US4036919A — Nebulizer-humidifier system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 235 words

An inhalation therapy device for use either in a first, humidifying, or a second, nebulizing, therapeutic mode for delivery of a moisturized gas stream to a patient, said device comprising: container means for containing a gas stream-moisturizing liquid, said container means including 1. a top element, 2. a bottom element, 3. a continuous sidewall element interconnecting said top and bottom elements, 4. perforated gas stream-diffusing plate means spaced above said bottom element within said container means and defining with said bottom element and said sidewall element a gas stream diffusion chamber within said container means, 5. means in said top element providing a delivery outlet for a moisturized gas stream from within said container means, and 6. passage means in said top element providing a. an outlet for exhausting a gas stream from said container means upon blockage of said delivery outlet means when the device is employed in said first therapeutic mode and b. an inlet for entry of a moisturized gas stream into said container means when the device is employed in said second therapeutic mode; and conduit means for fluid flow, communicating between said diffusion chamber and a point at said top of said container means adajcent said passage means, and providing a. a gas stream conduit when the device is employed in said first therapeutic mode and b. a liquid conduit when the device is employed in said second therapeutic mode.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 235 words

An inhalation therapy device for use either in a first, humidifying, or a second, nebulizing, therapeutic mode for delivery of a moisturized gas stream to a patient, said device comprising: container means for containing a gas stream-moisturizing liquid, said container means including 1. a top element, 2. a bottom element, 3. a continuous sidewall element interconnecting said top and bottom elements, 4. perforated gas stream-diffusing plate means spaced above said bottom element within said container means and defining with said bottom element and said sidewall element a gas stream diffusion chamber within said container means, 5. means in said top element providing a delivery outlet for a moisturized gas stream from within said container means, and 6. passage means in said top element providing a. an outlet for exhausting a gas stream from said container means upon blockage of said delivery outlet means when the device is employed in said first therapeutic mode and b. an inlet for entry of a moisturized gas stream into said container means when the device is employed in said second therapeutic mode; and conduit means for fluid flow, communicating between said diffusion chamber and a point at said top of said container means adajcent said passage means, and providing a. a gas stream conduit when the device is employed in said first therapeutic mode and b. a liquid conduit when the device is employed in said second therapeutic mode.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 51 words

A device according to claim 1 further including a second conduit means for fluid flow formed integrally with said sidewall, said second conduit means communicating between said diffusion chamber and said container means and discharging within said container means at an elevation above said diffusion chamber and below said top element.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 50 words

A device according to claim 2 in which said second conduit joins said sidewall in a flaring connection located directly beneath said delivery outlet means, said flaring connection comprising an inclined deflecting surface adapted to direct liquid dropping into said container from said delivery outlet means into said second conduit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 66 words

A device according to claim 1 in which said diffusion chamber is provided with heating means for heating fluid passing therethrough, said heating means comprising a plurality of vertical fins joined to said bottom element and spaced from the perforations in said plate means, said bottom element being adapted to receive an external heater which heats said bottom element and said fins attached thereto by conduction.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 46 words

A device according to claim 4 in which said bottom element is flexible and is adapted to be raised by contact with said heater relative to said diffusion plate means, whereby said fins restrict the perforations in said plate means against the flow of fluid therethrough.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

A device according to claim 1 containing a supply of volatile liquid for gas stream moisturization, said passage means, delivery outlet means and conduit means being sealed against the escape of said liquid from said container means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

A device according to claim 6 in which said liquid is water.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

A device according to claim 6 further including sealing means for said delivery outlet means selectively breachable to form exit ports of differing sizes.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 53 words

A device according to claim 1 further including adapter means for use in operating the device within said first therapeutic mode, said adapter means comprising means for supplying a gas stream to said conduit means and means for open communication between the interior and exterior of said container means through said passage means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 80 words

A device according to claim 1 further including adapter means for use in operating the device within said second therapeutic mode, said adapter means comprising mist-forming means adapted to be secured to said passage means and conduit means, said mist-forming means including a gas stream inlet, and inlet for liquid to be nebulized from said conduit means, and an outlet for directing said gas stream and liquid nebulized by said mist-forming means through said passage means into said container means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 140 words

In a container apparatus for administering a fluid in the course of inhalation therapy, said container apparatus including a chamber having a lower portion and fluid conduit means for delivery of said fluid to said lower portion, the improvement comprising: a diffusion chamber sub-assembly comprising: a. a perforated upper part; b. a lower part; c. a substantially continuous sidewall between said upper and lower parts; d. said sidewall including orifice means for entry of said fluid; said container chamber having a substantially continuous sidewall including a lower portion which contacts and overlies said sub-assembly in fluid-sealing relationship; and said orifice means being in fluid communication with said fluid conduit means to facilitate the flow of said fluid from said fluid conduit means to said diffusion chamber for dispersion of said fluid through said perforated upper part and into said chamber.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 140 words

In a container apparatus for administering a fluid in the course of inhalation therapy, said container apparatus including a chamber having a lower portion and fluid conduit means for delivery of said fluid to said lower portion, the improvement comprising: a diffusion chamber sub-assembly comprising: a. a perforated upper part; b. a lower part; c. a substantially continuous sidewall between said upper and lower parts; d. said sidewall including orifice means for entry of said fluid; said container chamber having a substantially continuous sidewall including a lower portion which contacts and overlies said sub-assembly in fluid-sealing relationship; and said orifice means being in fluid communication with said fluid conduit means to facilitate the flow of said fluid from said fluid conduit means to said diffusion chamber for dispersion of said fluid through said perforated upper part and into said chamber.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The improvement as set forth in claim 11 wherein said chamber and said fluid conduit means comprises thermoplastic material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1980-07-18	1981-01-17	1981-07-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1984-07-18	1985-01-17	1985-07-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1988-07-18	1989-01-17	1989-07-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Nebulizer-humidifier system

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