Apparatus and methods for the delivery of therapeutic liquids to the respiratory system

An apparatus for nebulizing a liquid, the device comprising:

• a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a vibratable non-planar member mounted within the housing, said non-planar member having a plurality of apertures for nebulizing the liquid upon vibration of the non-planar member;
• and
• a vibrator removably attached about the housing which vibrates the non-planar member.

An apparatus for nebulizing a liquid, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a distal end and a mouthpiece at a proximal end;
• an non-planar member mounted within the housing, said non-planar member having a plurality of apertures;
• a vibrator which vibrates the non-planar member to eject liquid from the apertures;
• an acoustic chamber within the housing which produces an audible signal during inhalation from the mouthpiece;
• and
• a controller for controlling the rate of non-planar member vibration upon detection of the audible signal.

A method for delivering a liquid medicament to the respiratory system of a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a housing having a proximal end and a distal end
• providing a non-planar member which is disposed within the housing, the non-planar member having a plurality of tapered apertures extending therethrough;
• supplying liquid to the non-planar member;
• inhaling from the proximal end of the housing;
• and
• vibrating the non-planar member in response to the inhalation to eject the liquid.