Self-regulating, heated nebulizer system

A heated nebulizer system for a breathing apparatus comprising:

• a nebulizer module connectable to an oxygen supply, said breathing apparatus, and a sterile liquid water supply, said nebulizer module including a body defining a breathing gas outlet port and a nebulizing zone, said nebulizer module further including an annular heat transfer element provided with a concentric tubular conduit depending therefrom, said conduit defining a threaded portion which permits the sterile waeer supply to be releasably secured thereto;
• an aerosol generating means positioned in the nebulizing zone and adapted for communication with said water supply;
• an elongated, open-ended throat mounted in said nebulizer module in a substantially axially aligned relationship with said annular heating element for receiving aerosol spray generated in said nebulizing zone and exhausting the received aerosol spray from said nebulizing zone in a conical flow pattern such that the outer portion of the flow pattern is volatilized and other portions of the flow pattern are returned unheated to the water supply;
• a heater module including a heated surface arranged in a heat transfer relationship with said annular heat transfer element when said heater module is releasably secured to said nebulizer module, with said tubular conduit of said nebulizer module extending through said heater module and in fluidic communication wit said water supply in a manner isolating an interior of said nebulizer module from the heated surface of said heater module while maintaining a stable, therapeutically-adequate heat output.