Annular flow entrainment nebulizer

Claim 1

An entrainment nebulizer adapted for use in inhalation therapy, the nebulizer comprising: (a) a shell having walls defining an interior space and an ambient air intake through one of the walls; (b) a nebulizer conduit having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal fluid passageway between the ends, the proximal end having an attachment means to place the passageway in fluid communication with an external pressurized gas source, the distal end inwardly tapering to define a nozzle having an orifice in fluid communication with the passageway, the conduit being mounted to penetrate a wall of the shell so that at least the nozzle extends into the interior space; (c) a nebulizer cup having a bottom and being mounted within the interior space of the shell to axially surround the nozzle to define an annular chamber around the nozzle, the bottom of the cup having a concave depression defining a well, the nozzle protruding to a predetermined depth into the well, the well surrounding a dispensing port selectively spaced from and in substantial alignment with the nozzle orifice, the cup also having an inlet to receive a liquid source, and the well and the port being spatially associated with the nozzle orifice to develop an aerosol flow produced by the confluence of fluid streams from the pressurized gas source and the liquid source, the well permitting the angular confluence of the liquid stream into the gas stream enhancing nebulization of the liquid stream; (d) a hollow tapered throat having a large end and a small end being mounted within the shell distal from the port with the large end directed toward the port, the throat operably associated with the air intake to draw ambient air through the intake and mix the ambient air with the aerosol to produce an inhalation mixture; (e) a thermally-conductive tubular core having a first end removably seated against the small end of the throat and a second end, the core being in fluid communication with the throat to receive and further conduct the inhalation mixture, the shell, nebulizer conduit, nebulizer cup and throat defining a nebulizer head; (f) a container having an opening for supplying the liquid source to the nebulizer head, a closure mounted over said container opening, the second end of said core being mounted through said closure such that said core and throat are in alignment with said container opening whereby said container is in fluid communication with the throat and sealably mounted to the nebulizer head; (g) said closure having an outlet in fluid communication with the core to dispense the inhalation mixture; and, (h) a tube connected to the cup inlet and extending into the container to conduct the liquid source into the chamber.