Heated nebulizer devices, nebulizer systems, and methods for inhalation therapy

Nebulizer assemblies and systems are disclosed. A nebulizer assembly includes a reservoir and a nebulizer for producing an aerosolized gas. An aerosolized gas outlet passes the aerosolized gas. A breathing gas mixing chamber is coupled to an outlet port of the nebulizer to entrain nebulized medication into a breathing gas. A system and method of heating medication in a reservoir and adding medication to a gas flow is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Patients with respiratory ailments may be administered supplemental breathing gases, such as oxygen, for example, to aid in respiration. These breathing gases may be provided from a breathing gas supply, such as an oxygen tank. A delivery device, such as a nasal cannula, may be coupled to the breathing gas supply and inserted into a patient's nasal passages for delivery of the breathing gas to the patient for inhalation.

Separately, respiratory medications may be administered through inhalation directly to the patient's lungs. These respiratory medications may be aerosolized by a nebulizer in order to generate small particles of the medication, which facilitate distribution throughout the patient's lungs during inhalation.

Nebulizers produce a fine mist for inhalation by a patient. The mist may include a medicament for delivery to the respiratory tract of the patient. A conventional nebulizer uses pressurized air to form a gas jet that creates a venturi vacuum to draw liquid medicament from a liquid reservoir to form a nebulized aerosol for inhalation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are directed to nebulizer assemblies, nebulizer systems, nebulizer adaptors, and methods for adding medication to a gas flow for inhalation.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a nebulizer assembly includes a reservoir for containing a liquid, a nebulizer for producing an aerosolized gas using the liquid, an aerosolized gas outlet, and a heating chamber. The aerosolized gas outlet is coupled to the nebulizer to pass the aerosolized gas. The heating chamber is disposed around an exterior of the reservoir. The heating chamber includes a heating fluid inlet in fluid communication with the heating chamber for providing heating fluid to the heating chamber and a heating fluid outlet in fluid communication with the heating chamber for discharging the heating fluid from the heating chamber.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of heating a medication to be nebulized and providing the nebulized medication to a patient for inhalation includes generating a heated and humidified breathing gas, transmitting the heated and humidified breathing gas through a first lumen in a delivery tube, insulating the heated and humidified breathing gas with a fluid flowing through a second lumen in the delivery tube, discharging the heated and humidified breathing gas from the delivery tube to a chamber, providing a medication in a nebulizer reservoir, transmitting the fluid from the second lumen to a heating cavity surrounding the nebulizer reservoir; thereby heating the medication in the nebulizer reservoir with the fluid, nebulizing the medication in the nebulizer reservoir, combining the nebulized medication with the heated and humidified breathing gas in the chamber, and transmitting the combined nebulized medication and heated and humidified breathing gas to a patient for inhalation.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a nebulizer system includes a nebulizer for generating an aerosol mist of a medication, and a breathing gas mixing chamber. The nebulizer includes a nebulizer outlet port. The breathing gas mixing chamber is coupled to the nebulizer outlet port. The breathing gas mixing chamber includes a nebulizer coupling port, a breathing gas inlet, a breathing gas outlet, and an opening between the breathing gas inlet and the breathing gas outlet. The nebulizer coupling port is in fluid communication with the nebulizer outlet port. The breathing gas inlet is adapted to couple to a gas delivery system. The breathing gas outlet is adapted to couple to a breathing device. The opening is in fluid communication with the nebulizer outlet port.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of adding a medication to a gas flow includes nebulizing the medication and entraining the nebulized medication into the gas flow.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a nebulizer adaptor for entraining a nebulized medication into a breathing gas includes a mixing chamber, a nebulizer coupling port, a breathing gas inlet, a breathing gas outlet, and an opening between the breathing gas inlet and the breathing gas outlet. The nebulizer coupling port is adapted to coupled to a nebulizer outlet port. The breathing gas inlet is adapted to couple to a gas delivery system. The breathing gas outlet is adapted to couple to a breathing device. The opening is in fluid communication with the nebulizer coupling port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The following describes exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be understood based on this disclosure, however, that the invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a heated nebulizer assembly100configured for delivering aerosolized medicament in a heated and humidified breathing gas for inhalation. The aerosolized medicament includes medication in very small particles, e.g., 0.5-1.5 microns in average diameter, allowing the medicament to reach the user's lungs in an efficient manner. Nebulizer assembly100is heated in order to warm the medicament prior to the medicament being nebulized so as not to adversely lower the temperature of the heated and humidified breathing gas into which the nebulized medication is mixed prior to inhalation by the user.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, nebulizer assembly100includes a nebulizer110that entrains medication in an air flow to generate an aerosolized mist for inhalation by a patient. Nebulizer110includes an inlet112that provides a connection to a supply of air (not shown), such as, for example, a high pressure air supply of between about 35 and about 50 psi, with a flow rate of less than about 10 liters per minute, and desirably, about 6 liters per minute. The supplied air in the illustrated embodiment flows through an air swirler114to a nebulizing chamber118. It is contemplated that air swirler114may be omitted in alternative embodiments of the present invention.

Medication is contained in a reservoir116(e.g., in liquid form; i.e., a liquid medicament) and is aerosolized in nebulizing chamber118by the supplied air to form an aerosol. The aerosol exits nebulizer110through discharge port120in the direction of arrow “A” (shown inFIG. 4) to an outlet tube122. A fill port124in outlet tube122may be used to add medication to reservoir116. A cap125is releasably coupled to fill port124. Cap125may be removed from fill port124to add medication to reservoir116and then replaced over fill port124after the medication has been added to reservoir116. As the medication is poured into nebulizer110through fill port124, a deflector126deflects the medication away from nebulizing chamber118and to reservoir116.

A design of an exemplary nebulizer that may be modified for use as nebulizer110is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,409, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. While the nebulizer110described in this reference may use a pressurized air supply, other types of nebulizers may alternatively be used. Such nebulizers may include a jet nebulizer, also known as a small-volume nebulizer (SVN). In an exemplary embodiment, one of three types of SVNs are used. A first type of SVN is a pneumatic nebulizer. Pneumatic nebulizers use a pressurized gas stream to draw fluid out of a fluid reservoir and shear the fluid into small particles. Many of the medicaments that are delivered through these nebulizers are used to treat common lung conditions, such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

A second type of SVN is a vented nebulizer. Vented nebulizers make aerosol from pneumatic sources and feature a venting system. When the patient breathes in, he/she inhales a richer mix of aerosol, and when the user exhales, he/she does so through an expiratory valve in the mouthpiece so he/she continues to collect some aerosol in the nebulizer.

A third type of SVN is a breath-actuated device. Breath-actuated devices produce aerosol when the patient inhales and do not produce aerosol when the patient exhales. Because the drug is not constantly being aerosolized, delivery is more efficient and less of the drug is wasted.

Other types of suitable nebulizers for use with the present invention include, by way of non-limiting example, ultrasonic nebulizers that create aerosol using sound waves generated by a vibrating piezo crystal and vibrating mesh nebulizers that are able to generate high overall output respirable fractions. The nebulizers reduce the amount of drug that is wasted by vibrating a mesh or plate with multiple apertures, which aerosolizes virtually all of the drug solution. The vibrating mesh may be active, where the mesh is vibrated directly and acts as an electronic micropump, or passive, where an ultrasonic horn pushes medication through a mesh.

According to one aspect of the invention, a heating chamber130surrounds medicament reservoir116regardless of the type of nebulizer used in the nebulizer assembly100. The illustrated heating chamber130defines a cavity131with the outside wall of nebulizer110that is in fluid communication with a fluid manifold132. Fluid manifold132includes a fluid inlet134that provides a supply of heated fluid to cavity131, and a fluid outlet136that discharges the heated fluid from cavity131. Optionally, as shown inFIG. 1, a baffle137may be located in cavity131between fluid inlet134and fluid outlet136to direct the heated fluid from fluid inlet134, around the periphery of nebulizer110, prior to being discharged from fluid outlet136. Fluid manifold132also includes a breathing gas supply138that provides heated and humidified breathing gas to a user.

Referring toFIG. 2A, fluid manifold132is coupled to a delivery tube140, such as, for example, the delivery tube disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,046, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Delivery tube140provides heated and humidified breathing gas in a first lumen140athat is coupled to breathing gas supply138in manifold132. Delivery tube140also provides heated fluid via a second lumen140bthat is coupled to fluid inlet134and heated fluid return via a third lumen104cthat is coupled to fluid outlet136. In an exemplary embodiment, the second and third lumens140b,140c, respectively, surround the first lumen140asuch that the heated fluid flowing through the second and third lumens140b,140c, respectively, insulates the heated and humidified breathing gas in the first lumen140a. Fluid manifold132enables fluid that is used to insulate the heated and humidified breathing gas as the breathing gas flows through delivery tube140to also be used to surround and heat heating chamber130, as well as the medicament in nebulizer reservoir116. While a fluid that is used to insulate the heated and humidified breathing gas delivery tube140and to also surround and heat the heating chamber130may be a liquid, those skilled in the art will recognize that the fluid may be a heated gas instead.

Referring toFIGS. 2-4, breathing gas supply138is coupled to a breathing gas conduit142that is in fluid communication with discharge port120through outlet tube122. Breathing gas flows in the direction of arrow “B” (shown inFIG. 4). One end of outlet tube122includes a relief valve152that relieves overpressurization in outlet tube122. An opposing end of outlet tube122is coupled to a chamber, such as a breathing gas flow tee160, forming a junction between nebulized gas and breathing gas. Breathing gas flow tee160includes a first end162that is coupled to breathing gas conduit142and a second end164that is coupled to a nasal cannula170.

Referring toFIG. 5, a flowchart is illustrated showing an exemplary method for heating a medication to be nebulized and providing the nebulized medication to a patient for inhalation. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, prior to the steps shown inFIG. 5, a heated and/or humidified breathing gas may be generated by any known means.

In STEP500, heated fluid in the second and third lumens of delivery tube140insulates a heated and humidified breathing gas flowing through first lumen140aof delivery tube140. The heated fluid flowing through second lumen140bof delivery tube140may have a temperature of about 43 degrees Celsius when it reaches manifold130. In STEP502, the heated fluid from second lumen140bpasses through manifold132to fluid inlet134, and into cavity131, which heats the medication in reservoir116. In STEP504, the heated fluid then exits cavity131through fluid outlet136, which flows through manifold132to third lumen140cof delivery tube140for recirculation by, for example, a heater of a humidifier (not shown).

In STEP506, high pressure air flows into nebulizer110through inlet112and, due to a venturi effect, draws medication from reservoir116to nebulizing chamber118where the medication is aerosolized. In STEP508, the aerosol exits nebulizer110through discharge port120to outlet tube122, and then to a chamber, such as breathing gas flow tee160.

In STEP510, the breathing gas flows from first lumen140aof delivery tube140, into manifold132, and then into breathing gas conduit142and into a chamber, such as breathing gas flow tee160, where the breathing gas mixes with the aerosol. The breathing gas flows at a rate of about 10 liters per minute. In STEP512, the breathing gas/aerosol mixture then flows to nasal cannula170in the direction of arrow “C” (shown inFIG. 4) for inhalation by the patient. The breathing gas/aerosol mixture may have a temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius at the output of nasal cannula170to a user (not shown).

Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a device for providing a nebulized aerosol gas therapy to a patient delivered via a breathing device, such as a nasal cannula. In an exemplary embodiment, a breathing gas is warmed and humidified for combination with a nebulized aerosol for delivery at a high flow rate. The combined therapy of warm nebulized medication and high flow therapy for patients experiencing stressful respiratory episodes in acute respiratory compromise may provide a comfortable and effective technique in decreasing bronchial responsiveness while maintaining delivery of high FiO2to improve oxygen saturation level and decrease work of breathing.

An exemplary nebulizer that may be adapted for use with the present invention may be the Aeroneb® Professional nebulizer601, shown inFIG. 6, available from Aerogen, Ltd of Galway, Ireland. Nebulizer601includes an aerosol generator (not shown) that aerosolizes medication contained within nebulizer601. Typically, less than about 10 ml of medication is used with nebulizer601. Nebulizer601also includes a nebulizer inhalation tube602into which nebulized medication flows for inhalation by a user. Inhalation tube602includes an inlet end602athat is open to atmosphere during use and an outlet end602bthat is inserted into the user's mouth during use.

During use, the user inserts end602bof nebulizer inhalation tube602into his/her mouth and inhales. As the user inhales, air from the atmosphere flows through end602band into nebulizer inhalation tube602. The inhaled air, with the aerosolized medication entrained therein, then flows through end602b, and into the user's mouth. Other types of nebulizers suitable for use with the present invention will be understood by one of skill in the art from the description herein.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, exemplary prior art nebulizer601operates using an electrical signal to draw fluid into a vibratory aerosolization element (not shown), to produce an aerosol mist of a medication in the form of a low velocity nebulized aerosol cloud603. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, nebulizer601may be combined with a high flow heated and humidified gas delivery system604to provide a warmed and humidified nebulized aerosol high flow therapy for delivery via a breathing device, such as a nasal cannula606. In accordance with this aspect, nebulized medication produced by the nebulizer601is entrained within a breathing gas flow as the breathing gas flow (which may be heated and humidified) flows past an outlet port609of nebulizer601.

Nebulizer601includes a filler cap608at the top of nebulizer601and an outlet port609at the bottom of nebulizer601. Filler cap608may be removed to add liquid medication to nebulizer601prior to use.

As shown inFIG. 7, a nebulizer system600according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a T-adapter610that connects nebulizer601to delivery system604. In the exemplary embodiment, nebulizer inhalation tube602has been removed from nebulizer601and replaced with T-adapter610.

Delivery system604may include a delivery tube612, such as, for example, a delivery tube disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,046, which is incorporated fully herein by reference, connected to a supply end of a breathing gas supply (not shown). T-adapter610may also connect to nasal cannula606, providing for fluid communication between delivery system604and nasal cannula606.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, T-adapter610includes a body611defining an internal breathing gas mixing chamber615. T-adapter610includes a nebulizer coupling port614that couples T-adapter610to nebulizer601. Nebulizer coupling port614provides for fluid communication between nebulizer outlet port609and internal breathing gas mixing chamber615such that aerosolized medication may be transmitted from nebulizer601to internal breathing gas mixing chamber615.

T-adapter610also includes a breathing gas inlet616having a first end616aextending from body611and a second end616bextending through breathing gas mixing chamber615of T-adapter610, terminating within breathing gas mixing chamber615between second end616bof breathing gas inlet616and a breathing gas outlet618. Outlet618extends outwardly from body611and is adapted to couple to a breathing device, such as nasal cannula606(shown inFIG. 7). First end616aextends from body611and is adapted to couple to gas delivery system604(shown inFIG. 7). Inlet616and outlet618are generally co-axial, with an opening, such as a small gap622of about 5 millimeters or less (e.g., about 2 millimeters) separating second end616bof inlet616from outlet618. A schematic view of internal chamber615showing gap622is shown inFIG. 9A. Solid arrows “A” illustrate the flow of breathing gas through chamber615from delivery tube612, and broken arrows “B” illustrate the flow of aerosolized medication through chamber615from nebulizer601.

In use, referring toFIGS. 7-9A, aerosol cloud603is generated by nebulizer601and flows into internal chamber615of T-adapter610. Breathing gas flows from heated and humidified gas delivery system604and into inlet616. In an exemplary embodiment, the breathing gas has a high flow rate, e.g., greater than about one (1) liter per minute for neonatal patients and up to 40 liters per minute in adult patients. The breathing gas exits inlet616from second end616b, crosses gap622, and flows through outlet618.

Aerosol cloud603is drawn through gap622and into outlet618by a Venturi effect generated by a flow of gas across gap622, and into outlet618, thereby entraining the aerosol into the gas flow. The aerosol cloud603combines with the gas and exits through outlet618for delivery to the patient via nasal cannula606.

In an alternative embodiment of a nebulizer system shown inFIGS. 10-12, instead of T-adapter610, a cross adapter1010is used. Cross adapter1010includes four ports, including a nebulizer coupling port1014, an inlet port1016, and an outlet port1018, similar to nebulizer coupling port614, breathing gas inlet616, and breathing gas outlet618disclosed above with respect to T-adapter610.

Cross adapter1010further includes a drain port1019that allows condensed medication and/or humidification vapor (in the form of rainout) to drain away from the flow of breathing gas. Drain port1019is disposed at a low point in cross-adapter1010and is positioned below nebulizer coupling port1014in order to allow gravity to drain liquid to a drain collector1020that is coupled to drain port1019. Drain port1019includes a slit1021that allows liquid to drain away from cross adapter1010.

A heat moisture exchanger (HME) absorbent media1022may be inserted into drain collector1020, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12, to absorb the condensate that drains into drain port1019. Exemplary HME-absorbent media1022includes a hygroscopic material, such as, for example, Hygrobac S, manufactured by Mallinckrodt of Haxelwood, Mo. or THERMOVENT® HEPA, manufactured by Smiths Medical International of Watford, UK.

Illustrated drain collector1020includes a removable cap1024that may be removed to replace a used HME-absorbent media1022with a fresh HME-absorbent media1022. Optionally, HME-absorbent media1022may be coated or infused with a colorant responsive to fluid present in media1022in order to indicate that media1022is full of fluid and must be replaced, as well as to ensure the non-reuse of the media1022. Still optionally, HME-absorbent media1022may be coated with an anti-microbial material to reduce the growth of bacteria on/in HME-absorbent media1022.

Operation of nebulizer system600will be discussed with reference toFIGS. 6-9A, as well as flow chart1300ofFIG. 13. While nebulizer system600with adapter610is discussed, those skilled in the art will recognize from the description herein that nebulizer system600with any alternative adaptor disclosed herein is also applicable.

In STEP1302, a user (not shown) operates nebulizer601to nebulize medication according to the operation of nebulizer601. In STEP1304, the nebulized medication is transmitted into mixing chamber615. Simultaneously with STEPs1302and1304, in STEP1306, gas, which may be heated and humidified, is transmitted from inlet port616, across gap622, and to outlet618. In STEP1308, the gas flow draws the nebulized medication into gap622to outlet port618, thereby entraining the nebulized medication into the heated and humidified gas flow.

In STEP1310, the gas flow with the nebulized medication is transmitted to a breathing device, such as, for example, nasal cannula606, for inhalation by the patient. Optionally, in STEP1312, when adapter1010is used, nebulized medication that is not drawn into gap622may be collected in drain collector1020. HME-absorbent media1022in drain collector1020may change color to indicate the presence of fluid in HME-absorbent media1022, signifying to a user that HME-absorbent media1022may be replaced.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrated inFIGS. 14-16, an adapter1410releasably connects nebulizer601to delivery system604. Adapter1410includes a body1411that defines an aerosol chamber1415into which an aerosol cloud1403of medication is directed after being generated by nebulizer601. Aerosol chamber1415includes an opening/passageway1416into and through which aerosol cloud1403travels to mix with breathing gas from delivery system604. Aerosolized cloud1403is represented by a broken arrow inFIG. 16as medication flows through passageway1416to be entrained with the breathing gas from delivery system604.

Aerosol chamber1415is generally bifurcated into two separate pockets1417that are separated by a sloped baffle1418. Opening/passageway1416extends vertically through baffle1418and provides fluid communication between aerosol chamber1415and a through-passage1420. Pockets1417act as a reservoir for residual condensation from aerosol cloud1403, as well as from any of the heated and humidified breathing gas that may have traveled upward through opening/passageway1416and into chamber1415. Condensed liquid is retained in pockets1417and is not delivered to the patient. In order to drain liquid from pockets1417, adapted1410may be removed from nebulizer601and up-ended so that the fluid drains from adapter1410.

Body1411also includes through-passage1420that extends through body1411from a breathing gas inlet end1422that is coupled to delivery system604to a breathing gas outlet end1424that is coupled to nasal cannula606. As shown inFIG. 16, breathing gas outlet end1424has a diameter “D.”

Breathing gas generated by delivery system604is represented by solid arrows in through-passage1420. Passageway1416provides fluid communication between aerosol chamber1415and through-passage1420such that opening/passageway1416forms an opening between breathing gas inlet end1422and breathing gas outlet end1424.

The passage of the breathing gas through through-passage1420generates a Venturi effect that draws aerosol cloud1403through opening/passageway1416and into through-passage1420, where the medication in aerosol cloud1403mixes with the breathing gas, as indicated by both the broken arrows (aerosolized medication) and solid arrows (breathing gas) at breathing gas outlet end1424of body1411. Thus, the medication becomes entrained within the breathing gas.

An exemplary nasal cannula1706for use with adapter1410is illustrated inFIG. 17. Nasal cannula1706is releasably coupled to adapter1410to form a breathing gas delivery system1700. System1700may be used to deliver medication from nebulizer601to a patient.

For neonatal use, nasal cannula1706may have an overall length of about 4½ inches (about 11.4 cm). This length is shorter than prior art neonatal cannulae, which typically have an overall length of about 13 inches (about 33 cm). The shorter length of cannula1706provides for delivery of heated and humidified breathing gas and aerosol mist with minimal loss of temperature and resulting condensation. The length of nasal cannula1706also allows a caregiver to hold both the patient and system1700during treatment of the patient. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that normal length cannulae may also be used for neonatal patients in conjunction with system1700.

Further, the inner lumen1708of cannula1706has a diameter “D” that is about the same as the diameter “D” of breathing gas outlet end1424. The common diameter eliminates any dead spots between breathing gas outlet end1424and inner lumen608where condensate may form.

Because of the short length of cannula1706, nebulizer system600may need to be held by a caregiver during treatment. For neonatal use, because only a small volume (about 1 to about 6 ml.) of medication is nebulized in nebulizer601, the duration of treatment is relatively short, and the caregiver can easily hold nebulizer system600for the duration of the treatment.

In another alternative embodiment of a nebulizer system shown inFIGS. 18-21, instead of T-adapter610, an angled adapter1810is used. Angled adaptor1810includes a body1811defining an internal breathing gas mixing chamber1815. Angled adaptor includes a nebulizer coupling port1814that couples angled adapter1810to nebulizer601. Nebulizer coupling port1814provides for fluid communication between nebulizer outlet port1809and internal breathing gas mixing chamber1815such that aerosolized medication may be transmitted from nebulizer601to internal breathing gas mixing chamber1815.

Angled adapter1810also includes a breathing gas inlet1816and a breathing gas outlet1818. Outlet1818extends outwardly from body1811and is adapted to couple to a breathing device, such as nasal cannula606(shown inFIG. 7). Inlet1816extends from body1811and is adapted to couple to gas delivery system604(shown inFIG. 7). Inlet1816and outlet1818are generally co-axial, with an opening, such as opening1822, separating inlet1816from outlet1818and communicating with chamber1815. Opening1822may be an oval about 0.2 inches by about 0.1 inches. For example, opening1822may be an oval that is 0.202 inches by 0.132 inches.

As illustrated inFIG. 18, nebulizer coupling port1814of angled adaptor1810is angled with respect to a line perpendicular to the flow of the breathing gas through adaptor1810. In an exemplary embodiment, nebulizer coupling port1814may form an angle of approximately 15° with respect to a line perpendicular to the flow of gas. Nebulizer coupling port1814is angled to deliver a flow of aerosol in the direction of the flow of gas from breathing gas inlet1816to breathing gas outlet1818(i.e., toward outlet1818). Angling nebulizer coupling port1814may be desirable in order to direct the flow of aerosol directly to the opening where it meets heated/humidified gas flow, thereby improving aerosolization and entrainment of the aerosol w/in the breathing gas flow.

Angled adapter1810further includes a pressure-relief port1819that allows the relief of pressure away from the flow of breathing gas. Pressure-relief port1819is disposed at a side in angled adapter1810, and is in communication with chamber1815. Pressure-relief port1819may include a hydrophobic membrane1820. Hydrophobic membrane1820prevents build up of pressure within the chambers that may affect the aerosolization ability of the nebulizer. It has been discovered that increased pressure within the chamber1815may slow down or inhibit the production of aerosol by the nebulizer. The addition of hydrophobic membrane1820allows the venting of excess pressure from within the chamber1815, thereby allowing the nebulizer601to better produce aerosol, while also preventing the aerosol from escaping to atmosphere. Suitable materials for the hydrophobic membrane1820will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.

In another alternative embodiment of a nebulizer system shown inFIGS. 22-25, instead of T-adapter610, an nebulizer cup adapter2210is used. Cup adaptor2210includes a body2211defining an internal breathing gas mixing chamber2215. Cup adaptor includes a nebulizer coupling port2214that couples cup adapter2210to nebulizer cup2201. Nebulizer coupling port2214provides for fluid communication between nebulizer outlet port2209and internal breathing gas mixing chamber2215such that aerosolized medication may be transmitted from nebulizer2201to internal breathing gas mixing chamber2215.

Cup adapter2210also includes a breathing gas inlet2216and a breathing gas outlet2218. Outlet2218extends outwardly from body2211and is adapted to couple to a breathing device. Inlet2216extends from body2211and is adapted to couple to gas delivery system604(shown inFIG. 7). Inlet2216and outlet2218are angled with respect to each other, with an opening separating inlet2216from outlet2218and communicating with chamber2215. As illustrated inFIG. 22, nebulizer coupling port2214of cup adaptor2210is coaxial with respect to outlet2218.

As illustrated inFIGS. 24 and 25, outlet2218of cup adaptor2210may be adapted to be coupled to a nasal cannula2206. Nasal cannula2206may be a low diameter nasal cannula (as shown inFIG. 24) or a high diameter nasal cannula (as shown inFIG. 25). Suitable cannulas, and other breathing devices for coupling to outlet2218of cup adaptor2210, will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.

Operation of the above alternative embodiment of the nebulizer system will be discussed with reference toFIGS. 22-25, as well as flow chart2600, illustrated inFIG. 26. While the nebulizer system with nebulizer cup adapter2210is discussed, those skilled in the art will recognize from the description herein that any alternative adaptor disclosed herein is also applicable.

In STEP2602, a user (not shown) operates nebulizer cup2201to nebulize medication according to the operation of nebulizer2201. Operation of nebulizer cup2201to nebulize medication will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.

In STEP2604, the nebulized medication is entrained in a gas flow. In an exemplary embodiment, a flow of gas, which may be heated and humidified, is transmitted through cup adaptor2210from inlet2216to outlet2218. The nebulized medication from nebulizer2201is entrained in the gas flow. For example, the gas flow may draw the nebulized medication into the flow via the opening between inlet2216and outlet2218, i.e., due to a Venturi effect. For another example, the nebulized medication may be forced into the gas flow due to an air pressure difference between the nebulizer outlet port2209and the adaptor gas outlet2218.

In STEP2606, the entrained nebulized medication is passed to a breathing device. In an exemplary embodiment, the entrained nebulized medication is passed to a nasal cannula2206. Suitable cannulas will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the above operation of the nebulizer system may include any of the additional steps set forth with respect to nebulizer system600.