Abstract:
A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system conveniently useable in an emergency to deliver the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber quickly, reliably, and with a single impulse of manual force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) deploy the medication with a single stroke of force; and (b) inhale the nebulized medication. The nebulizer can be operated without disassembling the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber and without manually opening the liquid medication container and, without spillage and without manual pouring of the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber, and without reassembling the nebulizer housing before positioning the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a conventional nebulizer having a novel integral structure for conveniently delivering a dose of liquid medication to the conventional nebulizer&#39;s conventional nebulizing chamber 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump device with a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, the chamber closed and the pump started. The problem is that this series of steps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult to achieve for a an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking because he/she can&#39;t breathe pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump device with a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, the chamber closed and the pump started. 
         [0003]    The problem is that this series of steps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult to achieve for a an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking because he/she can&#39;t breathe pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump device with a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, the chamber closed and the pump started. The problem is that this series of steps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult to achieve for a an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking because he/she can&#39;t breathe pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump device with a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, the chamber closed and the pump started. The problem is that this series of steps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult to achieve for a an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking because he/she can&#39;t breathe. 
         [0004]    Pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump device with a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, the chamber closed and the pump started. The problem is that this series of steps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult to achieve for a an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking because he/she can&#39;t breathe. pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump device with a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, the chamber closed and the pump started. The problem is that this series of steps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult to achieve for a an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking because he/she can&#39;t breathe. pulmonary medication may be needed by persons with breathing problems in a hurry. Typically a person experiencing an asthma attack is desperate to get medication. A nebulizer is an air pump device with a small plastic chamber attached to a mouthpiece. Prior art requires the nebulizer to be opened, liquid medication added to the chamber, the chamber closed and the pump started. The problem is that this series of steps requiring steady hands and manual dexterity may be difficult to achieve for a an asthma attack sufferer who may be panicking because he/she can&#39;t breathe. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for quickly and conveniently delivering a dose of liquid medication to the nebulizing chamber of a conventional nebulizer in an emergency. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the invention to provide reliable nebulized medication to a user in an emergency. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the invention to provide emergency nebulized medication to a user where the user is already in acute respiratory distress at the time the user locates the conventional nebulizer and has no person to assist with following the steps required to conventionally nebulize medication, to wit: (1) disassemble the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber; (2) locate a container of liquid medication to be nebulized; (3) open the liquid medication container, being careful not to spill it; (4) pour the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber without losing any of it through spilling into the nebulizer housing; (5) reassemble the nebulizer housing; and (6) position the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to simplify the conventional procedure required to be followed by the user of a medication nebulizer, which conventional procedure may be critically complex for a person suffering from acute respiratory distress at the time the user locates the conventional nebulizer. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a simplified reliable process for deploying a dose of liquid medication in a nebulizer, comprising the steps of (1) deploy the medication with a single twist of a screw cap; and (2) inhale the nebulized medication. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a simplified reliable process for deploying a dose of liquid medication in a nebulizer, comprising the steps of (1) deploy the medication with a single stroke of force; and (2) inhale the nebulized medication. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel medication dose delivery device built-in and integrated with a conventional nebulizer to accomplish the result of simplified reliable delivery of the liquid medication to the conventional nebulizing chamber by convenient user deployment without the need to disassemble and reassemble the nebulizer and to open an pour liquid medication at the time of an acute respiratory emergency. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conventional nebulizer having a stored single does of liquid medication directly on board and integral with the conventional nebulizer in loaded-gun arrangement in preparation for use in an acute respiratory emergency. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the time needed for a person suffering an acute respiratory emergency to receive an effective dose of nebulized medication, particularly where the suffering person has no readily available assistance in using a nebulizer. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a nebulizer device with a stored dose of liquid medication where deployment of that dose is accomplished by a single twist of a screw cap by a user. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a nebulizer device with a stored dose of liquid medication where deployment of that dose is accomplished by a single stroke of pressure by a user. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a simplified method of administering a nebulized dose of medication employing the herein provided single-twist screw cap. 
         [0017]    It is a further object of the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a simplified method of administering a nebulized dose of medication employing the herein provided single-pressure stroke. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for speeding relief to sufferers of acute respiratory distress by reducing the time and effort required to deploy liquid medication in a nebulizer. 
         [0019]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide reliable faster and simpler relief to a sufferer of acute respiratory distress who is alone and without assistance by reducing the time and effort required to deploy liquid medication in a nebulizer. 
         [0020]    In keeping with the present invention other objects will make themselves clear to users of the device and to those of skill in the art, and thus this invention is not limited to the objectives here enumerated, which are not exhaustively presented and are described merely by way of example. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention relates to a conventional nebulizer having a novel integral structure for conveniently delivering a dose of liquid medication to the conventional nebulizer&#39;s conventional nebulizing chamber, the novelty being in providing a new structural component integral with the structure of a conventional nebulizer. 
         [0022]    The preferable component is a chamber for vertically mounting the dosage capsule therein from above, to apply torque to squeeze the capsule and unload its content&#39;s directly into the misting chamber. 
         [0023]    Alternatively, the capsule can be loaded through an external sleeve or chute. 
         [0024]    The novel structural component comprises a storage chamber for storing, in loaded-gun fashion, a dose of liquid medication on board the conventional nebulizer housing with a simple user-operable single pressure stroke needed to deploy the medication into the conventional nebulizing chamber. The novel structure medication storage chamber generally has a tapered-nozzle open-aperture delivery end disposed in close proximity to the nebulizing chamber so that the liquid medication, when deployed by a user, is injected reliably and directly into the nebulizing chamber. 
         [0025]    The novel medication storage chamber of the non-preferred embodiment accepts a single disposable and user-replaceable cartridge containing a dose of medication to be nebulized in an emergency. The chamber is provided at its outer end with pressure means for a user to exert a stroke of physical force upon the outer end of the medication chamber so as to squeeze upon the medication cartridge. 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment, the twist off cap handle portion is held in place by a restraining member, while either torque or sideways pressure is applied to the capsule, thereby releasing the seal between the twist off cap and the vessel containing the medication. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, the medication dose cartridge of the non-preferred embodiment can be provided with a seal that is capable of rupture upon hydraulic pressure, the seal being located at an inner end of the cartridge, disposed at or near the inner end of the medication storage chamber. The simplest emergency user-pressure means is a piston arrangement, such as a medical syringe. The non-preferred embodiment of the present invention may be described as a medical syringe capable of receiving disposable medication dose cartridges, in combination with a conventional nebulizer. The medical syringe of the non-preferred embodiment projects through the wall of the conventional nebulizer and has its delivery nozzle at or very near the conventional nebulizing chamber. 
         [0028]    The novel combination of medication dose capsule with a conventional nebulizer provided in the present invention, both preferred and non-preferred embodiments, addresses and solves the problem of what procedure must be followed by a patient having a breathing emergency, such as a severe attack of asthma, and needs a quick reliable dose of nebulized medication, particular where (1) no other person is available to assist the patient and (2) a single-shot hand-held nebulizer is medically inappropriate for treatment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which: The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which. The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  Shows an exploded view of a prior art nebulizer disassembled to illustrate pouring of medication into the nebulizing chamber; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a user operating a conventional nebulizer by breathing through the mouthpiece; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the non-preferred embodiment having a conventional nebulizer having a novel built-in medication storage chamber extending outward from the housing of the nebulizer; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  shows a non-preferred embodiment medication dose cartridge having an inner end with tapered shoulders so as to be capable of nesting within the medication storage chamber; the medication cartridge has an outer end having means of accepting force for the purpose of ejecting the liquid medication contained in the cartridge through its inner end and into the nebulizing chamber; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a detail of the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention&#39;s novel medication storage chamber extending outward from the nebulizing chamber through the wall of the nebulizer housing, having a medication dose cartridge therewithin and having a piston for application of force by a user to break the seal of the medication cartridge. The injection nozzle of the medication storage chamber is shown in close proximity to the nebulizing chamber within the housing; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of a first version of the preferred embodiment, having a vertical storage sleeve for a capsule of liquid medication, where the capsule is seated with its tear-off tab in close proximity to the conventional nebulizing chamber within the housing of the conventional nebulizer; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed crossectional view in cutaway of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of a second version of the preferred embodiment, having a vertical storage sleeve for a capsule of liquid medication, where the capsule is seated with its tear-off tab in close proximity to the conventional nebulizing chamber within the housing of the conventional nebulizer; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  shows a top exploded view of the second version of the preferred embodiment, having a vertical storage sleeve for a capsule of liquid medication, showing a lever moving the capsule laterally, while the tear-off portion of the capsule is seated and immobilized, so that lateral pushing of the capsule causes a tear of the capsule between the tear-off portion and the fluid reservoir portion; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a close-up detail crossectional view in cutaway, showing the rotation of the capsule while the tear-off portion is seated immobile in place; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a close-up detail bottom view of the sleeve showing the restraining stop means and mist-accommodating ports; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a knob cam activation assembly for dispensing medication from a capsule; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the knob cam activation assembly shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the knob activator thereof; 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the knob activator as in  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the cam assembly shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10 . Nebulizer Housing 
           11 . Connecting Tube between nebulizer housing  10  and breather  25   
           14 . Conventional medication dose container including:
       Nebulizer chamber;   Compressed air supply line; and,   Conventional breather portion of conventional nebulizer;     
           30 . Conventional mouthpiece at proximal end of conventional breather  25   
           31 . Open distal end of conventional breather  25 . 
           35 . Novel storage chamber for medication dose. 
           36 . Inner end of medication storage chamber  35 . 
           37 . Outer end of medication storage chamber  35 . 
           38 . Tapered open-ended nozzle at inner end  36  of medication storage chamber  35 . 
           40 . User-Removable user-replaceable medication dose cartridge containing a dose of liquid medication to be nebulized. 
           41 . Outer end of Medication dose cartridge  40 . 
           42 . Inner end of Medication dose cartridge  40 . 
           43 . Pressure seal at inner end  42  of Medication dose cartridge  40 . 
           44 . Elastomerically Sealed Piston at outer end  41  of cartridge  40 . 
           45 . Open reduced-diameter inner end of Medication dose cartridge  40 . 
           46 . Tapered inner shoulders of medication Cartridge  40 . 
           50 . Grooved piston rod. 
           52 . Finger engagement wings. 
           55 . Stop for engaging groove of Piston Rod  50   
           56 . Pressure plate at the end of Piston Rod  50  for application of user force. 
           62 . Vertical medication storage sleeve  62 . 
           62   a ,  62   b . Slots in sleeve  62  to allow fluid to enter reservoir  15   
           62   c . Restraining stop means for tear off portion of capsule  66   
           62   d . aperture for fluid flow into reservoir  15   
           64 . Tear off tab. 
           66 . Medication dose capsule. 
           68 . Screw cap activating handle. 
           69 . Activating lever handle. 
           69   a . Activating lever handle rod. 
           69   b . Activating lever handle paddle. 
           70 . Inhaling pipe. 
           162   a . Mist port. 
           162   b . Mist port. 
           162   c . Restraining stop means. 
           168 . Knob activator. 
           180   a . Capsule pincher blade. 
           180   b . Capsule pincher blade. 
           190 . (Cam assembly. 
           192   a . Cam contact element. 
           192   b . Cam contact element. 
           194 . a  Rotation stop element. 
           194   b . Reciprocating rotation stop element. 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0091]    In keeping with the objects of the invention, the present invention provides a conventional nebulizer having a built-in (and thus integral) novel storage structure for storing a dose of liquid medication in preparation for an emergency. The liquid medication is conveniently delivered to the conventional nebulizer&#39;s conventional nebulizing chamber. 
         [0092]    A conventional nebulizer is used to aerosolize liquid medication and deliver the aerosol for inhalation by a user. Although both are typically used for treating pulmonary medical conditions such as asthma, a conventional nebulizer differs from hand-held inhaler sprayers in that the hand-held aerosolizer generally contains multiple doses of medication, has a propellant permanently loaded within it, and is indicated for use where a single aerosolized dispensed quantity comprises the intended dose of medication for use by a patient. 
         [0093]    It is critical to accurately time the dispensing shot from a hand-held medication inhaler to coincide with a user&#39;s inspiration, so as to ensure that the medication actually reaches the lungs of a user. Mistiming of the dispensing shot from a handheld inhaler can result in a short dose of medication or in no dose at all. 
         [0094]    A conventional nebulizer, in contrast, has no stored medication at all. It is comprised of a nebulizing chamber, an air pump and an inhaler. The air pump, usually electrically driven, supplies a stream of compressed air through a conduit to a nebulizer housing. The housing is generally cylindrical, has a top and bottom part that can be separated by a user, and the top part has an upwardly projecting extension that ends in an inhaler. The inhaler is generally a horizontally disposed tube with an open distal end and a proximal end that is an open-ended mouthpiece. 
         [0095]    The conventional nebulizer housing contains a nebulizing chamber. The chamber is basically a vertical cylinder with an open top for receiving a dose of liquid medication. The chamber has an air-stream inlet in the bottom. Compressed air from the air pump is conveyed to the chamber&#39;s bottom air inlet through a conduit. The compressed air enters the bottom of the nebulizing chamber and is then mixed with the dose of liquid medication, causing the medication to become nebulized into an aerosol. There is an open airflow between the nebulizer chamber and an upwardly extending short tube leading to a T-connection with a horizontal tube open at both ends that comprises an inhaler pipe with a breather mouthpiece at one end. One open end of the inhaler pipe comprises a distal end, opposite to a proximal end which comprises the mouthpiece shaped to fit into the mouth of a user. 
         [0096]    The inhaler pipe is in open airflow with the nebulizer chamber. When a user inhales through the proximal open end of the mouthpiece, air is urged into the open distal end and into the proximal end of the mouthpiece. The user&#39;s inhalation effort also urges air from the nebulizer chamber, containing nebulized medication to rise up the connecting tube and to enter the proximal end of the mouthpiece. 
         [0097]    The user thus inhales nebulized liquid medication, and the user may do so with inhalations repeated as needed over a period of time sufficient to get relief from respiratory symptoms that put the user into acute distress, such as an asthma attack. Thus an important difference between a conventional nebulizer and a hand-held inhaler is that the hand-held device is intended to deliver a single dose of medication intended to treat the entire episode of acute respiratory distress. The user must time the dispensing shot of the hand-held nebulizer to coincide with a breath inspiration or the effect of the device is defeated and the medication shot is wasted. In contrast, a conventional nebulizer provides the ability for an acute respiratory sufferer to breathe as many times as needed to receive sufficient nebulized medication into the lungs to alleviate the acute distress symptoms. The conventional nebulizer thus does a different job as compared to the hand held inhaler. 
         [0098]    In additional comparison, handheld inhalers typically contain numerous doses of medication while a conventional nebulizer contains no medication at all. 
         [0099]    A critical problem solved by the present invention is that, while medication delivered by a conventional nebulizer could be more effective than medication delivered by a hand-held inhaler due to the availability of repeated inhalations of medication with the conventional nebulizer, there remains an important shortcoming, which is addressed by the inventive step of the current invention. 
         [0100]    In order to use a conventional nebulizer it is necessary for a user, or someone assisting the user to (1) disassemble the nebulizer housing by removing its top so as to expose the nebulizing chamber; (2) locate a separately stored container of liquid medication to be nebulized; (3) carefully open the liquid medication container so as not to spill it; (4) pour the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber without losing any of it through spilling into the nebulizer housing; (5) reassemble the nebulizer housing; and (6) position the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication. 
         [0101]    A problem arises in that use of a nebulizer is not going to be sought until a person is already in acute respiratory distress. Otherwise, problems of nebulizer overuse, overmedication, medication side effects and a search for alternate pulmonary therapy modalities will all become concerns for a patient. Therefore, use of a conventional nebulizer implies that a user is experiencing acute pulmonary symptoms, is in acute distress, and is experiencing an emergency. 
         [0102]    Persons suffering acute respiratory distress are routinely subject to being fearful, frightened, or fully panicked. Fear, fright and panic are well known to degrade performance on tasks requiring some level of skill in eye-hand coordination tasks. When seeking the use of a conventional nebulizer, then, a user is required to locate a separate container holding a dose of liquid medication, open the nebulizer, open the medication container, pour the liquid into the nebulizer chamber, and re-assemble the nebulizer housing. The aforedescribed sequence of steps can be difficult or impossible for a fearful, frightened or panicked sufferer of acute respiratory distress. An important consideration is that there will almost certainly be occasions when a person experiencing acute need of a conventional nebulizer is alone and without anyone to assist. It is just these occasions where a conventional nebulizer may be available but be impossible for a user to operate. 
         [0103]    To solve the problem of user inability to operate a conventional nebulizer in an emergency, the present invention presents a simple solution: construct a conventional nebulizer than has a built-in stored dose of liquid medication and make that liquid dose injectable into the nebulizer chamber with either a simple twist of a screw cap (preferred embodiment of the present invention) or a single stroke of user force (non-preferred embodiment). As provided in the present invention the user will not be required to disassemble or reassemble the housing of a conventional nebulizer; will not be required to locate a separately stored container of liquid medication; will not be required to open the separate medication container; and will not be required to pour the liquid medication into the nebulizer chamber. 
         [0104]    According to the present invention, a conventional nebulizer will have added to its housing a storage chamber, preferably cylindrical, for storing, in loaded-gun fashion, a dose of liquid medication on board the conventional nebulizer housing. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the novel storage chamber for the medication capsule is a substantially cylindrical sleeve with an open top aperture projecting vertically downward from the inhaler pipe to a point slightly above the conventional nebulizer chamber within the housing of a conventional nebulizer. The sleeve&#39;s diameter is small enough so as not to interfere with the conventional nebulizer&#39;s free flow of air from the nebulizer chamber, up the conventional neck of a nebulizer and into the conventional inhaler pipe of a nebulizer. The medication capsule storage sleeve merely occupies a portion of the air passage between the nebulizer chamber and the inhaler pipe and thus in no way does the storage sleeve seal or impede the conventional free flow of air within what is otherwise a conventional nebulizer. 
         [0105]    In the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention the novel medication storage chamber (as with the preferred embodiment, the storage chamber of the non-preferred embodiment is also sleeve-like); however, instead of extending vertically as does the sleeve of the preferred embodiment, the storage chamber of the non-preferred embodiment generally projects outwardly from an inner delivery end in proximity to the nebulizing chamber, through the wall of a conventional nebulizer housing, and extends to an outer user-access end. 
         [0106]    In the non-preferred embodiment the novel structure medication storage chamber generally has a tapered-nozzle open-aperture delivery end disposed in close proximity to the nebulizing chamber so that the liquid medication, when deployed by a user, is injected reliably and directly into the nebulizing chamber. 
         [0107]    In the non-preferred embodiment (as is also true for the preferred embodiment) the novel medication storage chamber accepts a single disposable and user-replaceable cartridge containing a dose of liquid medication to be nebulized in an emergency. The chamber of the non-preferred embodiment is provided at its outer end with pressure means for a user to exert a stroke of physical force upon the outer end of the medication chamber so as to squeeze upon the medication cartridge. The cartridge of the non-preferred embodiment is preferably cylindrical with an inner end tapered to match and fit within the tapered nozzle of the medication storage chamber of the non-preferred embodiment. In the non-preferred embodiment an outer end of the medication cartridge is capable of accepting force from a manually-operated piston. 
         [0108]    The medication dose cartridge of the non-preferred embodiment has a seal that is capable of rupture upon application of hydraulic pressure, the seal being located at an inner end of the cartridge, disposed at or near the inner end of the medication storage chamber. The preferable emergency user-pressure means is a piston arrangement, where the piston is integral with the medication cartridge, is elastomerically sealed, and accepts a push-force from a piston rod. The easily recognized example of this is a medical syringe. 
         [0109]    The non-preferred embodiment of the present invention may be described as a medical syringe capable of receiving disposable medication dose cartridges, in combination with a conventional nebulizer. The piston arrangement (exemplified by a medical syringe) projects through the wall of the conventional nebulizer and has its medication delivery nozzle at or very near the conventional nebulizing chamber. Conventional stop means at the outer end of the chamber prevents the piston rod from coming out of the outer end of the medication storage chamber. 
         [0110]    In another embodiment, insertion of the medication capsule within a rotatable knob cam activation assembly facilities bursting of the seal of the medication reservoir capsule. 
         [0111]    The novel combination of the present invention addresses and solves the problem of what procedure must be followed by a patient having a breathing emergency, such as a severe attack of asthma, and needs a quick reliable dose of nebulized medication, particular where (1) no other person is available to assist the patient and (2) a single-shot hand-held nebulizer is medically inappropriate for treatment. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0112]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a prior art conventional nebulizer housing  10  shown disassembled. Conventional medication container  14  is shown adding liquid medication to conventional nebulizing chamber  15 . In the event of a respiratory emergency, a user would have to locate a separate container of liquid medication  14 , then open it, then disassemble (as shown) the portions of the nebulizer housing  10 , then pour the liquid medication from its separate container  14  into nebulizer chamber  15 , then reassemble nebulizer housing  10  before being able to inhale nebulized medication through proximal end of conventional mouthpiece  30  which is part of conventional breather  25 , breather  25  having an open distal end  31  opposite to proximal end  30 . 
         [0113]    When a user has pour medication into nebulizer chamber  15  and reassembled housing  10 , then conventional air supply line  20  supplies a stream of compressed air to nebulizer chamber  15  causing the liquid medication to become nebulized and urging the nebulized medication upward through connecting tube  11  so as to be available for user inhalation through proximal end mouthpiece  30 . 
         [0114]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the prior art conventional nebulizer in use. A user inserts the proximal mouthpiece end  30  of breather  25  into the mouth and inhales. Nebulizer housing  10  [concealed by the user&#39;s hand in the drawing] furnishes nebulized (aerosolized) medication to the user for as many repeated inhalations as the user may need for alleviation of an acute respiratory emergency. Air supply lines  20  is shown extending upwardly but the user&#39;s hand conceals the intersection of air supply line  20  with the bottom of the nebulizer chamber  10 . 
         [0115]    In a non-preferred embodiment of the present invention, the novel medication storage chamber generally projects outwardly from an inner delivery end in proximity to the nebulizing chamber, through the wall of a conventional nebulizer housing, and extends to an outer user-access end. 
         [0116]      FIG. 3  shows the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention with a conventional nebulizer housing  10  fitted with novel integral (i.e., built-in) medication storage chamber  35 . Storage chamber  35  is capable of receiving removable medication dose cartridge  40 . Both chamber  35  and matching cartridge  40  are elongated, preferably cylindrical and both have matching inner and opposite outer ends. The inner end  36  of storage chamber  35  is disposed within nebulizer housing  10  while outer end  37  of chamber  35  is outside of nebulizer housing  10 . Chamber  35  is fixed in a position that places its inner end  36  in close proximity to nebulizing chamber  15 . The preferably cylindrical body of chamber  35  points radially outward from nebulizing chamber  15  so that outer end  37  of medication storage chamber  35  is outside of and spaced apart from nebulizer housing  10 . 
         [0117]    Medication storage chamber  35  is provided with open-ended tapered nozzle  38  at its inner end  36 , nozzle  38  being in close proximity to nebulizing chamber  15  so as to reliably inject a dose of liquid medication from cartridge  40  upon user application of a single inwardly directed pressure stroke to pressure plate  56  of grooved piston rod  50 , disposed within medication storage chamber  35 , at the outer end  37  of said storage chamber. 
         [0118]    Medication cartridge  40  is provided with tapered inner end  42  tapered to open end  45 . Pressure seal  43  is located at inner end  42  of cartridge  40  while elastomerically sealed piston  44  is located at the outer end of cartridge  44 . Upon user application of a single stroke of inward pressure on pressure plate  56  at the outer end of piston rod  50  (user grasps Finger Engagements Wings  52  for convenience), contact is made between grooved piston rod  50  and piston  44  resulting in an increase in hydraulic pressure on seal  43 . Tapered shoulders  47  of cartridge  40  contact and engage tapered nozzle  38  of medication storage chamber  35 , causing cartridge  40  to become seated firmly within cartridge  35  when a user applies manual pressure to pressure plate  56  of grooved piston rod  50 . 
         [0119]    Seal  43  is manufactured so as to burst upon user force application on pressure plate  56  of grooved piston rod  50 . When seal  43  bursts, pressure from grooved piston rod  50  causes injection of liquid medication from cartridge  40  into nebulizing chamber  15 . The remainder of the nebulizing operation is conventional. 
         [0120]      FIG. 4  shows the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention with a detail of removable medication dose cartridge  40 , having pressure seal  43  disposed at inner end  42 , open end  45  is comprised of the tapered shoulders  47  at inner end  42  of cartridge  40  and outer end  41  contains movable elastomerically sealed piston  44 . Piston  44  receives pressure from grooved piston rod  50 . In response, piston  44  moves in an inward direction applying hydraulic pressure to the liquid medication contained within the body of cartridge  40 . In turn the hydraulic pressure causes seal  43  at the inner end of cartridge  40  to burst. When seal  43  ruptures, liquid medication is forced under piston pressure to be injected into nebulizing chamber  15 . 
         [0121]      FIG. 5  shows the non-preferred embodiment of the present invention with a cut away side view detail of medication storage chamber  35  intersecting nebulizer housing  10  so as to have inner end  36  of chamber  35  in close proximity to nebulizing chamber  15  for reliable injection into chamber  15  of liquid medication from open inner end  43  of cartridge  40  upon application of a single stroke of inward user pressure upon pressure plate  56  of grooved piston rod  50 , the force being transmitted to piston  44  of cartridge  40 . Stop  55  engages groove on Piston Rod  50 , preventing piston Rod  50  from coming out of medication storage chamber  35 . 
         [0122]    As shown on  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in a preferred embodiment, the novel medication storage sleeve  62  projects vertically downward from the top of horizontal inhaling pipe  70  extending downwardly into the nebulizer housing  10  to a point just above the nebulizing chamber  15 . A medication dose capsule  66  is an elongated substantially cylindrical container oriented vertically within sleeve  62 . 
         [0123]    Capsule  66  is user inserted and user removed respectively to and from sleeve  62 . Capsule  66  is intended to be stored in sleeve  66  until used, and then removed and replaced in preparation for a next use of the nebulizer. 
         [0124]    Capsule  66  has a lower end tear off tab  64 . Sleeve  62  has lower end stop means  62   c  to engage tear off tab  64  to prevent tab  64  from turning when torque is applied to capsule  66 . Stop means  62   a  is attached by a retention means, such as bracket  62   b , within hollow sleeve  62 , allowing fluid flow of the liquid medication through lots  62   a  and  62   b  and then through aperture  62   d  of hollow sleeve  62 . 
         [0125]    Sleeve  62  accepts screw cap activating handle  68  after a user inserts capsule  66  into sleeve  62 . Screw cap  68  engages projection means on capsule  66  so as to twist capsule  66  within sleeve  62  when a user applies a torque force to screw cap  68 . Because the lower end tear off tab  64  of capsule  66  is prevented from twisting by the stop means  62   a  within sleeve  66 , capsule  66  is caused to shear and rupture at its lower end when a user twists cap  68 . Liquid medication within capsule  66  flows by gravity into nebulizing chamber  15  upon rupture of the lower end of capsule  66 . The liquid medication is then conventionally nebulized and the user gets the therapeutic benefit of the nebulizer in a conventional manner. 
         [0126]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment novel medication storage sleeve  62  projects vertically downward from the top of horizontal inhaling pipe  70  extending downwardly into the nebulizer housing  10  to a point just above the nebulizing chamber  15 . A medication dose capsule  66  is an elongated substantially cylindrical container oriented vertically within sleeve  62 . 
         [0127]    Capsule  66  is user inserted and user removed respectively to and from sleeve  62 . Capsule  66  is intended to be stored in sleeve  66  until used, and then removed and replaced in preparation for a next use of the nebulizer. 
         [0128]    Capsule  66  has a lower end tear off tab  64 . Sleeve  66  has lower end stop means to engage tear off tab  64  to prevent tab  64  from turning when torque is applied to capsule  66 . 
         [0129]    Sleeve  62  accepts screw cap activating handle  68  after a user inserts capsule  66  into sleeve  62 . Screw cap  68  engages projection means on capsule  66  so as to twist capsule  66  within sleeve  62  when a user applies a torque force to screw cap  68 . Because the lower end tear off tab  64  of capsule  66  is prevented from twisting by the stop means within sleeve  66 , capsule  66  is caused to shear and rupture at its lower end when a user twists cap  68 . Liquid medication within capsule  66  flows by gravity into nebulizing chamber  15  upon rupture of the lower end of capsule  66 . The liquid medication is then conventionally nebulized and the user gets the therapeutic benefit of the nebulizer in a conventional manner. 
         [0130]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed perspective of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A user applies torque to screw cap  68  which in turn applies torque to medication capsule  66  seated within storage sleeve  62 . Stop means  62   c  engages tear off tab  64  so that applied torque causes rupture of capsule  66 , allowing its contents to flow by gravity into conventional nebulizer chamber  15 . 
         [0131]      FIG. 8  shows the second version of the preferred embodiment, having a vertical storage sleeve  62  for a capsule  66  of liquid medication, where the capsule  66  is seated with its tear-off tab  64  in close proximity to the conventional nebulizing chamber within the housing of the conventional nebulizer. 
         [0132]      FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  show a vertical storage sleeve  62  for the capsule  66  of liquid medication, showing a lever  69  actuating lever arm  69   a , which exerts pressure against lever arm paddle  69   b  against capsule  66 , thereby moving the capsule  66  laterally, while the tear-off portion  64  of the capsule is seated and immobilized within stop means  62   c , so that lateral pushing of the capsule  66  causes a tear of the capsule  66  at the tear-off portion  64  and fluid flow through slots  62   a  and  62   b  adjacent to stop means  62   c , through aperture  62   d  and into the fluid reservoir portion  15  of the nebulizer. 
         [0133]      FIGS. 12-16  show an alternate embodiment for a knob cam assembly for bursting the tear off tab  64  from capsule  66 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , capsule  66  is inserted through a port in knob activator  168  between capsule pincher blades  180   a  and  180   b , down to restraining stop means  162   c , adjacent to one or more mist ports  162   a  and/or  162   b , etc., which, after bursting of the seal between capsule  66  and tear off tab  68 , medication is misted within nebulizer  15  upward to inhaling pipe  70  and mouthpiece  30 . Ports  162   a  and/or  162   b , as well as restraining stop means  162   c  are down stream of inhaling pipe  70 , between nebulizer  15  and inhaling pipe  70 . 
         [0134]    Rotation of knob activator  168  causes twisting of capsule  66  between capsule pincher blades  180   a  and  180   b , and thence against cam contact protrusion elements  192   a  and  192   b  of cam assembly  190 , which rotates in unison with rotation of knob activator  168 , while restraining stop means holds tear off tab  64  of capsule  66  during rotation of capsule  66  within cam assembly  190 . 
         [0135]    Rotation of knob activator  168  and cam assembly  190  is limited to a preferable arc of movement, such as, for example 180 degrees, by means of reciprocating stop element  194   a  on inhalation pipe  70  being stopped by reciprocating stop element  194   b  on the adjacent bottom of cam assembly  190 . 
         [0136]    In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0137]    It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.