Patent ID: 11648367

Abstract:
A nebulizer device aerosolizes (or vaporizes) liquid drawn from a liquid reservoir via a fluid flow path into a nebulization chamber. An inlet port is coupled to an external air supply and leads through a check valve and Venturi nozzle (e.g. a duckbill valve) into the chamber to direct an air stream across an opening of the fluid flow path. A discharge port leads from the chamber to a user mask, mouthpiece or canula, where the aerosol or vapor mixture can be inhaled. A filtered outlet port isolates exhaled material from the external environment. Multiple discrete heating elements may be placed around the fluid flow path to preheat the liquid. If the liquid is sufficiently volatile, heating may vaporize the material which can condense back into an aerosol after mixing with the air stream. A set of check valves direct one-way fluid flow and prevent leakage or spillage of material from the device.