Nebulizer apparatus and method
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.
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an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;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.