Method and apparatus for delivering aerosol to the airways and/or lungs of a patient

Abstract

A method and apparatus for delivering aerosol to the airways and/or lungs of a patient employ a separate inspiration line and expiration line connected to the patient, with an aerosol generator connected to the inspiration line. A respiration monitor is provided which generates signals corresponding to the breathing cycle of the patient, which is used to control the aerosol generator. Aerosol is generated during the expiration phase, and is deposited in the inspiration line. This permits adequate time to elapse before the aerosol is actually inhaled by the patient so that a stable droplet spectrum can be established. Moreover, a percisely controlled volume of respirator gas enriched with aerosol in the inspiration line can be supplied to the patient at exactly the proper point in time, independently of the flow volume.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.