Patent · US Expired

Method and a device for producing a fine homogeneous aerosol

US6223745A · kind A · utility

66Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 1999
Grant dateMay 1, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 20, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2209/084
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A nebulizer and method for forming a finely atomized aerosol are provided. A first aerosol is formed by passing a gas jet across the mouth of a liquid channel that communicates with a liquid reservoir. The first aerosol then strikes a stop surface and is converted into a second, more finely atomized aerosol. The second aerosol impacts a buffer plate. The larger liquid particles in the second aerosol strike the plate and are either broken up or returned to the liquid reservoir. The smaller particles follow a labyrinthine path through at least one slit-shaped passage in the buffer plate, in the process forming a third, final aerosol. Selection of the passage size allows control of the particle size distribution of the third, final aerosol.

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