Patent ID: 7721729
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A nebulizing device comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a ventilator interface module and a base module removeably coupled to the ventilator interface module; an aerosol generator disposed in the base module, the aerosol generator constructed and arranged to nebulize a drug solution provided in the housing; the ventilator interface module having an outlet port through which nebulized particles of the drug solution can be communicated to a user, and having an inlet port through which the housing receives intake gas; the housing having a flow path defined therein that directs intake gas from the inlet port to the outlet port such that the nebulized drug solution particles formed in the housing are motivated toward the outlet port when the base module is coupled to the ventilator interface module; a seal arrangement that substantially seals the inlet port and outlet port from ambient atmosphere when the base module is uncoupled from the ventilator interface module, and such that intake gas can be communicated from the inlet port to the outlet port; and a separator structure provided in the ventilator interface module that substantially separates larger solution droplets from nebulized drug solution particles formed by the aerosol generator, wherein the separator structure defines a first portion of the flow path from the inlet port to the outlet port when the base module is coupled to the ventilator interface module and wherein the first portion of the flow oath is shaped and positioned to sequentially direct intake gas from the inlet port, through an aerosol region that receives drug solution particles nebulized by the aerosol generator, through the separator structure, and then to the outlet port such that the intake gas carries the nebulized drug solution particles from the aerosol region to the separator structure when the base module is coupled to the ventilator interface module, the aerosol generator is nebulizing drug solution, and intake air is flowing through the inlet port.