02/06/2021
History of nebulizer and inhalation therapy
Nebulizer (lat. "nebula" - fog, cloud) is a device for inhalation that threated lungs and bronchi.
Inhalation of aerosols for medicinal purposes has been used in the distant past. The ancient Roman physician and philosopher Galen was the first to describe the healing effect of salt particles contained in the sea air. In addition, mint, menthol and eucalyptus vapors were popular inhalers at the time.
The first nebulizer that worked under pressure and produced cold steam was invented in France in 1858. The nebulizer was powered by a hand pump, on the principle of a bicycle. The medicine was sifted through a special membrane under a stream of air, forming an aerosol that the patient had to inhale.
Almost 10 years later, a steam-driven nebulizer was invented in Germany. This device was based on the Venturi effect and marked the beginning of the era of nebulizer therapy. The doctors used a stream of steam as a source of energy, and this device was used to treat tuberculosis patients with resins and antiseptics.
In 1930, the first electric nebulizer was invented and became the great-grandfather of today's compressor nebulizer. Fifteen years later, an additional liquid, freon, was used to supply aerosol. In 1964, ultrasonic nebulizers began to be used, which became widespread not only in medical practice, but also in the household segment. Air humidifiers began to produced on their basis.
Inhalation medical technology is developing incredibly fast. Nowadays nebulizers are compact, silent, easy-to-use and affordable. They have different masks for use by patients of any age and can be used at home or even on trip. And most importantly, they are highly efective in human treatment.