Patent · US Expired

Mouthpiece for a nebulizer

US6176234A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
23References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 1998
Grant dateJan 23, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7885
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A mouth piece exhalation valve for a nebulizer or breathing circuit. The nebulizer has an internal passageway containing an offset causing an inspiration mist flow to bypass the exhaust valve without impingement. The offset includes a deflector which aids in the deflection of the inspiration mist flow away from the exhaust valve. The deflector is also utilized for directing the exhaust flow upon expiration by a patient through the exhaust valve. The exhaust valve design includes a flap or disc having leaves formed by peripheral arcuate cuts to facilitate the opening and the closing of the leafs in accordance with the expiration and inhalation of a patient respectively. The cuts also aid in the re-introduction of any accumulation of fluid on the external surface of the disc and valve back into the inspirational cycle so as to minimize any external buildup of fluid.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.