Patent ID: 7954487
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. 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having a chamber for holding an aerosol; an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber; an air inlet in communication with the chamber for allowing a supply of air to enter the chamber; a pressurized gas inlet positioned adjacent a fluid orifice, wherein the pressurized gas inlet is in communication with the chamber and the fluid orifice is in communication with a fluid channel, wherein the fluid channel comprises a needle having an end configured to pierce a sealed fluid source removably attachable to the nebulizer; a fluid channel air inlet valve movably disposed across a fluid channel air inlet, wherein the fluid channel air inlet is in communication with the fluid channel and the fluid orifice; a diverter positioned in the chamber adjacent the pressurized gas inlet, and configured to divert pressurized gas over the fluid orifice, wherein a gap defined by the diverter and the fluid orifice defines a position of an aerosolization plane extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pressurized gas inlet; and wherein the chamber has a first diameter in a plane substantially co-planar with the aerosolization plane and a second diameter in a plane other than the aerosolization plane, and wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.