Surgery – Liquid medicament atomizer or sprayer – Spray impinged against baffle in or adjacent flow conduit
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-07
2001-01-23
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Liquid medicament atomizer or sprayer
Spray impinged against baffle in or adjacent flow conduit
C128S200140, C128S200210, C128S203120, C128S207140, C128S863000, C137S843000, C137S844000, C137S845000, C137S849000, C239S338000, C239S370000, C222S490000, C222S491000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176234
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED ART
Our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,285, the entire contends of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a nebulizer with a mouthpiece having a flap valve
124
shown in
FIG. 3
of the patent which is reproduced here as FIG. A. When the patient exhales into the mouthpiece
126
the air pressure causes the flap
124
to open and let the exhaust air out of the mouthpiece.
This early design, while operational and commercially effective, is not optimal. Since the flap valve
124
is in the path of the incoming inspiration mist, there is the possibility that the mist under sufficient pressure can cause the flap to slightly open such that some of the mist will leave the mouthpiece in the form of rainout before it reaches the patient. When the patient exhales, there is no structure to direct the exhaust flow against the valve or increase back pressure to assist the valve opening. The valve only opens when the exhaust gas back pressure reaches a certain level. The flap valve is made of a stiff yet flexible material and thus it will inherently have some resistance to open at vary low pressures. If any rainout accumulates on the external surface of the flap valve, it is also difficult for the liquid material to flow back into the mouthpiece. The inner peripheral surface of the flap may stick to the overlapping external surface of the mouthpiece when the inner surface of the flap is wet.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece exhalation valve for a nebulizer or breathing circuit containing a nebulizer where the design of the internal passageway contains an offset which causes the inspiration mist flow to bypass the exhaust valve without infringement.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where a deflector aids in the flow control on inspiration so as to further deflect away the inspiration mist from the exhaust valve.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where a deflector is utilized to directing the exhaust flow on expiration through the exhaust valve.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where the exhaust valve is a valve disc with radial cuts to form leaves which open upon exhalation.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where the exhaust value is in the form of a disc with leaves that have peripheral arcuate cuts at the root of leaves to reduce stiffness and facilitate their opening.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer with an exhaust value in the form of a disc which opens and where the disc is maintained in a disc housing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where an exhaust disc valve is maintained in a disc housing by a removable press fitted retainer ring which allows for removal of the valve disc for cleaning.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where the retainer ring for the disc housing has external bumps or projections for better finger gripping to aid in its removal.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer with an exhaust valve in the form of a disc valve having cuts so that any accumulation of fluid on external surface will be able to be sucked back inside during the inspiration cycle so as to minimize external buildup of liquid.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where the exhaust value is in the form a disc valve positioned on support grille arms which have narrow top surfaces to minimize sticking of the valve elements to the support arms upon exhalation.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer where the mouthpiece has an oval shaped mouth end that is anatomical so as to better fit in the patents' mouth.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer which is easier to produce because both the mouth end and the nebulizer connecting end have straight-pull core pieces which facilitate easy construction of the mold die.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved mouthpiece for a nebulizer.
These and further objects of the invention will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.
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Chua James
Kazal Duane D.
McGann Laurence
Salter Peter W.
Van Horn Walter
Davis and Bujold
Salter Labs
Weiss John G.
Weiss, Jr. Joseph F.
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