Aerosol Guide - AARC.org

A. Jet Nebulizer with a Reservoir Tube: This is the least expensive and most widely
used nebulizer. It provides continuous aerosol during inhalation, exhalation, and breathhold,
causing the release of aerosol to ambient air during exhalation and anytime when the
patient is not breathing (Figure 4-A). 36-37 Consequently, only 10–20% of the emitted aerosol
is inhaled. In order to decrease drug loss and increase inhaled mass, a t-piece and large bore
tubing are attached to the expiratory side of the nebulizer. These types of nebulizers have
been considered to be inefficient due to their providing a low percentage of the dose to the
patient. 38 Figure 5 illustrates the functioning of a jet nebulizer. Examples of a jet nebulizer
with a reservoir tube model include the Sidestream Nebulizers (Philips Respironics,
Murrysville, PA) and the Micro Mist ® (Teleflex Medical, Research Triangle Park, NC).
Figure 5. Schematic
illustration of the
function of a jet
nebulizer
(From Reference 1, with
permission)
B. Jet Nebulizer with Collection Bag or Elastomeric Reservoir Ball: These types
of nebulizers generate aerosol by continuously filling a reservoir (Figure 4-B). The patient
inhales aerosol from the reservoir through a one-way inspiratory valve and exhales to the
atmosphere through an exhalation port between the one-way inspiratory valve and the
mouthpiece. 35,37 Figure 6 illustrates the principle of operation and patterns of gas flow during
inhalation and exhalation with the Circulaire ® (Westmed, Tucson, AZ) which is one
model of the nebulizer with a collection bag or elastomeric reservoir ball.
aerosol
storage bag
one-way valve exhale inhale
Figure 6. Schematic illustration of the
function of a jet nebulizer with collecting bag
(From Reference 37, with permission)
power gas
14 American Association for Respiratory Care A Guide to Aerosol Delivery Devices for Respiratory Therapists, 3rd Edition © 2013