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Answer -- The
manifold is one of the key parts to the overall function and
effectiveness of The Medicator. The manifold secures the
nebulizer and reservoir bag in proper orientation and allows
them to connect to the patient through a mouthpiece, mask or
extension tube. It serves as the "traffic cop"
to properly direct aerosol according to the phase of the
breathing cycle.
For the regular
Medicator system, the manifold allows the nebulizer and
reservoir bag to be located behind a one-way flapper.
During the patient's exhalation, aerosol that is being emitted
from the nebulizer has no choice but to collect in the
reservoir bag, where it is effectively stored until the next
inspiration which will take place within a few
seconds. During
the patient's inspiration, aerosol that is being emitted from
the nebulizer plus aerosol that has been stored in the
reservoir bag during the previous exhalation is now inhaled by
the patient. The patient therefore receives a greater
portion of the mass of drug that was initially placed in the
nebulizer because he is able to inhale most of the aerosol
that would have been generated and wasted during
exhalation. And the therapist is not exposed to as much
ambient aerosol drug as may otherwise occur with a nebulizer
that does not capture and store aerosol generated during
exhalation. With
the regular Medicator system, when the patient exhales again,
the exhaled volume is passed to the room through a small
exhalation port on the top of the manifold. With the
Medicator Plus system, the exhaled aerosol is passed through a
filter to prevent it from entering the room. This
provides nearly 100% protection against exposure for the
therapist. |
