Atomizer
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.
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More than one reissue application has been filed for U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,912, including U.S. application Ser. No. 12/060,577, filed Apr. 1, 2008, which is a continuation of this reissue application.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to atomizers and, in particular, to atomizers of the type which include a gas exit, at least one outlet in the region of the gas exit and a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from the gas exit across the at least one outlet whereby a substance to be atomized is drawn out of the at least one outlet and atomized. These atomizers atomize liquids or powders into the gas.
Most conventional atomizers of the above type operate continuously whether atomization is required or not. Strictly speaking, when such atomizers, frequently called nebulisers, are used in medical applications, atomization is only required during the inhalation phase of a breathing cycle so that a drug can be administered by deposition in the lungs. In practice a patient usually inhales for about 30 percent of the breathing cycle, consequently, use of a continuously operating atomizer results in a large proportion of the atomized drug being wasted.
Some designs of medical atomizer overcome such wastage by giving the patient a trigger to start the atomization when they begin to inhale. Such a trigger controlled type of atomizer is not satisfactory since the patient must coordinate inhalation with trigger operation.
In one conventional atomizer a gas duct leads gas under pressure to a gas exit, a reservoir for holding the substance to be atomized is formed around the base of the gas duct, and a sleeve placed around the gas duct defines a passageway through which the substance to be atomized may pass to at least one outlet. A fixed deflector in the form of a bar is disposed in line with the gas outlet so that gas issuing from the gas exit is defected so as to pass over the outlet or outlets. The passage of gas over each outlet draws the substance to be atomised from the reservoir, through the passageway to each outlet. The deflected gas atomizes the substance, and atomized particles of the substance are carried away during the inhalation phase of the patient since the patient breathes air or gas in through the atomizer some of the drug is lost while the patient is not inhaling.
Atomizers are used in other applications. For example, powders or liquid may be sprayed from a jet, the liquid or powder being atomized and entrained by a propellant. In conventional sprays, operation is controlled by a valve for releasing propellant. When the valve is released, the spraying operation is stopped and some of the liquid or powder collects in the jet since insufficient propellant has been released. The collected spray either dries to block the jet or is propelled by a re-started spraying operation in large droplets. Where paint is being sprayed, this causes splatter and uneven deposition on a surface to be painted.
It is an object of this invention to reduce at least some of the above disadvantages of the above-mentioned prior art.
The present invention is defined in the appended claims.
Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
A downwardly and outwardly shaped baffle 9 is disposed around the jet head 3 to deflect the atomized substance downwards before it is carried away. It is important that the substance is atomized into very fine droplets. In medical applications, the substance to be atomized is a drug for administering to a patient by lung deposition. The finer the droplets, the deeper into the lungs the drug will pass. This maximises the deposition of the drug. Larger droplets collect on the inside of the baffle 9 where they coalesce to drop back down into the reservoir 7.
The atomizer also includes an air inlet 13 and an air outlet 14. In the above-mentioned medical application, as a patient inhales, ambient air is drawn into the atomizer through the inlet 13. The air then passes into the region of the air exit 4 and outlets 5 where droplets are entrained by the inhaled ambient air. The air then passes down under the baffle 9 before passing upwardly and out via the air outlet 14 carrying droplets of the drug to the patient. This action is described in more detail in British Patent application 9219327.5 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,501, which are hereby imported into this description in their entirety.
A planar arcuate gas deflector 1 is mounted above the gas exit to be movable about a pivot in that plane. The gas deflector 1 may be disposed across the gas exit 4, in which case atomization takes place, or may be disposed away from the gas exit 4, in which case no atomization takes place.
A vane 2 is joined to the deflector bar 1 so as to be pivotally mounted and to move with the deflector bar 1. The flap 2 responds to the breathing pattern of a patient by moving around the pivot.
When the apparatus is not in use, the vane assumes the positions shown in
When a patient inhales, ambient air is drawn into the atomizer through the air inlet 13. The vane 2 is displaced into the position shown in
The deflector extends further from the pivot than the flap so that the deflector can be positioned very close to the gas exit without obstruction from the flap. The curved surface 12 against which the vane seals therefore includes an arcuate slot through which the deflector may pass.
If the patient inhales sharply or quickly, the vane 2 assumes the position shown in
When the patient exhales, the vane 2 is displaced to a position as shown in
When the patient is not breathing in or out, the vane 2 is biased towards the position shown in FIG. 1. The vane 2 and deflector 1 are mounted on a rubber tongue 11 extending from a fixed rubber block 10. The vane 2 and deflector 1 are therefore resiliently mounted.
The atomizer shown in
Referring to
According to another embodiment (not shown), the rubber block 10 is replaced by a metal spring eg, a leaf spring which permits the vane 2 and deflector 1 to be pivotally moveable in the same manner as described in relation to the rubber block 10 and tongue 11.
In a further embodiment (not shown) the vane 2 is omitted, and the deflector is movable into and out of the stream of gas issuing from the gas exit according to the breathing pattern of a patient. The vane is replaced by a flow sensor which detects when a patient begins to inhale and moves the deflector 1 into the path of gas issuing from the gas exit. In this embodiment the deflector is a bar which is moveable perpendicularly or laterally relevant to the longitudinal extent of the bar.
In another embodiment the deflector 1 is displaceable up and down in line with the gas issuing from the gas outlet. Once the deflector is raised above a certain height, atomization ceases to take place.
In yet a further embodiment, the deflector is not a straight bar, but is of any suitable shape for deflecting the gas across the outlets to cause atomization. The deflector may, for example, be a spherical ball disposed in the path of gas exiting the gas exit. The deflector may be a longitudinal blade movable into the path of the gas in the longitudinal direction of the blade.
In yet another embodiment (not shown) of this invention, the atomizer is used for producing a spray. This spray may be liquid droplets or powder particles. In medical applications, the spray may contain a drug. This spray producing apparatus may be used for producing sprays of paint droplets, perfume droplets or any other suitable liquids or powders. A base unit 15 of
Under certain conditions, although 95% of the gas issuing from the gas exit 4 is deflected to either side of the deflector bar 1, a small amount hits the baffle bar depositing the substance to be atomized on the deflector bar 1. The gas which hits the baffle bar drives the liquid along the baffle bar towards the ends where the liquid can collect on top of the baffle 9 so that it is lost to the atomizer system. The whole dose of medicament is then not available to be administered to the patient. Furthermore, in some arrangements, as the deflector bar is moved out of the flow of gas issuing from the gas exit 4, the liquid that is running along the edge of the deflector bar 1 is sprayed into the top of the nebulizer where it collects without returning back to the reservoir 7. Referring now to
Claims
1. An atomizer comprising:
- a head having a gas exit and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
- a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit; and
- said deflector mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is movable between a first position in which said deflector is adjacent said gas exit and directly in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit so that atomization of the substance takes place, and a second position spaced from said gas exit so that no atomizing takes place.
2. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising condition responsive means for automatically moving said deflector between said first and second positions in response to a condition.
3. An atomizer as recited in claim 2 wherein said condition responsive means comprises a vane connected to said deflector and effecting movement of said deflector in response to air pressure conditions acting on said vane.
4. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 wherein said deflector is mounted with respect to said jet head by a pivot, so that said deflector pivots between said first and second positions.
5. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising a vane for moving said deflector between said first and second positions.
6. An atomizer as recited in claim 5 wherein said deflector comprises a bar connected to said vane.
7. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising an air inlet and an air outlet providing for the flow of air toward and past said head, said outlet permitting flow of atomized substance to a human.
8. An atomizer as recited in claim 7 wherein said deflector moves into said first position when air flows from said air inlet to said air outlet.
9. An atomizer as recited in claim 7 wherein said deflector moves into said second position when air is not flowing from said air inlet to said air outlet.
10. An atomizer as recited in claim 3 2, wherein said condition responsive means comprises a vane connected to said deflector and effecting movement of said deflector in response to air pressure conditions acting on said vane; wherein the atomizer further comprising comprises an air inlet and an air outlet for providing the flow of air to and past said head; and wherein said deflector is biased to said second position and wherein said vane is biased to a position closing said air inlet.
11. An atomizer as recited in claim 10 wherein said vane is positioned to direct a flow of air toward said gas exit when air flows from said air inlet to said air outlet.
12. An atomizer as recited in claim 10 wherein said vane is mounted to allow air flow from said air outlet directly through said air inlet, without passing past said head.
13. An atomizer as recited in claim 10 wherein said vane is mounted so as to allow a proportion of the air flowing from said air inlet to said air outlet to by-pass said head when the air flow rate exceeds a predetermined value.
14. An atomizer as recited in claim 4 wherein said deflector comprises a bar with an arcuate surface.
15. An atomizer as recited in claim 2 wherein said condition is a human inhaling and exhaling during breathing.
16. An atomizer as recited in claim 15 1, wherein said deflector is positioned so that during exhaling, exhaled air does not entrian the substance to be atomized.
17. An atomizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising a baffle extending outwardly and downwardly about said gas exit; and wherein said deflector is mounted within said baffle and movable with respect to said baffle.
18. An atomizer comprising:
- a head having a gas exit and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
- a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit;
- said deflector mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is movable between a first position in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit for atomization, and a second, non-atomizing, position; and
- a vane for moving said deflector between said first and second positions.
19. An atomizer as recited in claim 18 wherein said deflector is mounted with respect to said head by a pivot, so that said defector pivots between said first and second positions.
20. An atomizer as recited in claim 18 wherein said vane is integral with said deflector.
21. An atomizer as recited in claim 18 wherein said deflector comprises a surface elongated in a first dimension and having a first width; and wherein said vane comprises a surface elongated in a second dimension substantially perpendicular to said first dimension and has a second width much greater than said first width so that said vane moves, and effects movement of said deflector, in response to breathing action by a human.
22. An atomizer as recited in claim 21 further comprising a baffle extending outwardly and downwardly about said gas exit; and wherein said deflector is mounted within said baffle and movable with respect to said baffle.
23. An atomizer comprising:
- a head having a gas exit and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
- a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit; and
- said deflector pivotally mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is pivotally movable between a first position in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit for atomization, and a second, non-atomizing, position.
24. An atomizer as recited in claim 23 further comprising a baffle extending outwardly and downwardly about said gas exit; and wherein said deflector is mounted within said baffle and movable with respect to said baffle.
25. Spray forming apparatus comprising:
- a housing having an outlet for a spray of atomized substance;
- a head mounted within said housing and including a pressuzied gas exit, and at least one outlet adjacent said gas exit;
- a deflector for deflecting gas issuing from said gas exit over at least one of said outlets, for drawing a substance to be atomized out from at least one of said outlets and atomizing the substance in the gas issuing from said gas exit; and
- said deflector mounted with respect to said head so that said deflector is movable between a first position in which said deflector is adjacent said gas exit and directly in the path of gas issuing from said gas exit so that atomization of the substance takes place, and the atomized substance is sprayed out of said housing outlet, and a second position in which said deflector is spaced from said gas exit so that no atomized substance is sprayed out of said spray outlet.
26. The atomizer of claim 1, further comprising:
- an air inlet and an air outlet for providing the flow of air to and past said head, an air passage being defined between the air inlet and air outlet; and
- a structure movable relative to the air passage between a first position that at least substantially prevents air flow through the air passage and a second position that permits air flow through the air passage, the structure being constructed and arranged to move between the first and second positions in response to inhalations by a patient,
- wherein the deflector is constructed and arranged to move between the first and second positions in response to the inhalations by the patient, and
- wherein the deflector is constructed and arranged such that when the patient inhales, the deflector moves into its first position before the structure moves into its second position.
27. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein said structure operatively connects to the deflector for effecting the automatic movement of said deflector between the first and second positions in response to the inhalations by the patient.
28. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the structure closes the air inlet when in its first position, and opens the air inlet when in its second position.
29. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the structure seals the air passage when in the first position.
30. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein said structure comprises a flap valve.
31. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein said structure comprises a vane.
32. The atomizer of claim 31, wherein said vane operatively connects to the deflector for effecting the automatic movement of said deflector between the first and second positions in response to the inhalations by the patient.
33. The atomizer of claim 32, wherein the vane is integral with the deflector.
34. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the deflector is mounted with respect to said head by a pivot, so that the deflector is pivotally movable between the first and second positions.
35. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the structure is movably mounted with respect to the air inlet by a pivot.
36. The atomizer of claim 26, wherein the structure is biased toward its first position.
37. An assembly comprising:
- an atomizer having an atomizing chamber, and an air inlet and an air outlet for enabling flow of air through the atomizing chamber, an air passage being defined between the air inlet and air outlet, the atomizer being constructed to atomize liquid in response to inhalations by a patient; and
- a first structure movable relative to the air passage between a first position that at least substantially prevents air flow through the air passage and a second position that permits air flow through the air passage, the first structure being constructed and arranged to be movable between the first and second positions in response to the inhalations by the patient,
- wherein the atomizer is constructed such that when the patient inhales, the atomizer begins atomization before the first structure moves into its second position.
38. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the atomizer further comprises:
- a pressurized gas outlet disposed in the atomizing chamber; and
- a deflector movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet, the movable deflector being constructed and arranged to move between an atomizing position and a non-atomizing position in response to the inhalations by the patient.
39. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the atomizer further comprises:
- a pressurized gas outlet disposed in the atomizing chamber; and
- a second structure that is movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet, the second structure being constructed and arranged to move between an atomizing position and a non-atomizing position in response to the inhalations by the patient.
40. The assembly of claim 39, wherein the second structure is constructed and arranged such that when the patient completes an inhalation, the second structure moves into the non-atomizing position after the first structure moves into the first position.
41. The assembly of claim 39, wherein the second structure is constructed and arranged such that when the patient's inhalation pressure falls below a predetermined threshold, the second structure moves into the non-atomizing position after the first structure moves into the first position.
42. The assembly of claim 39, wherein the first structure is resiliently biased toward its first position, and the second structure is resiliently biased toward its non-atomizing position.
43. The atomizer of claim 37, wherein the first structure is resiliently biased toward its first position.
44. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the first structure seals the air passage when in the first position.
45. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the atomizer is constructed such that when the patient completes an inhalation, the atomizer stops atomization after the first structure moves into the first position.
46. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the atomizer is constructed such that when the patient's inhalation pressure falls below a predetermined threshold, the atomizer stops atomization after the first structure moves into the first position.
47. An assembly comprising:
- an atomizer having an atomizing chamber, and an air inlet and an air outlet for enabling flow of air through the atomizing chamber, an air passage being defined between the air inlet and air outlet, the atomizer being constructed to atomize a liquid in response to inhalations by a patient; and
- a first structure movable relative to the air passage between a sealed position that at least partially seals the air passage and an unsealed position that unseals the air passage, the first structure being constructed and arranged to move between the sealed position and the unsealed position in response to the inhalations by the patient,
- wherein the atomizer is constructed such that when the patient inhales, the atomizer begins atomizing before the first structure moves into its second position.
48. An assembly comprising:
- an atomizer having an atomizing chamber, the atomizer being constructed to atomize liquid in response to inhalations by a patient;
- an air inlet fluidly connected to the chamber; and
- a first structure movable relative to the air inlet between a first position that at least substantially prevents air flow through the air inlet and a second position that permits air flow through the air inlet, the first structure being constructed and arranged to move between the first and second positions in response to the inhalations by the patient,
- wherein the atomizer is constructed such that when the patient inhales, the atomizer begins atomization before the first structure moves into its second position.
49. An assembly comprising:
- an atomizer having an atomizing chamber, the atomizer being constructed to atomize liquid in response to inhalations by a patient;
- an air inlet fluidly connected to the chamber; and
- a first structure movable relative to the air inlet between a sealed position that at least partially seals the air inlet and an unsealed position that unseals the air inlet, the first structure being constructed and arranged to move between the sealed position and the unsealed position in response to the inhalations by the patient,
- wherein the atomizer is constructed such that when the patient inhales, the atomizer begins atomization before the first structure moves into the unsealed position.
50. The assembly of claim 49, wherein the atomizer further comprises:
- a pressurized gas outlet disposed in the atomizing chamber; and
- a second structure that is movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet, the second structure being constructed and arranged to move between an atomizing position and a non-atomizing position in response to the inhalations by the patient,
- wherein the second structure is constructed and arranged such that when the patient inhales, the second structure moves into the atomizing position after the first structure moves into the unsealed position.
51. The assembly of claim 50, wherein the second structure is constructed and arranged such that when the patient completes an inhalation, the second structure moves into the non-atomizing position after the first structure moves into the sealed position.
52. The assembly of claim 50, wherein the first structure is resiliently biased toward its sealed position, and the second structure is resiliently biased toward its non-atomizing position.
53. An atomizer comprising:
- an atomizing chamber;
- a pressurized gas outlet disposed in the atomizing chamber;
- an air inlet for enabling flow of ambient air into the atomizing chamber;
- an air outlet for enabling flow of air out of the atomizing chamber to a patient;
- an air passage defined between the air inlet and air outlet;
- a deflector movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet, the deflector being constructed and arranged to move between an atomizing position and a non-atomizing position in response to inhalations by the patient; and
- a variable size orifice in the air passage, wherein the orifice is constructed and positioned so as to change in size in response to the inhalations by the patient.
54. The atomizer of claim 53, further comprising a structure movable relative to the air passage between a first position that at least substantially prevents air flow through the air passage and a second position that permits air flow through the air passage, the structure being constructed and arranged to be movable between the first and second positions in response to the inhalations by the patient.
55. The atomizer of claim 53, wherein the orifice is constructed and positioned to increase in size during atomization.
56. A method of atomizing liquid with an atomizer comprising an atomizing chamber, a pressurized gas outlet disposed in the atomizing chamber, an air inlet extending from an ambient environment to the atomizing chamber, a variable size orifice disposed in the air inlet, an air outlet fluidly connected to the atomizing chamber, and a deflector movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet, the method comprising:
- moving the deflector from a non-atomizing position to an atomizing position in response to an inhalation by a patient of air through the air outlet; and
- varying the size of the orifice in response to the inhalation.
57. The method of claim 56, further comprising:
- increasing the size of the orifice in response to the inhalation;
- reducing the size of the orifice in response to completion of the inhalation; and
- moving the deflector from the atomizing position to the non-atomizing position in response to the completion of the inhalation.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the method further comprises, after moving the deflector to the atomizing position, increasing a size of the orifice in response to the inhalation by the patient.
59. The method of claim 58, further comprising:
- reducing the size of the orifice in response to completion of the inhalation; and
- after reducing the size of the orifice, moving the deflector from the atomizing position to the non-atomizing position in response to the completion of the inhalation.
60. A method of atomizing liquid with an atomizer comprising an atomizing chamber, and an air inlet and an air outlet for enabling flow of air through the atomizing chamber, an at least partially sealable air passage being defined between the air inlet and air outlet, the method comprising, sequentially:
- (a) starting atomization of the liquid by the atomizer in response to a patient inhaling through the air outlet;
- (b) after starting atomization, unsealing the air passage; and
- (c) passing air from the air inlet to the air outlet to carry atomized liquid through the air outlet.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein unsealing the air passage comprises unsealing the air passage in response to the inhaling by the patient.
62. The method of claim 61, wherein:
- the atomizer further comprises a first structure movable relative to the air passage between a sealed position that at least partially seals the air passage and a first unsealed position that unseals the air passage; and
- the step of unsealing the air passage comprises moving the first structure from the sealed position to the first unsealed position.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein:
- the atomizer further comprises a pressurized gas outlet disposed in the atomizing chamber, and a deflector movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet between an atomizing position and a non-atomizing position; and
- the step of starting atomization of the liquid comprises moving the deflector into the atomizing position to cause atomization of the liquid.
64. The method of claim 62, wherein:
- the atomizer further comprises a pressurized gas outlet disposed in the atomizing chamber; and a second structure that is movable relative to the pressurized gas outlet, the second structure being constructed and arranged to move between an atomizing position and a non-atomizing position in response to the inhalations by the patient, and
- the step of starting atomization of the liquid comprises moving the second structure into the atomizing position.
65. The method of claim 64, further comprising, after (c), sequentially:
- (d) moving the first structure from the first unsealed position to the sealed position to at least partially seal the air passage in response to completion of an inhalation by the patient; and
- (e) moving the second structure into the non-atomizing position in response to the completion of the inhalation by the patient.
66. The method of claim 65, further comprising, after (e):
- (f) moving the first structure from the sealed position to a second unsealed position that unseals the air passage in response to an exhalation by the patient.
67. The method of claim 64, further comprising, after (c), sequentially:
- (d) moving the first structure from the first unsealed position to the sealed position to at least partially seal the air passage in response to the patient's inhalation pressure falling below a first predetermined threshold; and
- (e) moving the second structure into the non-atomizing position in response to the patient's inhalation pressure falling below a second predetermined threshold.
68. The method of claim 61, further comprising, after (c), sequentially:
- (d) at least partially sealing the air inlet in response to completion of an inhalation by the patient; and
- (e) stopping atomization of the liquid into the atomizing chamber in response to the completion of the inhalation by the patient.
69. The method of claim 68, further comprising, after (e), repeating (a) through (e) in response to another inhalation by the patient.
70. A method of atomizing liquid with an atomizer having an atomizing chamber, an air inlet and an air outlet for enabling flow of air through the atomizing chamber, an air passage defined between the air inlet and air outlet, and a structure disposed in the air passage in a first position that at least substantially prevents air flow through the air passage, the method comprising, sequentially:
- (a) starting atomization of the liquid by the atomizer in response to a patient inhaling through the air outlet;
- (b) moving the structure into a second position in response to the inhaling by the patient, the second position permitting air flow through the passage; and
- (c) passing air from the air inlet to the air outlet to carry atomized liquid through the air outlet.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 19, 1999
Date of Patent: Dec 2, 2008
Assignee: Profile Respiratory Systems Limited (West Sussex)
Inventor: Jonathan Stanley H. Denyer (Chichester)
Primary Examiner: Steven O Douglas
Attorney: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Application Number: 09/425,031
International Classification: A61M 11/00 (20060101);