Nebulizer glossary

Nebulizer glossary

Nebulizer: A nebulizer or nebuliser  (http://www.clinicalguard.com/nebulizers-c-45.html) is a device that changes liquid medicine into a fine mist that can be breathed in through tube connected to a face mask. It is often simply called breathing machine.

Compressor nebulizer: Also called pneumatic nebulizer. Air or oxygen is compressed and then released to generate a high speed blast to turn the liquid medication into aerosol. A compressor is integrated in this nebulizer, so it is normally bulky and heavy, difficult to carry.

Air compressor: A machine works with a pneumatic nebulizer that gives medication in a form of a mist.

Ultrasonic nebulizer: Ultrasonic nebulizer (http://www.clinicalguard.com/nebulizers-c-45.html) adopts a piezoelectric transducer to turn the electricity into an ultrasonic mechanical wave. The liquid medication is split by the wave into small particles, i.e. aerosol. The size of the particle is related to the wavelength; the higher the frequency, the smaller the particle. It is less bulky and portable. It was formerly expensive but now it is affordable.

Aerosol: Aerosol is a suspension of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air.

Tubing: In a nebulizer, tubing is a conduit consisting of a long hollow object used to hold and conduct objects or liquids. nebulizer parts (http://www.clinicalguard.com/nebuliser-parts-c-45.html).

Mouthpiece: A part that goes over or into the mouth of a person. nebulizer parts (http://www.clinicalguard.com/nebuliser-parts-c-45.html).

Ultrasonic Frequency: A frequency, associated with elastic waves, that is greater than the highest audible frequency, generally regarded as being higher than 20 kHz.

Nebulization Rate: The speed of nebulization. It is usually adjustable for a nebulizer, depending on medication density.

Particle size: A notion introduced for comparing dimensions of solid particles, liquid particles (called droplets), or gaseous particles (called bubbles)

Medication Cup Capacity: The volume capacity of a medication cup.

Cystic fibrosis: A genetic (inherited) disease characterized by the production of abnormal secretions, leading to the accumulation of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and intestine.

Asthma: Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict, become inflamed, and are lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers.