Portable nebulizer treatment apparatus

Claim 1

An apparatus for the treatment of a patient having a respiratory ailment with a medication, which apparatus comprises an outer portable case, said case being provided with a cavity for containing means for supplying a fluid, under pressure, to the patient, the means for supplying a fluid comprising a compressor adapted to supply a fluid; nebulizing means adapted to contain the medication therein and connected to the compressor to receive fluid therefrom, which fluid is caused to interact with the medication within the nebulizing means, thereby nebulizing the fluid; means for introducing the nebulized fluid into the patient, which introducing means is connected to the nebulizing means; electrical circuit means including a battery for operating the compressor, which electrical circuit means is electrically connected to the compressor, a portable fail-safe means comprising a jack portion projecting exteriorly of the case and connected in said electrical circuit means in series between the compressor and the battery and plug means including terminals removably inserted into said jack portion, whereby said battery is connected to said compressor only upon inserting the plug into the jack portion; the electrical circuit means and the compressor being maintained internal of the case, and portable switching means, mounted externally to the case, which switching means controls operation of the compressor; wherein the nebulizing means and the introducing means are internal of the case when not in use, and are external of the case when in use whereby the apparatus is capable of being carried and operated during ambulatory periods of the patient, and during ambulation of that patient.

Claim 2

An apparatus for the treatment of a patient having a respiratory ailment with a medication, which apparatus comprises an outer portable case, said case being provided with a cavity for containing means for supplying a fluid, under pressure, to the patient, the means for supplying a fluid comprising a compressor adapted to supply a fluid; nebulizing means adapted to contain the medication therein and connected to the compressor to receive fluid therefrom, which fluid is caused to interact with the medication within the nebulizing means, thereby nebulizing the fluid; means for introducing the nebulized fluid into the patient, which introducing means is connected to the nebulizing means; electrical circuit means including a battery for operating the compressor, which electrical circuit means is electrically connected to the compressor, a portable fail-safe means comprising a jack portion projecting exteriorly of the case and connected in said electrical circuit means in series between the compressor and the battery and plug means including terminals removably inserted into said jack portion, whereby said battery is connected to said compressor only upon inserting the plug into the jack portion; the electrical circuit means and the compressor being maintained internal of the case, and portable switching means, mounted externally to the case, which switching means controls operation of the compressor; wherein the nebulizing means and the introducing means are internal of the case when not in use, and are external of the case when in use whereby the apparatus is capable of being carried and operated during ambulatory periods of the patient, and during ambulation of that patient.