Abstract: A nebule comprising at least one identification marker or label can be coupled an aerosol generator. The identification marker can be sensed by a sensing device on the aerosol generator so as to identify the liquid in the nebule to the controller of the aerosol generator. The controller of the aerosol generator can control the aerosol generator based on the information read from the identification marker.

Abstract: A medical nebulizer has a reservoir for medical liquid, a capillary nozzle having a proximal end for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a distal end connectable to an inspiration gas flow path to deliver liquid droplets into an inspiration gas flow, a pump for supplying liquid from the reservoir through the capillary nozzle, and a regulator for regulating the delivery of the liquid to a predetermined amount. The pump supplies the liquid in a continuous flow throughout the delivery of the predetermined amount and a stimulator, such as a piezoelectric vibrator, is provided for vibrating the distal end of the nozzle to stimulate droplet formation.

Abstract: An aerosolization device comprises a housing having a mouthpiece, an aerosol generator, a flow sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to begin operation of the aerosol generator upon receipt of a signal from the flow sensor indicating that a threshold flow rate has been achieved by a user when inhaling a tidal breath through the mouthpiece, and to stop operation after the passage of an operation time period that is selected such that continuation of the tidal breath delivers substantially all of the aerosol to the lungs.

Abstract: A device for nebulizing a fluid is supplied which has a flow director. The flow director helps to direct any bubbles formed by the nebulizing device away from the nebulizing device. The nebulizing device has a vibrating element with apertures through which the fluid is dispensed. A dispensing chamber is defined between the flow director and the vibrating element. The dispensing chamber has an inlet which is positioned below an outlet so that bubbles naturally migrate up and away from the vibrating element.

Abstract: A method for aerosolizing a liquid comprises providing an aerosol generator having a plate with a plurality of apertures and a piezoelectric element to vibrate the plate. Liquid is supplied to the plate, and the piezoelectric element is energized to vibrate the plate at an initial frequency. The energy level is adjusted to vibrate the plate at its instantaneous resonant frequency during aerosolization of the liquid.

Abstract: A pocket-type ultrasonic atomizer structure comprised of a water reservoir, an atomization chamber and an atomizing unit of a main unit, and a water supply regulating mechanism, wherein the opening and closing of the water supply regulating mechanism and the water reservoir is integrated such that closing the water reservoir enables the simultaneous entry of a volume of water required in the atomization chamber through atmospheric pressure and the maintenance of a preset liquid surface height to thereby achieve low-voltage atomizing performance.

Abstract: A nebulizing device having two or more nebulizing elements. The nebulizing device may be used to deliver two or more fluids to the patient or may be used for enhanced fluid flow of a single fluid. The nebulizing elements are preferably vibrating elements with holes therein through which the fluid is expelled when the vibrating elements are vibrated.

Abstract: A nebulizer apparatus to atomize liquid solutions or suspensions. The nebulizer is typically used in conjunction with a breathing circuit to deliver atomized medicine to a patient. A housing with an opening covered by a thin mesh plate is supplied with the liquid to be nebulized on an “on-demand” basis. The mesh plate or liquid is vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies to atomize the liquid as it passes through the plate into breathing gases flowing through the breathing tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a medicine to a patient via the patient's respiratory system with control and efficiency. A nebulization catheter is positioned in the patient's respiratory system so that a distal end of the nebulization catheter is in the respiratory system and a proximal end is outside the body. In a first aspect, the nebulization catheter may be used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube and preferably is removable from the endotracheal tube. The nebulization catheter conveys medicine in liquid form to the distal end at which location the medicine is nebulized by a pressurized gas or other nebulizing mechanism. The nebulized medicine is conveyed to the patient's lungs by the patient's respiration which may be assisted by a ventilator. By producing the aerosol of the liquid medicine at a location inside the patient's respiratory system, the nebulizing catheter provides for increased efficiency and control of the dosage of medicine being delivered.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: A device for aerosolizing a liquid includes a chamber having a deformable wall which expands and contracts as fluid is delivered and expelled from a fluid chamber. The chamber is partially bounded by a vibrating structure having holes therein for expelling the fluid. In another aspect, the invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. A liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: A pulmonary drug delivery device includes a hand piece that is electrically connected to a control unit. A cartridge is engagable with the hand piece and includes a drug reservoir, a pump connected to the drug reservoir, an electrically chargeable nozzle connected to the pump, a discharge electrode, and an information storage element. The control unit controls the pump and the electrical charge of the nozzle and discharge electrode in accordance with instructions stored within the information storage element.

Abstract: A device and method for delivering an aerosolized liquid having therapeutic properties to a user's lungs. The compact and convenient device includes a housing of such size that it can be held in a user's one hand with an exit opening in the housing for directing the aerosol to the user's mouth. The housing encloses a dispensing system for containing the liquid to be aerosolized and delivering it to an electrohydrodynamic apparatus and an electrohydrodynamic apparatus for aerosolizing the liquid and delivering the aerosol to the exit opening. The electrohydrodynamic apparatus produces a cloud of aerosolized liquid droplets having a monodispersed respirable droplet size and near zero velocity.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: A feed system for an aerosolizer utilizes an ampoule containing a liquid and includes a housing having an ampoule region into which the ampoule is held, and a liquid receiving region that is adapted to receive liquid dispensed from the ampoule. An interface is used to couple the liquid receiving region to an aerosol generator, whereby liquid from the liquid receiving region is permitted to flow to the aerosol generator for aerosolization.

Abstract: A device for nebulizing a fluid is supplied which has a flow director. The flow director helps to direct any bubbles formed by the nebulizing device away from the nebulizing device. The nebulizing device has a vibrating element with apertures through which the fluid is dispensed. A dispensing chamber is defined between the flow director and the vibrating element. The dispensing chamber has an inlet which is positioned below an outlet so that bubbles naturally migrate up and away from the vibrating element.

Abstract: A method for aerosolizing a liquid comprises providing an aerosol generator having a plate with a plurality of apertures and a piezoelectric element to vibrate the plate. Liquid is supplied to the plate, and the piezoelectric element is energized to vibrate the plate at an initial frequency. The energy level is adjusted to vibrate the plate at its instantaneous resonant frequency during aerosolization of the liquid.

Abstract: An aperture plate comprises a plate body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and tapered walls that form a plurality of apertures that taper from the bottom surface to the top surface wherein the plate body comprises a base material and a corrosion resistive material plating at least the tapered walls. The aperture plate can be produced by electroplating a mandrel wherein the mandrel is placed within a solution containing a material that is to be deposited onto the mandrel. Electrical current is applied to the mandrel to form the aperture plate on the mandrel. The process can be repeated so as to deposit a second layer, such as a corrosion resistive material, over a base layer material. In such fashion, a laminated electroformed aperture plate can be produced.

Abstract: A nebulizer for delivering a drug to a patient includes an electronic control unit, a hand piece connected to the electronic control unit via a cable, and a cartridge detachably engaged with the hand piece. The electronic control unit includes a controller, a cartridge reader, a dosage storage element, and a display. The display preferably displays the drug name and the number of dosages remaining in the cartridge. The cartridge includes a head or nebulizer element for creating a fine mist or cloud of the drug in droplet form. The cartridge also includes a storage container containing a drug and a pump for pumping the drug to the nebulizer element. The cartridge also contains an information storage element for containing information regarding the drug and the drug delivery protocol for the patient. The information in the information storage element is transmitted to the electronic control unit when the cartridge is engaged with the hand piece.

Abstract: An aerosolization system comprises a gas flow passage, and an aerosol generator comprising a plate having a plurality of apertures and a vibratable element disposed to vibrate the plate. The aerosol generator is adapted to aerosolize a liquid for delivery into the gas flow passage. A flow sensor is configured to sense a gas flow through the passage, and a controller is employed to actuate the aerosol generator based on the gas flow sensed by the flow sensor.

Abstract: A device for aerosolizing a liquid includes a chamber having a deformable wall which expands and contracts as fluid is delivered and expelled from a fluid chamber. The chamber is partially bounded by a vibrating structure having holes therein for expelling the fluid. In another aspect, the invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. A liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for delivering medication to the lungs is described. Acoustic ink printing technology is modified to operate as an inhaler that generates tiny droplets near a patient's nose or mouth. The tiny droplets are easily carried by air currents into the patient's lungs. The inhaler itself is preferably a battery operated portable device that can be easily carried and easily cleaned to avoid contaminating the medication.

Abstract: An inhaler that uses capillary effects to output droplets of pharmaceutical product is described. The inhaler includes transducers and lenses to generate focused acoustic waves. The frequency and pulse width output of the transducers are set to cause capillary action in a reservoir of pharmaceutical product. The capillary action results in the ejection of small droplets of pharmaceutical product at low frequencies.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for delivering medication to the lungs is described. Acoustic ink printing technology is modified to operate as an inhaler that generates tiny droplets near a patient's nose or mouth. The tiny droplets are easily carried by air currents into the patient's lungs. The inhaler itself is preferably a battery operated portable device that can be easily carried and easily cleaned to avoid contaminating the medication.

Abstract: The liquid droplet spray device (1) comprises a housing formed of a superposition of a first and a second substrate (5, 6) and a space (2) within the housing for containing a liquid substance (3), vibrating means (8) for applying a frequency vibration to the substance (3) thereby generating the liquid droplet spray, and outlet means (7, 9, 10) for ejecting the liquid droplet spray. The outlet means comprise a cavity (7), output nozzles (9) and output channels (10) connecting the cavity (7) to the outlet nozzles (9). According to the invention, the vibrating means (8) creates a standing wave pattern within the liquid substance (3), and the outlet means are arranged such that said outlet nozzles (9) are superposed on the vibration mode peaks of the standing wave pattern. Advantageously, the first and second substrates have similar geometrical shapes. Minimal retention and optimal flow of the substance are obtained.

Abstract: An ultrasonic atomizer is provided with an ultrasonic converter (2) with frequency-dependent impedance characteristic. A driver system is provided (1) for generating driver signals for the ultrasound converter (2) such that while the device can be handled in a simple manner, the liquid to be applied is atomized optimally. The driver system (1) is connected such that a frequency set value with minimal driver current is sought immediately after the ultrasonic atomizer is put into operation by varying the frequency of the current signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inhalation apparatus for dispensing an inhalable substance and, in particular, but not exclusively, to an apparatus for use in the delivery of therapeutic substances to the human lung. There is provided and apparatus for dispensing an aerosol of electrostatically charged droplets including a housing having an open end duct in which are located a first electrode having an upper surface lying in a generally longitudinal plane of the duct and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode. The apparatus further includes means for delivering a metered quantity of liquid to the upper surface of the first electrode for atomization, and charging means for applying a higher potential to the second electrode with respect to the first electrode to effect atomization.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: Liquid to be atomized is supplied from a wick to the underside of a vibrating orifice plate which pumps the liquid up through atomizing orifices in the plate and ejects the liquid from is upper side; and liquid which is pumped up through the orifices in an elevated region of the plate, but which has not been ejected, is directed back down through larger openings in a lower region of the plate. The liquid also flows back onto the wick which places the liquid in capillary communication along the underside of the plate with the atomizing orifices for reputing and ejection.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable inhalation device. This device is compact and portable and contains a compressor, an air filter and a power supply, and permits, together with an aerosol nebuliser, the mobile administration of drugs by inhalation.

Abstract: A hand-held compressor nebulizer suitable for vaporizing liquid medication, comprising a casing (2) and a motor-driven air pump (5). The nebulizer includes a liquid medication supply unit and a vaporizing unit. The vaporizing unit comprises upper and lower vaporizing chamber (9 and 6), said lower chamber (6) including a reservoir (12) for liquid medication from the liquid medication supply unit. The vaporizing unit includes a hollow conical member located within lower chamber (6) and defining an internal conical passage (11) having a relatively smaller upper end and a relatively larger lower end, said lower end being in communication with the air pump (5) for receiving an upward airflow produced by the air pump (5). The airflow increases in speed in the upward direction and creates a negative pressure upon exit from the upper end of the conical passage (11).

Abstract: An ultrasonic nebulizer having a control button on the outside, a storage chamber on the inside, a medicine cup positioned in the storage chamber to hold a liquid medicine, a cover covered on the storage chamber, the cover having a spray output port through which nebulized aerosol medicine is driven out of the nebulizer body, a reservoir provided in the storage chamber to hold water below the medicine cup, a slotted conical guide tube vertically suspended in the reservoir and aimed at the medicine cup, and a transducer fastened to the reservoir at a bottom side and controlled to oscillate water in the reservoir and the liquid medicine in the medicine cup, causing the liquid medicine to be nebulized and forced out of the spray output port.

Abstract: A system for dispensing medication includes: a medicine canister that contains medicine to be dispensed, an actuator that houses the medicine canister and an adapter assembly that allows for obtaining information. The adapter assembly includes a connector assembly and an electronics module. The connector assembly connects to the medicine canister. The electronics module obtains information related to patient usage of medicine from the medicine canister. In another embodiment, a method for using the same electronics module with first and second medicine dispensing apparatuses, including a first medicine canister and a second medicine canister, is provided. The first medicine canister contains first medicine and the second medicine canister contains second medicine. First information, related to dispensing the first medicine, is stored with the electronics module joined to the first medicine dispensing apparatus.