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Publication Number
US-12702771-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for providing respiratory therapy to a patient using a nasal cannula comprising a cannula body, first and second inlet tubes, and a nasal prong for the delivery of a flow of breathing gas to the patient. Configured with the cannula is a nebulizer having an aerosol generator positioned to emit aerosolized medicament along a longitudinal axis of the nasal prong. A flow director is configured to direct the flow of breathing gas into the nasal prong such that the breathing gas flows along the longitudinal axis, such that the flow of aerosolized medicament is contained within the flow of breathing gas as it moves along the longitudinal axis of the nasal prong for delivery to the patient.
Core Innovation
The system delivers breathing gas and aerosolized medicament to a patient through a nasal interface. The interface receives breathing gas from a delivery tube and nebulized medicament from a nebulizer, mixing the flows directly behind the outlet. The mixing chamber and second inlet align with the outlet longitudinal axis, positioning the second inlet where the breathing-gas flow has a theoretical zero flow rate.
A flow director directs breathing gas into the mixing chamber along the longitudinal axis and contains the nebulized-medicament flow within the breathing-gas flow. This arrangement improves aerosol entrainment while reducing rain-out, flow-path changes, and cannula bulk for delivery to the patient. Background details and related problem descriptions are not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify three inventive features across one independent claim.
Nasal interface with two inlets and a mixing chamber
The nasal interface has a first inlet for breathing gas from the delivery tube, a second inlet for nebulized medicament from the nebulizer emitter, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with both inlets, and an outlet for delivering the mixed flow.
Coaxial mixing behind the outlet
The mixing chamber and second inlet are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the outlet, such that mixing occurs directly behind the outlet and along a direction coaxial with that axis, with the second inlet positioned at a point at which the breathing-gas flow has a theoretical zero flow rate.
Flow director directs and contains the flows
The first portion of the flow director receives breathing gas from the first inlet and directs it into the mixing chamber along the longitudinal axis, while the second portion is secured to the nebulizer and contains the nebulized-medicament flow within the breathing-gas flow as it moves along the outlet axis.
The claim combines a two-inlet nasal interface, coaxial mixing behind the outlet, and a flow director that directs breathing gas and contains the nebulized medicament.
Stated Advantages
The arrangement improves aerosol entrainment and reduces rain-out, flow-path changes, and cannula bulk.
Documented Applications
Delivery of breathing gas and aerosolized medicament to a patient through a nasal interface.
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