Abstract: A breath-enhanced nebulizer adapted for use in administering an aerosolized pharmaceutical composition to a patient by inhalation wherein the patient is connected to a mechanical ventilator is disclosed. The nebulizer has a Venturi driven by a nebulizer air supply that draws a solution of a pharmaceutical composition into a shear zone where the solution is atomized. The Venturi effect is amplified by the internal configuration of the nebulizer to increase the rate of nebulization of drug. Optionally, breath-actuated nebulization is used, employing a pressure sensor interposed between the nebulizer and mechanical ventilator that controls the nebulizer air supply, such that nebulizer air and concomitant nebulization only occurs during the inhalation phase of a breathing cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing fluoropolymers or fluoroelastomers in an aqueous medium using a non fluorinated sulfonate type hydrocarbon containing surfactant, said process comprising the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous solution comprising an non-fluorinated, hydrocarbon containing, sulfonate anionic type surfactant in a polymerization reactor; (b) pressurizing the reactor with fluoromonomers to form an aqueous emulsion; (c) initiating polymerization of said fluoromonomers; and (d) Propagating the reaction (e) Terminating the reaction after consumption of desired weight of fluoromonomers; wherein the non-fluorinated, hydrocarbon containing, sulfonate type surfactant comprises 18 to 36 carbon atoms, wherein the molecular weight of the fluoropolymer ranges from 1×103 to 9×108 g/mol and wherein said process is devoid of passivating the surfactant.