Jet nebulizers use compressed gas to make medicated mist. These nebulizers deliver this gas through a pressurized stream of air, down a narrow tube or channel, and through an opening to create a jet. The movement of the air creates a vacuum that pushes the liquid medication out of the nebulizer, driving the misted medication deep into the lungs. Jet nebulizers are inexpensive, easy to use, and can deliver a variety of medications that cannot be administered by handheld inhalers.
How Does a Jet Nebulizer Work?
Delivering compressed gas through a jet causes negative pressure that draws the liquid medicine up the tube or channel, in what scientists call the Bernoulli effect. The air flowing forces the solution onto the surface of a baffle. The baffle breaks down the solution into small droplets, measuring 1 to 5 micrometers, which a patient can easily inhale.
By creating smaller droplets, the medicine can be more easily absorbed into the lungs providing faster results for anyone with breathing difficulties.
How To Use a Jet Nebulizer
Using a jet nebulizer is simple enough that even children can administer their own treatment. Follow these steps:
- Wash your hands to prevent contamination of the medicine.
- Connect the hose to an air compressor-make sure it is securely connected.
- Fill the medicine cup with your prescribed medicine-always check the medicine to make sure it is correct.
- Attach the hose and mouthpiece to the medicine cup-check the connection to make sure it is secure.
- Place the mouthpiece in your mouth.
- Be sure to take deep breaths to draw all the misted medicine into your lungs. Continue to treatment until the medicine in the medicine cup is completely gone.
- Turn off the machine when done.
What Does a Jet Nebulizer Look Like?
Jet nebulizers have a base. A hose connects the machine to an inhaler. The inhaler fits into the mouth to breathe misted medicine. There is a medicine cup where the liquid medicine is placed. The liquid medicine is then turned into a fine mist that is pumped through the tube into the inhaler.
The user breathes deeply to draw the misted medicine into the lungs. Most jet nebulizers are small and compact and can be easily packed into a suitcase for use on trips.
What Increases the Concentration of Medication in A Jet Nebulizer?
With jet nebulizers, drug concentration may increase significantly during aerosol therapy. 16-18 An increase in drug concentration may be due to evaporation, heating, or the inability to efficiently nebulize suspensions. Not all jet nebulizers work the same.
Concentrations of medication may need to affect your respiratory condition unless the concentration is very high. Liquid medication that is not effectively misted will not produce immediate results in terms of relief from breathing problems. The best jet nebulizers reduce the concentration of the medicine as much as possible to keep the mist fine enough so that it can be easily and quickly breathed deeply into the lungs.
Is A Compressor Nebulizer the Same as A Jet Nebulizer?
The terms compressor nebulizer and jet nebulizer are used interchangeably. The jet nebulizer relies on a compressor to turn the liquid medicine into a fine mist. The other type of nebulizer is a mesh nebulizer. Mesh nebulizers use a mesh cap with tiny holes to help dispense medication into consistent particle sizes that can be easily and comfortably inhaled.
Almost entirely silent, modern mesh nebulizers are also small and compact and enable you to complete your treatment in as little as 7 minutes. They are also often battery-operated, giving patients the freedom to complete their respiratory treatment when they’re on the go.
Benefits Of Using Jet Nebulizers
Jet nebulizers are easy to use and can be used by children with little practice. Any type of medication for respiratory illness can be used with the jet nebulizer. They are very efficient at delivering misted medication. Also, jet nebulizers can reduce the time it takes to perform a treatment. Most jet nebulizers are easy to clean and are lightweight and small so they can be easily transported for vacations.
Most jet nebulizers are quiet so they can be used discreetly anywhere a treatment is needed. Some jet nebulizers offer battery power options so they can be used when there is no power source available.
How a Jet Nebulizer Can Benefit Children
A jet nebulizer is especially helpful for children treating their respiratory illnesses because it gives them some measure of independence. Because jet nebulizers are fairly easy to use, kids can manage their treatments and take responsibility for managing their illnesses. The ability for kids to take care of themselves helps them feel less like they are sickly and need medical care and more that the treatments are simply a part of their daily routine.
How To Maintain and Clean Jet Nebulizers
After each use of a jet nebulizer:
- Make sure the tubing isn't attached to anything that can generate electricity.
- Remove the medicine cup's top by unscrewing it.
- Clean the nebulizer by completely cleaning it and then refilling it with fresh water.
- Connect the compressor to the tubing by screwing the top of the medicine cup back on.
- To flush out any remaining medicine, run the device for a few seconds again.
- Then disassemble the nebulizer and store it until the next time you need it.
Daily Cleaning
Disconnect the medicine cup's tube. All objects, excluding the tubing, should be washed in hot, soapy water. Remove any excess soap by rinsing all parts in clean water. Allow the nebulizer to air dry thoroughly. There is no need to use a towel. Reassemble and store it in a clean area until the next time you use it.
Where to Buy Jet Nebulizers
You can shop for nebulizers online at The Oxygen Concentrator Supplies Shop. We offer them and hundreds of other products to help respiratory and oxygen therapy patients. If you would like to learn more or need any assistance, please give us a call at 888-941-1688. Our knowledgeable staff would be happy to help you.
The author is not affiliated in any way with any particular nebulizer brand, so this post constitutes publicly-available information. Additionally, this post does not constitute medical advice in any way. It is recommended to discuss the specifics of any oxygen products with your doctor before ultimately purchasing a device to ensure you have the right equipment for your needs. This information is for educational purposes only.
