Abstract: A supplemental oxygen delivery system is described in which Aerosol is delivered into a housing 10, 20, which sits in the circuit from the supplemental oxygen supply and optional humidifier. The supplemental oxygen passes through this chamber 10, 20 in which the aerosol is located, and collects the aerosol transporting it to a patient via a nasal cannula 3 or a face mask 4. An aerosol generator 9 is mounted to the housing 10, 20 and delivers aerosol into an oxygen stream 13 flowing between an inlet 14 and an outlet 15 of the housing 10. The housing 10 also has a removable plug 16 in the base 17 thereof for draining any liquid that accumulates in the housing 10. There is no disruption of oxygen delivery to patients using nasal cannulas who currently have to use a separate face-mask when receiving nebulized medication.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a micro pump 27 or a micro valve with a vibrating mesh nebuliser 2. This is powered by a controller 3. The controller 3 may have modifications to provide the electrical drive mechanism for the pump 27 in addition to fulfilling the aerosol/nebuliser drive requirements. In one case the system is used for humidifying gas in a ventilator circuit. A humidifying agent (sterile water or sterile saline) is aerosolised and then delivered to a ventilator circuit 100 coupled to the respiratory system of a patient.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.

Abstract: A method for humidifying gas in a ventilator circuit 100, 101, 102, 105, 106 comprises aerosolising a humidifying agent such as water or saline using an aerosol generator 2 and delivering the aerosolised humidifying agent to the inspiration line 101 of the ventilator circuit coupled to the respiratory system of a patient. The aerosol generator 2 comprises a vibratable member 40 having a plurality of apertures extending between a first surface and a second surface. A controller 3 controls the operation of aerosol generator 2, for example in response to the flow of air in the inspiration line 101 as detected by a sensor 11.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in insufflation of a body cavity 5, such as through a trocar 6 is described. One such application is laparoscopic surgery. The device is also suitable for use in any situation involving insufflation of a body cavity such as in arthroscopies, pleural cavity insufflation (for example during thoracoscopy), retroperitoneal insufflations (for example retroperitoneoscopy), during hernia repair, during mediastinoscopy and any other such procedure involving insufflation. The apparatus comprises a reservoir 1 for storing an liquid solution, an aerosol generator 2 for aerosolising the solution, and a controller 3 for controlling operation of the aerosol generator 2. Aerosolised liquid solution (which main contain a pharmaceutical) is entrained with insufflation gas using a T-piece connector or housing 30 having an insufflation gas inlet 31 and an outlet 32.

Abstract: Apparatus used in insufflation comprises an insufflator 12 for generating an insufflation gas such as carbon dioxide and an aerosol generator 2 for aerosolising a fluid and entraining the aerosol with the insufflation gas. The aerosol generator 2 comprises a vibratable member 40 having a plurality of apertures extending between a first surface and a second surface. The fluid may comprise a therapeutic or prophylactic agent. A controller 3 is used to control the operation of the aerosol generator 2. The controller 3 controls operation of the aerosol generator 2 responsive to the flow of insufflation gas such as detected by a flow sensor 11.

Abstract: A supplemental oxygen delivery system is described in which Aerosol is delivered into a housing 10, 20, which sits in the circuit from the supplemental oxygen supply and optional humidifier. The supplemental oxygen passes through this chamber 10, 20 in which the aerosol is located, and collects the aerosol transporting it to a patient via a nasal cannula 3 or a face mask 4. An aerosol generator 9 is mounted to the housing 10, 20 and delivers aerosol into an oxygen stream 13 flowing between an inlet 14 and an outlet 15 of the housing 10. The housing 10 also has a removable plug 16 in the base 17 thereof for draining any liquid that accumulates in the housing 10. There is no disruption of oxygen delivery to patients using nasal cannulas who currently have to use a separate face-mask when receiving nebulized medication.

Abstract: A nebuliser 1 particularly for home use comprises a housing 2 having an aerosol generator 3 mounted therein. The housing is closed by a hinged cap 4 and has an outlet 5 through which aerosol generated by the generator 3 is delivered. A suitable connector such as a mouthpiece 6 may be connected to the outlet 5. The housing 2 has a receiver for receiving a nebule 8. The receiver comprises a slot 7 which is sized and/or shaped to accommodate only a nebule 8 of predetermined shape and/or size. The nebuliser cap 4 has a nebule opening means which may be in the form of a puncture pin 10 projecting therefrom to pierce the nebule 8 when the cap is moved to the closed position. The pin 10 is hollow or splined to regulate flow from the nebule. The nebuliser 1 also has a switch means for enabling operation of the aerosol generator 3 when the nebule 8 is opened. The switch means comprises a microswitch 12 on the housing which is engageable by a trigger 13 on the cap 4 when the cap is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A method for humidifying gas in a ventilator circuit 100, 101, 102, 105, 106 comprises aerosolising a humidifying agent such as water or saline using an aerosol generator 2 and delivering the aerosolised humidifying agent to the inspiration line 101 of the ventilator circuit coupled to the respiratory system of a patient. The aerosol generator 2 comprises a vibratable member 40 having a plurality of apertures extending between a first surface and a second surface. A controller 3 controls the operation of aerosol generator 2, for example in response to the flow of air in the inspiration line 101 as detected by a sensor 11.

Abstract: Apparatus used in insufflation comprises an insufflator 12 for generating an insufflation gas such as carbon dioxide and an aerosol generator 2 for aerosolising a fluid and entraining the aerosol with the insufflation gas which is delivered during surgery. The aerosol generator 2 comprises a vibratable member 40 having a plurality of apertures extending between a first surface and a second surface. The fluid may comprise a therapeutic or prophylactic agent. A controller 3 is used to control the operation of the aerosol generator 2. The controller 3 controls operation of the aerosol generator 2 responsive to the flow of insufflation gas such as detected by a flow sensor 11. The pulse rate at a set frequency of vibration of the vibratable member 40 is controlled.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a micro pump 27 or a micro valve with a vibrating mesh nebuliser 2. This is powered by a controller 3. The controller 3 may have modifications to provide the electrical drive mechanism for the pump 27 in addition to fulfilling the aerosol/nebuliser drive requirements. In one case the system is used for humidifying gas in a ventilator circuit. A humidifying agent (sterile water or sterile saline) is aerosolised and then delivered to a ventilator circuit 100 coupled to the respiratory system of a patient.

Abstract: A method for humidifying gas in a ventilator circuit 100, 101, 102, 105, 106 comprises aerosolising a humidifying agent such as water or saline using an aerosol generator 2 and delivering the aerosolised humidifying agent to the inspiration line 101 of the ventilator circuit coupled to the respiratory system of a patient. The aerosol generator 2 comprises a vibratable member 40 having a plurality of apertures extending between a first surface and a second surface. A controller 3 controls the operation of aerosol generator 2, for example in response to the flow of air in the inspiration line 101 as detected by a sensor 11.