Patent ID: 7568480
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A nebulizer comprising: a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol; an air outlet fixedly connected with the housing and communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber; a pressurized gas inlet adjacent a fluid orifice, the pressurized gas inlet in communication with the chamber and the fluid orifice in communication with a fluid channel; a diverter positioned within the chamber relative to the pressurized gas inlet to redirect a flow of pressurized gas at a substantially pernendicular direction from an initial direction of the flow of pressurized gas from the pressurized gas inlet to facilitate nebulization of a fluid in the fluid channel; and a lid comprising a first portion configured for removable engagement with the housing, the lid further comprising an ambient air inlet positioned on the lid, wherein the ambient air inlet and an ambient air inlet valve are configured to allow ambient air into the chamber through the lid and wherein at least a second portion of the lid is continuously connected via a hinge with the housing in the closed and open states, wherein the hinge comprises a single, fixed axis of rotation and wherein the hinge, the lid and the housing comprise a single piece of material.