Nebulizer

From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

A nebulizer is a medical device that causes a liquid or solid to be converted into an aerosol (spray) or a vapor. As opposed to metered-dose inhalers, it requires no patient cooperations, and its output can be mixed with oxygen by mask, or through a breathing tube.

Small ultrasonic nebulizers are available in pocket-sized versions. Some asthmatics and others with chronic respiratory disease prefer them to metered-dose inhalers, as they take special respiratory effort that may be difficult if breathing is labored.