CA2162511C - Atomizer with movable deflector - Google Patents
Atomizer with movable deflector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2162511C CA2162511C CA002162511A CA2162511A CA2162511C CA 2162511 C CA2162511 C CA 2162511C CA 002162511 A CA002162511 A CA 002162511A CA 2162511 A CA2162511 A CA 2162511A CA 2162511 C CA2162511 C CA 2162511C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- deflector
- air
- gas
- outlet
- atomizer
- 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
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
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
ATOMIZER WITH MOVABLE DEFLECTOR
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. co-ordinate 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 2I625.~.t 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.
2~ 625. 1 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:
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a relaxed position;
Figure 2 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a first operational position in which atomization takes place;
Figure 3 shows the first embodiment of he invention in a second operational position in which atomization takes place;
Figure 4 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a third operational position in which no atomization takes place;
Figures 5 and 6 show one embodiment of the flap valve and gas deflector;
Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a second operational position in which atomization takes place, Figure a shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the movable baffle bar is located beneath the baffle, and Figure 9 shows the further embodiment during inhalation by a patient.
Referring to Figures 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 f-rom 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 pres-sure 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 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 our British Patent 2273660 published 29 June 1994.
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 Figure 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 Figure 2 permitting and directing the ambient air to pass into the region of the gas exit 2~ 62~I I
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 topermit 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 arcuateslot through which the deflector may pass.
If the patient inhales sharply or quickly, the vane 2 assumes the position shown in Figure 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 litres per minute.
When the patient exhales, the vane 2 is displaced to a position .as shown infigure 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 l3 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 Figure 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 Figures 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 the 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.
2I625~~
Figures S 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 deflector1 are attached directly to the tongue 11 so that they are pivotally displaceable.
Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of this invention in which the base unit 15-is exactly as described in relation to Figures 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 Figure 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.
Referring to Figures 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 Figures 1, 2 or 7.
In the first and second embodiments shown in Figures 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 2~ sz51 ~
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 Figures 1 - 4 may be used to produce a gas exit 4 and outlets 5 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. FOY 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 95a 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 baff~,e bar towards the ends where the liquid can i 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 Figures 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. Figure S 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 e~i.t 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 Figures 1 to 7. The atomization of the substance causes the pressure beneath the baffle 9 to be decreased thereby 2~ 6211 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 litres 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.
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. co-ordinate 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 2I625.~.t 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.
2~ 625. 1 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:
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a relaxed position;
Figure 2 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a first operational position in which atomization takes place;
Figure 3 shows the first embodiment of he invention in a second operational position in which atomization takes place;
Figure 4 shows the first embodiment of the invention in a third operational position in which no atomization takes place;
Figures 5 and 6 show one embodiment of the flap valve and gas deflector;
Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a second operational position in which atomization takes place, Figure a shows a further embodiment of the invention in which the movable baffle bar is located beneath the baffle, and Figure 9 shows the further embodiment during inhalation by a patient.
Referring to Figures 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 f-rom 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 pres-sure 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 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 our British Patent 2273660 published 29 June 1994.
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 Figure 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 Figure 2 permitting and directing the ambient air to pass into the region of the gas exit 2~ 62~I I
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 topermit 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 arcuateslot through which the deflector may pass.
If the patient inhales sharply or quickly, the vane 2 assumes the position shown in Figure 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 litres per minute.
When the patient exhales, the vane 2 is displaced to a position .as shown infigure 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 l3 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 Figure 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 Figures 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 the 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.
2I625~~
Figures S 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 deflector1 are attached directly to the tongue 11 so that they are pivotally displaceable.
Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of this invention in which the base unit 15-is exactly as described in relation to Figures 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 Figure 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.
Referring to Figures 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 Figures 1, 2 or 7.
In the first and second embodiments shown in Figures 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 2~ sz51 ~
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 Figures 1 - 4 may be used to produce a gas exit 4 and outlets 5 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. FOY 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 95a 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 baff~,e bar towards the ends where the liquid can i 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 Figures 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. Figure S 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 e~i.t 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 Figures 1 to 7. The atomization of the substance causes the pressure beneath the baffle 9 to be decreased thereby 2~ 6211 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 litres 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 gas exit, an outlet adjacent the gas exit, and a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from the ga:> exit, wherein the deflector is movable between a first, atomizing position in the path of the gas issuing from the exit which serves to deflect gas issuing from the gas exit over the outlet for drawing a substance to be atomized out from the outlet and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from the gas exit, and a second, non-atomizing position.
2. An atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving the deflector between the first and second positions.
3. An atomizer according to claim 2, further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet for passage of a flow of air carrying the atomized substance to a patient, and wherein the deflector moves into the first position for atomization of the substance only during inspiration by the patient.
4. An atomizer according to claim 2, further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet for a flow of air, the air outlet serving to permit flow of the atomized substance to a patient.
5. An atomizer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the atomizer includes a region in which atomization takes place and the flow of air passing from the air inlet to the air outlet is directed into said region by the deflector.
6. An atomizer according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the flow of air is generated by the patient's breathing.
7. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the deflector is displaceable up and down in line with gas issuing from the exit.
8. An atomizer according to claim 2, wherein the means for moving the deflector is a vane which is deflectable by the passage of air drawn through the atomizer.
9. An atomizer according to claim 8, wherein the vane is hingedly mounted for pivotal movement.
10. An atomizer according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet for passage of a flow of air carrying the atomized substance to a patient, and wherein the deflector moves into the first position for atomization of the substance only during inspiration by the patient.
11. An atomizer according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet for a flow of air, the air outlet serving to permit flow of the atomized substance to a patient.
12. An atomizer according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the vane is connected to the deflector so that the vane can move the deflector into the first position for atomization when the flow of air passes from the air inlet to the air outlet.
13. An atomizer according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the vane is connected to the deflector so that the deflector can be moved by the vane into the second, non-atomizing position when the flow of air is interrupted.
14. An atomizer according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the vane is biased to a position closing the air inlet.
15. An atomizer according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the atomizer includes a region in which atomization takes place and the flow of air passing from the air inlet to the air outlet is directed into said region by the vane.
16. An atomizer according to claim 15, wherein the vane is movable into an exhale position when the flow of air passes from the air outlet to the air inlet, in which the vane permits passage of the flow of air without passing through the region of the atomizer in which atomization takes place.
17. An atomizer according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the vane is movable into a bypass position when the flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet exceeds a predetermined flow rate, in which the vane directs a proportion of the flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet without passing through the region in which atomization takes place.
18. An atomizer according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the vane is movable into a bypass position when the flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet exceeds a predetermined flow rate, in which the vane directs a portion of the flow of air directly from the air inlet to the air outlet, bypassing a region of the atomizer in which atomization takes place.
19. An atomizer according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the flow of air is generated by the patient's breathing.
20. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the deflector is a bar.
21. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the deflector is a longitudinal deflector and is movable laterally with respect to its length between its first and second positions.
22. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the deflector is arcuate about an axis, the deflector being angularly displaceable around that axis.
23. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the deflector includes a knife edge which is presented in the first position to the gas issuing from the gas exit.
24. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the deflector is arcuate about an axis, the deflector being angularly displaceable around that axis, and includes a knife edge which is presented in the first position to the gas issuing from the gas exit, and the deflector is movable longitudinally with respect to its knife edge between the first and second positions.
25. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 23, Wherein the deflector is movable towards and away from the gas exit.
26. An atomizer according to claim 25, wherein the deflector is positioned relative to the gas exit over the outlet so that the atomized substance is entrained in the flow of air, by air inhaled by the patient.
27. An atomizer according to claim 19 or 26, wherein the deflector is positioned relative to the gas exit over the outlet so that air exhaled by the patient does not entrain the substance to be atomized.
28. An atomizer according to claim 1, Wherein the atomizer includes an air flow sensor and means responsive to the sensor for changing the position of the deflector.
29. An atomizer according to claim 2, wherein the means for moving the deflector includes an air flow sensor and means responsive to the sensor for changing the position of the deflector.
30. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deflector is a ball.
31. An atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 30, further comprising a baffle extending outwardly and downwardly about the gas exit, the deflector being mounted within the baffle.
32. 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 said at least one outlet, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from said at least one outlet 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.
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 said at least one outlet, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from said at least one outlet 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.
33. An atomizer as recited in claim 32, further comprising condition responsive means for automatically moving said deflector between said first and second positions in response to a condition.
34. An atomizer as recited in claim 32, further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet providing for the flow of air toward and past said head, said air outlet permitting flow of atomized substance to a human.
35. An atomizer as recited in claim 34, wherein said deflector moves into said first position when air flows from said air inlet to said air outlet.
36. An atomizer as recited in claim 34, wherein said deflector moves into said second position when air is not flowing from said air inlet to said air outlet.
37. An atomizer as recited in claim 33, wherein said condition is a human inhaling and exhaling during breathing.
38. An atomizer as recited in claim 37, wherein said deflector is positioned so that during exhaling, exhaled air does not entrain the substance to be atomized.
39. 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 said at least one outlet, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from said at least one outlet 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 housing outlet.
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 said at least one outlet, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from said at least one outlet 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 housing outlet.
40. Spray forming apparatus comprising a pressure gas exit, at least one outlet adjacent the gas exit, and a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from the gas exit, wherein the deflector is movable between a first position in the path of the gas issuing from the gas exit which serves to deflect gas issuing from the gas exit over the at least one outlet for drawing a substance to be atomized out from the at least one outlet and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from the gas exit, and a second non-atomizing position outside the path of the gas issuing from the gas exit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9422821.0 | 1994-11-10 | ||
| GB9422821A GB9422821D0 (en) | 1994-11-11 | 1994-11-11 | Atomizer |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2162511A1 CA2162511A1 (en) | 1996-05-11 |
| CA2162511C true CA2162511C (en) | 2007-01-09 |
Family
ID=10764267
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002162511A Expired - Lifetime CA2162511C (en) | 1994-11-10 | 1995-11-09 | Atomizer with movable deflector |
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) |
Families Citing this family (71)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2232546A1 (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 |
| US8820316B2 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2014-09-02 | Respironics Respiratory Drug Delivery (Uk) Ltd | Drug delivery apparatus |
| WO2001058514A1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2001-08-16 | Profile Respiratory Systems Limited | Drug delivery apparatus |
| CA2919286A1 (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2001-10-18 | Trudell Medical International | Respiratory apparatus |
| EP1326671B1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2009-02-04 | Mallinckrodt Inc. | Ventilator with dual gas supply |
| GB0100756D0 (en) | 2001-01-11 | 2001-02-21 | Powderject Res Ltd | Needleless syringe |
| ES2375333T3 (en) | 2001-03-20 | 2012-02-28 | Trudell Medical International | NEBULIZING DEVICE. |
| US6725858B2 (en) * | 2001-05-07 | 2004-04-27 | Hudson Respiratory Care Inc. | Valved aerosol tee adapter assembly |
| EP1450885B1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2015-04-22 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Nasal 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 |
| WO2003099359A1 (en) | 2002-05-09 | 2003-12-04 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Particle dispersion chamber for nasal nebulizer |
| US6904908B2 (en) | 2002-05-21 | 2005-06-14 | Trudell Medical International | Visual indicator for an aerosol medication delivery apparatus and system |
| DE10238683A1 (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2004-03-11 | Rist, Max, Dr. | Device for influencing gas flows |
| US7267120B2 (en) | 2002-08-19 | 2007-09-11 | Allegiance Corporation | Small volume nebulizer |
| 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 |
| WO2005023335A2 (en) * | 2003-09-05 | 2005-03-17 | Kurve Technology, Inc. | Integrated nebulizer and particle dispersing chamber for delivery of medicament |
| CA2557020A1 (en) | 2004-02-24 | 2005-09-01 | Boehringer Ingelheim International Gmbh | Atomiser |
| 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 |
| US8144309B2 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2012-03-27 | Asml Netherlands B.V. | Imprint lithography |
| 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 |
| AU2010319328A1 (en) * | 2009-11-12 | 2012-05-31 | 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 |
| US9687626B2 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2017-06-27 | Nostrum Technology Llc | Swivel adapter for nebulizer |
| KR101953201B1 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2019-02-28 | 브리티시 아메리칸 토바코 (인베스트먼츠) 리미티드 | Heating smokeable material |
| 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 |
| US8677738B2 (en) * | 2011-09-08 | 2014-03-25 | Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. | Pre-injection exhaust flow modifier |
| 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 |
| US9022023B2 (en) | 2012-06-29 | 2015-05-05 | Carefusion 207, Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer having a pressurized gas diverter with a diverter orifice |
| 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 |
| EP3046608B1 (en) | 2013-09-21 | 2019-03-20 | 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 |
| WO2016115379A1 (en) | 2015-01-14 | 2016-07-21 | Respira Therapeutics, Inc. | Powder dispersion methods and devices |
| US9566399B1 (en) | 2015-04-14 | 2017-02-14 | Clempharma LLC | Deep lung alveolar aerosol targeted drug delivery |
| 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 |
| US11924930B2 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2024-03-05 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Article 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 |
| US10850050B2 (en) | 2016-05-19 | 2020-12-01 | 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 |
| EP3551261B1 (en) | 2016-12-09 | 2022-05-11 | Trudell Medical International | Smart nebulizer |
| IT201700082273A1 (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2019-01-19 | Flaem Nuova Spa | Spray device for a medical mixture |
| CA3071811C (en) * | 2017-08-02 | 2023-09-19 | Teleflex Medical Incorporated | Medical nebulizer for fast drug delivery |
| CA3086890A1 (en) | 2018-01-04 | 2019-07-11 | Trudell Medical International | Smart oscillating positive expiratory pressure device |
| JP2022547826A (en) | 2019-08-27 | 2022-11-16 | トゥルーデル メディカル インターナショナル | Vibrating positive expiratory pressure device |
| US11930846B2 (en) * | 2021-03-11 | 2024-03-19 | Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co., Ltd. | Atomizer and electronic cigarette comprising the same |
Family Cites Families (40)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2535844A (en) | 1946-08-01 | 1950-12-26 | John H Emerson | Aspirator for administering medicine |
| 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 |
| NL127470C (en) | 1960-03-09 | |||
| US3206175A (en) * | 1960-04-18 | 1965-09-14 | Puritan Compressed Gas Corp | Humidifier |
| GB1067486A (en) * | 1963-08-26 | 1967-05-03 | George Szekely | Aerosol device |
| 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 |
| DE1813993C3 (en) * | 1968-12-11 | 1974-01-24 | Paul Ritzau Pari-Werk Kg, 8135 Soecking | Device for atomizing and atomizing liquid or powdery substances |
| 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 |
| DE2355802A1 (en) | 1973-11-08 | 1975-05-15 | Ernst Weichel | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SOIL LOOSENING |
| 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 |
| DE3043377A1 (en) * | 1980-11-17 | 1982-07-01 | Brugger, Inge, 8130 Starnberg | SPRAYER |
| US4657007A (en) * | 1982-06-28 | 1987-04-14 | Whittaker General Medical Corporation | Nebulizer |
| DE3224849A1 (en) * | 1982-07-02 | 1984-01-05 | Plantorgan Werk Heinrich G.E. Christensen, KG, 2903 Bad Zwischenahn | STEAM INHALER |
| DE3429411A1 (en) * | 1984-08-09 | 1986-02-13 | Brugger, Inge, geb. Ritzau, 8130 Starnberg | Atomiser nozzle |
| EP0170715B1 (en) * | 1984-08-09 | 1988-04-13 | Inge Brugger | Nebulizer |
| DE3775679D1 (en) | 1986-09-22 | 1992-02-13 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | MISTAKER. |
| 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 |
| US5165392A (en) * | 1991-07-16 | 1992-11-24 | Small Jr John C | Accuvent aerosol delivery system |
| GB2273660B (en) * | 1992-09-11 | 1996-07-17 | Aid Medic Ltd | Drug delivery arrangement |
| GB9311614D0 (en) * | 1993-06-04 | 1993-07-21 | Aid Medic Ltd | Nebulizer |
| 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 |
| US6044841A (en) | 1997-08-29 | 2000-04-04 | 1263152 Ontario Inc. | Breath actuated nebulizer with valve assembly having a relief piston |
-
1994
- 1994-11-11 GB GB9422821A patent/GB9422821D0/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-11-07 DK DK95307936T patent/DK0711609T3/en active
- 1995-11-07 EP EP95307936A patent/EP0711609B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-07 AT AT95307936T patent/ATE189624T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-11-07 ES ES95307936T patent/ES2141897T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-07 DE DE69514986T patent/DE69514986T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-07 PT PT95307936T patent/PT711609E/en unknown
- 1995-11-09 US US08/556,093 patent/US5687912A/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-11-09 CA CA002162511A patent/CA2162511C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 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
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| USRE40591E1 (en) | 2008-12-02 |
| EP0711609A2 (en) | 1996-05-15 |
| AU3779895A (en) | 1996-05-16 |
| ES2141897T3 (en) | 2000-04-01 |
| EP0711609A3 (en) | 1996-10-16 |
| DK0711609T3 (en) | 2000-07-24 |
| DE69514986T2 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
| GB9422821D0 (en) | 1995-01-04 |
| NZ280445A (en) | 1997-05-26 |
| CA2162511A1 (en) | 1996-05-11 |
| US5687912A (en) | 1997-11-18 |
| EP0711609B1 (en) | 2000-02-09 |
| DE69514986D1 (en) | 2000-03-16 |
| PT711609E (en) | 2000-06-30 |
| USRE42911E1 (en) | 2011-11-15 |
| GR3033380T3 (en) | 2000-09-29 |
| ATE189624T1 (en) | 2000-02-15 |
| AU702001B2 (en) | 1999-02-11 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2162511C (en) | Atomizer with movable deflector | |
| US6131568A (en) | Nebulizer | |
| US6129080A (en) | Atomizer | |
| JP3564391B2 (en) | Breath-actuated nebulizer with valve assembly having relief piston | |
| US8596263B2 (en) | Inhalation actuated nebulizer with impingement shield | |
| US6584971B1 (en) | Drug delivery apparatus | |
| RU2188041C2 (en) | Method and device for spraying medicaments | |
| AU759191B2 (en) | Improvements in and relating to drug delivery apparatus | |
| JP5352630B2 (en) | Aerosol flow control device | |
| US5170782A (en) | Medicament nebulizer with improved aerosol chamber | |
| RU98117065A (en) | MEDICINE SPRAY AND METHOD | |
| JP2023011484A (en) | Medical nebulizer for fast drug delivery | |
| WO1998031411A1 (en) | Aerosol inhaler device | |
| EP3459577B1 (en) | Nebulizer for aerosolizing a drug solution with an inner flared-out structure limiting the aerosol waste | |
| CN219762535U (en) | Medicine feeding type mask | |
| JPS61240966A (en) | Inhalator |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20151109 |