Patent Application
20080110453
The present invention relates to a nebulizer and methods for controlling the nebulizer.
Nebulizer have been utilized to atomize a liquid. However, when utilized in a medical environment to atomize a medicinal liquid for inhalation by a person, the nebulizer continuously emits atomized liquid which can result in a substantial amount of the atomized liquid not being inhaled by a person.
Accordingly, the inventors herein have recognized a need for an improved nebulizer that minimizes and/or eliminates the above-mentioned deficiency.
A nebulizer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The nebulizer includes a housing having a reservoir and a chamber. The reservoir is configured to hold a liquid therein. The chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir and receiving the fluid from the reservoir. The nebulizer further includes a piezo-electric device configured to generate liquid pressure wave pulses in the chamber when the piezo-electric device is activated. The nebulizer further includes a meshed screen disposed proximate the chamber. The nebulizer further includes a sensor configured to generate a first signal indicating whether a person is inhaling proximate the housing. The nebulizer further includes a microprocessor operably associated with the sensor and the piezo-electric device. The microprocessor is configured to activate the piezo-electric device when the first signal indicates the person is inhaling, such that the liquid pressure wave pulses contact the meshed screen and the liquid is atomized as the liquid propagates through the meshed screen.
A method for controlling a nebulizer in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The nebulizer has a housing with a chamber containing a liquid therein. The nebulizer further includes a piezo-electric device configured to generate liquid pressure wave pulses in the chamber when the piezo-electric device is activated. The nebulizer further includes a meshed screen disposed proximate the chamber. The nebulizer further includes a sensor. The nebulizer further includes a microprocessor operably associated with the sensor and the piezo-electric device. The method includes generating a first signal indicating whether a person is inhaling utilizing the sensor. The method further includes receiving the first signal at the microprocessor. The method further includes activating the piezo-electric device to generate liquid pressure wave pulses in the chamber when the first signal indicates the person is inhaling, utilizing the microprocessor, such that the liquid pressure wave pulses contact the meshed screen and the liquid is atomized as the liquid propagates through the meshed screen.
Referring to
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The top housing portion 14 is coupled to the bottom housing portion 16 utilizing coupling devices such as bolts for example. Of course, in alternative embodiments other fastening means such as weld joints or glue could be utilized to couple the top housing portion 14 to the bottom housing portion 16. The top housing portion 14 is constructed from an injection molded plastic. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, the top housing portion 14 could be constructed from other materials such as stainless steel for example. The top housing portion 14 has a reservoir 50 for holding a liquid therein. Further, the top housing portion 14 has a receiving region 56 for receiving the nozzle portion 32 therein. Further, the top housing a portion 14 has a receiving region 52 communicating with both the reservoir 50 and the receiving region 56. The receiving region 52 is configured to receive the coupling plates 20, 22 and the piezo-electric device 18 therein. A chamber 54 is defined between the coupling plate 20 and the nozzle portion 32, that is in fluid communication with the reservoir 50. The chamber 54 receives liquid from the reservoir 50.
The bottom housing portion 16 is provided to enclose the microprocessor 36, the switch 38 and the battery 40 therein. The bottom housing portion 16 is constructed from an injection molded plastic. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, the bottom housing portion 16 could be constructed from other materials such as stainless steel for example.
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the body portion 76 is generally tubular shaped. The offset end portion 70 is disposed on a first end of the body portion 76. The offset end portion 70 is configured to be disposed in the receiving region 56 on the coupling plate 20. The offset end portion 70 includes an aperture extending therethrough. Further, the meshed screen 72 is disposed in the aperture of the offset end portion 70. In one exemplary embodiment, the meshed screen 72 is a substantially flat member having a thickness of approximately 25-100 microns and a plurality of apertures each having a size of approximately 1-3 microns. Of course, other thickness and aperture sizes can be utilized to meet particular operational characteristics. During operation, when liquid pressure wave pulses contact the meshed screen 72, the liquid is atomized as the liquid propagates through the meshed screen 72.
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At step 90, the pressure sensor 74 disposed proximate the meshed screen 72 of the nebulizer 10 iteratively generates a pressure signal indicative of a pressure level of air proximate the meshed screen 72 that is received by the microprocessor 36.
At step 92, the microprocessor 36 receives the pressure signal and makes a determination as to whether the pressure signal indicates that the pressure level is less than or equal to a threshold pressure level, indicative of a person inhaling If the value of step 92 equals “yes”, the method of advances to step 94. Otherwise, the method returns to step 90.
At step 94, the microprocessor 36 of the nebulizer 10 generates a first control signal to activate the piezo-electric device 18 to generate liquid pressure wave pulses in the chamber 54 of the nebulizer 10, such that the liquid pressure wave pulses contact the meshed screen and the liquid is atomized as the liquid propagates through the meshed screen 72.
At step 96, the microprocessor 36 of the nebulizer 10 generates a second control signal to de-activate the piezo-electric device 18 when a predetermined time interval has elapsed after the piezo-electric device 18 is activated. After step 96, the method returns to step 90. In an alternative embodiment, the step 96 can be replaced by another step wherein the microprocessor 36 generates a second control signal to de-activate the piezo-electric device 18 when the pressure signal indicates a pressure level greater than the threshold pressure level.
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At step 100, the flow rate sensor 75 disposed proximate the meshed screen 72 of the nebulizer 10 iteratively generates a flow rate signal indicative of a flow rate of air proximate the meshed screen 72 that is received by the microprocessor 36.
At step 102, the microprocessor 36 receives the flow rate signal and makes a determination as to whether the flow rate signal indicates that the flow rate is greater than or equal to a threshold flow rate, indicative of a person inhaling. If the value of step 102 equals “yes”, the method advances to step 104. Otherwise, the method returns to step 100.
At step 104, the microprocessor 36 of the nebulizer 10 generates a first control signal to activate the piezo-electric device 18 to generate liquid pressure wave pulses in the chamber 54 of the nebulizer 10, such that the liquid pressure wave pulses contact the meshed screen 72 and the liquid is atomized as the liquid propagates through the meshed screen 72.
At step 106, the microprocessor 36 of the nebulizer 10 generates a second control signal to de-activate the piezo-electric device 36 when a predetermined time interval has elapsed after the piezo-electric device 36 is activated. After step 106, the method returns to step 100.
The nebulizer and the methods of controlling the nebulizer provide a substantial advantage over other nebulizers and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the nebulizer 10 provides a technical affect of activating a piezo-electric device to atomize liquid only when a pressure level is less than or equal to a threshold pressure level, indicating that an operator is inhaling. Thus, a substantial portion of the atomize liquid is inhaled by a person, instead of being expelled into the environment and unused by the person.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present application.
