Continuous flow adaptor for a nebulizer

US5503139A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Michael D. McMahon · Lake Forest Park, US
• Andre M. Rustad · Etiwanda, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 2, 1994
• Grant date: Apr 2, 1996
• Expiry date: Feb 2, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M16/16
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A nebulizer (10) has a nebulizer top (12) defining an aerosol outlet (66) and a reservoir bottom (14) defining a liquid reservoir (21) and a threaded connection (38,68) between the reservoir bottom (14) and the nebulizer top (12). A nebulizing structure (24,46) within the nebulizer provides an aerosol to the aerosol outlet (66). A continuous flow adaptor (16) for the nebulizer has a side wall (90) with first and second open ends (94,100) defining a spacer interior. An orifice (116) in the side wall (90) of the adaptor (16) allows for fluid communication with the adaptor (16) interior from outside of the adaptor (16). A luer connector (118) is provided on the side wall (90) of the adaptor (16) for connecting the orifice (116) in fluid tight communication with a fluid supply. The adaptor (16) includes threads (92,98) proximate the first and second open ends (24,100) for cooperatively engaging the threaded portions (38,68) of the reservoir top (12) and reservoir bottom (14).