Nebulizer

Abstract

A nebulizer for a fluid is proposed, particularly for medicinal aerosol therapy. To allow easy operation, the nebulizer has a valve device, so that air supply openings in a mouthpiece can be blocked off.

1 . A nebulizer for a fluid comprising: a mouthpiece and at least one air supply opening associated with the mouthpiece, the fluid being sprayable into the mouthpiece, wherein the air supply opening is associated with at least one valve device by means of which a backflow through the air supply opening or openings can be blocked.  
   
   
       2 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the valve device is arranged in the mouthpiece or laterally alongside an expulsion nozzle for the fluid.  
   
   
       3 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the valve device can preferably be inserted as construction unit in the mouthpiece.  
   
   
       4 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that least one component of the valve device is fixedly mounted on the nebulizer.  
   
   
       5 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the valve device can preferably be changed together with the mouthpiece.  
   
   
       6 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the valve device operates at least substantially independently of the spatial orientation of the nebulizer.  
   
   
       7 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the valve device comprises at least one valve and/or a moveable valve element.  
   
   
       8 . The neubulizer according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the valve element is moveable in the longitudinal direction of the nebulizer and/or in the direction of an air supply current through the air supply opening or openings.  
   
   
       9 . The neubulizer according to  claim 7 , characterised in that several or all of the air supply openings are associated with a common valve and/or a common valve element.  
   
   
       10 . The neubulizer according to  claim 7 , characterised in that a separate valve  29  and/or a separate valve element is or are associated with each air supply opening.  
   
   
       11 . The neubulizer according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the valve element is in the form of a plate or flap.  
   
   
       12 . The neubulizer according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the valve element is at least substantially rigid in construction.  
   
   
       13 . The neubulizer according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the valve element is of flexible construction in the manner of a foil.  
   
   
       14 . The neubulizer according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the valve element is biased into the open or closed positiony by spring force, inherent elasticity, or gravity.  
   
   
       15 . The neubulizer according clam  1 , characterised in that the nebulizer comprises a sensor which is associated with the valve device for detecting opening or closing of the valve device.  
   
   
       16 . The neubulizer according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the sensor detects movements or at least one position of the valve element by mechanical, optical, electrical, inductive, capacitive, or other contactless means.  
   
   
       17 . The neubulizer according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the sensor is constructed as a microswitch or reed contact.  
   
   
       18 . The neubulizer according to  claim 16 , characterised in that the nebulizer has a monitoring device which counts and/or evaluates actuations of the nebulizer or detects whether the sensor has detected opening and/or closing of the valve device or valve element.  
   
   
       19 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the nebulizer comprises an opening which contains the fluid, particularly a liquid, and is moveable preferably in a stroke during the production of pressure or nebulization.  
   
   
       20 . The neubulizer according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the nebulizer is constructed so that the fluid can be nebulized independently of an air supply current through the air supply opening or air supply openings.