Methods and systems for operating an aerosol generator

1. A method for providing a nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, the method comprising:

vibrating an aerosolization element in the presence of a fluid, wherein the aerosolization element includes a plurality of apertures that nebulize the fluid while the aerosolization element is vibrating;

introducing the nebulized fluid into a breathing circuit; and

controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle;

wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interval is selected based on the antibiotic.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a tube into which the nebulized fluid is introduced; and

coupling the tube into an existing ventilator line between a ventilator and the patient, without necessitating adjustment of the operation of the ventilator.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

sensing at least one characteristic of the patient's breathing cycle using a sensor; and

recognizing the breathing cycle interval based on information from the breathing sensor.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein vibrating the aerosolization element is accomplished using a piezoelectric actuator.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 20 milliseconds or less.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 2 milliseconds or less.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle further comprises vibrating the aerosolization element continuously throughout the breathing cycle.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle further comprises vibrating the aerosolization element only during an entire inhalation phase.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling vibration of the aerosolization element during a certain interval of a breathing cycle further comprises vibrating the aerosolization element only during a predetermined portion of an inhalation phase.

13. A system for providing a nebulized fluid to a spontaneously breathing or ventilated patient, the system comprising:

an aerosolization element vibrating in the presence of a fluid, wherein the aerosolization element includes a plurality of apertures that nebulize the fluid while the aerosolization element is vibrating;

a breathing circuit into which nebulized fluid is introduced when the aerosolization element is vibrating; and

a controller that controls the vibration of the aerosolization element such that the aerosolization element vibrates during a certain interval of a breathing cycle and does not vibrate at times outside the interval;

wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation, and wherein the interval is selected based on the antibiotic.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

16. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a sensor that senses the patient's breathing cycle, the output of the sensor used to recognize the interval.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the aerosolization element is vibrated piezoelectrically.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 20 milliseconds or less.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 2 milliseconds or less.

20. The system of claim 13 , wherein the interval is the entire breathing cycle.

21. The system of claim 13 , wherein the interval is an entire inhalation phase.

22. The system of claim 13 , wherein the interval is a predetermined portion of an inhalation phase.

23. A system for providing nebulized fluid to a ventilated patient, the system comprising:

a breathing circuit;

a vibratory aerosolization element having a first face, a second face and a plurality of apertures therethrough, nebulized fluid being introduced into the breathing circuit when the aerosolization element is vibrating;

a controller configured to cause vibration of the vibratory aerosolization element during a selected interval of a breathing cycle and not at times outside the selected interval; and

a housing defining a reservoir containing the fluid to be nebulized.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the housing is detachable from the breathing circuit.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the fluid comprises an antibiotic that is selected to treat a pulmonary infection resulting from mechanical ventilation.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the interval is selected based on the antibiotic.

27. The system of claim 25 , wherein the antibiotic is an aminoglycoside.

28. The system of claim 27 , wherein the aminoglycoside is amikacin.

29. The system of claim 23 , further comprising a breathing sensor that measures the patient's breathing cycle, the output of the breathing sensor being used to identify the selected interval.

30. The system of claim 23 , wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 20 milliseconds or less.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein aerosol production can be started within an interval of 2 milliseconds or less.

32. The system of claim 23 , wherein the selected interval is an entire breathing cycle.

33. The system of claim 23 , wherein the selected interval is an entire inhalation phase.

34. The system of claim 23 , wherein the selected interval is a predetermined portion of an inhalation phase.