Nebulizer apparatus and method
Inventors
Alizoti, Neritan • Dittmer, Andrew • Kilroy, Luke • Morton, Robert • Pevler, Jennifer • Schmidt, James N.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12097320-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient is described. In one aspect, the nebulizer is composed of a minimum number of parts to reduce complexity for automated or human assembly. The nebulizer may include an inhalation valve, exhalation valve and biasing member integrated into a single diaphragm structure that may be connected with an actuator and inserted into a housing for controlling nebulization of a medicine to a patient in response to the patient's breathing or in a continuous nebulization mode.
Core Innovation
The disclosed nebulizer includes a housing assembly defining a chamber for holding an aerosol, with an air outlet communicating with the chamber and a liquid outlet in the chamber. A pressurized gas outlet is located in the chamber adjacent to the liquid outlet, and an actuator is disposed along a central axis of the housing and is rotatably and axially movable, with the actuator connected to an inner connection region of a diaphragm positioned inside the housing assembly.
The diaphragm extends radially outward from the actuator and includes a biasing member, with an outer attachment region maintained in a fixed position relative to the housing. In the breath actuated mode, the biasing member moves a diverter positioned on the actuator between a nebulizing position and a non-nebulizing position with respect to the pressurized gas outlet in response to a patient's breathing. In the continuous nebulization mode, a nebulization mode extension positioned on the actuator engages a mode extension receiving surface inside the housing assembly such that the diverter is fixedly positioned at a nebulization position with respect to the pressurized gas outlet.
The diaphragm is integrated as a single piece of material to include inhalation valve and exhalation valve functions together with the biasing member. The integrated inhalation valve and exhalation valve behavior is defined relative to positive and negative pressure in the chamber, including sealing and opening/closing functions. Removably attaching the housing lid to the housing supports mode adjustment, including a nebulization mode adjustment handle and internal engagement between the mode extension and the mode extension receiving surface.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, each covering a nebulizer with a chamber-based aerosol housing and a centrally disposed actuator coupled to a diaphragm. Both independent claims define switching between a breath actuated mode and a continuous nebulization mode using a diverter moved by a biasing member versus a mode-extension engagement that fixes the diverter at a nebulizing position. Collectively, the claims emphasize the actuator/diaphragm-driven diverter, the mode-extension receiving surface engagement mechanism, and, in one claim, integrated inhalation and exhalation valves in the diaphragm with pressure-dependent valve and sealing behavior.
Actuator and diaphragm for mode switching diverter positions
An actuator rotatably and axially movable along a central axis of the housing, connected to an inner connection region of a diaphragm positioned inside the housing assembly, the diaphragm comprising a biasing member and extending radially outward from the actuator with an outer attachment region maintained in a fixed position relative to the housing, wherein the actuator operates in a breath actuated mode by moving a diverter between a nebulizing position and a non-nebulizing position with respect to a pressurized gas outlet in response to a patient's breathing.
Nebulization mode extension engaging a receiving surface to fix diverter position for continuous nebulization
The actuator comprises a nebulization mode extension positioned on the actuator inside the housing assembly, and the housing assembly comprises a mode extension receiving surface positioned inside the housing assembly, wherein the actuator is rotatably positionable relative to the housing assembly between a breath actuated mode and a continuous nebulization mode, and in the continuous nebulization mode the nebulization mode extension engages the mode extension receiving surface such that the diverter is fixedly positioned at a nebulization position with respect to the pressurized gas outlet.
Integrated diaphragm inhalation and exhalation valves with biasing member in a single piece of material
The diaphragm comprises an inhalation valve, an exhalation valve, and a biasing member integrated in a single piece of material, with the diaphragm extending radially outward from the actuator and having an outer attachment region maintained in a fixed position relative to the housing.
Pressure-dependent valve and sealing arrangement
The diaphragm includes an inhalation valve and an exhalation valve configured such that, in relation to positive and negative pressure in the chamber, the inhalation valve sealing and movement occur under positive pressure while the exhalation valve controls an exhalation path opening and closing under negative versus positive chamber pressure.
The core claimed coverage centers on an actuator coupled to a diaphragm to move a diverter in a breath actuated mode and, for continuous nebulization, a nebulization mode extension that engages a mode extension receiving surface to fix the diverter at a nebulization position. One claim additionally recites a diaphragm integrating inhalation and exhalation valves with the biasing member and pressure-dependent inhalation and exhalation control.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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