Patent US3777935A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4976259A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4976259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic nebulizer
Assignee: EDL Corp A CORP OF UTAH
•
Filing: 1988-11-02
•
Granted: 1990-12-11
•
Expires: 2008-11-02
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic nebulizer is of the type having a piezoelectric transducer communicating with a fluid reservoir and is characterized by having a protective cover of a predetermined wavelength which is superimposed on the transducer, an elastomeric boot in surrounding relation to the cover to prevent fluid loss from the interface between the cover and transducer, and an oil coupling medium is disposed in the interface for coupling the ultrasonic energy from the transducer to the cover.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Higson
- 👤 David A. D'Alfonso
- 👤 Robert R. Walls
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:36
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05B17/06; B05B17/0607; B05B17/0615; A; A61; A61M; A61M11/00; A61M11/005; A61M15/00; A61M15/0001; A61M15/0013; A61M15/0015; A61M15/0085; A61M11/001; A61M11/002; A61M11/006; A61M11/008; A61M15/0021; A61M2206/00; A61M2206/10; A61M2206/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
In an apparatus for the nebulization of fluids in which a piezoelectric transducer is disposed in communication with a fluid reservoir for nebulizing liquid medication in the fluid reservoir, the improvement comprising: a protective cover member of a predetermined wavelength superimposed on said piezoelectric transducer, adjacent said reservoir said cover member and transducer having generally planar confronting surfaces and a common interface therebetween; annular sealing means in outer surrounding relation to said cover member for preventing the loss of fluid from said interface; and oil coupling means in said interface for coupling the energy from said transducer to said cover member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
In an apparatus for the nebulization of fluids in which a piezoelectric transducer is disposed in communication with a fluid reservoir for nebulizing liquid medication in the fluid reservoir, the improvement comprising: a protective cover member of a predetermined wavelength superimposed on said piezoelectric transducer, adjacent said reservoir said cover member and transducer having generally planar confronting surfaces and a common interface therebetween; annular sealing means in outer surrounding relation to said cover member for preventing the loss of fluid from said interface; and oil coupling means in said interface for coupling the energy from said transducer to said cover member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
In apparatus according to claim 1, said cover member being in the form of a glass cover plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
In apparatus according to claim 2, said interface between said confronting surfaces of said transducer and said cover plate including a gap tapering radially and outwardly from a central portion of said interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
In apparatus according to claim 3, one of said confronting surfaces being of generally concave configuration and the other of said confronting surfaces being generally planar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
In apparatus according to claim 1, said annular sealing means being defined by an elastomeric boot resilently urging said cover member and said transducer together, said boot provided with an oil reservoir in surrounding relation to said interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
In apparatus according to claim 5, said elastomeric boot having an outer wall surrounding the outer periphery of said cover member and said transducer, said annular sealing means acting as a pressure limiting diaphragm whereby the pressure created by thermal expansion of said oil coupling means does not alter the interface between said cover member and said transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
In apparatus according to claim 1, including an air inlet portion in communication with said fluid reservoir, an outlet, means for inducing the flow of air into said fluid reservoir via said air inlet portion whereby to pick up nebulized liquid in particle form from said reservoir and direct mixed air and particles to said outlet, and baffle means in the path of flow of the mixed air and particles from said fluid reservoir toward said outlet to prevent larger sized particles from passing through said outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
In apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said baffle means is in the form of a generally spirally extending baffle member in the path of flow of mixed air and particles from said fluid reservoir toward said outlet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
In apparatus according to claim 7, said air inlet portion is defined by a generally tubular portion coaxially aligned with said fluid reservoir, and said baffle means including a spirally extending baffle member on an external surface of said tubular portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
In apparatus according to claim 9, said outlet including an outer cylindrical portion in outer spaced concentric relation to said tubular portion and a mouthpiece in communication with the concentric space between said tubular portion and said outer cylindrical portion, said baffle means causing said larger particles to drain by gravity back into said fluid reservoir for renebulization.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3861386A
Cited
US3433461A
Cited
US3774602A
Cited
US3828773A
Cited
US3866831A
Cited
US3989042A
Cited
US4001650A
Cited
US4094317A
Cited
US4113809A
Cited
US4109863A
Cited
US4646967A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-10 | 1994-06-11 | 1994-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-10 | 1998-06-11 | 1998-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-10 | 2002-06-11 | 2002-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |