Apparatus for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10888117-B2
Publication Date
2021-01-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A disposable cartridge is disclosed for use with an electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person. The cartridge comprises a liquid container containing a liquid which when aerosolized is intended for inhalation by a person; and a transducer that, when actuated, causes the liquid from the container to be aerosolized such that the aerosol may be inhaled by a person. In various embodiments, the liquid comprises: a liposomal carrier; a liquid mixture having an active agent entrapped by liposomes; and a liquid mixture comprising a nanodispersion. The liquid may include nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, or nanoparticles formed by an oil droplet covered by a monolayer of phosphatidylcholine. The transducer preferably comprises a mesh material with the transducer and the mesh material forming a piezo mesh disk for aerosolizing the liquid.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person using a liquid container, a transducer comprising a mesh material, and means for pressing the liquid mixture into contact with the mesh material regardless of the orientation of the liquid container. The transducer vibrates when actuated, thereby aerosolizing the liquid mixture so that the aerosol may be inhaled by a person.
A central aspect of the invention is that the aerosolizable liquid mixture comprises an inhalable liposomal carrier including encapsulated tetrahydrocannabinol or encapsulated cannabidiol deliverable to the respiratory tract. In related embodiments, the liposomal carrier can include a liposomal nanoemulsion, and the liquid mixture can further include nanoparticles.
The disclosed device concepts include a vibrating mesh transducer implementation such as a piezo mesh disk and a pressing mechanism that forces the liquid mixture into contact with the mesh regardless of orientation. A further aspect describes a liquid mixture comprising a nanodispersion for inhalation using the same mesh-based vibrating aerosolization approach.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover aerosol-inhalation apparatuses with a liquid container, a vibrating mesh transducer, orientation-independent pressing of liquid into contact with the mesh, and specific inhalable formulations including liposomal carriers and/or nanodispersion-based liquid mixtures. Across the independent claims, four core inventive feature themes are repeated: orientation-independent pressing, mesh-based vibrating aerosolization, specific formulation classes, and piezo mesh disk / drive-based pushing implementations.
Orientation-independent pressing into mesh contact
Means for pressing the liquid mixture into contact with the mesh material regardless of the orientation of the liquid container.
Vibrating mesh transducer for aerosolization
A transducer comprising a mesh material that, when actuated, vibrates resulting in aerosolizing of the liquid mixture from the container such that the aerosol may be inhaled by a person.
Inhalable liposomal carrier with encapsulated THC or encapsulated cannabidiol
The liquid mixture to be aerosolized comprises an inhalable liposomal carrier including encapsulated tetrahydrocannabinol or encapsulated cannabidiol deliverable to the respiratory tract.
Active agent entrapped by liposomes with piezo mesh disk
The liquid comprises an active agent entrapped by liposomes; the transducer comprises a mesh material that vibrates when the transducer is actuated, thereby resulting in aerosolization of the liquid; and the transducer and the mesh material form a piezo mesh disk.
Nanodispersion-based inhalable liquid mixture
A liquid container containing a liquid mixture comprising a nanodispersion which when aerosolized is intended for inhalation by a person.
Taken together, the independent claims define inhalation aerosol apparatuses that use a vibrating mesh transducer and an orientation-independent pressing mechanism to maintain liquid contact with the mesh, while requiring specific inhalable liquid formulation classes such as liposomal carriers with encapsulated tetrahydrocannabinol or encapsulated cannabidiol, an active agent entrapped by liposomes, and/or a nanodispersion-containing liquid mixture. Some independent-claim coverage further narrows the transducer/mesh arrangement to a piezo mesh disk.
Stated Advantages
Carcinogen-free aerosol.
Avoidance of smoldering byproducts such as formaldehyde.
Fine particle low velocity aerosol for central and deep lung deposition.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?