US3903884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manifold nebulizer system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-08-15
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1993-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit. The system includes a nebulizer module and an exhaust module. The nebulizer module consists of a vial to contain liquid and has structure for producing an aerosol of liquid particles for entrainment in a stream of gas. The exhaust module has a valve for facilitating inhalation of the aerosol by the patient and removal of exhaled gases received from the patient. Adjustable surfaces are on the modules to permit relative movement therebetween. In this manner, the manifold nebulizer is capable of assembly into a multiplicity of flow line arrangements and positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul O Huston
- 👤 William L Douma
- 👤 Robert A Gandi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/10; A61M16/14; A61M16/16; A61M11/00; A61M11/06; A61M2209/00; A61M2209/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
575 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway for removable connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap and for the cap to be removably connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in alignment with the opening in the cap and in fluid communication with the gas from the secondary source passing through the opening in the cap so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and extending beyond the depending skirt so as to extend into the vial connected with the cap with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in liquid contained in the vial so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exhaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connectable to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; means for removably coupling the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nabulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of the circuit; the cap portion having a lateral tubular extension extending therefrom and the exhaust module having a lateral receiving tubular portion extending therefrom; the lateral projection from the cap portion including means to sealingly removably engage with the lateral extension of the exhaust module and to achieve communication between the passageways through the nebulizer module and the exhaust module; a post being mounted on one of said lateral projecting portions and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom so that when the modules are interengaged and the post is mounted thereon, the post will provide mounting surfaces for the nebulizer; and the post containing a series of spaced recesses and the corresponding portion of the module on which the post is to be mounted contains a plurality of spaced corresponding projections And the post rotatably mountable about the corresponding portion of the module so that when the post is mounted with the projections in the corresponding recesses, rotation of the post with respect to at least one of the modules will permit mounting of at least one module in any desired rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
575 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway for removable connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap and for the cap to be removably connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in alignment with the opening in the cap and in fluid communication with the gas from the secondary source passing through the opening in the cap so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and extending beyond the depending skirt so as to extend into the vial connected with the cap with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in liquid contained in the vial so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exhaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connectable to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; means for removably coupling the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nabulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of the circuit; the cap portion having a lateral tubular extension extending therefrom and the exhaust module having a lateral receiving tubular portion extending therefrom; the lateral projection from the cap portion including means to sealingly removably engage with the lateral extension of the exhaust module and to achieve communication between the passageways through the nebulizer module and the exhaust module; a post being mounted on one of said lateral projecting portions and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom so that when the modules are interengaged and the post is mounted thereon, the post will provide mounting surfaces for the nebulizer; and the post containing a series of spaced recesses and the corresponding portion of the module on which the post is to be mounted contains a plurality of spaced corresponding projections And the post rotatably mountable about the corresponding portion of the module so that when the post is mounted with the projections in the corresponding recesses, rotation of the post with respect to at least one of the modules will permit mounting of at least one module in any desired rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
454 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway adapted for connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap adapted to be connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in communication with the gas from the secondary source so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and vial with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in the liquid so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exhaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connectable to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein adapted to be coupled to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nebulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of the circuit; at least one bracket projecting from the outer surface of the nebulizer module and at least one bracket extending from the outer surface of the exhaust module; a post having a pair of locking tongues with each locking tongue removably inserted in the bracket of one of the nebulizer and exhaust modules so as to mount both modules to a common support surface to form a manifold nebulizer unit; and the post including a projecting arm extending from the base portion containing the tongues with the projecting arm forming a mounting surface for the manifold nebulizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
454 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway adapted for connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap adapted to be connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in communication with the gas from the secondary source so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and vial with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in the liquid so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exhaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connectable to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein adapted to be coupled to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nebulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of the circuit; at least one bracket projecting from the outer surface of the nebulizer module and at least one bracket extending from the outer surface of the exhaust module; a post having a pair of locking tongues with each locking tongue removably inserted in the bracket of one of the nebulizer and exhaust modules so as to mount both modules to a common support surface to form a manifold nebulizer unit; and the post including a projecting arm extending from the base portion containing the tongues with the projecting arm forming a mounting surface for the manifold nebulizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
485 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway adapted for connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap adapted to be connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in communication with the gas from the secondary source so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and vial with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in the liquid so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exhaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connected to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein adapted to be coupled to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nebulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of the circuit; the vial designed to contain liquid being removably interengaged with the depending skirt of the cap and having said other open end of the tube extending therein; the vial being transparent and having liquid level gradations on the surface thereof; the end of the vial remote from the skirt having a bulb-shaped configuration slightly larger than the said other open end of the tube permitting extension of the tube therein to facilitate complete usage of liquid in the vial; and a rib extending inwardly of the vial from the bottom of the bulb portion thereof said other open end terminating in a rim normal to the longitudinal axis of the tube; said rim engaged with said rib to prevent occlusion thereof during use of the manifold nebulizer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
485 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway adapted for connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap adapted to be connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in communication with the gas from the secondary source so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and vial with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in the liquid so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exhaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connected to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein adapted to be coupled to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nebulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of the circuit; the vial designed to contain liquid being removably interengaged with the depending skirt of the cap and having said other open end of the tube extending therein; the vial being transparent and having liquid level gradations on the surface thereof; the end of the vial remote from the skirt having a bulb-shaped configuration slightly larger than the said other open end of the tube permitting extension of the tube therein to facilitate complete usage of liquid in the vial; and a rib extending inwardly of the vial from the bottom of the bulb portion thereof said other open end terminating in a rim normal to the longitudinal axis of the tube; said rim engaged with said rib to prevent occlusion thereof during use of the manifold nebulizer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
525 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway adapted for connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap adapted to be connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in communication with the gas from the secondary source so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and vial with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in the liquid so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connected to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein adapted to be coupled to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nebulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of tHe circuit; exhaust passageways in the exhaust module in a predetermined arrangement so that exhaust gases are directed from said nebulizer down and away from the patient and when the exhaust module is repositioned about a 360* arc, the exhaust passageways will be similarly repositioned, the exhaust passageways including a rotatable downwardly extending tubular member terminating in a continuous laterally extending tubular member open at its free end so that rotation of the downwardly and laterally extended portion can be accomplished as desired to direct the open free end away from the patient; the rotatable downwardly extending tubular member forming a removable sump mounted on the exhaust module and positioned to facilitate accumulation of condensate and said sump being capable of 360* rotation; and the sump having an annular rib extending from its upper surface portion and the exhaust module having a corresponding rib for receiving the rib of the sump in removable interengagement to retain the sump in position on the exhaust module while permitting relative rotation therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
525 words
A manifold nebulizer system for use in a breathing circuit comprising: a nebulizer module including a cap portion having a chamber therein and a through passageway thereacross; means on the cap portion forming at least one side of said through passageway adapted for connection to a main source of gas to facilitate passage of gas through the cap portion; the cap having a depending skirt with means thereon for receiving in sealed relationship a vial designed to contain liquid; means forming an opening in the cap adapted to be connected to a secondary source of gas; a nozzle depending inwardly of the cap in communication with the gas from the secondary source so as to direct the gas at high velocity into the chamber; a tube in the cap and vial with one open end adjacent to and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the other open end in the liquid so that when secondary gas passes from the nozzle it will entrain liquid from the tube and atomize said liquid into the gas stream baffle means in the cap to assist in removing large liquid particles in the chamber and to direct a portion of the primary flow of gas into the cap into communication with the aerosol to provide a homogenized mixture into the main gas flow passageway for discharge from the nebulizer module; an exaust module having a body portion with a through passageway and being removably connected to the nebulizer module; an exhaust valve assembly on the body portion including an exhaust opening; the part of the exhaust module containing one end opening of the through passageway therein adapted to be coupled to a patient connection; adjustable surfaces on the manifold nebulizer to permit relative movement between the modules thereof to thereby facilitate use of the nebulizer in a breathing circuit whereby when the nebulizer is connected to a primary gas source and a patient connection and a patient inhales an aerosol of liquid particles will be inhaled, and when the patient exhales, the valve assembly will open permitting the expired vapors to pass through the exhaust opening and out of tHe circuit; exhaust passageways in the exhaust module in a predetermined arrangement so that exhaust gases are directed from said nebulizer down and away from the patient and when the exhaust module is repositioned about a 360* arc, the exhaust passageways will be similarly repositioned, the exhaust passageways including a rotatable downwardly extending tubular member terminating in a continuous laterally extending tubular member open at its free end so that rotation of the downwardly and laterally extended portion can be accomplished as desired to direct the open free end away from the patient; the rotatable downwardly extending tubular member forming a removable sump mounted on the exhaust module and positioned to facilitate accumulation of condensate and said sump being capable of 360* rotation; and the sump having an annular rib extending from its upper surface portion and the exhaust module having a corresponding rib for receiving the rib of the sump in removable interengagement to retain the sump in position on the exhaust module while permitting relative rotation therebetween.
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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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |