Abstract: A venturi connector includes a housing having a mixing chamber defined therein and at least one window that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and is open to atmosphere to allow air to be entrained into the mixing chamber. The connector includes a nozzle actuator member includes a body having a plurality of discrete nozzles formed therein. The nozzles are defined by different sized venturi orifices through which gas flows, thereby allowing the concentration of the gas delivered to the patient to be varied. The nozzle actuator member is disposed within one window formed in the housing between the gas port and the mixing chamber such that the position of the nozzle actuator member within the housing can be adjusted so as to position one of the discrete nozzles into the gas flow path, thereby controlling the flow rate of the gas into the mixing chamber and ultimately the concentration of gas delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A patient interface system for delivering a gas to a patient includes a patient interface device that includes at least one inhalation valve and at least one exhalation valve. The system also includes a venturi device that has at least one port for connection to a gas source. The venturi device has at least one primary air entrainment window and at least one secondary air entrainment window which is downstream of the at least one primary air entrainment window. The inhalation valve is disposed between: (1) the main body and (2) the primary and secondary air entrainment windows of the venturi device. At least one of the primary air entrainment window and secondary air entrainment window includes a means for closing the respective window, thereby changing a degree at which the respective window is open and changing a flow rate of the air flowing through the respective window.

Abstract: A venturi connector includes a housing having a mixing chamber defined therein and at least one window that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and is open to atmosphere to allow air to be entrained into the mixing chamber. The connector includes a nozzle actuator member includes a body having a plurality of discrete nozzles formed therein. The nozzles are defined by different sized venturi orifices through which gas flows, thereby allowing the concentration of the gas delivered to the patient to be varied. The nozzle actuator member is disposed within one window formed in the housing between the gas port and the mixing chamber such that the position of the nozzle actuator member within the housing can be adjusted so as to position one of the discrete nozzles into the gas flow path, thereby controlling the flow rate of the gas into the mixing chamber and ultimately the concentration of gas delivered to the patient.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system also includes a first device in fluid communication with the first holding chamber for producing the aerosol particles and being sealingly yet releasably received within an adapter that forms an entrance into a first holding chamber. The adapter has a compressible material disposed thereon which is at least partially compressed by insertion of the first device to form the seal between the first device and the adapter, thereby creating a closed system that is therefore capable of delivering a fixed concentration of the medication to the patient due to a valve of the valve mechanism being closed when the patient inhales and the medication is delivered to the patient.

Abstract: Current methods of drug administration to the lungs are inefficient. ‘Endotracheal Tube with Aerosol Delivery Apparatus III’ is specifically designed for uniform intrapulmonary delivery of aerosolized medication in patients on mechanical ventilation. As opposed to the current methods of drug delivery where aerosol particles are generated at the proximal end of the ETT, with majority of the particles adhering to the endotracheal tube during delivery, this invention bypasses the endotracheal tube by generating aerosol particles at its distal end. The invention consists of two coaxial hollow tubes fused to each other. The inner coaxial tube and/or one or more secondary cannulation(s) in the wall of the outer coaxial tube terminate at proximal and as MDI adapters and at the distal tip as a single or multiple micrometric orifices.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system includes a first holding chamber for holding the aerosol particles prior to deliver to the first conduit member and a valve mechanism associated with the first conduit member. The system also includes a first device in fluid communication with the first holding chamber for producing the aerosol particles and being sealingly yet releasably received within an adapter that forms an entrance into the first holding chamber. The adapter has a compressible material disposed thereon which is at least partially compressed by insertion of the first device to form the seal between the first device and the adapter.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a single source of gas; a connector and an accessory having a main conduit body. A nebulizer is sealingly and removably coupled to the main conduit body. A supplemental gas inlet port is in fluid communication with the connector for introducing a flow of supplemental gas from the single gas source to the patient under select conditions. The gas from the gas source that flows to the supplemental gas inlet port passes through a flow metering member that is remote from the supplemental gas inlet port that controls the flow rate of the supplemental gas to the patient interface. The flow rate of the gas through the supplemental gas inlet port is different than a gas flow rate into the nebulizer for generating the aerosolized medication.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a ventilator system includes (a) a ventilator device having an inhalation port and exhalation port; (b) a patient conduit for delivering to and removing gas from the patient; (c) an exhalation conduit fluidly connected to the exhalation port and the patient conduit; (d) an inhalation conduit fluidly connected to the inhalation port and the patient conduit; and (e) a device for generating aerosolized medication, the device being fluidly connected to the inhalation conduit so that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the patient as the patient inhales. According to the present invention, at least the inhalation conduit has a variable length to position the device for generating aerosolized medication a predetermined distance from the patient conduit.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a single source of gas and a Y-connector having a first port in fluid communication with the gas source via a conduit. The system also has an accessory having a main conduit body that fluidly connected to the Y-connector via a conduit to permit gas from the single source to flow through the main conduit body. The accessory includes a patient interface conduit that delivers aerosolized medication to a mouth of the patient. A nebulizer is sealingly and removably disposed within the main conduit body and includes a gas inlet port that is fluidly connected to the Y-connector to permit gas from the single source to flow into the nebulizer to create the aerosolized medication that is delivered into the main conduit body and to the patient through the patient interface conduit.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an accessory for an aerosol inhalation system includes a main conduit body having an outlet end for placement close to a mouth of a patient, and first and second leg conduits that are in fluid communication with the main conduit body. The accessory further includes a holding chamber having a first compartment and a second compartment separated from the first compartment, with the first compartment being sealingly and fluidly coupled to the one port associated with the first leg conduit and the second compartment is sealingly and fluidly coupled to a port associated with the second leg conduit. An arrangement of valves is provided for directing fluid along prescribed flow paths depending on whether the patient inhales or exhales.

Abstract: A device for use in an aerosol inhalation system for delivering aerosolized medication includes a housing that is operatively connected to a source of aerosolized medication such that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the housing. The device also includes a patient interface member removably connected to the housing and being separate therefrom. The patient interface member is in the form of a face mask for placement about a face of the patient and in communication with a mouth of the patient for delivering the aerosolized medication. The patient interface member incorporates an integral inhalation valve and safety feature for protecting against displacement of the inhaltation valve.