Patent ID: 8882085

Claim:
A micro atomizer for use with a source of pressurized carrier gas and a source of liquid to be aerosolized, comprising: a body having a gas inlet orifice for connection to the source of pressurized carrier gas, a liquid inlet orifice for connection to the source of liquid to be aerosolized, and an outlet orifice wherein said liquid inlet orifice and said outlet orifice are aligned along a common centerline running through said body; a liquid inlet fitting attachable to said liquid inlet orifice of said body; a liquid channel in the shape of a thick-wall tube having inlet and outlet ends wherein said outlet end comprises a substantially flat top and wherein said inlet end is attachable to said liquid inlet fitting such that said inlet end of said liquid channel is in communication with said inlet orifice for connection to the source of liquid to be aerosolized and said outlet end is held substantially along the centerline of said outlet orifice of said body; an outlet fitting attachable to said outlet orifice of said body having a gas channel in communication with said gas inlet orifice of said body and having a tube-channel orifice for housing said liquid channel; a cap having an aerosol outlet orifice and an internal and external surface; and a cap fitting for securing said cap to said outlet fitting such that the centerline of the cap is in alignment with said common centerline running through said body whereby a liquid-gas contact space is formed by the internal surface of said cap and the substantially flat top of said outlet end of the liquid channel; and wherein said pressurized carrier gas and said liquid to be aerosolized are allowed to come into contact within said liquid-gas contact space to produce aerosolized liquid particles.