Abstract: A combination mouthpiece for inhalation therapy devices, having a body (1) defining an aerosol duct (2) through which, in use, a stream of air carrying an aerosolized drug is supplied to a patient during inspiration, an inlet hole (4) through the body for receiving in a releasable and secure manner an oxygen tube adapter (5), characterised by at least one partition (6) within the body (1) defining at least one oxygen duct (3), the oxygen duct being in a form such that it extends generally parallel with the aerosol duct (2) and has a flow cross-section sized in order to guide a suitably large oxygen stream from the oxygen tube adapter (5) through the inlet hole (4) to the patient.

Abstract: A nebulizer has structure for determining the duration of a pulse of atomization during inspiration, the determination structure including components for measuring the tidal volume of a patient, measuring the duration of inspiration, for storing estimates of the volume of a patient's upper airway, and for calculating the duration of the pulse. The duration of the pulse is calculated on the basis of the tidal volume, the duration of inspiration, and the stored estimated volume of patient's upper airway.

Abstract: A nebuliser having elements for determining the duration of a pulse of atomisation during inspiration, including elements for measuring the tidal volume of a patient timing elements for measuring the duration of inspiration, elements for storing estimates of the volume of a patient's upper airway, and elements for calculating the duration of the pulse. The duration of the pulse is calculated on the basis of the tidal volume measured by the tidal volume measuring elements; the duration of inspiration measured by the timing elements, and the stored estimated volume of patient's upper airway from the storage elements.

Abstract: A product dispensing system comprises a calibrated nebulizer having a nebulizer jet, mouthpiece, means for sourcing compressed air, a manifold for distributing the source of compressed air in at least one direction, a nebulizer accommodation means which is accessed by port, and a valve means for controlling the manifold and thereby the flow of compressed air to the port. The manifold and the port are linked by a length of tube, wherein the internal volume of the tube from the manifold outlet to the nebulizer jet is less than 0.7 ml.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of ensuring the fit of a face mask to the face of a patient, the apparatus including a face mask having an inlet through which gas can be inhaled and a sensor for measuring the flow rate of gas drawn through the inlet of the face mask. The fit of the face mask is determined by monitoring the flow rate of gas drawn through the inlet of the face mask upon inhalation by a patient. The face mask is considered to satisfactorily fit the patient when a substantially regular inhalation waveform is achieved.

Abstract: A nebulizer comprises a gas exit, at least one outlet adjacent to the gas exit, and a deflector for deflecting a stream of gas issuing from the gas exit over the at least one outlet for drawing a substance to be atomized from it, and for atomizing the substance in the gas. The deflector defines first and second profiles, and the atomizer has an atomizing configuration in which the first profile of the deflector lies in the stream of gas for atomization, and non-atomizing configuration in which the second profile of the deflector lies in the stream of gas without atomization of the substance.

Abstract: An atomizer for dispensing a powder or liquid product which is atomized by a stream of compressed air and further has either (1) means to prevent or stop the product from atomizing in response to a positive pressure in the atomizer or (2) a secondary reservoir located between the product reservoir and a product outlet from which the product is atomized, said secondary reservoir is in fluid connection with a second chamber, the second chamber being operable in response to a positive pressure in the atomizer to drive fluid from the secondary reservoir.

Abstract: An arrangement for delivering a drug aerosol comprises a sensor (3) which detects turbulent air flow during inhalation and causes the nebulizer (8,9,10,11,12,13) to generate the aerosol only during the inhalation phase of the breathing cycle. Airflow is diverted from the sensor during exhalation.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering a fluid medicament to a patient in a gas for inhalation and for calculating the dosage administered to the patient comprising a holding member (1) for temporarily holding the medicament and gas prior to inhalation, means for introducing a quantity of the medicament into the holding chamber (1), a sensor (4) for detecting the introduction of the medicament into the holding chamber (1), detector means for detecting the rate of flow of gas inhaled by a patient from the holding chamber (1) and calculation means (25, 27, 29, 30, 31) operably connected to the sensor (4) and to the detector means for calculating the amount of medicament received by a patient.

Abstract: An atomizer including a gas exit, an outlet adjacent the gas exit, and a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from the gas exit over the outlet for drawing a substance to be atomized out from one outlet and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from the gas exit characterised in that the deflector is movable between a first position in the path of the gas issuing from the gas exit for atomization and a second and non-atomizing position.

Abstract: An effective nebulizer atomizes fluids or powders carried in a stream of pressurized gas. The nebulizer includes a casing, a nozzle head having at least one gas outlet and a reservoir disposed around the at least one gas outlet for receiving the substance to be atomized, and from which the substance is atomized by the steam of gas. The substance to be atomized is introduced into the nebulizer, at least two holes opening into the reservoir through which the substance to be atomized is drawn by the stream of gas issuing from the at least one gas outlet. Also provided is an airflow control device having a bridge bar which is locatable for interception of the gas issuing from the at least one gas outlet so as to be freely angularly displaceable for deflecting the stream of gas issuing from the at least one gas outlet across the reservoir.