Nebulizer and method for producing a nebulizer

Abstract

The invention relates to a nebulizer comprising an aerosol generator, a nebulizing chamber and an outlet, the aerosol generator being designed to release an aerosol into the nebulizing chamber and the outlet being designed to allow the removal of the aerosol from the nebulizing chamber. To achieve a high output rate, a wetting surface is provided in the nebulizing chamber.

1 . A nebulizer comprising an aerosol generator, a nebulizing chamber, and an outlet, wherein the aerosol generator is configured to release an aerosol into the nebulizing chamber and the outlet is configured to allow removal of the aerosol from the nebulizing chamber, wherein a wetting surface is provided in the nebulizing chamber, said wetting surface being provided on a plastic component, the wetting surface being configured to be wetted by the aerosol comprising a water-based liquid such that the liquid forms a contact angle of 90 degrees or less with the wetting surface, the nebulizing chamber further comprising a filter area, and the filter area comprising the wetting surface, and/or the nebulizing chamber further comprising a baffle surface, and the baffle surface comprising the wetting surface, and/or the nebulizing chamber further comprising a delimiting wall, and the delimiting wall comprising the wetting surface. 
     
     
         2 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generator comprises a nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the nebulizing chamber comprises an aerosol guide, which connects the aerosol generator to the outlet, and the aerosol guide comprises the wetting surface. 
     
     
         4 . The nebulizer according to  claim 3 , wherein a surface of the aerosol guide comprises the wetting surface. 
     
     
         5 . The nebulizer according to  claim 3 , wherein an edge of the aerosol guide comprises the wetting surface. 
     
     
         6 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol guide comprises a passage and the passage comprises the wetting surface. 
     
     
         7 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the nebulizing chamber comprises a reservoir, the aerosol generator is configured to cooperate with the reservoir, and the reservoir comprises the wetting surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method for producing a nebulizer having a wetting surface, which comprises the steps of:
 producing a nebulizer comprising an aerosol generator, a nebulizing chamber and an outlet, said aerosol generator being configured to release an aerosol into the nebulizing chamber and said outlet being configured to allow removal of the aerosol from the nebulizing chamber; and   providing a wetting surface in the nebulizing chamber, the wetting surface being configured to be wetted by the aerosol comprising a water-based liquid such that the liquid forms a contact angle of 90 degrees or less with the wetting surface, the nebulizing chamber further comprising a filter area, and the filter area comprising the wetting surface, and/or the nebulizing chamber further comprising a baffle surface, and the baffle surface comprising the wetting surface, and/or the nebulizing chamber further comprising a delimiting wall, and the delimiting wall comprising the wetting surface.   
     
     
         12 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting surface has a surface tension between 35 and 400 millinewtons per meter. 
     
     
         13 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting surface has a surface tension between 44 and 73 millinewtons per meter. 
     
     
         14 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting surface has a surface tension between 50 and 72 millinewtons per meter. 
     
     
         15 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting surface has an average surface roughness value between 6.3 and 0.006. 
     
     
         16 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting surface has an average surface roughness value between 1.6 and 0.01. 
     
     
         17 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting surface has an average surface roughness value between 0.5 and 0.006. 
     
     
         18 . The nebulizer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting surface comprises a coating formed directly on the plastic component. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to claim  8 , wherein providing the wetting surface comprises forming a coating directly on the plastic component.