Patent ID: 8974771
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a reservoir in fluid communication with an outlet channel; a low pressure pump-inlet in fluid communication with the outlet channel; a high pressure pump in fluid communication with the low pressure pump-inlet; a high pressure pump-outlet in fluid communication with the high pressure pump, the high pressure pump-outlet having a switching valve, said switching valve having a delivery outlet; and an aerosolizer in fluid communication with the delivery outlet, the aerosolizer comprising an elongated sleeve member with a proximal end and a distal end, containing at the distal end an insert having an outer surface with a substantially helical channel surrounding the outer surface, and an orifice at an end wall thereof; wherein the apparatus supplies no gas to aerosolize liquid, and wherein when the reservoir contains a liquid, pressurized liquid flowing from the outlet channel to the orifice is unexposed to gas until it exits the apparatus via the orifice, and said pressurized liquid passes through the helical channel and through the orifice, at which point said pressurized liquid is aerosolized as it encounters ambient air at a pressure lower than a pressure of the pressurized liquid.