Patent Publication Number: US-2020289779-A1

Title: Nebulizer orientation apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a nebulization means for use in the medical industry. Particularly, this invention relates to a nebulizer orientation apparatus. In a certain embodiment the nebulizer orientation apparatus may be for interposition between a nebulizer and an inhalation mask or mouthpiece. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Nebulizers are well known drug delivery means utilized in the medical industry in order to provide a drug entrained aerosol or mist from a drug containing solution or suspension, which drug entrained aerosol or mist being for inhalation by a patient in need thereof. The mist may for example include the drug in an aerosolized or an atomized form. 
     A typical nebulizer includes a reservoir for housing a drug entrained solution, a gas inlet into the reservoir to allow a gas (such as medical oxygen) to pass over or through the solution, an aerosol or mist forming means, typically a nozzle having a first orifice to receive drug entrained solution and gas and an opposite spray orifice from which the aerosol or mist is dispensed, and an outlet for receiving the aerosol or mist, which outlet extending away from the nozzle and reservoir and generally in flow communication with an inhalation mask or mouthpiece. 
     When in use, pressurized gas enters the nebulizer via the gas inlet, passing over or through the drug entrained solution before passing through the nozzle to produce a Venturi effect that facilitates drawing the drug entrained solution up and into the nozzle by means of a pressure differential such that said drug entrained solution is encouraged to form an aerosol or mist as it passes through the nozzle and/or when expelled through the spray orifice, through the outlet, and to the patient via the inhalation mask or mouthpiece. The nozzle typically provides a narrow passage and may taper towards its spray orifice. 
     A mechanically rudimentary nebulizer relying on only a tapering nozzle to facilitate aerosol or mist formation is known to be ineffective often resulting in non-aerosolized drug entrained droplets being administered to the patient. This situation is inimical since droplet size is important in administration regimes of certain drugs. Consequently, standard nebulizers have been adapted to provide a baffle arrangement (often shaped and/or dimensioned as an anvil arrangement) substantially adjacent the nozzle and spaced from the orifice to further and more effectively facilitate aerosol or mist formation and to hinder non-aerosolized droplets from being inhaled when in use. 
     In order to ensure proper functioning of the nebulizer when in use, the nozzle is required to remain vertical relative to the ground. This requires patients to be seated in a generally upright position, or to be standing, when inhaling drugs via a nebulizer creating for operational difficulties. Often patients are too weak to sit in the required position, are unconscious, are recovering from a general anaesthetic, or are under general anesthesia hindering placement of the patient in an appropriate position relative to the nozzle. 
     It is also common for the outlet to join the inhalation mask or mouthpiece via an elbowed joint, typically providing a bend of about  90 ′. The elbowed joint encourages the patient to sit in an upright position prior to using the nebulizer, however, it frustrates drug administration in situations where the patient cannot comply. Further, the elbowed joint provides a curved flow path and a surface upon which the aerosol or mist can condense providing non-aerosolized drug entrained droplets which may negatively impact on the efficacy of the drug delivery. It is also known that a longer length between the outlet and the inhalation mask or mouthpiece increases the risk of condensation. 
     There is a need to ameliorate at least one of the problems described above and/or known in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Broadly, and in accordance with this general disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus for orientating an aerosol or mist forming means of the nebulizer into a substantially vertical position relative to the ground level under force of gravity. 
     In accordance with a first embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus for interposition between a nebulizer and an inhalation mask (or mouthpiece), the nebulizer orientation apparatus comprising:
         first and second straight hollow bodies in flow communication with each other via a joint means, which joint means facilitating movement of the first and second straight hollow bodies relative to each other in a first plane defined (or facilitated)by the joint means, and   wherein the first straight hollow body is weighted relative to the second straight hollow body to facilitate displacement of the first body under force of gravity relative to the second body,       

     such that in use, 
     the nebulizer may be attached to the first body and the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece) may be attached to the second body, the nebulizer containing a drug entrained solution and the inhalation mask (or mouth piece) placed over a mouth and/or nose of a patient, and
         wherein the first body together with the nebulizer may be displaced relative to the second body under force of gravity to ensure that the nebulizer, and particularly an aerosol or mist forming means of the nebulizer, is maintained substantially upright relative to ground level therein facilitating effective aerosol and/or mist formation when a torso and/or head of the patient is moved away from a substantially vertical position relative to the ground level.       

     The nebulizer orientation apparatus may further comprise a hollow connector rotationally mounted relative to an outlet portion of the second hollow body, wherein rotational movement of the hollow connector relative to the second hollow body is in a second plane. The second plane being substantially orthogonal to the first plane. 
     The joint means may comprise a deformable conduit. 
     The deformable conduit may comprise a metallic support embedded in a plastics material. The metallic support may be any one of a coil, helix, and/or lattice. The deformable conduit may be resilient. The deformable conduit may be expandable and/or contractable along its length. The deformable conduit may be provided with corrugations along its length to facilitate expansion. The deformable conduit may have a smooth interior bore. 
     The deformable conduit may include a mid-portion having a larger diameter relative to opposing end portions. 
     The hollow connector may be rotationally mounted relative to the outlet portion of the second hollow body via an attachment means, wherein the attachment means facilitating rotational movement of the hollow connector relative to the second hollow body in the second plane substantially orthogonal to the first plane. 
     The attachment means may be a sleeve securing the outlet portion of the second hollow body to the hollow connector whilst concomitantly providing rotational motion relative to each other. 
     The hollow connector may matingly engage the outlet of the second hollow body whilst being adapted to concomitantly provide for rotational motion of the second hollow body relative to the hollow connector. 
     The first and second straight hollow bodies may each matingly engage the joint means. Alternatively, or additionally, the first and second straight hollow bodies may be integrally formed with the joint means. 
     The first and second straight hollow bodies may be formed from a plastics material. 
     The first hollow body may be weighted by being formed from a heavier material relative to the second hollow body, therein facilitating displacement of the first hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body. 
     The first and second hollow bodies may be manufactured from substantially the same material, and the first hollow body may weighted by being greater in length relative to the second hollow body, so as to provide the first hollow body with a greater mass relative to the second hollow body, therein facilitating displacement of the first hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body. 
     The first hollow body may be weighted by having attached thereto a weight means. 
     The weight means may be a collar and/or a ring at least partially surrounding the first hollow body. The weight means may be integrally formed with the first hollow body. 
     In a particular example of the first embodiment of this disclosure the weight means may be a thickening of a portion of a sidewall providing the first hollow body. 
     The weight means may be manufactured from a metallic material. 
     In accordance with a second embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus for interposition between a nebulizer and an inhalation mask (or mouthpiece), the nebulizer orientation apparatus comprising:
         first and second straight hollow bodies in flow communication with each other via a hinged joint, wherein the first straight hollow body is weighted relative to the second straight hollow body to facilitate displacement of the first body under force of gravity relative to the second body; and   a hollow connector rotationally secured against an outlet of the second hollow body in flow communication with the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece), the hollow connector allowing rotational movement via an attachment means relative to the second hollow body, hinge and first hollow body,   such that in use,   the weight of the first hollow body facilitates displacement of the first hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body, said displacement being in a first plane defined (or facilitated) by the hinged joint, and   wherein the attachment means facilitating rotational movement of the hollow connector relative to the second hollow body in a second plane. The second plane being substantially orthogonal to the first plane.       

     The attachment means may be a sleeve securing an outlet portion of the second hollow body to the hollow connector whilst concomitantly providing rotational motion relative to each other. 
     The hinged joint may include a first pair of lugs attached to the first hollow body, and a second corresponding pair of lugs attached to the second hollow body, wherein the first and second pair of lugs are secured via nuts and bolts, alternatively, secured by way of interlocking studs and corresponding apertures. 
     The hinged joint may further include thereabout, and spanning the first and second hollow bodies, a closure in order to provide a closed flow path from the first hollow body, through the hinged joint, through the second hollow body, into and through the hollow connector and into the inhalation means (or mouthpiece) to be inhaled by the patient. 
     The closure may be a resiliently deformable closure to allow hinged movement of the first and second hollow bodies relative to each other through a section of the first plane. 
     The first and second straight hollow bodies may be formed from a plastics material. 
     The first hollow body may be weighted by being formed from a heavier material relative to the second hollow body, therein facilitating displacement of the first hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body. 
     The first and second hollow bodies may be manufactured from substantially the same material, and the first hollow body may weighted by being greater in length relative to the second hollow body, so as to provide the first hollow body with a greater mass relative to the second hollow body, therein facilitating displacement of the first hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body. 
     The first hollow body may be weighted by having attached thereto a weight means. 
     The weight means may be a collar and/or a ring at least partially surrounding the first hollow body. The weight means may be integrally formed with the first hollow body. 
     In a particular example of the first embodiment of this disclosure the weight means may be a thickening of a portion of a sidewall providing the first hollow body. 
     The weight means may be manufactured from a metallic material. 
     In accordance with a third embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus for interposition between a nebulizer and an inhalation mask (or mouthpiece), the nebulizer orientation apparatus comprising:
         a swivel joint having extending from opposite ends thereof first and second straight hollow bodies, respectively, wherein the first straight hollow body is weighted relative to the second straight hollow body,   such that in use,   the weight of the first straight hollow body facilitates displacement of the first straight hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second straight hollow body.       

     The swivel joint may comprise a ball and socket arrangement, wherein the socket defines therethrough an aperture and is provided as a female frusto-spherical member, and wherein the ball may be provided as a complementarily shaped and dimensioned male frusto-spherical member defining therein a cavity such that the male and female members matingly engage to provide a flow path from the first hollow body through the swivel joint and out through the second hollow body. 
     The swivel joint may facilitate swiveled displacement and/or pivotal displacement of the first and second hollow bodies thereabout. 
     In a particular example of the first embodiment of this disclosure the female frusto-spherical member of the swivel joint is attached to the first hollow body, and the complementarily shaped and dimensioned male frusto-spherical member of the swivel joint is attached to the second hollow body. It is to be understood that the female frusto-spherical member of the swivel joint may be attached to the second hollow body, and the complementarily shaped and dimensioned male frusto-spherical member of the swivel joint may be attached to the first hollow body without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     The female frusto-spherical member and/or the complimentarily shaped and dimensioned male frusto-spherical member may be formed from a resilient material to facilitate mating engagement. 
     The first and second straight hollow bodies may be formed from a plastics material. 
     The first hollow body may be weighted by being formed from a heavier material relative to the second hollow body, therein facilitating displacement of the first hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body. 
     The first and second hollow bodies may be manufactured from substantially the same material, and the first hollow body may weighted by being greater in length relative to the second hollow body, so as to provide the first hollow body with a greater mass relative to the second hollow body, therein facilitating displacement of the first hollow body under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body. 
     The first hollow body may be weighted by having attached thereto a weight means. 
     The weight means may be a collar and/or a ring at least partially surrounding the first hollow body. The weight means may be integrally formed with the first hollow body. 
     In a particular example of the first embodiment of this disclosure the weight means may be a thickening of a portion of a sidewall providing the first hollow body. 
     The weight means may be manufactured from a metallic material. 
     The swivel joint may include a securing means to ensure that the male frusto-spherical member remains matingly engaged inside the female frusto-spherical member whilst still facilitating swiveled displacement and/or pivotal displacement relative to each other. 
     The securing means may include a first flange extending radially outwardly away from a periphery which defines an open mouth of the female frusto-spherical member, and a second corresponding flange for securement to the first flange, the second corresponding flange having depending downwardly away therefrom a frusto-spherical side wall, the second flange being locatable over the second body to secure against the first flange, wherein the frusto-spherical sidewall prevents disengagement of the frusto-spherical male member from the female frusto-spherical member. 
     The first and second flange may be joined in securing abutment through various adhesive means, for example, glue. In a certain embodiment, the first and second flanges may be spaced by a rubber ring. 
     There is provided for the swivel joint to provide a seal in order to ensure all aerosol or mist travels through the flow path toward the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece). In certain embodiments the swivel joint does not to provide a seal in order to substantially equalize pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. For example, the swivel joint may be provided with a hole through a wall thereof to ensure equalization of pressure to atmospheric pressure. 
     It is to be understood that the shape and dimension of the swivel joint may extend to include, but not limitingly so, discoid, geoid, oblong and elliptical type shapes and dimensions. 
     In accordance with a fourth embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a method of nebulizing a patient utilizing the nebulizer orientation apparatus described any one of the first, second or third embodiments of the disclosure herein, the method comprising the following steps:
         connecting a nebulizer containing drug entrained solution therein to the first hollow body;   connecting the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece) to the second hollow body, preferably via a tube;   placing the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece) about an oral and/or nasal cavity of the patient;   actuating the nebulizer, in so doing,       

     allowing the drug entrained solution to aerosolize and/or atomize into a drug entrained aerosol or mist through an aerosol or mist forming means, the drug entrained aerosol or mist flowing through the joint means into and through the second hollow body, through the inhalation means (or mouthpiece) and into the oral and/or nasal cavity of the patient. 
     The aerosol or mist forming means may be a nozzle. Preferably, the nozzle may taper from a first orifice which in use receives drug entrained solution and gas to an opposite spray orifice from which the aerosol or mist is dispensed. 
     The weighted first hollow body facilitates maintenance of the nozzle in a substantially vertical position relative to the ground so as to ensure proper aerosol and/or mist formation. 
     The straight first and second hollow bodies provide a near straight flow path hindering condensation, and facilitating appropriate droplet size and/or appropriate drug dosage regimes. 
     There is further provided for a nebulizer orientation apparatus according to a first and/or second and/or third embodiment of this disclosure, and/or a method of nebulizing a patient according to a fourth embodiment of this disclosure, each embodiment substantially as herein described, illustrated and/or exemplified with reference to any one of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    shows a three dimensional view of a nebulizer orientation apparatus according to a first embodiment of this disclosure, including first and second hollow bodies and a joint means there between, and further including a connector and attachment means for rotational mounting of the connector to the second hollow body; 
         FIG. 1 b    shows a more detailed view of the joint means of  FIG. 1  including a smooth inner bore and outer corrugations; 
         FIG. 2  shows the second hollow body of  FIG. 1  defining an outlet portion and a second near flat collar; 
         FIG. 3  shows the connector of  FIG. 1  having a first near flat collar for rotational mounting to the second near flat collar of the second hollow body shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a portion through the attachment means, which is provided as a sleeve, of  FIG. 1  for rotatably joining the second hollow body to the connector in the first embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a three dimensional view of the nebulizer orientation apparatus according to a second embodiment of this disclosure including a hinged joint having extending therefrom first and second hollow bodies: 
         FIG. 6  shows the first hollow body of  FIG. 5  having a first pair of lugs to form the hinged joint; 
         FIG. 7  shows the second hollow body of  FIG. 5  having a second corresponding pair of lugs to form the hinged joint; 
         FIG. 8  shows a hollow connector of the nebulizer orientation apparatus of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows portion through the attachment means (which is provided as a sleeve) for rotatably joining the second hollow body to the connector in the second embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a three dimensional view of a nebulizer orientation apparatus according to a third embodiment of this disclosure including a swivel joint having extending from opposite ends thereof first and second straight hollow bodies; 
         FIG. 11  shows the first straight hollow body and a male frusto-spherical member of swivel joint shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows the second straight hollow body and a female frusto-spherical member of the swivel joint including a first flange of the securing means, as shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a second corresponding flange of the securing means including a frusto-spherical side wall to ensure mating engagement of the male and female members of the swivel joint; 
         FIG. 14  shows the first embodiment of the disclosure is use by a patient; 
         FIG. 15  shows the second embodiment of the disclosure in use by a patient; and 
         FIG. 16  shows the third embodiment of the disclosure in use by a patient. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Summary of the disclosure is repeated hereunder by way of reference thereto only to avoid repetition. Like structural elements in the different embodiments are provided with like or corresponding reference numerals in as far as is possible. 
     Generally, and in accordance with a first embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus  10  for interposition between a nebulizer  302  and an inhalation mask (or mouthpiece)  304  (see  FIGS. 1 to 4 and 14 ). The nebulizer orientation apparatus  10  comprises first and second straight hollow bodies  14 ,  16  in flow communication with each other via a joint means  12 . The joint means  12  facilitates movement of the first and second straight hollow bodies  14 , 16  relative to each other in a first plane (α) defined by the joint means  12 . 
     Typically, the first and second straight hollow bodies  14 ,  16  each matingly engage the joint means  12 . Additionally, or alternatively, the first and second straight hollow bodies  14 ,  16  and the joint means may be integrally formed. 
     The first straight hollow body  14  is weighted (using a strap  18 ) relative to the second straight hollow body  16  to facilitate displacement of the first body  14  under force of gravity relative to the second body  16 . This is shown in  FIG. 1 . Other weight means are envisaged by the Applicant. 
     In use, the nebulizer  302  is attached to the first body  14  and the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece)  304  is attached to the second body  16 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . The nebulizer  302  (shown diagrammatically) contains a drug entrained solution  347  and the inhalation mask (or mouth piece)  304  placed over a mouth and/or nose of a patient  300 , wherein the first body  14  together with the nebulizer may be displaced relative to the second body  16  under force of gravity to ensure that the nebulizer  302 , and particularly an aerosol or mist forming means  345  of the nebulizer, is maintained substantially upright relative to ground level therein facilitating effective aerosol and/or mist formation when a torso and/or head of the patient  300  is moved away from a substantially vertical position relative to the ground level. 
     The nebulizer orientation apparatus  10  further comprises a hollow connector  36  rotationally mounted relative to an outlet portion  38  of the second hollow body  16 . The hollow connector is shown in  FIG. 3 . The rotational movement of the hollow connector  36  relative to the second hollow body  16  is in a second plane (β). The second plane (β) is substantially orthogonal to the first plane (α). As such, this first embodiment of this disclosure provides for at least two degrees of freedom (the first via the joint means  12 , and the second between the hollow connector  36  and the second hollow body  16 ) which is beneficial and enhances patient compliance. In use, the nebulizer may be displaced to remain substantially upright relative to the ground via movement in the plane (α) and the plane (β). 
     The joint means  12  is typically provided as a deformable conduit. The deformable conduit may comprise a metallic support embedded in a plastics material. The metallic support may be any one of a coil, helix, and/or lattice. The deformable conduit may be resilient. Typically, medical grade plastics material is used, and optionally further embedding a metallic support. 
     In a certain embodiment of this disclosure, the deformable conduit includes a mid-portion  19  and opposing end portions  21 ,  23 . The mid-portion  19  may have a larger diameter relative to the opposing end portions  21 ,  23  (not shown). The mid-portion  19  of the joint means  12  is typically provided with corrugations  31  on an outer surface thereof to facilitate selective expansion and/or contraction along the length of the mid-portion  19 . An inner bore  17  of the joint means  12  is smooth. The smooth inner bore  17  improves flow of drug entrained aerosol when in use. 
     The hollow connector  36  is rotationally mounted relative to the outlet portion  38  of the second hollow body  16  via an attachment means  40 , wherein the attachment means  40  facilitates rotational movement of the hollow connector  36  relative to the second hollow body  16  in a second plane (β) substantially orthogonal to the first plane (α). 
     The Applicant envisages other forms of rotational mounting. For example, the hollow connector  36  may matingly engage the second hollow body  16  whilst concomitantly providing for rotational motion relative to each other in the plane shown in the figures as (β). 
     The hollow connector  36  defines a first near flat collar  41  which abuts a corresponding or similar second near flat collar  43  defined by the outlet portion  38  of the second hollow body  16 . This is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . It is envisaged that the two near flat collars  41 ,  43  may include mating means to allow for fitting engagement with each other, for example, but not limited to a protruding circular ridge to engage a corresponding circular trough (not shown). The attachments means in  FIGS. 1 and 4  is provided for as a sleeve  40  securing the outlet portion  38  of the second hollow body  16  to the hollow connector  36  whilst concomitantly providing rotational motion relative to each other. The rotational motion is shown in the figures as plane (β). A half cut through portion of the sleeve  40  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Similar attachment means  40  to clamp together the second hollow body  16  and the connector  36  whilst providing rotational motion in plane (β) are envisaged. 
     Generally, and in accordance with a second embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus  100  for interposition between a nebulizer and an inhalation mask (or mouthpiece). The second embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 5 to 9  and in use in  FIG. 15 . The nebulizer orientation apparatus  100  comprises first and second straight hollow bodies  114 ,  116  in flow communication with each other via a hinged joint  112 . The first straight hollow body  114  is weighted relative to the second straight hollow body  116 . 
     The additional weight of the first straight hollow body  114  relative to the second  116  is provided by a weight means shown in  FIG. 6  as a strap  118 . The strap  118  facilitates displacement of the first body under force of gravity relative to the second body. 
     The apparatus  100  further comprises a hollow connector  136  rotationally secured against an outlet portion  138  of the second hollow body  116  and in flow communication with the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece). The flow is illustrated by headed arrows. The hollow connector  136  allows rotational movement via an attachment means  140  relative to all of the second hollow body  116 , the hinge  112  and first hollow body  114 . 
     When in use, the strap  118  of the first hollow body  114  facilitates displacement of the first hollow body  114  under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body  116 , said displacement being in a first plane (α) defined by the hinged joint  112 . 
     The attachment means  140  facilitates rotational movement of the hollow connector  136  relative to all of the second hollow body  116 , the hinge  112  and the first hollow body  114 , in a second plane (β). The second plane (β) is substantially orthogonal to the first plane (α). 
     The attachment means  140  may be a sleeve securing the outlet  138  of the second hollow body  116  to the hollow connector  136  whilst concomitantly providing rotational motion (β) relative to each other.  FIG. 9  shows half of the attachment means being in the form of a sleeve. 
     The hinged joint  112  may include may include a first pair of lugs  142  attached to the first hollow body  114 , and a second corresponding pair of lugs  144  attached to the second hollow body  116 , wherein the first and second pair of lugs  142 ,  144  are secured via interlocking stud  146  and aperture  148  means, respectively. It is to be understood that the lugs  142 ,  144  may be hinginaly secured via alternative means, such as for example, nuts and bolts (not shown). 
     The hinged joint  112  may further include thereabout, and spanning the first and second hollow bodies  114 ,  116 , a closure (not shown) in order to provide a closed flow path from the first hollow body  114 , through the hinged joint  112 , through the second hollow body  116 , into and through the hollow connector  136  and into the inhalation means (or mouthpiece) to be inhaled by the patient. 
     The closure may be a resiliently deformable closure to allow hinged movement of the first and second hollow bodies  114 ,  116  relative to each other through a section of the first plane (α). The closure may be an airtight balloon means surrounding the joint means  112  providing a closed flow path. 
     Generally, and in accordance with a third embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 10 to 13  and  FIG. 16 . The third embodiment of the nebulizer orientation apparatus  200  is shown in use on a patient in  FIG. 15 . 
     In accordance with a third embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a nebulizer orientation apparatus  200 . The apparatus  200  is for interposition between a nebulizer and an inhalation mask for mouthpiece) (as shown in  FIG. 16 ) when providing a drug to a patient via inhalation. 
     The apparatus  200  comprises a swivel joint  212  having extending from opposite ends thereof first and second straight hollow bodies  214 ,  216 , respectively. The first straight hollow body  214  is weighted relative to the second straight hollow body  216  by attaching to the first hollow body a weight means in the forms of a strap  218 . 
     In use, the weight of the first hollow body  214  facilitates displacement thereof under force of gravity relative to the second hollow body  216 . 
     The swivel joint  212  is shown to comprise a ball and socket arrangement, wherein the socket defines therethrough an aperture and is provided as a female frusto-spherical member  220 , and wherein the ball may be provided as a complementarily shaped and dimensioned male frusto-spherical member  222  defining therein a cavity  223  such that the male and female members matingly engage to provide a flow path (indicated by headed arrows) from the first hollow body  214  through the swivel joint  212  and out through the second hollow body  216 . In  FIG. 11 , the cavity  223  is spanned by two arches  225 ,  227  crossing at a midway point. It is to be understood that the arches  225 ,  227  are illustrative only, and do not form an essential component of the apparatus  200 . 
     In the illustrated example embodiments of  FIGS. 10 to 13 , the female frusto-spherical member  220  of the swivel joint  212  is attached to the second hollow body  216 , and the complementarily shaped and dimensioned male frusto-spherical member  222  of the swivel joint  212  is attached to the first hollow body  214 . It is to be understood that the female frusto-spherical member  220  of the swivel joint  212  may alternatively be attached to the first hollow body  214 , and the complementarily shaped and dimensioned male frusto-spherical member  222  of the swivel joint  212  may be attached to the second hollow body  216  without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     In  FIGS. 10 to 13 , the first hollow body  214  is weighted by providing there around a strap  218 . It is to be understood that the additional weight of the first hollow member  214  may be provided by manufacturing the first hollow member  214  from a heavier material relative to the second hollow body  216 . This is not illustrated. 
     Alternatively, the first and second hollow bodies  214 ,  216  may be manufactured from substantially the same material, and the first hollow body  214  may weighted by being greater in length relative to the second hollow body  216 , so as to provide the first hollow body  214  with a greater mass relative to the second hollow body  216 . This is not illustrated. 
     It is further to be understood that the weight means may be integrally formed with the first hollow body  214 . In a particular example of the first embodiment of this disclosure the weight means may be a thickening of a portion of a sidewall providing the first hollow body  214  (not shown). 
     The swivel joint  212  is shown to include a securing means  224  to ensure that the male frusto-spherical member  222  remains matingly engaged inside the female frusto-spherical member  220  whilst still facilitating swiveled displacement and/or pivotal displacement relative to each other. 
     The securing means  224  comprises a first flange  226  extending radially outwardly away from a periphery which defines an open mouth  228  of the female frusto-spherical member  220 . The securing means  224  further comprises a second corresponding flange  230  for securement to the first flange  226 , the second corresponding flange  230  having depending downwardly away therefrom a frusto-spherical side wall  232 . The second flange  230  and sidewall  232  are together provided as a ring  234 . The first and second flanges  226 ,  230  have oppositely located flat near circular faces to allow for operative abutment in use. 
     The ring  234  is locatable over the first body  214  when the male member  222  is matingly engaged with the female member  220  to secure the second flange  230  against the first flange  226  such that the frusto-spherical sidewall  232  prevents disengagement of the frusto-spherical male member  222  from the female frusto-spherical member  220 . 
     The first and second flange  226 ,  230 . may be joined in securing abutment through various means, for example, glue. In a certain embodiment, the first and second flanges  226 ,  230  may be spaced by a rubber ring. 
     It is to be understood that the swivel joint  212  may provide a seal in order to ensure all aerosol or mist travels through the flow path toward the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece) without escaping through the swivel joint  212 . In certain embodiments the swivel joint  212  does not to provide a seal in order to substantially equalize pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. 
     The third embodiment of the nebulizer orientation apparatus  200  is shown in use on a patient  300  in  FIG. 16 . 
     In  FIGS. 14-16  the nebulizer orientation apparatus  10 ,  100 ,  200  is located between a nebulizer  302  and an inhalation mask (or mouthpiece)  304 . The inhalation mask (or mouthpiece)  304  is attached to the apparatus  10 ,  100 ,  200  via a substantially flexible tube  306  typically manufactured from a medical grade plastics material. The nebulizer  302  is attached to the apparatus  10 ,  100 ,  200  via a connector means  308 . The connector means  308  means may be flexible. The flexible tube  306  and/or the connector means  308  may each or both be provided as plastics tubing being reinforced with a metallic coil, or a series of metallic rings. The coil and/or rings may be embedded within a plastics material forming the tubing. Additionally, or alternatively, the flexible tube and/or connector means  308  may each or both be provided as expandable tubing. Typically, expandable tubing is provided with corrugations along its length. 
     The first and second straight hollow bodies facilitate ensuring that drug entrained aerosol or mist remains in an aerosolized and/or atomized form when in use. 
     In accordance with a fourth embodiment of this disclosure there is provided a method of nebulizing a patient utilizing the nebulizer orientation apparatus  10 ,  100 ,  200 , described in the first, second and/or third embodiments of the disclosure herein above. The method is not specifically illustrated but is exemplified and/or described here below. 
     The method comprises the following steps:
         connecting a nebulizer  302  containing drug entrained solution  347  therein to the first hollow body  14 ,  114 ,  214 ;   connecting the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece)  304  to the second hollow body  16 ,  116 ,  216 , preferably via a first tube  306 ;   placing the inhalation mask (or mouthpiece)  304  about an oral and/or nasal cavity of the patient  300 ;   actuating the nebulizer  302 , in so doing,       

     allowing the drug entrained solution  347  to aerosolize and/or atomize into a drug entrained aerosol or mist through an aerosol or mist forming means  345 . 
     The drug entrained aerosol or mist travels through the flow path (indicated by headed arrows in the figures) flowing through the joint means  12 ,  112 ,  212  into and through the second hollow body  16 ,  116 ,  216 , through the inhalation means (or mouthpiece)  304  and into the oral and/or nasal cavity of the patient  300 . 
     The aerosol or mist forming means  345  is typically a nozzle found in standard nebulizers. Preferably, the nozzle may taper from a first orifice which in use receives drug entrained solution and gas to an opposite spray orifice from which the aerosol or mist is dispensed (this is not shown in detail in the figures). 
     The Applicant has found that the first and second straight hollow bodies  14 ,  16  ( 114 ,  116 ) ( 214 ,  216 ) provide a flow path through the apparatus  10 ,  100 ,  200  that is substantially unobstructed hindering condensation of aerosol or mist, and that the weighted first straight hollow member  14 ,  114 ,  214  enables the aerosol or mist forming means (typically the nozzle) of the nebulizer  302  to remain substantially vertical relative to the ground, and in so doing, ensuring proper nebulization or aerosol or mist formation from the drug entrained solution  347 . 
     While the disclosure has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments and/or examples thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be assessed as that of the claims and any equivalents thereto, which claims are appended hereto.