Nebulizer apparatus and method

Abstract

A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a fixed diverter and a movable fluid orifice or fluid pathway connected with an actuator for responding to an inhalation or a manual actuation and beginning the nebulization process. Also provided is a method of providing nebulization including the steps of moving a fluid orifice or fluid pathway connected to an actuator so that the fluid orifice or fluid pathway reaches a nebulizing position during inhalation.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A breath-actuated nebulizer comprising:
 a housing having an ambient air inlet and a chamber for holding an aerosol;   an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;   a pressurized gas inlet located on a gas supply nozzle positioned adjacent a fluid supply outlet, the fluid supply outlet defined by a space between the gas supply nozzle and a nozzle cover;   the pressurized gas inlet in communication with the chamber, the pressurized gas inlet and the fluid orifice configured to direct nebulizing components into the chamber, the nebulizing components comprising a gas and a fluid;   a diverter positioned in the chamber in a fixed position relative to the pressurized gas inlet; and,   wherein at least one of the gas supply nozzle or nozzle cover is adjustable between a nebulizing position and a non-nebulizing position in response to a patient's breathing, and wherein a supply of one of the nebulizing components is cut-off when the nebulizer is in the non-nebulizing position.   
     
     
         42 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 41 , wherein the nozzle cover is adjustable relative to the gas supply nozzle in response to the patient's breathing. 
     
     
         43 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 42 , wherein the one of the components comprises the fluid. 
     
     
         44 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 43 , wherein a first portion of the nozzle cover is movable relative to a second portion of the nozzle cover in response to the patient's breathing. 
     
     
         45 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 44 , wherein the first portion of the nozzle cover is movably positioned adjacent to the pressurized gas inlet of the gas supply nozzle. 
     
     
         46 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 44 , wherein the second portion of the nozzle cover is fixedly positioned relative to the gas supply nozzle and positioned adjacent to the pressurized gas inlet of the gas supply nozzle. 
     
     
         47 . A breath-actuated nebulizer for providing an aerosol to a patient, the nebulizer comprising:
 a housing having an air inlet and a chamber for holding the aerosol;   an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;   a fluid orifice located in the chamber, the fluid orifice in communication with a fluid pathway; and   wherein at least a portion of the fluid pathway is adjustable in response to the patient's breathing between a nebulizing position, wherein a flow of fluid through the fluid orifice is uninterrupted, and a non-nebulizing position, wherein the flow of fluid through the fluid orifice is interrupted.   
     
     
         48 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 47 , wherein the fluid orifice is positioned adjacent a diverter fixedly positioned in the chamber. 
     
     
         49 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 47 , wherein the fluid comprises a medicament. 
     
     
         50 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 47 , wherein the fluid orifice comprises a portion of the fluid pathway. 
     
     
         51 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 47 , further comprising a gas supply nozzle in the chamber, the gas supply nozzle having a pressurized gas inlet, wherein the pressurized gas inlet is positioned adjacent the fluid orifice. 
     
     
         52 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 51 , wherein the gas supply nozzle is fixedly positioned relative to the diverter. 
     
     
         53 . The breath-actuated nebulizer of  claim 51 , wherein the fluid orifice comprises an opening defined by an outer diameter of the gas supply nozzle and an inner diameter of an end of a pressurized gas inlet cover positioned around the gas supply nozzle.