What is a nebuliser?
What is a nebuliser?
Nebuliser is medical equipment designed to enable in vivo administration of a medicine via inhalation. Nebulisers turn liquid solutions to mist which then can be inhaled.
What types of nebulisers are available on the market?
There are different types of nebulisers:
Compressor nebulisers - are connected by tubing to a compressed air source that causes air or oxygen to blast at high velocity through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist which is then inhaled. Compressor nebulisers are suitable for versatile usage - in hospitals, at home, at work or even while traveling. Most compressor nebulisers are connected to the mains electricity supply (220 to 240 volts) but many models nowadays also feature rechargeable battery. They need to be recharged from the mains or from a 12 volt supply, or attached to a car cigarette lighter socket but as they contain a power supply of their own they can be used anywhere.
Ultrasonic nebulisers - use high-frequency vibrations to turn the liquid medicine into a mist. Ultrasonic technology allows also a complete treatment to be finished in less time than with compressor-style technology. Ultrasonic nebulisers are usually very quiet. However not all medications are compatible with ultrasonic therapy, as the heat generated by the vibrations may degrade certain drugs which take longer to nebulise.
You might find the table below helpful in choosing your nebuliser
Make/Model | Nebulisation Principle | Max Flow |
MMAD |
Work Pattern |
Weight |
Noise level |
Battery |
12V |
2.2 bar Compressor Nebuliser | 13 l/min |
2.44 | 1.45 kg |
56 dBA | NO |
NO |
||
2.2 bar Compressor Nebuliser | 13 l/min |
2.44 | non stop |
1.45 kg |
56 dBA | NO |
NO |
|
2.5 bar Compressor Nebuliser | 14 l/min |
2.44 | non stop |
1.65 kg |
55 dBA | NO |
NO |
|
2.5 bar Compressor Nebuliser | 16 l/min |
3.25 | non stop |
2.25 kg |
57 dBA | NO |
NO |
|
2.5 bar Compressor Nebuliser | 16 l/min |
3.25 | non stop |
2.2 kg |
57 dBA | NO |
NO |
|
Regulated 2.5 bar Compressor Nebuliser |
16 l/min |
3.25 | non stop |
2.25 kg |
57 dBA | NO |
NO |
|
2.0 bar Portable Compressor Nebuliser | 12 l/min |
3.0 | 0.46 kg |
50 dBA | NO |
YES |
||
2.0 bar Portable Compressor Nebuliser |
12 l/min |
3.0 | 30on/30off | 0.56 | 50 dBA | YES |
YES |
|
Ultrasonic Nebuliser |
N/A |
1-10 | 30on/30off | 0.22 | 40dBA | YES |
YES |