Abstract:
An aerosol generator (100) has a vibratable plate (1) with apertures therein and an annular piezo (2) which causes movement of the vibratable plate (1). An annular support member (3) supports the piezo (2) and the vibratable plate (1). A first electrical power conducting pin (10) engages directly with a first, top, surface of the piezo (2). A second electrical power conducting pin (11) indirectly conducts electrical power to a second surface of the piezo (2), by contacting an extension tab (103) of the support member (20), also on its top side. There is a film of cured epoxy adhesive on the tab (103), providing excellent gripping force between the pin (11) and the support (3). The aerosol generator (100) avoids need for soldered joints for electrical contact, and the pins are conveniently mounted parallel to each on the on the same lateral and top side of the piezo and support member. The pins may have multi-point tips (50) for particularly effective electrical contact.
Abstract:
A high flow nasal therapy system (1) has a gas supply (2), a nebulizer (12), and a nasal interface (7). There are two branches (11, 10) and a valve (6) linked with the controller, the branches including a first branch (11) for delivery of aerosol and a second branch (10) for delivery of non-aerosolized gas. The controller controls delivery into the branches (11, 10), in which flow is unidirectional in the first and second branches, from the gas supply towards the nasal interface. The first branch (11) includes the nebulizer (12) and a line configured to store a bolus of aerosol during flow through the second branch (10). The valve (6) comprises a Y-junction between the gas inlet on one side and the branches on the other side.
Abstract:
A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.
Abstract:
A nebulizer (1) comprises a controller (2) linked at its output to a vibrating mesh nebulizer head (3), and at its input to a USB cable 5 and plug (4) for connection to a host system. The link between the plug (4) and the controller (2) is a USB cable (5) with power and data channels. The controller (2) comprises a boost circuit (10), a micro-controller (11), and a drive circuit (12). The latter provides power and control signals via a cable (6) and plug (7) to the head (3). These signals provide power and control for a vibrating membrane receiving a liquid to be aerosolised.The controller (2) has a housing (25) with LED status lamps (30), and an ON/OFF button (32). The controller (2) can be controlled via a host, either locally or remotely.
Abstract:
A dispensing apparatus is for use by users to take a chamber, fill the chamber with an aerosolized vaccine or other medicament, and dispose of used chambers. A display provides instructions to encourage prompt inhalation by the user from a dispensed and filled chamber. The apparatus allows very fast administration of vaccines to large numbers of people. The aerosol dispenser apparatus detects the chamber is in correct position and delivers a pre-determined dose of aerosol. Once the dose is delivered a visual and/or audible indicator informs the user that the chamber is filled and that they can take the inhalation. The single dose aerosol chamber is optimized for efficient administration of an aerosol.
Abstract:
A high flow nasal therapy system (1) has a gas supply (2), a nebulizer (12), and a nasal interface (7). There are two branches (11, 10) and a valve (6) linked with the controller, the branches including a first branch (11) for delivery of aerosol and a second branch (10) for delivery of non-aerosolized gas. The controller controls delivery into the branches (11, 10), in which flow is unidirectional in the first and second branches, from the gas supply towards the nasal interface. The first branch (11) includes the nebulizer (12) and a line configured to store a bolus of aerosol during flow through the second branch (10). The valve (6) comprises a Y-junction between the gas inlet on one side and the branches on the other side.
Abstract:
An aerosol generator (100) has a vibratable plate (1) with apertures therein and an annular piezo (2) which causes movement of the vibratable plate (1). An annular support member (3) supports the piezo (2) and the vibratable plate (1). A first electrical power conducting pin (10) engages directly with a first, top, surface of the piezo (2). A second electrical power conducting pin (11) indirectly conducts electrical power to a second surface of the piezo (2), by contacting an extension tab (103) of the support member (20), also on its top side. There is a film of cured epoxy adhesive on the tab (103), providing excellent gripping force between the pin (11) and the support (3). The aerosol generator (100) avoids need for soldered joints for electrical contact, and the pins are conveniently mounted parallel to each on the same lateral and top side of the piezo and support member. The pins may have multi-point tips (50) for particularly effective electrical contact.
Abstract:
A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.
Abstract:
A nebulizer has an aerosol generator mounted in a housing, and has a vibratable aperture plate mounted to an annular support and to which is attached a vibration generator piezo. A downstream annular resilient seal is mounted between the housing and the washer on a side of the aperture plate opposed to the liquid supply reservoir. An upstream resilient seal is in the form of a gasket and is mounted between the washer and the housing reservoir, and has an opening forming part of a throat over the aperture plate. The gasket has a washer-shaped body extending radially from a downstream-extending rim adjacent the aperture plate. There are two upwardly-directed ridges for engagement with a housing surface, and the gasket is configured so that when under axial compression the opening internal surface is tapered inwardly in a flow direction to form a funnel shape.
Abstract:
A nebuliser control device has a manually adjustable user interface and a cable extending from the interface to a power source, and a cable extending from the interface to an aerosol generator. The interface is manually adjustable by physical movement of an actuator such a slider or a rotating knob to locally control the operation of the aerosol generator.