The difference between a compressor inhaler and an ultrasonic

The days when our grandmother or mother made us breathe over a hot pan with the goal of curing a sore throat or a common cold have long been a thing of the past. Now, at home, for this purpose, people use inhalers, or, as they are also called, nebulizers.

The most popular types of household appliances for this purpose are compressor-type devices and ultrasonic nebulizers. Both types of devices are designed for the same purpose - this is the prevention and treatment of colds and chronic diseases, as well as viral infections of the respiratory tract, by inhaling the smallest particles of a drug of chemical or plant origin with air.

The specific difference between a compressor inhaler and ultrasonic

The difference between compressor and ultrasonic devices is the principle of converting a fluid containing a therapeutic composition into an aerosol state.

In compressor-type devices, the transition of the drug solution to the dispersed state occurs mechanically, due to the pressure created by the piston mechanism. In ultrasound machines - exposure to drug molecules of ultrasonic waves.

Ultrasonic nebulizers are able to turn the solution of the therapeutic composition into a smaller fraction (from 0.5 μm) compared with the compressor (from 2 μm), but have some restrictions on the type of drugs used.

Important! Ultrasound devices destroy some types of antibiotics and hormonal medicinal compositions, so their use through these devices will be useless.

The mechanical type nebulizers make a noise during operation when, as ultrasonic varieties, they operate silently. Ultrasound devices use less energy, therefore, among them are more common devices capable of working from autonomous power sources (battery, battery).

The similarity between these types of devices is that both have a container for the drug, a nebulizer, an air tube and a mask or mouthpiece with replaceable parts. The composition, in the chamber of the nebulizer, is converted into a dispersed state and through the atomizer, through an air tube, enters a mask or mouthpiece for inhalation by the patient.

Stop the choice between mechanical or ultrasonic nebulizer should be based on the conditions of use of the device. Each of these types has its advantages and disadvantages.

Compressor-type household inhalers

The device and principle of operation of compressor nebulizers

A mechanical household appliance consists of the following main parts:

• electrical part of the device (power cord, transformer);
• the mechanical part is a compressor that creates pressure in the chamber of the device for spraying the composition and a sprayer;
• spray particle size regulator;
• inhalation container for placing the medicine;
• airway inhalation tube for supplying aerosol to the mask or mouthpiece;
• a mask or mouthpiece for inhalation of an aerosol by a patient.

Under the pressure created by the compressor of the device, the substance from the inhalation container, through the nebulizer and inhalation tube is fed to the mask. The patient inhales an aerosol, thereby distributing the therapeutic composition through the respiratory tract.

The benefits of compressor inhalers

• work with a wide range of drugs;
• no need for periodic replacement of components;
• adjustable size of sprayed particles.

Disadvantages of compressor inhalers

• noise emitted during operation;
• limited time for continuous operation;
• high loss of substance including the remainder of the substance in the inhalation chamber;
• lack of battery life.

Ultrasonic household inhalers

The device and principle of operation of ultrasonic inhalers

An ultrasonic type home appliance consists of:

• the electrical part of the device is represented by a power supply unit or a compartment for autonomous power sources;
• the working part is a high-frequency wave generator that breaks down the drug composition and nebulizer;
• spray size adjuster;
• a nebulizer chamber for placement of a solution of drugs;
• inhalation tube for supplying an aerosol substance to a mask or mouthpiece;
• mask or mouthpiece for inhalation of the sprayed substance by the patient.

Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, the substance from the container, through a nebulizer and inhalation tube is fed to a mask or mouthpiece. The patient inhales an aerosol substance, thereby spreading the drug substance through the respiratory tract.

Reference! Ultrasound nebulizers work silently, therefore, they are recommended for the treatment of infants.

Benefits of Ultrasonic Inhalers

• compact sizes of devices;
• silent work;
• the ability to work from autonomous power sources;
• finer atomization fraction for penetration into the lower respiratory tract.

Disadvantages of ultrasound inhalers

• restrictions on the drugs used - ultrasound destroys certain types of antibiotics and negatively affects hormonal drugs;
• do not work with high viscosity drugs;
• the need for periodic (annual) replacement of the working chamber for the location of drugs.