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 breath-actuated nebulizer comprising:
a housing having a horizontal section defining an upper airway and an air outlet for transporting an aerosol to a patient, and a vertical section defining a fluid reservoir; a pressurized gas inlet adjacent a fluid orifice, the pressurized gas inlet positioned to direct pressurized gas from the vertical section in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal section; an actuating assembly horizontally movable relative to the pressurized gas inlet in response to breathing of the patient through the horizontal section, wherein the actuating assembly is movable to a nebulizing position in response to an inhalation of the patient and wherein the actuating assembly is movable to a non-nebulizing position in response to exhalation of the patient.