Low flow adaptor to deliver aerosols via nasal cannula without crashout

Abstract

Device and method of use are described in which a housing is configured and coupled to an aerosol generator which delivers aerosol into an oxygen stream transporting both to a patient via a nasal cannula, in a way to minimize condensation at low liters per minute flow rate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for delivery of aerosol along with supplemental oxygen from an oxygen supply to the nasal cannula of a patient, the device comprising:
 a. a housing, wherein the housing includes a base and a cylindrical wall, wherein the base and the cylindrical wall define a chamber through which supplemental oxygen is led, and   b. two couplers, wherein the first of the two couplers is an inlet for supplemental oxygen supply into the chamber, wherein the second of the two couplers is an outlet for delivery of the supplemental oxygen supply containing an aerosol, wherein each of the two couplers is configured to engage a nasal cannula line,   wherein chamber wall is configured to snugly fit to an aerosol delivery portion of a nebulizer, wherein the aerosol delivery portion of nebulizer is not positioned to act as a baffle to air flow between the two couplers, wherein there is no baffle or impediment to air flow and aerosol through adaptor,   wherein the housing and couplers are designed to facilitate laminar flow.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the adaptor including housing, base, cylindrical wall, and two couplers are integrally formed. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the adaptor is formed using a 3D printer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of the two couplers defines a conduit which includes a cylindrical portion along the length of a portion of the coupler. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of the two couplers defines a slightly larger cylindrical portion which starts at an abutment of the coupler and continues to the chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of the two couplers also defines void which is generally shaped as an end of an ellipsoid. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein each void starts in the slightly larger cylindrical portion and terminates in the chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the chamber is fluidly connected to voids and all cylindrical portions. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein condensation of the aerosol is eliminated in the housing at 2 liters per minute flow rate. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the condensation rate of the aerosol is around 20% or lower in the housing at 1 liter per minute flow rate. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the condensation rate of the aerosol is around 10% or lower in the housing at 1 liter per minute flow rate. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the condensation rate of the aerosol is less than 50% in the housing at 0.5 liters per minute flow rate. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the condensation rate of the aerosol is less than 40% in the housing at 0.5 liters per minute flow rate. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the nasal cannula is configured for use by a patient selected from the group consisting of Micro Preemie, Preemie, Newborn, and Infant. 
     
     
         15 . A computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions which, when acted upon by a 3D printer, cause the 3D printer to print an adaptor comprising:
 a. a housing, wherein the housing includes a base and a cylindrical wall, wherein the base and the cylindrical wall define a chamber through which supplemental oxygen is led, and   b. two couplers, wherein the first of the two couplers is an inlet for supplemental oxygen supply into the chamber, wherein the second of the two couplers is an outlet for delivery of the supplemental oxygen supply containing an aerosol, wherein each of the two couplers is configured to engage a nasal cannula line,   wherein chamber wall is configured to snugly fit to an aerosol delivery portion of a nebulizer, wherein the aerosol delivery portion of nebulizer is not positioned to act as a baffle to air flow between the two couplers, wherein there is no baffle or impediment to air flow and aerosol through adaptor,   wherein the housing and couplers are designed to facilitate laminar flow.   
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 15  further causing the 3D printer to print an adaptor wherein each void starts in the slightly larger cylindrical portion and terminates in the chamber.