Abstract:
A pneumatic inhaler that is able to deliver a controlled burst or dose of aerosol from a reservoir of liquid or powder medication. A supersonic jet of gas is emitted from a nozzle and shock waves are developed in the jet. In one embodiment the supersonic jet is directed into a shock chamber. Liquid or micronized powder material is introduced into the supersonic jet to form an aerosol. In one embodiment, smaller aerosol particles are separated from larger aerosol particles with a separator. In another embodiment, the produced aerosol is contained in an aerosol storage chamber prior to inhalation by the users.
Abstract:
A pneumatic nebulizer that produces a high volume of aerosols for inhalent delivery of medications and other constituencies. High pressure gas formed into a gas jet is passed through a thin choked region of fluid that is entrailed and impinged upon an aerosol amplifier which creates a spray whose aerosol components are directed up through vents to an aerosol outlet for delivery. Larger-sized liquid particles are caused to pool up in a region surrounding the aerosol amplifer and then drip down back into the liquid medication reservoir.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed generally to a nebulizer for the formation of micro-droplets from liquid medicaments for respiratory patient treatment, and more specifically, to a baffled nebulizer wherein a static baffle used to form an atomized medicament is proximal to a shied which responds to patient respiration force to oscillate from an aerosol flow occluding position to an aerosol flow open position. During inhalation, the shield moves into a first registration format to allow passage of the atomized medicament (nebula) to the patient. During exhalation/non-use, a biasing pressure maintains said shield in a second registration format such that the nebula is retarded from passing to the patient and is coalesced into macro-droplets which return to a supply reservoir for re-atomization. The present nebulizer design is particularly adaptable for controlling atomization in response to patient respiratory forces exceeding a defined threshold; allowing for opportunity to control inhalation airflow and enhanced therapy regimes.
Abstract:
An inhalation therapy device includes a collapsible aerosol storage bag (7) having an opening which connects to the end of a dual port member, one port (8) of which is in fluid communication with a nebulizer. During patient exhalation the aerosol storage bag becomes partially inflated with exhaled gas during the first part of exhalation. The laminar coherent aerosol jet exits the dual port member and remains coherent until reaching the end of the aerosol storage bag, at which time it diverges and expels all exhaled gas from the aerosol storage bag, thus filling the aerosol storage bag with aerosol. All escaping gas exits the aerosol storage bag via the remaining port (9) of the dual port member, where it escapes into the ambient environment through the ambient port. The remaining dual port of the dual port member, in addition to providing means for escaping gas from the aerosol storage bag, is also in fluid communication with the ambient port and the mouthpiece (1). Upon inhalation, the patient inhales the aerosol within the aerosol storage bag, the aerosol produced by the nebulizer during inhalation, and ambient air through the ambient port. The cycle is than repeated indefinitely.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for finite control and regulation of patient intrathoracic pressures, and more specifically, to devices and methods that finitely regulates a patient's intrathoracic pressures during repeated cycling events (i.e. respiration) by use of a cross-seal vent valve to form transient pressure windows. The cross-seal vent valve is biased against the pressure necessary to evacuate and/or inflate the lungs of that patient, while a controlled venting of that pressure by at least a partial volume thereof allows for controlled resetting of the baseline pressure to anatomical norms. This enhanced means for regulating intrathoracic pressure are applicable in a number of medically important therapies, including but not limited to, conditioning of pulmonary systems for acclimation to altered environmental conditions, reconditioning of pulmonary system after operating in a diminished state, and application in cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures.
Abstract:
The present invention pertains generally to a detection means for indicia provided by a primary device, and more particularly, to a detection sensor assembly adapted to measure at least one indicator moiety influenced by changing gaseous environments. A detection sensor assembly performs to collect and respond to changing gaseous environments in real-time, conveying that information to a user of the detection sensor assembly sufficiently quickly and accurately such that the user can respond to the changing gaseous environments in a timely manner. The detection sensor assembly operates using an incident receiver in the form of an indicator sensor. An indicator moiety responsive to particular elements or compounds of interest in a gaseous environment is positioned proximal to the indicator sensor such that changes in the indicator moiety are captured by operation of the indicator sensor.
Abstract:
A dual area pressure pulmonary modulator apparatus which provides constant flow, pressure cycled ventilatory support to patients. The pressure pulmonary modulator apparatus opens at a selected pressure and shuts at a substantially lower pressure. The pressure pulmonary modulator apparatus can be incorporated into an automatic resuscitator suited for providing ventilatory support during resuscitation and/or transport of patients. The automatic resuscitator may be combined with a nebulizer to serve as a positive pressure aerosol therapy device. The pressure pulmonary modulator apparatus can also be incorporated into a percussive therapy device used for the mobilization of mucus in patients. The pressure pulmonary modulator apparatus may be made almost entirely of injection molded plastic and is inexpensive, portable and disposable.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed generally to a first aid treatment package the contents of which can be mixed with available water to create a solution useful for the treatment of wounds, and more specifically, a first aid treatment package the contents of which include a adduct of hydrogen peroxide which when mixed with available water create a hydrogen peroxide solution for the first aid treatment of wounds in remote locations or under circumstances when normal community resources are unavailable.
Abstract:
The present invention pertains generally to colorimetric indicia provided by a primary device, and more particularly, to at least one indicator moiety influenced by changing environments wherein the indicator moiety exhibits a rapid initial response and a protracted transient time for visualization by an operator. As compared to heretofore colorimetric indicator technologies, the present invention allows for improved accuracy of data interpretation by direct visual capture of changing environments with shorter duration transients.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed generally to a nebulizer for the formation of micro-droplets from liquid medicaments for respiratory patient treatment, and more specifically, to a baffled nebulizer wherein a static baffle used to form an atomized medicament is proximal to a shied which responds to patient respiration force to oscillate from an aerosol flow occluding position to an aerosol flow open position. During inhalation, the shield moves into a first registration format to allow passage of the atomized medicament (nebula) to the patient. During exhalation/non-use, a biasing pressure maintains said shield in a second registration format such that the nebula is retarded from passing to the patient and is coalesced into macro-droplets which return to a supply reservoir for re-atomization. The present nebulizer design is particularly adaptable for controlling atomization in response to patient respiratory forces exceeding a defined threshold; allowing for opportunity to control inhalation airflow and enhanced therapy regimes.