Nebulizer apparatus and method

摘要

A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a fixed diverter and a movable fluid orifice or fluid pathway connected with an actuator for responding to an inhalation or a manual actuation and beginning the nebulization process. Also provided is a method of providing nebulization including the steps of moving a fluid orifice or fluid pathway connected to an actuator so that the fluid orifice or fluid pathway reaches a nebulizing position during inhalation.

主权项

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and a chamber for holding an aerosol; an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber; a plurality of conduits positioned in the chamber, each of the plurality of conduits oriented to direct a respective one of a gas or a fluid into the chamber; a conduit blocking portion attached to an actuator piston assembly and movably positioned in the chamber relative to the plurality of conduits, the conduit blocking portion configured for movement in response to a manual force applied to an actuator attached to the actuator piston assembly and positioned on an exterior of the housing, and configured for movement in response to a pressure change in the chamber, between a nebulizing position and a non-nebulizing position to block at least a portion of one of the plurality of conduits in the non-nebulizing position and to unblock the at least the portion of the one of the plurality of conduits in the nebulizing position.