US3561444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic drug nebulizer
Assignee: Bio Logics Inc
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Filing: 1968-05-22
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1988-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic drug nebulizer for forming droplets from a medicated solution and emitting the same into the surrounding atmosphere having a receptacle with a base and walls to form a liquid containing chamber, a truncated conical cup for containing the medicated solution removably mounted in the upper portion of the receptacle so that its smaller base is below its larger base, the smaller base being closed and the larger base being open, a dome containing an inner, vertically disposed, column and an outer, vertically disposed, column surrounding the inner, vertically disposed, column removably mounted to the receptacle above the truncated conical cup, the inner, vertically disposed, column and the outer, vertically disposed, column both being open at the bottoms thereof, the outer, vertically disposed, column having an opening therein adjacent the top thereof, a transducer mounted in the base of the receptacle, gas flow regulating means in the top of the inner, vertically disposed, column, means for exciting the transducer at an ultrasonic rate such that a geyser is formed from the medicated solution in the truncated conical cup, and means for introducing gas into the inner, vertically disposed, column through the gas flow regulating means in the top thereof so that there is a pressure difference between the gas in the column and the ambient atmosphere to thereby sweep the mist of the geyser into the outer, vertically disposed, column to be discharged through the opening therein, the flow rate of the gas introduced into the inner column controlling the size of the liquid droplets which are so discharged from the column.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Marcel Gut Eoucher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:34
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05B17/06; B05B17/0607; B05B17/0653; B05B17/0661; A; A61; A61M; A61M11/00; A61M11/001; A61M11/005; A61M15/00; A61M15/0085; B05B17/0615; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/48; Y10S261/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
An ultrasonic drug nebulizer for forming a mist from a medicated solution and emitting the same into the surrounding atmosphere comprising: a receptacle having a base with a sealed opening therein and walls to form a liquid containing Chamber; a truncated conical cup for containing the medicated solution in isolated relation to any source of solution, the cup being removably mounted to the walls intermediate the length thereof substantially in sealed relation so that the base of the receptacle is below the base of the cup, the base of the cup being closed; a dome containing an inner, vertically disposed, unobstructed influent column and an outer, vertically disposed, effluent column surrounding the inner column, the dome being removably mounted to the receptacle above the truncated conical cup, the sealed opening, the base of the cup and the inner column being in vertical alignment; the inner column and the outer column both being fully open at the bottom thereof, the outer column having an effluent opening therein adjacent the top thereof; gas flow regulating means in the top of the inner column; a transducer mounted at the base of the receptacle so as to cover the opening in sealed relation; means for exciting the transducer at an ultrasonic rate such at that a geyser is formed from the medicated solution in the truncated conical cup, said means for exciting being arranged such that, the geyser extends upward in alignment with the inner influent column; and means for introducing gas at a pressure above ambient pressure into the inner column through the gas flow regulating means in the top thereof to impinge directly on the geyser and thereby force the mist of the geyser into the outer column to be discharged through the effluent opening therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
An ultrasonic drug nebulizer for forming a mist from a medicated solution and emitting the same into the surrounding atmosphere comprising: a receptacle having a base with a sealed opening therein and walls to form a liquid containing Chamber; a truncated conical cup for containing the medicated solution in isolated relation to any source of solution, the cup being removably mounted to the walls intermediate the length thereof substantially in sealed relation so that the base of the receptacle is below the base of the cup, the base of the cup being closed; a dome containing an inner, vertically disposed, unobstructed influent column and an outer, vertically disposed, effluent column surrounding the inner column, the dome being removably mounted to the receptacle above the truncated conical cup, the sealed opening, the base of the cup and the inner column being in vertical alignment; the inner column and the outer column both being fully open at the bottom thereof, the outer column having an effluent opening therein adjacent the top thereof; gas flow regulating means in the top of the inner column; a transducer mounted at the base of the receptacle so as to cover the opening in sealed relation; means for exciting the transducer at an ultrasonic rate such at that a geyser is formed from the medicated solution in the truncated conical cup, said means for exciting being arranged such that, the geyser extends upward in alignment with the inner influent column; and means for introducing gas at a pressure above ambient pressure into the inner column through the gas flow regulating means in the top thereof to impinge directly on the geyser and thereby force the mist of the geyser into the outer column to be discharged through the effluent opening therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the dome is formed of transparent material such as a polycarbonate resin which is stable at sterilization temperatures and through which the geyser formed from the medicated solution may be observed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the truncated conical cup is formed of a material such as a polycarbonate resin which is stable at sterilization temperatures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the base of the truncated conical cup is thinner than the walls thereof so that maximum ultrasonic energy is transmitted from the transducer through the liquid to the medicated solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein: the gas flow regulating means is a valve; and the means for introducing gas into the inner column comprises: a blower; and a pipe connecting the blower to the top of the inner column such that the valve is open when the pipe is connected thereto and is closed when the pipe is disconnected therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the valve comprises an opening, the size of which may be varied to thereby control the flow rate of the gas entering the inner column to thereby control the size of the liquid droplets which are emitted from the outer column.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the means for exciting the transducer at an ultrasonic rate comprises: an electronic signal generator having a transformer with a primary and a secondary; the primary being connected to a source of three wire, AC voltage and the secondary being connected to a rectifier power supply; a switch connected in series with the primary; and a pilot light connected from one side of the primary to ground such that if the connection to the source of AC voltage is improper, the pilot light is lit with the switch open and is extinguished with the switch closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the transducer comprises: a polarized ceramic disc having an upper electrode and a lower electrode on the opposite faces thereof; a cylindrical brass cup having a closed bottom and a wall; a threaded opening in the base of the liquid chamber larger than the diameter of the brass cup and of the polarized ceramic disc; a lip in the base of the liquid chamber overlying the threaded opening; an insulating ring surrounding the brass cup and having external threads engaging the threaded opening to electrically insulate the brass cup from the liquid chamber; the polarized ceramic disc being mounted above the brass cup so that its lower electrode makes contact with the brass cup and its upper electrode makes contact with the lip in the base of the liquid chamber; an insulated O-ring surrounding the polarized ceramic disc to inhibit the flow of liquid out of the liquid chamber; and means for making electrical connection to the brass cup and to the liquid chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the truncated conical cup is formed of a material such as a polycarbonate resin which is stable at sterilization temperatures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein the base of the truncated conical cup is thinner than the walls thereof so that maximum ultrasonic energy is transmitted from the transducer through the liquid to the medicated solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the gas flow regulating means is a valve; and the means and introducing gas into the inner, vertically disposed, column comprises: a blower; a pipe connecting the blower to the top of the inner, vertically disposed, column such that the valve is open when the pipe is connected thereto and is closed when the pipe is disconnected therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the opening in the valve may be varied to thereby control the flow rate of the gas entering the inner, vertically disposed, column.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the means for exciting the transducer at an ultrasonic rate comprises: an electronic signal generator having a transformer with a primary and a secondary; the primary being connected to a source of three wire, AC voltage and the secondary being connected to a rectifier power supply; a switch connected in series with the primary; and a pilot light connected from one side of the primary to ground such that if the connection to the source of AC voltage is improper, the pilot light is lit with the switch open and is extinguished with the switch closed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the outer surfaces of the walls of the receptacle are finned to facilitate the transfer of heat therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
In an ultrasonic drug nebulizer having a liquid chamber in which a driving transducer is mounted adjacent an opening in the base of the liquid chamber, the improvement comprising: a polarized ceramic disc having an upper electrode and a lower electrode on the opposite faces thereof; a cylindrical brass cup having a closed bottom and a wall; a threaded opening in the base of the liquid chamber larger in size than the diameter of the brass cup and of the polarized ceramic disc; a lip in the base of the liquid chamber overlying the threaded opening; an insulating ring surrounding the brass cup and having external threads engaging the threaded opening to electrically insulate the brass cup from the liquid chamber; the polarized ceramic disc being mounted above the brass cup, the upper electrode making contact with the lip in the base of the liquid chamber; an insulated O-ring surrounding the polarized ceramic disc to inhibit the flow of liquid out of the liquid chamber; and means for making electrical connection to the brass cup and to the liquid chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
180 words
In an ultrasonic drug nebulizer having a liquid chamber in which a driving transducer is mounted adjacent an opening in the base of the liquid chamber, the improvement comprising: a polarized ceramic disc having an upper electrode and a lower electrode on the opposite faces thereof; a cylindrical brass cup having a closed bottom and a wall; a threaded opening in the base of the liquid chamber larger in size than the diameter of the brass cup and of the polarized ceramic disc; a lip in the base of the liquid chamber overlying the threaded opening; an insulating ring surrounding the brass cup and having external threads engaging the threaded opening to electrically insulate the brass cup from the liquid chamber; the polarized ceramic disc being mounted above the brass cup, the upper electrode making contact with the lip in the base of the liquid chamber; an insulated O-ring surrounding the polarized ceramic disc to inhibit the flow of liquid out of the liquid chamber; and means for making electrical connection to the brass cup and to the liquid chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |