U.S. patent number RE38,700 [Application Number 09/828,651] was granted by the patent office on 2005-02-15 for medical nebulization device.
Invention is credited to Stephen W. Briggs, III.
United States Patent |
RE38,700 |
Briggs, III |
February 15, 2005 |
Medical nebulization device
Abstract
The improved medical nebulization device includes a head and a
removeable depending liquid reservoir. The head has a closed top,
closed sides and open bottom defining a central space in which is
secured a nebulization chamber having closed sides and an open top
and open bottom. A nebulization baffle is connected to the head top
and extends into the nebulization chamber. A liquid draw tube is
connected to the baffle and depends from the chamber into the
reservoir. A nebulized aerosol output port extends between the
space outside the chamber and a point peripheral of the head for
supplying nebulized aerosol to a patient. An auxiliary multiple gas
entrainment inlet port, with removeable cap, extends into the
chamber at a point remote from the output port and is adapted to
supply auxiliary gases such as a mixture of oxygen and helium. The
liquid reservoir in one embodiment includes a graduated liquid
measuring scale and is transparent. The baffle in one embodiment is
an annular flow aerosol nozzle secured to the underside of the top
of the head. The device permits accurate adjustment of the types of
nebulized liquid-gas mixture supplied to a patient.
Inventors: |
Briggs, III; Stephen W.
(Loomis, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22145914 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/828,651 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
078736 |
May 14, 1998 |
06041776 |
Mar 28, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/200.21;
128/200.14; 128/203.12; 128/204.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
11/002 (20140204); A61M 11/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
16/00 (20060101); A61M 11/00 (20060101); A61M
011/00 (); A61M 016/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/200.14-200.24,203.12,204.18,207.14-207.18,200.11,204.14,202.27
;239/338,352 ;D24/110-110.6 ;261/78.1 ;D28/91.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Pegasus Research Corporation, Thera-Mist Nebulization &
Humidification..
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Primary Examiner: Dawson; Glenn K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear,
LLP.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved medical nebulization device, said device comprising,
in combination: a) a nebulizer head comprising, in combination: i)
a shell having a closed top and sides and open bottom defining a
generally central space; ii) a nebulization chamber having an open
top and bottom and closed sides secured at said nebulization
chamber sides to said shell sides within said shell central space,
said nebulization chamber sides being curved downwardly and
inwardly to form a secondary entrainment throat; iii) an annular
flow aerosol nozzle secured to the underside of said shell top
within said nebulization chamber; iv) an oxygen supply inlet
extending through said shell top into said nozzle; v) a liquid draw
tube connected to said nozzle and depending extending downwardly
therefrom; vi) a nebulized aerosol output port defined in one of
said shell sides peripheral of said nebulization chamber, and, vii)
an auxiliary multiple gas entrainment inlet port having a removable
cap, said auxiliary inlet port being defined in another of said
shell sides and extending into the upper portion of said
nebulization chamber, the bottom of said head having means for
releasably connecting said head to a liquid reservoir; and, b) a
liquid reservoir extending below and releasably connected to said
head through said connector means, said liquid draw tube extending
into said reservoir, said reservoir including a closed bottom and
sides and open top sealed by said connector means to said head.
2. The improved nebulization device of claim 1 wherein said shell
top includes adapter means for releasably connecting said head to a
source of oxygen.
3. The improved nebulization device of claim 2 wherein said
auxiliary multiple gas entrainment inlet port has a plurality of
separate spaced injection lines, each one of which lines has a
removable cap.
4. The improved nebulization device of claim 3 wherein said
nebulized aerosol output port extends peripheral of said shell and
forms a funnel for directing said nebulized aerosol to a
patient.
5. The improved nebulization device of claim 4 wherein said
auxiliary multiple gas entrainment inlet port extends into said
shell peripheral of said annular flow aerosol nozzle.
6. The improved nebulization device of claim 5 wherein said liquid
draw tube extends into the bottom of said annular flow aerosol
nozzle and wherein said nebulization chamber is curved downwardly
in an hour-glass shape to form said secondary entrainment
throat.
7. The improved nebulization device of claim 6 wherein said device
comprises at least one of glass and clear plastic and wherein
auxiliary multiple gas entrainment inlet port is adapted to be
connected to sources of oxygen and helium..Iadd.
8. A method of administering a medicinal aerosol to a patient,
comprising: providing a medical nebulization device comprising a
reservoir, a nebulizing nozzle spaced from the reservoir and
communicating with a primary gas inlet, a draw tube extending from
the reservoir and having an opening adjacent the nebulizing nozzle,
an outlet, and a secondary gas inlet, the secondary gas inlet being
operable between an open and a closed condition; at least partially
filling the reservoir with liquid medicine; attaching the primary
gas inlet to a source of pressurized gas to that pressurized gas
flows through the nozzle, thus nebulizing liquid medicine flowing
from the reservoir through the draw tube; directing nebulized
medicine through the outlet and into the patient's airway; opening
the secondary gas inlet and attaching a source of a secondary gas
comprising helium to the secondary gas inlet so that secondary gas
flows into the nebulization device and is mixed with the nebulized
medicine within the nebulization device; and detaching the source
of secondary gas from the secondary gas inlet and closing the
secondary gas inlet..Iaddend..Iadd.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the primary gas comprises
oxygen..Iaddend..Iadd.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the secondary gas comprises a
mixture of helium and oxygen..Iaddend..Iadd.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein nebulized medicine is directed
into the patient's airway both before and after attachment and
detachment of the source of secondary gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein attaching and detaching the
source of secondary gas does not interrupt the flow of nebulized
medicine to the patient..Iaddend..Iadd.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the source of secondary gas is
repeatedly temporarily attached to and detached from the secondary
gas inlet..Iaddend..Iadd.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the secondary gas inlet has a
removable cap, and opening and closing the secondary gas inlet
comprises removing and replacing the cap..Iaddend..Iadd.
15. The method of claim 8, wherein the secondary gas has a lighter
weight than the primary gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein the secondary gas is selectively
introduced into the nebulization device without interrupting the
nebulization of medicine by the primary gas and the flow of
nebulized medicine through the outlet..Iaddend..Iadd.
17. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising providing a
tertiary gas inlet operable between an open and a closed condition,
and selectively attaching a source of tertiary gas to the tertiary
gas inlet so that tertiary gas flows into the nebulization device
and is mixed with the nebulized medicine..Iaddend..Iadd.
18. The method of claim 8, wherein the secondary gas inlet
comprises a first connector and a second connector configured so
that the secondary gas inlet can be attached to more than one gas
source..Iaddend..Iadd.
19. A method of treating a patient, comprising: providing a
container comprising a reservoir, a nebulizing apparatus, a primary
gas inlet communicating with the nebulizing apparatus and
configured to be attached to a source of pressurized primary gas, a
secondary gas inlet, and an outlet; at least partially filling the
reservoir with liquid; placing the primary gas inlet into
communication with the source of pressurized primary gas so that
the primary gas and a portion of the liquid flow to the nebulizing
apparatus and the primary gas nebulizes the liquid to produce an
aerosol in the container, at least a portion of the aerosol exiting
the container through the outlet; selectively placing the secondary
gas inlet into communication with a source of secondary gas without
interrupting the production of aerosol and the exit of aerosol
through the outlet, wherein the secondary gas is lighter than
air..Iaddend..Iadd.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the primary gas is chosen from
the group containing oxygen and air..Iaddend..Iadd.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the secondary gas comprises
helium..Iaddend..Iadd.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the secondary gas comprises a
mixture of oxygen and helium..Iaddend..Iadd.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the secondary gas comprises a
mixture of about 80% oxygen and 20% helium..Iaddend..Iadd.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the secondary gas is lighter
than the primary gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
25. The method of claim 19, wherein the liquid comprises a
medication, and the medicine is nebulized to produce a medicinal
aerosol..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the medication comprises a
bronchodilator medication..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the medication comprises
albuterol..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The method of claim 19 additionally comprising removing the
secondary gas inlet from communication with the source of secondary
gas without interrupting the production of aerosol and the exit of
aerosol through the outlet..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. The method of claim 28 additionally comprising selectively
sealing the secondary gas inlet with a sealing member when the
secondary gas inlet is not in communication with the source of
secondary gas..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a medical device and
more particularly to an improved medical nebulization device which
provides means for supplying one or more auxiliary gases for
nebulization, as well as a main stream of nebulizing gases.
2. Prior Art
Aerosol therapy in the field of respiratory care is indicated for
retained secretions, humidification of inspired gas and to directly
administer bronchodilator medications to the smooth muscles of a
patient's airways. The administration of aerosols improves
bronchial hygiene, hydrates retained secretions and, when used with
bronchial dilators, relieves shortness of breath in compromised
patients, that is, those with asthmatic or chronic obstructive
pulmonary conditions (COPD).
Typically, asthmatic and COPD patients are treated with a
conventional hand held nebulizing device to deliver aerosolized
medications to the sensitized airways. For example, in the
conventional emergency treatment of asthma, a hand held small
volume nebulizer is utilized with a typical dose of 0.5 cc of
Albuterol Sulfate solution, repeated 3-4 times in an E.R. in
combination with steroids to help reduce the inflammatory process
and shortness of breath in the patient.
Moreover, it has been found that the early administration of large
doses (10-15 mg) per hour of medication/saline by means of a
nebulizer can have positive dramatic effects on patient outcomes,
reducing hospital stay times by as much as 3 days. The nebulizer
not only delivers large amounts of medication to the affected areas
but deposits them even in the smaller peripheral airways. Large
amounts of nebulized saline delivered by the nebulizer assist in
breaking down mucus plugs in the patient's airways and cooling and
moisturizing those airways.
.Iadd.3. Applicant's Inferences from the Prior Art.Iaddend.
For those compromised asthmatic and COPD patients who exhibit
swollen and mucus obstructed airways, it may also be beneficial to
utilize a secondary and lighter weight inert gas to deliver
medications to bypass obstructed airways. Helium, an inert and
metabolically stable gas, readily diffuses into swollen airways. A
mixture of 80% oxygen and 20% helium would therefore be useful for
such purposes.
The ideal nebulizing device for medical use would permit continuous
nebulization for extended periods of time, utilizing small particle
size aerosol for maximum deposition in the airways, and also have
the capability of introducing in a controlled manner through a
secondary inlet port lighter gas as needed to facilitate deposition
of aerosolized medication into the lung parenchyma. Such device
should be driven by a primary gas source or either oxygen or air
but permit bleeding in of lighter gas as required for a special
application.
Currently, the continuous nebulizing devices available do not meed
the requirements set forth above for the ideal device. None of the
current devices are capable of entraining a secondary small amount
of special inert gas from a supplemental gas source. It would be
highly desireable to provide a medical nebulizing device meeting
the criteria for the ideal device.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The improved nebulizing device of the present invention satisfies
all the foregoing needs. The device is substantially as set forth
in the Abstract of the Disclosure.
Thus, the device comprises a nebulizing head and a removeable
liquid medication-holding reservoir attached to the bottom thereof.
The head has a closed top, closed sides and open bottom defining a
central space in which is secured a nebulization chamber having
closed sides and an open top and bottom. The chamber can be funnel
or hour glass shaped or the like.
A nebulization baffle or annular flow aerosol nozzle is secured to
the underside of the head top and disposed within the chamber. A
liquid syphon or draw tube has its upper end connected to the
baffle and extends down through the chamber and into the
reservoir.
A nebulized aerosol output port extends between the space outside
the chamber in the head and a point peripheral of one side of the
head and may have an extension which directs the aerosol towards
and into the patient.
Of primary importance, an auxiliary multiple gas entrainment inlet
port is provided which, at its outer end has a removeable seal cap,
and extends from a point peripheral of the head and remote from the
outlet port to a point within the chamber. This inlet port permits
auxiliary gases such as light weight helium or another gas alone or
in admixture with oxygen or air or the like to be bled into the
primary gas stream flow path through the nebulizer head and thus to
exit with and as part of the output aerosol when and as needed,
without interrupting the continuous output flow of aerosol from the
device. Such primary flow powers the auxiliary gas through the
device.
Preferably, the primary oxygen and/or air flow through the device
is driven by pressurized gas from a flowmeter. The gas passing
through the device draws liquid such as a mixture of medication and
saline solution from the reservoir up the draw tube by a Venturi
effect to and through a spraying and baffle system within the
device to provide a fine aerosol mist of, for example, 2.5-3.0 um
particle size. The device may be driven by a primary gas source of,
for example, 50 psi operating at, for example, 13 liters/min. to
provide about 25-30 cc/hr of aerosol.
Preferably, the reservoir has a graduated scale on it and a large
capacity of, for example, about 200-500cc or more of
medication/saline solution so that continuous nebulization can be
carried out for up to about 20 hrs or more without recharging the
reservoir.
Further features of the improved nebulization device of the present
invention are set forth in the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings.
DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation, partly in dotted outline and
partly broken away, showing a first preferred embodiment of the
improved nebulization device of the present invention; and,
FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation, partly broken away and partly
in cross-section, of a second preferred embodiment of the improved
nebulization device of the present invention, showing a mixture of
medication and saline solution in the reservoir of the device, and
with the reservoir separated from the device head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1
Now referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a first
preferred embodiment of the improved nebulizing device of the
present invention is schematically depicted therein.
Thus, device 10 is shown which comprises a nebulizing head 12
releasably connected to a liquid-containing reservoir 14. Head 12
includes a closed top 16, closed sides 18 and an open bottom 20
collectively defining a generally central space 22. Head 12 is
preferably in the form of a shell 24 of glass, plastic or the like,
and is preferably generally cylindrical.
A nebulization chamber 26 is secured at its upper end to the inner
surfaces of sides 18 and depends therefrom within the central
portion of space 22 below top 16 and above bottom 20 and may be
formed as an integral part of shell 24, if desired.
In FIG. 1, chamber 26 is shown as having closed sides 28 and open
top 30 and open bottom 32, and is generally funnel shaped.
Head 12 also includes a nebulization baffle 34 conventional design
secured to the underside of head top 16 and having a central
passageway 36 extending vertically down through top 16, through
which the main stream of nebulizing gas (not shown) can pass into
and through baffle 34 after connection of a primary gas line (not
shown) to baffle 34 through a nipple nut adapter 38 carried by top
16. The bottom of baffle 34 is connected to the upper end of a
hollow draw tube 40 up through which liquid 42 in reservoir 14 is
drawn by suction or Venturi effect into baffle 34 for aerosolizing,
that is, nebulizing.
Head 12 is releasably secured to reservoir 14 by mating threads 44
and 46, respectively, in the inner surface of the bottom portion of
head 12 and outer surface of reservoir 14 at the upper end thereof.
Preferably, reservoir 14 is transparent and bears a graduated
vertical scale 48 for determining the amount of liquid 42 in
reservoir 14. Scale 48 can be molded into or separately applied to
reservoir 14, as desired.
Head 12 also includes a nebulized aerosol output port 50 defined in
a side 18 or head 12 and extending into communication with space 22
but external of chamber 26, as shown in FIG. 1. Port 50 extends
peripheraly of head 12 and preferably is elongated and funnel
shaped for delivery of the nebulized aerosol to a patient.
Head 12 further includes a novel auxiliary gas entrainment inlet
port 52 defined in a side 18 and extending into space 22,
specifically into the upper portion of chamber 26. Inlet port 52 is
provided with an external tube portion 54 extending peripherally of
shell 24, and a removeable seal cap 56, in FIG. 1 shown removed
from portion 54. The auxiliary gas can be a light weight gas such
as helium or the like, fed alone through inlet port 52 to chamber
26, or a mixture of such gas with oxygen and/or air or the
like.
This auxiliary gas is used intermittently as needed and is powered
through device 10 by primary gas such as oxygen and/or air driven
under pressure into device 10 from a pressurized gas supply source.
Such source is connected to device 10 through nipple 38 and the
primary gas passes through passageway 36 in baffle 34 and then into
nebulization chamber 26, causing by venturi effect liquid 42 to be
drawn up through tube 40 into baffle 34 for nebulization with such
primary gas.
The resulting aerosol exits chamber 26 and out of device 10 through
output port 50 to the patient. The auxiliary gas from inlet port 52
meets the nebulized aerosol in chamber 26 and exits therewith
through port 50. In effect, such auxiliary gas is bled into the
flowstream in head 12 when and as needed, without interrupting the
production of aerosol and its output from device 10.
Device 10 can therefore be operated to provide an intermittent or
continuous output of nebulized aerosol, preferably a continuous
stream of the aerosol. Usually, the auxiliary gas or gases are used
for periodic bleeding into the main gas flow in device 10 for
specialized augmentation of the content of the aerosol output.
Device 10 thus provides features which improve the function of a
medical nebulizer for improved treatment of a patient, in contrast
to conventional medical nebulizers.
FIG. 2
A second preferred embodiment of the improved medical nebulization
device of the present invention is schematically depicted in FIG.
2. Thus, device 10a is shown. Components thereof similar to those
of device 10 bear the same numerals but are succeeded by the letter
"a".
Device 10a is substantially identical to device 10 except as
follows:
a) The detailed configuration of the annular flow aerosol nozzle
34a comparable to the baffle of FIG. 1 is shown, liquid 42a being
drawn up through tube 40a into the bottom portion of nozzle 34a to
a point immediately below the lower end of passageway 36a;
b) Sides 28a of nebulization chamber 26a are hour-glass shaped with
a wider upper end and flared lower end for improved secondary
throat entrainment of aerosol particles, in contrast to the
vertical tubular sides 28 of chamber 26; and
c) Auxiliary gas inlet port 52a has a tubular portion 54a which
extends peripheral of shell 24a and is bifurcated into two separate
injection lines 58 and 60 for separate introduction of two
different gases from separate pressurized sources.
The other features and advantages of device 10a are similar to
those of device 10. Accordingly, devices 10 and 10a have
substantial advantages over the prior art devices.
Various modifications, changes, alterations and additions can be
made in the improved medical nebulization device of the present
invention, its components and parameters. All such modifications,
changes, alterations and additions as are within the scope of the
appended claims form part of the present invention.
* * * * *