Purpose

The present study is focused on designing an automated jet nebulizer that possesses the capability of dynamic flow regulation. In the case of existing equipment, 50% of the aerosol is lost to the atmosphere through the vent, during the exhalation phase of respiration. Desired effects of nebulization may not be achieved by neglecting this poor administration technique. There may be adverse effects like bronchospasm and exposure to high drug concentrations.

Methods

The proposed nebulizer is composed of two modes as “Compressed Air” mode and the “Oxygen Therapy” mode. The automated triggering from one mode to another will be dependent upon the percentage of oxygen saturation of the patient, monitored from the SpO₂ sensor. The compressed airflow will be delivered to the patient according to the minute ventilation, derived with the aid of a temperature sensor–based algorithm. The compressor controller circuitry ensures that the patient receives optimum level of compressed air as per the flow rate. At the end of the drug delivery, if the liquid level sensor detects the absence of medication within the nebulizer chamber, the nebulization process will be terminated. The dynamic regulation of the motor speed with respect to the minute ventilation was accomplished.

Results

A laminar flow was obtained from the outlet of the compressor towards the nebulizer tubing, and a turbulent flow was obtained within the chamber. No excessive turbulent flows or rotational flow patterns were detected.

Conclusion

Detecting the drug levels in the nebulizing chamber will prevent continuous workup and useful in situations where back-to-back nebulization is required. Oxygen therapy mode identifies the patient’s desaturation and important where the patient can be already hypoxic or have a ventilation-perfusion mismatch, but may be disadvantageous in severe COPD patients. The aforesaid results could certainly lead to the improvements of the existing nebulizers.

中文翻译：

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具有动态流量调节功能的自动喷射雾化器

目的

本研究的重点是设计一种具有动态流量调节能力的自动喷射雾化器。在现有设备的情况下，在呼吸的呼气阶段，50% 的气溶胶会通过通风口散失到大气中。忽视这种糟糕的给药技术可能无法达到理想的雾化效果。可能有不良反应，如支气管痉挛和暴露于高浓度药物。

方法

所提出的雾化器由“压缩空气”模式和“氧疗”模式两种模式组成。从一种模式到另一种模式的自动触发将取决于患者的氧饱和度百分比，由 SpO ₂传感器监测。压缩气流将根据基于温度传感器的算法得出的每分钟通气量输送给患者。压缩机控制器电路可确保患者根据流速接收到最佳水平的压​​缩空气。在药物输送结束时，如果液位传感器检测到雾化器腔内没有药物，则雾化过程将终止。实现了电机速度相对于每分钟通气量的动态调节。

结果

从压缩机的出口向雾化器管道获得层流，在室内获得湍流。没有检测到过多的湍流或旋转流动模式。

结论

检测雾化室中的药物水平将防止连续检查，并且在需要背靠背雾化的情况下很有用。氧疗模式可识别患者的去氧饱和度，并且在患者可能已经缺氧或通气-灌注不匹配的情况下很重要，但可能对严重的 COPD 患者不利。上述结果肯定会导致现有雾化器的改进。