizing chamber. The combination of the vane 2 and the deflector 1 therefore constitutes a one-way valve.
When the patient is not breathing in or out, the vane 2 is biassed towards the position shown in FIG. 1 . The vane 2 and deflector 1 are mounted on a rubber tongue 11 extending from a fixed rubber block 10. The vane 2 and deflector 1 are therefore resiliently mounted.
The atomizer shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes three separable units. A base unit 15 includes the reservoir 7, the gas duct 6, the jet head 3 and outlets 5. The reservoir 7 includes a threaded rim. An upper unit 16 includes three air inlet 13, and the air outlet 14. The baffle 9, sleeve 8, frame members 17, the vane 2, gas deflector 1, the rubber tongue 11 and the fixed rubber block 10 constitute the third unit. Separation of the third unit permits the atomizer to be more easily cleaned. The vane 2 and gas deflector are connected to the air inlet 13 in the upper unit 16, and to the baffle 9 since the gas deflector 1 must pass through a slot in the baffle. The sleeve 8 may be part of the base unit 15, or part of the third unit.
Referring to FIGS. 3 , 4 and 7, the lower edge of the vane 2 forms a seal with the curved surface 12 as explained above. The vane 2 also includes two other edges which must be sealed. The vane 2 swings between two vertical wedge-shaped frame members 17 which form a seal so that flow of air to bypass the vane 2 is restricted when the vane 2 is disposed in any of the positions shown in FIG. 1 , 2 or 7. In the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 . the frame members 17 also act as supports for the fixed rubber block 10. The frame members 17 may extend from the baffle 9, from the edge of the curved surface 12 or from the base unit 15. Where the frame members extend from the edge of the curved surface 12, the vane 2, deflector 1 and rubber block 10 are all mounted on the frame members 17 and within the upper unit 16.
According to another embodiment (not shown), the rubber block 10 is replaced by a metal spring eg, a leaf spring which permits the vane 2 and deflector 1 to be pivotally moveable in the same manner as described in relation to the rubber block 10 and tongue 11.
In a further embodiment (not shown) the vane 2 is omitted, and the deflector is movable into and out of the stream of gas issuing from the gas exit according to the breathing pattern of a patient. The vane is replaced by a flow sensor which detects when a patient begins to inhale and moves the deflector 1 into the path of gas issuing from the gas exit. In this embodiment the deflector is a bar which is moveable perpendicularly or laterally relevant to the longitudinal extent of the bar.
In another embodiment the deflector 1 is displaceable up and down in line with the gas issuing from the gas outlet. Once the deflector is raised above a certain height, atomization ceases to take place.
In yet a further embodiment, the deflector is not a straight bar, but is of any suitable shape for deflecting the gas across the outlets to cause atomization. The deflector may, for example, be a spherical ball disposed in the path of gas exiting the gas exit. The deflector may be a longitudinal blade movable into the path of the gas in the longitudinal direction of the blade.
In yet another embodiment (not shown) of this invention, the atomizer is used for producing a spray. This spray may be liquid droplets or powder particles. In medical applications, the spray may contain a drug. This spray producing apparatus may be used for producing sprays of paint droplets, perfume droplets or any other suitable liquids or powders. A base unit 15 of FIGS. 1-4 may be used to produce a gas exit 4 and outlets S for the substance to be atomized. A moveable deflector 1 is displaceable by a user. The user first activates a compressor which sends gas through the gas duct. For paint spraying, a mechanical compressor may be used, although this could be substituted for an aerosol propellant. The user then moves the deflector into the path of the gas issuing from the gas exit 4 to start atomization. The propellant then carries the droplets or powder through an outlet jet to form a spray. The user stops atomization before stopping the flow of gas from the gas exit. This keeps the outlet jet clean and free from paint and the like. A two-stage button can be used whereby atomization only takes place when the button is fully depressed while gas issues from the gas exit when the button is only partially depressed.
Under certain conditions, although 95% of the gas issuing from the gas exit 4 is deflected to either side of the deflector bar 1, a small amount hits the baffle bar depositing the substance to be atomized on the deflector bar 1. The gas which hits the baffle bar drives the liquid along the baffle bar towards the ends where the liquid can collect on top of the baffle 9 so that it is lost to the atomizer system. The whole dose of medicament is then not available to be administered to the patient. Furthermore, in some arrangements, as the deflector bar is moved out of the flow of gas issuing from the gas exit 4, the liquid that is running along the edge of the deflector bar 1 is sprayed into the top of the nebulizer where it collects without returning back to the reservoir 7. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the deflector bar 1 is housed entirely within the baffle 9 so that any liquid which collects on the deflector bar merely drips back into the reservoir, or if it is sprayed from the deflector bar by the flow of gas from the gas exit 4, is collected on the underside of the baffle 9 whereupon it coalesces and drops back down into the reservoir 7. FIG. 8 shows the nebulizer in a position where the patient is not inhaling. The segment shaped deflector bar 1 is disposed outside the line of gas exiting from the gas exit 4 so that nebulization does not take place. The segment is pivoted at a pivot point 21, and is also connected to the vane or flap 2. When a patient inhales, air is drawn into the nebulizer through air inlet 13, and deflects the vane or flap 2 moving the deflector bar 1 into line with the gas exit thus causing atomization of the substance to occur. For clarity, the outlets 5 and the sleeve 8 are not shown in the Figure. However the jet head is arranged in the same way as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 7 . The atomization of the substance causes the pressure beneath the baffle 9 to be decreased thereby drawing part of the inhaled air under the baffle 9 as shown by arrow B. The baffle 9 includes an aperture 20 for permitting the flow of air for entraining droplets B to enter beneath the baffle 9. A proportion of the inhaled air passes directly from the air inlet 13 to the air outlet 14 as shown by arrow A. Once the flow of air for entraining droplets B has passed beneath the baffle 9, it returns around the outside of the baffle 9 to rejoin the through flow of air A. A further advantage of this embodiment is that only a certain volume of air passes under the baffle 9 in a given time. The nebulizer works most effectively when the flow of air for entraining droplets is of the rate of about 25 liters per minute. If this rate of flow of air is much greater than this or much less than this, the effectiveness of entrainment decreases. This means that if the patient inhales sharply, the rate of through flow of air A increases without significantly altering the flow of air for entraining droplets B passing beneath the baffle.
Claims (40)
1. An atomizer comprising:
a head having a gas exit and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit; and
said deflector mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is movable between a first position in which said deflector is adjacent said gas exit and directly in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit so that atomization of the substance takes place, and a second position spaced from said gas exit so that no atomizing takes place.
2. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising condition responsive means for automatically moving said deflector between said first and second positions in response to a condition.
3. An atomizer as recited in claim 2 wherein said condition responsive means comprises a vane connected to said deflector and effecting movement of said deflector in response to air pressure conditions acting on said vane.
4. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said deflector is mounted with respect to said jet head by a pivot, so that said deflector pivots between said first and second positions.
5. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising a vane for moving said deflector between said first and second positions.
6. An atomizer as recited in claim 5 wherein said deflector comprises a bar connected to said vane.
7. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet providing for the flow of air toward and past said head, said outlet permitting flow of atomized substance to a human.
8. An atomizer as recited in claim 7 wherein said deflector moves into said first position when air flows from said air inlet to said air outlet.
9. An atomizer as recited in claim 7 wherein said deflector moves into said second position when air is not flowing from said air inlet to said air outlet.
10. An atomizer as recited in claim 3 further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet for providing the flow of air to and past said head; and wherein said deflector is biased to said second position and wherein said vane is biased to a position closing said air inlet.
11. An atomizer as recited in claim 10 wherein said vane is positioned to direct a flow of air toward said gas exit when air flows from said air inlet to said air outlet.
12. An atomizer as recited in claim 10 wherein said vane is mounted to allow air flow from said air outlet directly through said air inlet, without passing past said head.
13. An atomizer as recited in claim 10 wherein said vane is mounted so as to allow a proportion of the air flowing from said air inlet to said air outlet to by-pass said head when the air flow rate exceeds a predetermined value.
14. An atomizer as recited in claim 4 wherein said deflector comprises a bar with an arcuate surface.
15. An atomizer as recited in claim 2 wherein said condition is a human inhaling and exhaling during breathing.
16. An atomizer as recited in claim 15 wherein said deflector is positioned so that during exhaling, exhaled air does not entrain the substance to be atomized.
17. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising a baffle extending outwardly and downwardly about said gas exit; and wherein said deflector is mounted within said baffle and movable with respect to said baffle.
18. An atomizer comprising:
a head having a gas exit and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit;
said deflector mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is movable between a first position in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit for atomization, and a second, non-atomizing, position; and
a vane for moving said deflector between said first and second positions.
19. An atomizer as recited in claim 18 wherein said deflector is mounted with respect to said head by a pivot, so that said deflector pivots between said first and second positions.
20. An atomizer as recited in claim 18 wherein said vane is integral with said deflector.
21. An atomizer as recited in claim 18 wherein said deflector comprises a surface elongated in a first dimension and having a first width; and wherein said vane comprises a surface elongated in a second dimension substantially perpendicular to said first dimension and has a second width much greater than said first width so that said vane moves, and effects movement of said deflector, in response to breathing action by a human.
22. An atomizer as recited in claim 21 further comprising a baffle extending outwardly and downwardly about said gas exit; and wherein said deflector is mounted within said baffle and movable with respect to said baffle.
23. An atomizer comprising:
a head having a gas exit and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit; and
said deflector pivotally mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is pivotally movable between a first position in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit for atomization, and a second, non-atomizing, position.
24. An atomizer as recited in claim 23 further comprising a baffle extending outwardly and downwardly about said gas exit; and wherein said deflector is mounted within said baffle and movable with respect to said baffle.
25. Spray forming apparatus comprising:
a housing having an outlet for a spray of atomized substance;
a head mounted within said housing and including a pressurized gas exit, and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit; and
said deflector mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is movable between a first position in which said deflector is adjacent said gas exit and directly in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit so that atomization of the substance takes place, and the atomized substance is sprayed out of said housing outlet, and a second position in which said deflector is spaced from said gas exit so that no atomized substance is sprayed out of said spray outlet.
26. An atomizer comprising:
an atomizing chamber;
a pressurized gas outlet leading to the atomizing chamber;
an air outlet for enabling a flow of air and atomized substance out of the atomizing chamber to a patient;
a reservoir;
a substance passage having a substance inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a substance outlet that opens into the atomizing chamber; and
a deflector arranged to deflect gas issuing from the pressurized gas outlet,
wherein a variable distance between the substance outlet and the deflector is variable between an atomizing distance and a non-atomizing distance,
wherein the pressurized gas outlet, deflector, and substance outlet are positioned relative to each other such that when the deflector and substance outlet are spaced apart by the atomizing distance and a substance is in the reservoir, a flow of gas through the pressurized gas outlet draws the substance from the reservoir through the substance passage and out of the substance outlet and atomizes the substance, and
the pressurized gas outlet, deflector, and substance outlet are positioned relative to each other such that when the deflector and substance outlet are spaced apart by the non-atomizing distance and the substance is in the reservoir, the flow of gas through the pressurized gas outlet does not draw the substance from the reservoir through the substance passage and out of the substance outlet or atomize the substance.
27. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the deflector is movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet.
28. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the substance outlet and pressurized gas outlet are in fixed positions relative to each other.
29. The atomizer of claim 26, further comprising:
an air inlet for enabling a flow of ambient air into the atomizing chamber;
an air passage extending between the air inlet and air outlet; and
a valve in the air passage, the valve having a variable-sized opening therethrough, the size of the opening being cyclically variable in response to cyclical inhalations by the patient through the air outlet.
30. The atomizer of claim 29, wherein the variable distance is cyclically variable between the atomizing and non-atomizing distances in response to the cyclical inhalations.
31. The atomizer of claim 30, wherein:
the valve is movable between a first position that at least substantially seals the air inlet from the atomizing chamber, and a second position that permits air flow from the air inlet to the atomizing chamber,
the atomizer is constructed and arrange to make the variable distance become the atomizing distance in response to each inhalation of the cyclical inhalations;
the atomizer is constructed and arrange to make the variable distance become the non-atomizing distance in response to the completion of each inhalation of the cyclical inhalations;
the atomizer is constructed and arranged to, in response to each inhalation of the cyclical inhalations, move the valve into its second position after making the variable distance become the atomizing distance,
the atomizer is constructed and arranged to move the valve into its first position in response to the completion of each inhalation of the cyclical inhalations.
32. An atomizer comprising:
an atomizing chamber;
a pressurized gas outlet leading to the atomizing chamber;
an air inlet for enabling a flow of ambient air into the atomizing chamber;
an air outlet for enabling a flow of air and atomized substance out of the atomizing chamber to a patient;
an air passage extending between the air inlet and air outlet;
a valve in the air passage, the valve having a variable-sized opening therethrough, the size of the opening being cyclically variable in response to cyclical inhalations by a patient through the air outlet;
a reservoir;
a substance passage having a substance inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a substance outlet that opens into the atomizing chamber; and
a deflector arranged to deflect gas issuing from the pressurized gas outlet,
wherein a distance between the deflector and the substance outlet is cyclically variable in response to the cyclical inhalations.
33. The atomizer of claim 32, wherein the valve comprises a movable flap disposed in the air passage.
34. The atomizer of claim 32, wherein the valve comprises a pressure-responsive valve that is constructed and arranged to increase the size of the opening in the valve in response to negative pressure in the air passage.
35. The atomizer of claim 32, wherein:
the valve is constructed and arranged to increase the size of the opening in response to an inhalation, and
the valve is constructed and arranged to decrease the size of the opening in response to completion of the inhalation.
36. The atomizer of claim 35, wherein:
the valve is movable between a first position that at least substantially seals the air inlet from the atomizing chamber, and a second position that permits air flow from the air inlet to the atomizing chamber, and
the valve is constructed and arranged to move into its second position in response to the inhalation,
the valve is constructed and arranged to move into its first position in response to completion of the inhalation.
37. The atomizer of claim 32, wherein:
the distance is variable between an atomizing distance and a non-atomizing distance:
the pressurized gas outlet, deflector, and substance outlet are positioned relative to each other such that when the deflector and substance outlet are spaced apart by the atomizing distance and a substance is in the reservoir, a flow of gas through the pressurized gas outlet draws the substance from the reservoir through the substance passage and out of the substance outlet and atomizes the substance, and
the pressurized gas outlet, deflector, and substance outlet are positioned relative to each other such that when the deflector and substance outlet are spaced apart by the non-atomizing distance and the substance is in the reservoir, the flow of gas through the pressurized gas outlet does not draw the substance from the reservoir through the substance passage and out of the substance outlet or atomize the substance.
38. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the substance outlet is in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas outlet.
39. An atomizer comprising:
an atomizing chamber;
a pressurized gas outlet leading to the atomizing chamber;
an air outlet for enabling a flow of air and atomized substance out of the atomizing chamber to a patient;
a reservoir;
a substance passage having a substance inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a substance outlet that opens into the atomizing chamber; and
a deflector arranged to deflect gas issuing from the pressurized gas outlet,
wherein the deflector is movable relative to the substance outlet between an atomizing position and a non-atomizing position,
wherein the pressurized gas outlet, deflector, and substance outlet are positioned relative to each other such that when the deflector is in the atomizing position relative to the substance outlet and a substance is in the reservoir, a flow of gas through the pressurized gas outlet draws the substance from the reservoir through the substance passage and out of the substance outlet and atomizes the substance, and
the pressurized gas outlet, deflector, and substance outlet are positioned relative to each other such that when the deflector is in the non-atomizing position relative to the substance outlet and the substance is in the reservoir, the flow of gas through the pressurized gas outlet does not draw the substance from the reservoir through the substance passage and out of the substance outlet or atomize the substance.
40. An atomizer comprising:
an atomizing chamber;
a pressurized gas outlet leading to the atomizing chamber;
an air inlet for enabling a flow of ambient air into the atomizing chamber;
an air outlet for enabling a flow of air and atomized substance out of the atomizing chamber to a patient;
an air passage extending between the air inlet and air outlet;
a valve in the air passage, the valve having a variable-sized opening therethrough, the size of the opening being cyclically variable in response to cyclical inhalations by a patient through the air outlet;
a reservoir;
a substance passage having a substance inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a substance outlet that opens into the atomizing chamber; and
a deflector arranged to deflect gas issuing from the pressurized gas outlet,
wherein the deflector is cyclically movable relative to the substance outlet in response to the cyclical inhalations.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/060,577 USRE42911E1 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 2008-04-01 | Atomizer |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9422821A GB9422821D0 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1994-11-11 | Atomizer |
GB9422821 | 1994-11-11 | ||
US08/556,093 US5687912A (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1995-11-09 | Atomizer |
US09/425,031 USRE40591E1 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1999-10-19 | Atomizer |
US12/060,577 USRE42911E1 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 2008-04-01 | Atomizer |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/556,093 Reissue US5687912A (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1995-11-09 | Atomizer |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USRE42911E1 true USRE42911E1 (en) | 2011-11-15 |
Family
ID=10764267
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/556,093 Ceased US5687912A (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1995-11-09 | Atomizer |
US09/425,031 Expired - Lifetime USRE40591E1 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1999-10-19 | Atomizer |
US12/060,577 Expired - Lifetime USRE42911E1 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 2008-04-01 | Atomizer |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/556,093 Ceased US5687912A (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1995-11-09 | Atomizer |
US09/425,031 Expired - Lifetime USRE40591E1 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1999-10-19 | Atomizer |
Country Status (12)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US5687912A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0711609B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE189624T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU702001B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2162511C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69514986T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0711609T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2141897T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9422821D0 (en) |
GR (1) | GR3033380T3 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ280445A (en) |
PT (1) | PT711609E (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120153538A1 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2012-06-21 | Asml Netherlands B.V. | Imprint lithography |
US9022023B2 (en) | 2012-06-29 | 2015-05-05 | Carefusion 207, Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer having a pressurized gas diverter with a diverter orifice |
US9566399B1 (en) | 2015-04-14 | 2017-02-14 | Clempharma LLC | Deep lung alveolar aerosol targeted drug delivery |
US9687626B2 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2017-06-27 | Nostrum Technology Llc | Swivel adapter for nebulizer |
Families Citing this family (67)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1997010868A1 (en) * | 1995-09-18 | 1997-03-27 | Resmed Limited | Pressure control in cpap treatment or assisted respiration |
US5823179A (en) | 1996-02-13 | 1998-10-20 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
AU2004202959B2 (en) * | 1996-02-13 | 2006-05-11 | Trundell Medical Limited | Nebulizer Apparatus and Method |
GB2321419B (en) * | 1997-01-27 | 2001-02-07 | Medic Aid Ltd | Atomizer |
US6044841A (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 2000-04-04 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer with valve assembly having a relief piston |
GB2334686B (en) * | 1998-02-26 | 2002-06-19 | Medic Aid Ltd | Nebuliser |
US6338443B1 (en) | 1999-06-18 | 2002-01-15 | Mercury Enterprises, Inc. | High efficiency medical nebulizer |
DE19962110C2 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2003-06-12 | Pari Gmbh | Inhalation nebulizer with one-piece valve element |
JP4777574B2 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2011-09-21 | レスピロニクス・レスピラトリー・ドラッグ・デリバリー・(ユーケー)・リミテッド | Drug administration device |
US8820316B2 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2014-09-02 | Respironics Respiratory Drug Delivery (Uk) Ltd | Drug delivery apparatus |
US6557549B2 (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2003-05-06 | Trudell Medical International | Aerosol delivery apparatus with positive expiratory pressure capacity |
ATE422167T1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2009-02-15 | Mallinckrodt Inc | VENTILATOR WITH DUAL GAS SUPPLY |
GB0100756D0 (en) | 2001-01-11 | 2001-02-21 | Powderject Res Ltd | Needleless syringe |
EP2366420B1 (en) | 2001-03-20 | 2015-05-06 | Trudell Medical International | Nebulizer apparatus |
US6725858B2 (en) * | 2001-05-07 | 2004-04-27 | Hudson Respiratory Care Inc. | Valved aerosol tee adapter assembly |
JP4795637B2 (en) | 2001-09-28 | 2011-10-19 | カーブ テクノロジー,インコーポレイティド | Nose nebulizer |
US6994083B2 (en) | 2001-12-21 | 2006-02-07 | Trudell Medical International | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US20030205226A1 (en) | 2002-05-02 | 2003-11-06 | Pre Holding, Inc. | Aerosol medication inhalation system |
US8122881B2 (en) * | 2002-05-09 | 2012-02-28 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Particle dispersion device for nasal delivery |
US6904908B2 (en) | 2002-05-21 | 2005-06-14 | Trudell Medical International | Visual indicator for an aerosol medication delivery apparatus and system |
US7267120B2 (en) | 2002-08-19 | 2007-09-11 | Allegiance Corporation | Small volume nebulizer |
DE10238683A1 (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2004-03-11 | Rist, Max, Dr. | Device for influencing gas flows |
US7270123B2 (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2007-09-18 | Trudell Medical International | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
WO2005023334A2 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2005-03-17 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Nasal adapter for the base of the nose |
EP1673123A2 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2006-06-28 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Integrated nebulizer and particle dispersing chamber for delivery of medicament |
JP2007522902A (en) | 2004-02-24 | 2007-08-16 | ベーリンガー インゲルハイム インターナショナル ゲゼルシャフト ミット ベシュレンクテル ハフツング | Nebulizer |
US7493898B2 (en) * | 2005-04-13 | 2009-02-24 | Healthline Medical, Inc. | Inhalation apparatus |
CA2698137A1 (en) | 2006-08-30 | 2008-03-06 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Aerosol generating and delivery device |
GB0708758D0 (en) | 2007-05-04 | 2007-06-13 | Powderject Res Ltd | Particle cassettes and process thereof |
US20090050141A1 (en) * | 2007-08-21 | 2009-02-26 | Russell Wayne King | Pre-filled, single-use, disposable small volume medication nebulizer |
US7624968B2 (en) * | 2008-02-25 | 2009-12-01 | Hsueh-Yu Lu | Compressor nebulizer with a pressure gage |
US7581718B1 (en) * | 2008-04-16 | 2009-09-01 | Hsiner Co., Ltd. | Atomizer |
US9492625B2 (en) * | 2009-11-12 | 2016-11-15 | Stc.Unm | Dry powder inhaler with flutter dispersion member |
US8596263B2 (en) * | 2009-11-16 | 2013-12-03 | Samuel David Piper | Inhalation actuated nebulizer with impingement shield |
UA111622C2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2016-05-25 | Брітіш Амерікан Тобакко (Інвестментс) Лімітед | HEATING DEVICES AND WAY OF HEATING CIRCULAR MATERIAL |
US8677738B2 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2014-03-25 | Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. | Pre-injection exhaust flow modifier |
US9347355B2 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2016-05-24 | Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. | In-line flow diverter |
US9726063B2 (en) | 2011-09-08 | 2017-08-08 | Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. | In-line flow diverter |
JP5929176B2 (en) * | 2011-12-27 | 2016-06-01 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | Nebulizer and nebulizer kit |
JP6035738B2 (en) * | 2011-12-27 | 2016-11-30 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | Nebulizer and nebulizer kit |
JP2013132473A (en) * | 2011-12-27 | 2013-07-08 | Omron Healthcare Co Ltd | Nebulizer and nebulizer kit |
US10463815B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2019-11-05 | Respira Therapeutics, Inc. | Inhaler to deliver substances for prophylaxis or prevention of disease or injury caused by the inhalation of biological or chemical agents |
GB201217067D0 (en) | 2012-09-25 | 2012-11-07 | British American Tobacco Co | Heating smokable material |
US9539408B2 (en) | 2012-10-31 | 2017-01-10 | Trudell Medical International | Nebulizer apparatus |
US9248252B2 (en) * | 2012-12-19 | 2016-02-02 | Carefusion 303, Inc. | Nebulizer mouthpiece for reducing drug loss |
GB201311620D0 (en) | 2013-06-28 | 2013-08-14 | British American Tobacco Co | Devices Comprising a Heat Source Material and Activation Chambers for the Same |
US9849257B2 (en) * | 2013-08-22 | 2017-12-26 | Trudell Medical International | Oscillating positive respiratory pressure device |
CA2922004C (en) | 2013-09-21 | 2021-11-16 | Inspirx, Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer |
ITVR20130279A1 (en) * | 2013-12-12 | 2015-06-13 | Elettroplastica S P A | DEVICE FOR NEBULIZATION OF SUBSTANCES FOR AEROSOL |
GB201500582D0 (en) | 2015-01-14 | 2015-02-25 | British American Tobacco Co | Apparatus for heating or cooling a material contained therein |
US10076712B2 (en) | 2014-09-11 | 2018-09-18 | Mediamation, Inc. | Systems and methods for fluid delivery in seat systems |
US9307841B2 (en) | 2014-09-11 | 2016-04-12 | Mediamation, Inc. | Systems and methods for fluid delivery in seat systems |
JP2018501903A (en) | 2015-01-14 | 2018-01-25 | レスピラ セラピューティクス インコーポレイテッドRespira Therapeutics,Inc. | Powder dispersion method and apparatus |
US11924930B2 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2024-03-05 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US20170055584A1 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2017-03-02 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US20170055575A1 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2017-03-02 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Material for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US20170119046A1 (en) | 2015-10-30 | 2017-05-04 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Apparatus for Heating Smokable Material |
US20170119047A1 (en) | 2015-10-30 | 2017-05-04 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Article for Use with Apparatus for Heating Smokable Material |
WO2017199215A1 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2017-11-23 | Trudell Medical International | Smart valved holding chamber |
US10786638B2 (en) | 2016-07-08 | 2020-09-29 | Trudell Medical International | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
CA3028604C (en) | 2016-07-08 | 2023-12-05 | Trudell Medical International | Smart oscillating positive expiratory pressure device |
CN110049795B (en) | 2016-12-09 | 2022-07-19 | 特鲁德尔医学国际公司 | Intelligent atomizer |
IT201700082273A1 (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2019-01-19 | Flaem Nuova Spa | Spray device for a medical mixture |
EP3661576B1 (en) * | 2017-08-02 | 2023-04-05 | Medline Industries, LP | Medical nebulizer for fast drug delivery |
JP7312754B2 (en) | 2018-01-04 | 2023-07-21 | トゥルーデル メディカル インターナショナル | Smart vibrating positive expiratory pressure device |
CA3152072A1 (en) | 2019-08-27 | 2021-03-04 | Trudell Medical International | Smart oscillating positive expiratory pressure device |
US11930846B2 (en) * | 2021-03-11 | 2024-03-19 | Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co., Ltd. | Atomizer and electronic cigarette comprising the same |
Citations (38)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2535444A (en) | 1948-09-17 | 1950-12-26 | Clarke E Miller | Door strike plate adjuster |
GB675524A (en) | 1949-01-31 | 1952-07-09 | Pierre Louis Andre Vergne | Improvements in apparatus for delivering mists or aerosols for breathing purposes |
FR1070292A (en) | 1953-02-03 | 1954-07-21 | Sprayer | |
US2785679A (en) | 1953-06-06 | 1957-03-19 | Wullschleger Hans | Inhalation apparatus |
US3205175A (en) | 1960-03-09 | 1965-09-07 | Ncr Co | Method of making ethyl-cellulose-lined liquid-containing minute capsules |
US3206175A (en) | 1960-04-18 | 1965-09-14 | Puritan Compressed Gas Corp | Humidifier |
US3302374A (en) | 1963-08-26 | 1967-02-07 | G S Internat Lab Corp | Aerosol apparatus for inhalation therapy |
US3398897A (en) | 1966-09-24 | 1968-08-27 | Nick N. Urbanowicz | Nebulizer |
US3467092A (en) | 1966-12-14 | 1969-09-16 | Bird F M | Anesthesia apparatus and resuscitator |
US3516771A (en) | 1968-08-01 | 1970-06-23 | Hewlett Packard Co | Burner for spectroscopic use |
US3591090A (en) | 1969-10-27 | 1971-07-06 | Air Reduction | Nebulizer |
US3630196A (en) | 1969-08-22 | 1971-12-28 | Bird F M | Manual positive pressure breathing device |
US3658059A (en) | 1968-12-11 | 1972-04-25 | Ritzau Pari Werk Kg Paul | Inhaler |
US3664337A (en) | 1970-04-15 | 1972-05-23 | Bio Logics Inc | Respiration assembly and methods |
US3838686A (en) | 1971-10-14 | 1974-10-01 | G Szekely | Aerosol apparatus for inhalation therapy |
US3874379A (en) | 1973-08-15 | 1975-04-01 | Becton Dickinson Co | Manifold nebulizer system |
US3990442A (en) | 1975-06-06 | 1976-11-09 | Patneau Robert A | Respiratory treatment device |
US4200093A (en) | 1978-04-20 | 1980-04-29 | Nat Camp | Steam-air inhalator |
US4333450A (en) | 1976-12-14 | 1982-06-08 | Lester Victor E | Nebulizer-manifold |
US4368850A (en) | 1980-01-17 | 1983-01-18 | George Szekely | Dry aerosol generator |
US4429835A (en) | 1980-11-17 | 1984-02-07 | Inge Brugger | Spray-diffuser |
US4566451A (en) | 1982-07-02 | 1986-01-28 | Plantorgan Werk Heinrich G. E. Christensen Kg | Vapor inhalation device |
EP0170715A1 (en) | 1984-08-09 | 1986-02-12 | Inge Brugger | Nebulizer |
DE3429411A1 (en) | 1984-08-09 | 1986-02-13 | Brugger, Inge, geb. Ritzau, 8130 Starnberg | Atomiser nozzle |
US4657007A (en) | 1982-06-28 | 1987-04-14 | Whittaker General Medical Corporation | Nebulizer |
US4792097A (en) | 1987-03-31 | 1988-12-20 | Mallinckrodt, Inc. | Non-sputtering nebulizer |
US5054477A (en) | 1986-09-22 | 1991-10-08 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. | Nebulizer |
US5165392A (en) | 1991-07-16 | 1992-11-24 | Small Jr John C | Accuvent aerosol delivery system |
US5277175A (en) | 1991-07-12 | 1994-01-11 | Riggs John H | Continuous flow nebulizer apparatus and method, having means maintaining a constant-level reservoir |
EP0587380A1 (en) | 1992-09-11 | 1994-03-16 | Medic-Aid Limited | Drug delivery arrangement |
EP0627266A2 (en) | 1993-06-04 | 1994-12-07 | Medic-Aid Limited | Nebuliser |
US5398714A (en) | 1990-03-06 | 1995-03-21 | Price; William E. | Resuscitation and inhalation device |
US5503139A (en) | 1994-02-02 | 1996-04-02 | Mcmahon; Michael D. | Continuous flow adaptor for a nebulizer |
US5533497A (en) | 1995-03-27 | 1996-07-09 | Ryder; Steven L. | Sidestream aerosol generator and method in variable positions |
US5584285A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1996-12-17 | Salter Labs | Breathing circuit apparatus for a nebulizer |
US5630409A (en) | 1995-03-22 | 1997-05-20 | Bono; Michael | Nebulizer and inhalation device containing same |
US5823179A (en) | 1996-02-13 | 1998-10-20 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US6044841A (en) | 1997-08-29 | 2000-04-04 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer with valve assembly having a relief piston |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2535844A (en) | 1946-08-01 | 1950-12-26 | John H Emerson | Aspirator for administering medicine |
DE2355802A1 (en) | 1973-11-08 | 1975-05-15 | Ernst Weichel | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SOIL LOOSENING |
-
1994
- 1994-11-11 GB GB9422821A patent/GB9422821D0/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-11-07 AT AT95307936T patent/ATE189624T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-11-07 DE DE69514986T patent/DE69514986T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-07 DK DK95307936T patent/DK0711609T3/en active
- 1995-11-07 PT PT95307936T patent/PT711609E/en unknown
- 1995-11-07 EP EP95307936A patent/EP0711609B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-07 ES ES95307936T patent/ES2141897T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-09 CA CA002162511A patent/CA2162511C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-09 US US08/556,093 patent/US5687912A/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-11-10 AU AU37798/95A patent/AU702001B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-11-13 NZ NZ280445A patent/NZ280445A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-10-19 US US09/425,031 patent/USRE40591E1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-05-08 GR GR20000401065T patent/GR3033380T3/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2008
- 2008-04-01 US US12/060,577 patent/USRE42911E1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (47)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2535444A (en) | 1948-09-17 | 1950-12-26 | Clarke E Miller | Door strike plate adjuster |
GB675524A (en) | 1949-01-31 | 1952-07-09 | Pierre Louis Andre Vergne | Improvements in apparatus for delivering mists or aerosols for breathing purposes |
FR1070292A (en) | 1953-02-03 | 1954-07-21 | Sprayer | |
US2785679A (en) | 1953-06-06 | 1957-03-19 | Wullschleger Hans | Inhalation apparatus |
US3205175A (en) | 1960-03-09 | 1965-09-07 | Ncr Co | Method of making ethyl-cellulose-lined liquid-containing minute capsules |
US3206175A (en) | 1960-04-18 | 1965-09-14 | Puritan Compressed Gas Corp | Humidifier |
US3302374A (en) | 1963-08-26 | 1967-02-07 | G S Internat Lab Corp | Aerosol apparatus for inhalation therapy |
US3398897A (en) | 1966-09-24 | 1968-08-27 | Nick N. Urbanowicz | Nebulizer |
US3467092A (en) | 1966-12-14 | 1969-09-16 | Bird F M | Anesthesia apparatus and resuscitator |
US3516771A (en) | 1968-08-01 | 1970-06-23 | Hewlett Packard Co | Burner for spectroscopic use |
US3658059A (en) | 1968-12-11 | 1972-04-25 | Ritzau Pari Werk Kg Paul | Inhaler |
US3630196A (en) | 1969-08-22 | 1971-12-28 | Bird F M | Manual positive pressure breathing device |
US3591090A (en) | 1969-10-27 | 1971-07-06 | Air Reduction | Nebulizer |
US3664337A (en) | 1970-04-15 | 1972-05-23 | Bio Logics Inc | Respiration assembly and methods |
US3838686A (en) | 1971-10-14 | 1974-10-01 | G Szekely | Aerosol apparatus for inhalation therapy |
US3874379A (en) | 1973-08-15 | 1975-04-01 | Becton Dickinson Co | Manifold nebulizer system |
US3990442A (en) | 1975-06-06 | 1976-11-09 | Patneau Robert A | Respiratory treatment device |
US4333450A (en) | 1976-12-14 | 1982-06-08 | Lester Victor E | Nebulizer-manifold |
US4200093A (en) | 1978-04-20 | 1980-04-29 | Nat Camp | Steam-air inhalator |
US4368850A (en) | 1980-01-17 | 1983-01-18 | George Szekely | Dry aerosol generator |
US4429835A (en) | 1980-11-17 | 1984-02-07 | Inge Brugger | Spray-diffuser |
US4657007A (en) | 1982-06-28 | 1987-04-14 | Whittaker General Medical Corporation | Nebulizer |
US4566451A (en) | 1982-07-02 | 1986-01-28 | Plantorgan Werk Heinrich G. E. Christensen Kg | Vapor inhalation device |
EP0170715A1 (en) | 1984-08-09 | 1986-02-12 | Inge Brugger | Nebulizer |
DE3429411A1 (en) | 1984-08-09 | 1986-02-13 | Brugger, Inge, geb. Ritzau, 8130 Starnberg | Atomiser nozzle |
US5054477A (en) | 1986-09-22 | 1991-10-08 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. | Nebulizer |
US4792097A (en) | 1987-03-31 | 1988-12-20 | Mallinckrodt, Inc. | Non-sputtering nebulizer |
US5398714A (en) | 1990-03-06 | 1995-03-21 | Price; William E. | Resuscitation and inhalation device |
US5277175A (en) | 1991-07-12 | 1994-01-11 | Riggs John H | Continuous flow nebulizer apparatus and method, having means maintaining a constant-level reservoir |
US5301663A (en) | 1991-07-16 | 1994-04-12 | Healthscan Products, Inc. | Aerosol delivery system |
US5165392A (en) | 1991-07-16 | 1992-11-24 | Small Jr John C | Accuvent aerosol delivery system |
EP0587380A1 (en) | 1992-09-11 | 1994-03-16 | Medic-Aid Limited | Drug delivery arrangement |
US6116233A (en) | 1992-09-11 | 2000-09-12 | Medic-Aid Limited | Drug delivery arrangement |
EP0627266A2 (en) | 1993-06-04 | 1994-12-07 | Medic-Aid Limited | Nebuliser |
US5533501A (en) | 1993-06-04 | 1996-07-09 | Medic-Aid Limited | Nebuliser |
US5503139A (en) | 1994-02-02 | 1996-04-02 | Mcmahon; Michael D. | Continuous flow adaptor for a nebulizer |
US5630409A (en) | 1995-03-22 | 1997-05-20 | Bono; Michael | Nebulizer and inhalation device containing same |
US5533497A (en) | 1995-03-27 | 1996-07-09 | Ryder; Steven L. | Sidestream aerosol generator and method in variable positions |
US5584285A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1996-12-17 | Salter Labs | Breathing circuit apparatus for a nebulizer |
US5823179A (en) | 1996-02-13 | 1998-10-20 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US6612303B1 (en) | 1996-02-13 | 2003-09-02 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US6644304B2 (en) | 1996-02-13 | 2003-11-11 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US6748945B2 (en) | 1996-02-13 | 2004-06-15 | Trudell Medical International | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US7080643B2 (en) | 1996-02-13 | 2006-07-25 | Trudell Medical Internationl | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US20070023036A1 (en) | 1996-02-13 | 2007-02-01 | Trudell Medical International | Nebulizer apparatus and method |
US20070204864A1 (en) | 1996-02-13 | 2007-09-06 | Trudell Medical International | Aerosol Delivery Apparatus And Method |
US6044841A (en) | 1997-08-29 | 2000-04-04 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer with valve assembly having a relief piston |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Declaration by Boleslaw M.Klimek, dated Nov. 21, 2000. |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120153538A1 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2012-06-21 | Asml Netherlands B.V. | Imprint lithography |
US8323541B2 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2012-12-04 | Asml Netherlands B.V. | Imprint lithography |
US9687626B2 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2017-06-27 | Nostrum Technology Llc | Swivel adapter for nebulizer |
US9022023B2 (en) | 2012-06-29 | 2015-05-05 | Carefusion 207, Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer having a pressurized gas diverter with a diverter orifice |
US10086153B2 (en) | 2012-06-29 | 2018-10-02 | Carefusion 207, Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer having a pressurized gas diverter with a diverter orifice |
US9566399B1 (en) | 2015-04-14 | 2017-02-14 | Clempharma LLC | Deep lung alveolar aerosol targeted drug delivery |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69514986D1 (en) | 2000-03-16 |
ATE189624T1 (en) | 2000-02-15 |
ES2141897T3 (en) | 2000-04-01 |
USRE40591E1 (en) | 2008-12-02 |
DK0711609T3 (en) | 2000-07-24 |
PT711609E (en) | 2000-06-30 |
US5687912A (en) | 1997-11-18 |
AU3779895A (en) | 1996-05-16 |
CA2162511A1 (en) | 1996-05-11 |
GR3033380T3 (en) | 2000-09-29 |
EP0711609B1 (en) | 2000-02-09 |
EP0711609A2 (en) | 1996-05-15 |
AU702001B2 (en) | 1999-02-11 |
GB9422821D0 (en) | 1995-01-04 |
NZ280445A (en) | 1997-05-26 |
CA2162511C (en) | 2007-01-09 |
DE69514986T2 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
EP0711609A3 (en) | 1996-10-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
USRE42911E1 (en) | Atomizer | |
US6129080A (en) | Atomizer | |
US6131568A (en) | Nebulizer | |
JP3564391B2 (en) | Breath-actuated nebulizer with valve assembly having relief piston | |
US8596263B2 (en) | Inhalation actuated nebulizer with impingement shield | |
RU2188041C2 (en) | Method and device for spraying medicaments | |
JP5352630B2 (en) | Aerosol flow control device | |
US6584971B1 (en) | Drug delivery apparatus | |
US5170782A (en) | Medicament nebulizer with improved aerosol chamber | |
CA1117391A (en) | Apparatus for producing finely divided liquid spray | |
RU98117065A (en) | MEDICINE SPRAY AND METHOD | |
CN107278159B (en) | Atomizer for nasal fluid preparation | |
JP2023011484A (en) | Medical nebulizer for fast drug delivery | |
NL1001682C2 (en) | Nebulizer device. | |
CN110812632B (en) | Oxygen-driven jet type atomizer for nursing respiratory diseases of children | |
EP3459577B1 (en) | Nebulizer for aerosolizing a drug solution with an inner flared-out structure limiting the aerosol waste | |
JPS61240966A (en) | Inhalator |