Patent ID: 6044841
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A nebulizer comprising:a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol;an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber;a liquid orifice in communication with the chamber;a pressurized gas inlet adjacent the liquid orifice, the pressurized gas inlet in communication with the chamber;a diverter movably positioned in the chamber and relative to the pressurized gas inlet and the liquid orifice so as to divert pressurized gas from the pressurized gas inlet and over the liquid orifice when the diverter is in a nebulizing position; and,a valve assembly comprising:an actuator piston connected to the diverter and positioned in the chamber, the actuator piston responsive to an initial period of inhalation through the air outlet to move the diverter into the nebulizing position; anda relief piston located in the chamber, the relief piston movable relative to the housing, independently moveable relative to the actuator piston, and responsive to additional negative pressure in the chamber after the initial period of inhalation to allow increased air flow into the chamber, whereby the effort necessary for a patient inhaling through the air outlet is maintained in a desired range.