Nebulizing catheter for bronchial therapy
AssigneeMuffin Incorporated
InventorsJeffry S. Melsheimer, Frank J. Fischer, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nebulizing catheter for bronchial therapy includes a catheter having a sheath defining an interior space and an open tip. A nebulizer is positioned in the interior space and located adjacent the open tip. The nebulizer includes a piezoelectric device. A liquid mixture is provided and placed in flow communication with the piezoelectric device for nebulizing a portion of that liquid mixture into small droplets for use in the bronchial therapy.
Claims24
A nebulizing catheter constructed and arranged to extend through a flexible tube for bronchial therapy, said nebulizing catheter comprising:
- a catheter sheath defining an interior space and an open tip;
- a nebulizer positioned in said interior space, adjacent said open tip, said nebulizer including a piezoelectric device;
- a one-way air valve positioned within the interior space of said catheter sheath;
- and
- a reservoir positioned within the interior space of said catheter sheath between said one-way air valve and said piezoelectric device, said reservoir being constructed and arranged to retain a liquid mixture, wherein said liquid mixture is in flow communication with said piezoelectric device for nebulizing a portion of said liquid mixture into small droplets for use in bronchial therapy.
A bronchial therapy device comprising:
- a supply of air;
- a handle connected to said supply of air;
- a bronchoscope including a flexible tube;
- and
- a nebulizing catheter cooperating with said handle and extending through said flexible tube, said nebulizing catheter comprising:
- a catheter sheath defining an interior space and an open tip;
- a nebulizer positioned in said interior space, adjacent said open tip, said nebulizer including a piezoelectric device;
- a one-way air valve positioned within the interior space of said catheter sheath;
- and
- a reservoir positioned within the interior space of said catheter sheath between said one-way air valve and said piezoelectric device, said reservoir being constructed and arranged to retain a liquid mixture, wherein said liquid mixture is in flow communication with said piezoelectric device for nebulizing a portion of said liquid mixture into small droplets for use in bronchial therapy.
A nebulizing catheter constructed and arranged to extend through a flexible tube for bronchial therapy, said nebulizing catheter comprising:
- a catheter sheath defining an interior space and an open tip;
- a nebulizer positioned in said interior space, adjacent said open tip, said nebulizer including a piezoelectric device;
- a reservoir positioned within the interior space of said catheter sheath;
- a porous plug positioned within the interior space of said catheter sheath upstream from said piezoelectric device;
- a spring positioned within the interior space of said catheter sheath, wherein said reservoir is spring-biased by said spring against said porous plug;
- and
- said reservoir being constructed and arranged to retain a liquid mixture, wherein said liquid mixture is in flow communication with said piezoelectric device for nebulizing a portion of said liquid mixture into small droplets for use in bronchial therapy.
A method of providing bronchial therapy treatment to a patient site, said method comprising the following steps:
- providing a handle;
- providing a bronchoscope;
- providing a nebulizing catheter which is operatively connected with said handle via said bronchoscope, said nebulizing catheter including a sheath defining an interior space, and a nebulizer with a piezoelectric device;
- providing a reservoir which is positioned within said interior space for retaining a liquid mixture;
- connecting said handle to a supply of air;
- extending a tip of said nebulizing catheter through a flexible tube of said bronchoscope to reach the patient site;
- supplying said nebulizing catheter reservoir with said liquid mixture;
- and
- energizing said piezoelectric device for converting said liquid mixture into small droplets suitable for treatment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.