Electronic devices for aerosolizing and inhaling liquid having diaphragm and a pressure sensor
Inventors
Danek, Mario • Betts, Kassie • Kovacevich, Ian D. • BANSANSINE, Nouphone J. • Walsh, Joseph Gene • Cheng, Christopher Kar-Heng • Breen, Chris • RIGBERG, Josh • Granger, Toriono • RAWASHDEH, Muawea • Hall, Ryan • CHARLES, Tonya • COKER, Jacquelyn
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11925207-B2
Publication Date
2024-03-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electronic device includes a hand held base assembly that includes circuitry including memory and firmware executed by a processor or microcontroller of the circuitry; and a cartridge assembly that includes memory that is read by the firmware of the handheld base assembly. The cartridge assembly and the handheld base assembly are configured to removably couple together to define the electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person. An enclosed air passageway is defined by the cartridge assembly and by the handheld base assembly, which isolates the airflow from the electronics of the device. The enclosed air passageway extends between the opening of the mouthpiece for taking a breath and a diaphragm of the handheld base assembly, movement of the diaphragm changing the air pressure within an enclosed interior space having a pressure sensor for trigging the pressure sensor when a breath is taken.
Core Innovation
The disclosure relates to an electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person. The device includes a cartridge assembly configured to aerosolize a liquid to produce the aerosol for inhalation, and the cartridge assembly comprises a memory, a mouthpiece, a liquid reservoir, and a mesh assembly comprising a mesh material and a piezoelectric material.
A handheld base assembly is removably coupled with the cartridge assembly and includes a pressure sensor and circuitry including a processor or microcontroller and firmware executed by the processor or microcontroller for actuating the mesh assembly. The processor or microcontroller is configured to read the memory of the cartridge assembly, and the cartridge assembly and the handheld base assembly collectively define an enclosed interior air passageway in fluid communication with the mesh material.
The enclosed interior air passageway extends between an interior space of the mouthpiece and a diaphragm arranged proximate the pressure sensor within the handheld base assembly. When a breath is drawn from the mouthpiece, a change in pressure in the enclosed interior air passageway is detected by the pressure sensor, and the electronic device is turned on to consequently cause aerosolization.
The device is described as turning on when a button on an exterior of the electronic device is depressed for a predetermined period of time, and the design is positioned to use no heat to reduce HPHCs. The airpath components are described as compliant with ISO 18562 and ISO 10993 and related medical airpath/device standards.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set includes one independent claim. The inventive features focus on a cartridge with a memory and a piezoelectric vibrating mesh aerosolization structure, a handheld base with a pressure sensor and processor/firmware that reads cartridge memory, and breath pressure changes in an enclosed interior air passageway that trigger aerosolization, together with a specified exterior-button turn-on behavior.
Piezoelectric mesh cartridge aerosolization with cartridge memory
A cartridge assembly configured to aerosolize a liquid to produce the aerosol for inhalation, the cartridge assembly comprising a memory, a mouthpiece, a liquid reservoir, and a mesh assembly comprising a mesh material and a piezoelectric material.
Pressure-sensor handheld base actuating piezoelectric mesh under processor/firmware control
A handheld base assembly removably coupled with the cartridge assembly, the handheld base assembly comprising a pressure sensor and circuitry including a processor or microcontroller and firmware executed by the processor or microcontroller for actuating the mesh assembly, the processor or microcontroller being configured to read the memory of the cartridge assembly.
Button-based predetermined-period turn-on
The electronic device is configured to turn on when a button on an exterior of the electronic device is depressed for a predetermined period of time.
Enclosed interior air passageway with mouthpiece-to-diaphragm pressure detection
The cartridge assembly and the handheld base assembly collectively define an enclosed interior air passageway in fluid communication with the mesh material and extending between an interior space of the mouthpiece to a diaphragm arranged proximate the pressure sensor within the handheld base assembly, by which diaphragm a change in pressure in the enclosed interior air passageway is detected by the pressure sensor when a breath is drawn from the mouthpiece and the electronic device is turned on to consequently cause aerosolization.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on an electronic inhalation aerosol device that uses a cartridge having a piezoelectric material-based mesh aerosolization structure and cartridge memory, with a removably coupled handheld base that reads cartridge memory and actuates the mesh upon detecting breath-induced pressure changes in an enclosed interior air passageway, together with an exterior button turn-on behavior for a predetermined period.
Stated Advantages
The device is positioned as using no heat to reduce HPHCs.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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