Abstract: A gas therapy system (1) has a flow line (3, 2), a coupler (6) to a gas source, and an aerosol generator (4) for aerosol delivery, and a patient interface such as a nasal interface (2). A controller (10) is configured to modulate gas flow and aerosol delivery in real time. The controller changes gas flow rate and dynamically reduces aerosol delivery during upper gas flow rates such as 60 LPM, and activates aerosol delivery during lower gas flow rates of for example 10 LPM. The control may also include sensors to detect breathing, so that there is a bias towards increased aerosol delivery during inhalation in addition to during lower level gas flow.

Abstract: A nebulizer has an aerosol generator, a reservoir, and an aerosol outlet. A piezoelectric vibration generator is on a downstream side of a support washer, and power to the piezo is provided by a spring contact assembly. The assembly has upstanding electrical terminals for contact with electrical supply conductors. There are spring terminals extending around a rim of the spring contact assembly to engage an exposed underside of the washer, and a resilient ridge extending in the upstream direction to engage the underside of the piezo, which itself is on the downstream side of the washer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an aperture plate includes depositing a releasable seed layer above a substrate, applying a first patterned photolithography mask above the releasable seed layer, the first patterned photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a desired aperture pattern, electroplating a first material above the exposed portions of the releasable seed layer and defined by the first mask, applying a second photolithography mask above the first material, the second photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a first cavity, electroplating a second material above the exposed portions of the first material and defined by the second mask, removing both masks, and etching the releasable seed layer to release the first material and the second material. The first and second material form an aperture plate for use in aerosolizing a liquid. Other aperture plates and methods of producing aperture plates are described according to other embodiments.

Abstract: An aerosol generator with electrical power conducting pins has a vibratable plate with apertures therein and an annular piezo. An annular support member supports the piezo and the vibratable plate. A first electrical power conducting pin engages directly with a first, top, surface of the piezo. A second electrical power conducting pin indirectly conducts electrical power to a second surface of the piezo, by contacting an extension tab. There is a film of cured epoxy adhesive on the tab. The aerosol generator avoids need for soldered joints for electrical contact, and the pins are conveniently mounted parallel to each on the same lateral and top side of the piezo and support member. The pins may have multi-point tips for particularly effective electrical contact.

Abstract: An aperture plate is manufactured by plating metal around a mask of resist columns having a desired size, pitch, and profile, which yields a wafer about 60 ?m thickness. This is approximately the full desired target aperture plate thickness. The plating is continued so that the metal overlies the top surfaces of the columns until the desired apertures are achieved. This needs only one masking/plating cycle to achieve the desired plate thickness. Also, the plate has passageways formed beneath the apertures, formed as an integral part of the method, by mask material removal. These are suitable for entrainment of aerosolized droplets exiting the apertures.

Abstract: A nebulizer has an aerosol generator mounted in a housing, and has a vibratable aperture plate mounted to an annular support and to which is attached a vibration generator piezo. A downstream annular resilient seal is mounted between the housing and the washer on a side of the aperture plate opposed to the liquid supply reservoir. An upstream resilient seal is in the form of a gasket and is mounted between the washer and the housing reservoir, and has an opening forming part of a throat over the aperture plate. The gasket has a washer-shaped body extending radially from a downstream-extending rim adjacent the aperture plate. There are two upwardly-directed ridges for engagement with a housing surface, and the gasket is configured so that when under axial compression the opening internal surface is tapered inwardly in a flow direction to form a funnel shape.

Abstract: A system for delivery of aerosol therapy to spontaneously breathing patients comprises a housing which defines a chamber. The housing has a base, a top and a main body extending between the base and the top. An ambient air inlet is located adjacent to the base and is normally closed by an inlet valve. The housing also has a patient port for receiving a mouthpiece or a face mask. The mouthpiece has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Similarly, the face mask has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Exhaled air is exhausted through the valves and to prevent recirculation through the chamber which would adversely affect dose efficiencies. The housing also has an aerosol port for receiving a vibrating mesh aerosol generating device. The aerosol port is located in a side of the main body of the housing for delivery of aerosol into the chamber between the inlet valve and the patient port.

Abstract: A gas therapy system (1) has a flow line (3, 2), a coupler (6) to a gas source, and an aerosol generator (4) for aerosol delivery, and a patient interface such as a nasal interface (2). A controller (10) is configured to modulate gas flow and aerosol delivery in real time. The controller changes gas flow rate and dynamically reduces aerosol delivery during upper gas flow rates such as 60 LPM, and activates aerosol delivery during lower gas flow rates of for example 10 LPM. The control may also include sensors to detect breathing, so that there is a bias towards increased aerosol delivery during inhalation in addition to during lower level gas flow.

Abstract: An aerosol generator has a vibratable plate with apertures therein and an annular piezo which causes movement of the vibratable plate. An annular support member supports the piezo and the vibratable plate. A first electrical power conducting pin engages directly with a first, top, surface of the piezo. A second electrical power conducting pin indirectly conducts electrical power to a second surface of the piezo, by contacting an extension tab of the support member, also on its top side. There is a film of cured epoxy adhesive on the tab, providing excellent gripping force between the pin and the support. The aerosol generator avoids need for soldered joints for electrical contact, and the pins are conveniently mounted parallel to each on the same lateral and top side of the piezo and support member. The pins may have multi-point tips for particularly effective electrical contact.

Abstract: An aperture plate is manufactured by plating metal around a mask of resist columns having a desired size, pitch, and profile, which yields a wafer about 60 ?m thickness. This is approximately the full desired target aperture plate thickness. The plating is continued so that the metal overlies the top surfaces of the columns until the desired apertures are achieved. This needs only one masking/plating cycle to achieve the desired plate thickness. Also, the plate has passageways formed beneath the apertures, formed as an integral part of the method, by mask material removal. These are suitable for entrainment of aerosolized droplets exiting the apertures.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system has a nebulizer and a humidifier providing a gas flow to the nebulizer. A controller varies humidity level of the gas flow to the nebulizer so that if the nebulizer is not operating it has about 100% humidity and it is operating the value is less to allow for the humidification effect of the nebulizer. The control may be achieved by dynamically varying proportions of flow through a dry branch and a humidification branch.

Abstract: A nebuliser control device has a manually adjustable user interface and a cable extending from the interface to a power source, and a cable extending from the interface to an aerosol generator. The interface is manually adjustable by physical movement of an actuator such a slider or a rotating knob to locally control the operation of the aerosol generator.

Abstract: A nebulizer device has an aerosol generator mounted in a housing, and a mouthpiece. The device is adapted for delivery of an active agent in an aerosol into the buccal cavity, with droplet size greater than 10 ?m. Aerosolization is started at or after the end of breath inhalation and is stopped at or before the start of breath inhalation. The flow is via mouthpiece with internal ridges which periodically narrow the flow path volume to so that droplets coalesce in the flow path before the mesh.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an aperture plate includes depositing a releasable seed layer above a substrate, applying a first patterned photolithography mask above the releasable seed layer, the first patterned photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a desired aperture pattern, electroplating a first material above the exposed portions of the releasable seed layer and defined by the first mask, applying a second photolithography mask above the first material, the second photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a first cavity, electroplating a second material above the exposed portions of the first material and defined by the second mask, removing both masks, and etching the releasable seed layer to release the first material and the second material. The first and second material form an aperture plate for use in aerosolizing a liquid. Other aperture plates and methods of producing aperture plates are described according to other embodiments.

Abstract: A single dose aerosol chamber is used with a dispensing apparatus by users to take a chamber, fill the chamber with an aerosolized vaccine, and dispose of used chambers. A display provides instructions to encourage prompt inhalation by the user from a dispensed and filled chamber. The station allows very fast administration of vaccines to large numbers of people. The aerosol dispenser apparatus detects the chamber is in correct position and delivers a pre-determined dose of aerosol. The chamber has a nebulizer delivery port optimized for delivery of aerosol into the chamber container and to act as a vent during inhalation via the inhalation port.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is for use by users to take a chamber, fill the chamber with an aerosolized vaccine or other medicament, and dispose of used chambers. A display provides instructions to encourage prompt inhalation by the user from a dispensed and filled chamber. The apparatus allows very fast administration of vaccines to large numbers of people. The aerosol dispenser apparatus detects the chamber is in correct position and delivers a pre-determined dose of aerosol. Once the dose is delivered a visual and/or audible indicator informs the user that the chamber is filled and that they can take the inhalation. The single dose aerosol chamber is optimized for efficient administration of an aerosol.

Abstract: A coupling part with integrated aerosol generator for use in a breathing circuit, comprising a housing (10) enclosing a cavity (V), having a first opening at a first end prepared for direct or indirect connection to a ventilator, a second opening at a second end, which is suitable for direct or indirect connection to a patient line or an endotracheal tube, wherein an aerosol generator (20) is integrated in one side of the housing and is suitable for delivering an aerosolised liquid, in particular a medicament.

Abstract: A method for aerosolising a liquid comprises the steps of: providing an aperture plate having at least 100 outlet holes per mm2; delivering liquid to the aperture plate; and vibrating the aperture plate to produce an aerosol. The viscosity of the liquid is in the range of from 1 to15 cP and the surface tension of the liquid is in the range of from 72 to 0.5 mN/m. The output rate of the generated aerosol is greater than 0.01 mL/min.

Abstract: An aerosol generator has a vibratable plate with apertures therein and an annular piezo which causes movement of the vibratable plate. An annular support member supports the piezo and the vibratable plate. A first electrical power conducting pin engages directly with a first, top, surface of the piezo. A second electrical power conducting pin indirectly conducts electrical power to a second surface of the piezo, by contacting an extension tab of the support member, also on its top side. There is a film of cured epoxy adhesive on the tab, providing excellent gripping force between the pin and the support. The aerosol generator avoids need for soldered joints for electrical contact, and the pins are conveniently mounted parallel to each on the same lateral and top side of the piezo and support member. The pins may have multi-point tips for particularly effective electrical contact.

Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.