Aerosolised medication of ventilated patients with minimised dead volume

A coupling part with integrated aerosol generator for use in a breathing circuit, comprising:

• a housing enclosing a cavity, and comprising:
• a first opening at a first end prepared for direct or indirect connection to a ventilator, and
• a second opening at a second end which is suitable for direct or indirect connection to a patient line or an endotracheal tube,
• an aerosol generator integrated in one side of the housing and being suitable for delivering an aerosolised liquid,
• wherein:
• an additional volume, construction-conditioned by addition of the aerosol generator, is less than or equal to about 1/10 of the total volume of the cavity,
• the first and the second openings form an angle between 90° and 120°, and
• the aerosol generator is positioned approximately diametrically opposite the second opening.

A breathing circuit comprising:

• a ventilator,
• a patient line or endotracheal tube,
• a coupling part comprising:
• a housing enclosing a cavity, and comprising:
• a first opening at a first end prepared for directly or indirectly connected to the ventilator, and
• a second opening at a second end directly or indirectly connected to the patient line or an endotracheal tube,
• an aerosol generator integrated in one side of the housing for delivering an aerosolised liquid,
• wherein:
• an additional volume of the coupling part, construction-conditioned by addition of the aerosol generator, is less than or equal to about 1/10 of the total volume of the cavity,
• the first and the second openings form an angle between 90° and 120°, and
• the aerosol generator is positioned approximately diametrically opposite the second opening.