Nebulize with pressure-based fluidic control and related methods

A nebulizer comprising:

• a body comprising a reservoir for holding medication;
• a nozzle for emitting a jet of pressurized gas;
• a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet to produce an aerosol of medication;
• a nebulizer outlet in communication with the body for delivery of the aerosol to a patient;
• a control conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit for delivery of a control gas to the fluid conduit to prevent the delivery of the medication proximate the jet;
• and
• a flow switch configured to control the delivery of the control gas to the control conduit based on inhalation by the patient,
• wherein the flow switch includes no part that moves in response to the inhalation by the patient.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a body comprising a reservoir for holding medication;
• a nozzle for emitting a jet of pressurized gas;
• a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet to produce an aerosol of medication;
• a nebulizer outlet in communication with the body for delivery of the aerosol to a patient;
• a control conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit for delivery of a control gas to the fluid conduit to prevent the delivery of the medication proximate the jet;
• and
• a flow switch comprising:
• an inlet port for receiving the control gas;
• a first outlet port;
• a second outlet port for directing the control gas to the fluid conduit;
• and
• a control member configured to selectively switch a flow direction of the control gas between the first outlet port and the second outlet port.

A nebulizer comprising:

• a body comprising a reservoir for holding medication;
• a nozzle for emitting a jet of pressurized gas, the pressurized gas supplied to the nozzle via a main gas conduit;
• a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet to produce an aerosol of medication;
• a nebulizer outlet in communication with an interior of the body for delivery of the aerosol to a patient;
• a control conduit branching off from the main gas conduit and in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, the control conduit for delivery of a control gas to the fluid conduit to prevent the delivery of the medication proximate the jet;
• and
• a control system configured to control the delivery of control gas to the control conduit.

A method of controlling a nebulization process, comprising:

• providing medication in a reservoir within a body, the body comprising an outlet for inhalation by a patient;
• emitting a jet of pressurized gas into the body;
• providing a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet;
• preventing delivery of the medication proximate the jet by delivering a control gas to the fluid conduit via a control conduit;
• and
• using a fluidic amplifier to interrupt the delivery of the control gas to the control conduit based on inhalation by the patient, the interruption permitting delivery of the medication proximate the jet to produce an aerosol of medication.

A method of controlling a nebulization process, comprising:

• providing medication in a reservoir within a body, the body comprising an outlet for inhalation by a patient;
• emitting a jet of pressurized gas;
• providing a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet;
• preventing delivery of the medication proximate the jet by delivering a control gas to the fluid conduit;
• and
• using a flow switch to interrupt the delivery of the control gas to the control conduit based on inhalation by the patient, the interruption permitting delivery of the medication proximate the jet to produce an aerosol of medication,
• wherein the flow switch includes no part that moves in response to the inhalation by the patient.

A method of controlling a nebulization process, comprising:

• providing medication in a reservoir within a body, the body comprising an outlet for inhalation by a patient;
• emitting a jet of pressurized gas;
• providing a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet;
• preventing delivery of the medication proximate the jet by delivering a control gas to the fluid conduit via a control conduit;
• and
• using a flow switch to interrupt the delivery of the control gas to the control conduit, the flow switch comprising:
• an inlet port for receiving the control gas;
• a first outlet port;
• a second outlet port for directing the control gas to the fluid conduit;
• and
• a control member configured to switch a flow direction of the control gas between the first outlet port and the second outlet port.

A method of controlling a nebulization process, comprising:

• providing medication in a reservoir within a body, the body comprising an outlet for inhalation by a patient;
• emitting a jet of pressurized gas, the pressurized gas supplied via a main gas conduit;
• providing a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir for delivery of the medication proximate the jet;
• preventing delivery of the medication proximate the jet by delivering a control gas to the fluid conduit via a control conduit;
• and
• using a control system to interrupt the delivery of the control gas to the control conduit based on inhalation by the patient,
• wherein the control conduit branches off from the main gas conduit and is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.