Positive Displacement atomizer: Mechanism of action

 

Positive displacement atomizers do not rely on the Venturi principle, but instead utilize the non-compressible properties of fluid to atomize medications.  A spring driven pump aspirates fluid into a dosing chamber.  As manual compression is applied this fluid opens a one-way valve and is forced into a single lumen applicator, through an atomizing chamber and out the device tip.  Once compression ceases, the fluid in the tube does not collapse and the one-way valve prevents any intermixing between the applicator lumen and the dosing chamber. This design prevents any internal device contamination.¹

 

1.             Wolfe TR, Bossart PJ, Hillman TA. The comparative risks of bacterial contamination between a Venturi atomizer and a hydraulic compression atomizer. Abstract presented at the 47th annual American Rhinologic Society conference, Denver Colorado, Sept 2001.