초록 ▼

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and a first source of a pressurized first gas controls delivery of the first gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales and comprises a supply valve and a sensing valve. The

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and a first source of a pressurized first gas controls delivery of the first gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales and comprises a supply valve and a sensing valve. The supply valve has a first interior chamber divided by a flexible first diaphragm into a supply chamber region and a control chamber region. The supply chamber region is in interruptible fluid communication between the first source of the first gas and the recipient. The control chamber region is in continuous fluid communication with a second source of a pressurized second gas. The sensing valve has a second interior chamber divided by a flexible second diaphragm into a venting chamber region and a sensing chamber region. The venting chamber region is in interruptible fluid communication between the control chamber region and an ambient air environment. The sensing chamber region is in continuous fluid communication with the recipient. When the recipient inhales, the second diaphragm moves to a flow-causing position to cause the second gas to flow into the ambient air environment and causes the first diaphragm to move to a flow-supplying position thereby delivering the first gas to the recipient. When the recipient exhales, the second diaphragm moves to a flow-stopping position to prevent the second gas to flow into the ambient air environment and causes the first diaphragm to move to a flow-blocking position thereby preventing delivery of the first gas to the recipient.

대표청구항 ▼

In combination with a nebulizer for producing a medicament-containing aerosol and a source of pressurized gas, an intermittent gas delivery device disposed between and in intermittent fluid communication with the nebulizer and the source of pressurized gas, comprising: (a) a regulator mechanism in c

In combination with a nebulizer for producing a medicament-containing aerosol and a source of pressurized gas, an intermittent gas delivery device disposed between and in intermittent fluid communication with the nebulizer and the source of pressurized gas, comprising: (a) a regulator mechanism in continuous fluid communication with and disposed downstream of the source of pressurized gas; (b) a bolus chamber structure defining a bolus chamber therein and disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with said regulator mechanism; (c) a supply orifice element having a supply orifice formed therethrough, said supply orifice element disposed between said regulator mechanism and said bolus chamber, said supply orifice providing fluid communication between said regulator mechanism and said bolus chamber; and (d) a supply valve in downstream fluid communication with said supply orifice and operative to move between a flow-blocking position whereby the pressurized gas is prevented from flowing from the source to the nebulizer and a flow-supplying position whereby the pressurized gas flows from the source to the nebulizer such that a high flow pulse of pressurized gas first generates a fine-mist plume of the medicament-containing aerosol in the nebulizer and subsequently a steady state flow of pressurized gas continues to produce the fine-mist plume of the medicament-containing aerosol in the nebulizer until said supply valves moves to the flow-blocking position.