Delivery of nebulized medicines

Abstract

Devices are disclosed that include a positionable elongated member configured to support and delivery tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position, and to allow the position of the distal end of the tube to be adjusted by a user, and an attachment device configured to allow a proximal end of the elongated member to be secured in a fixed position. These devices may be used, for example, in the delivery of vaporized medicine to a patient, e.g., a child or infant on a bed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a positionable elongated member configured to support a delivery tube and maintain a distal end of the tube in a desired position, and to allow the position of the distal end of the tube to be adjusted by a user, the elongated member defining a hollow channel for receiving the delivery tube and including a distal vertical portion configured to support a nebulizer cup in a substantially vertical position;   a nozzle disposed at a distal end of the positionable elongated member; and   an attachment device configured to allow a proximal end of the elongated member to be supported in a fixed position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the positionable elongated member comprises an articulated arm assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the articulated arm assembly comprises two or more pivotably connected arm segments. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the positionable elongated member comprises a positionable tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the tubular member comprises gooseneck tubing, or continuously adjustable/flexible hollow tubing 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is configured to deliver a spray of vaporized medicament from the delivery tube. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the nozzle is configured to allow a user to adjust a spray pattern of the vaporized medicament. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is attached to the distal end of the positionable elongated member by a ball joint that defines a lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising the delivery tube. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the positionable member includes at least three arm segments. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attachment device comprises a base. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the base is configured to slip under a mattress. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the base is configured to rest flat on a floor or table. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attachment device comprises a wall mount or clamp. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end is coupled to the attachment device so as to allow rotational or pivoting motion of the proximal end. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 delivering a spray of vaporized medicine to a patient, without the use of a mask, by positioning the distal end of a delivery tube adjacent the face of the patient using a positionable elongated member configured to support the delivery tube in a desired position relative to the patient,   the elongated member defining a hollow channel for receiving the delivery tube and including a distal vertical portion configured to support a nebulizer cup in a substantially vertical position and having a nozzle disposed at a distal end through which the spray is delivered from the distal end of the tube.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising, prior to delivering, adding a supply of the medicine, in liquid form, to a nebulizer cup mounted on the elongated member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the patient is lying down. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the patient is an infant or child. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the medicine comprises an asthma medicine.