Electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12156547-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electronic device for producing an aerosol for inhalation has a mouthpiece and an elongate housing. The mouthpiece attaches to an upper end of the housing. The housing contains a liquid container and a mesh assembly with mesh material that vibrates when actuated for aerosolizing liquid from the container. The mouthpiece covers the mesh assembly at the upper end of the housing, and the aerosol produced by the mesh assembly may be inhaled through the mouthpiece by a person. The housing contains circuitry and a power supply, preferably are located in a lower half of the housing, for actuating vibration of the mesh material. Electrical pathways connect the mesh assembly with the circuitry and power supply. The power supply may comprise one or more batteries located at the lower end of the housing. The aerosol is produced without smoldering of the liquid and without using a compressed gas.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an inhalation aerosol electronic device that produces aerosol for inhalation by actuating a piezoelectric material to vibrate a vibrating mesh. A mesh assembly is secured within an upper component at a distal end so that the mesh assembly is exposed through an opening in the distal end of the upper component, and the upper component contains a liquid in contact with the mesh assembly.
A mouthpiece is attached to the distal end of the upper component in opposing facing relation to the mesh assembly so that the mouthpiece defines a partially enclosed space at the distal end of the upper component. The partially enclosed space extends above the mesh assembly, and the aerosol is produced in the partially enclosed space when the piezoelectric material is actuated.
When the upper component and a handheld component are brought together, electrical pathways of the upper component and the handheld component connect the mesh assembly of the upper component with circuitry and a power supply in the handheld component for actuating the piezoelectric material. The described system generates aerosol without heating and without compressed gas.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identifies an assembly and use method for producing an inhalation aerosol from a vibrating mesh atomizer actuated by piezoelectric material, with the aerosol generated in a partially enclosed mouthpiece space and inhaled through a mouthpiece opening. The main claim includes multiple inventive features, and the dependent claims refine coupling, arrangement, mesh construction, droplet formation, and a droplet size range.
Piezoelectric actuated vibrating mesh assembly exposed at distal opening
Securing a mesh assembly within the upper component at a distal end so the mesh assembly is exposed through an opening in the distal end, with the upper component containing a liquid in contact with the mesh assembly and the mesh assembly having piezoelectric material and mesh material that vibrate when the piezoelectric material is actuated for aerosolizing the liquid.
Mouthpiece defines partially enclosed space for aerosol production above mesh
Attaching a mouthpiece to the distal end of the upper component in opposing facing relation to the mesh assembly such that the mouthpiece defines a partially enclosed space at the distal end of the upper component, the partially enclosed space extending above the mesh assembly, in which the aerosol is produced when the piezoelectric material is actuated.
Electrical pathways connect piezo actuation to handheld circuitry and power supply
Bringing together a proximal end of the upper component and the handheld component, where the handheld component contains circuitry and a power supply for actuating the piezoelectric material resulting in vibration of the mesh material, and wherein, when the upper component and the handheld component are brought together, electrical pathways of the upper component and the handheld component connect the mesh assembly of the upper component with the circuitry and power supply of the handheld component.
Inhalation through mouthpiece opening from partially enclosed space
Actuating the piezoelectric material to cause the mesh material to vibrate and aerosolize the liquid in the partially enclosed space defined by the mouthpiece, and inhaling the aerosol from the partially enclosed space through an opening in the mouthpiece.
Snap-fitting mouthpiece attachment to distal end
Attaching the mouthpiece to the distal end of the upper component by snap-fitting it onto the distal end.
Pivoting open and closed assembly of upper component and handheld component
Pivoting the upper component and the handheld component relative to each other from an open position to a closed position when they are brought together.
Single-layer oscillating piezoelectric material mesh assembly
Providing a mesh assembly that includes a single-layer oscillating piezoelectric material.
Forced liquid contact and droplets through small openings in vibrating mesh
Forcing a liquid into contact with a first side of vibrating mesh material so that, as the mesh oscillates, droplets pass through small openings to form aerosol droplets.
Aerosol droplet size range of one to four microns
The produced aerosol droplets are between one-micron and four-micron in size.
Overall, the claims cover an inhalation aerosol device assembly and use method in which piezoelectric actuation vibrates a mesh assembly that aerosolizes liquid within a mouthpiece-defined partially enclosed space, with aerosol inhaled through a mouthpiece opening. Dependent refinements specify snap-fitting attachment, pivoting open/closed assembly, single-layer oscillating piezoelectric mesh construction, forced liquid contact through small openings for droplet formation, and a droplet size range between one micron and four microns.
Stated Advantages
Generates aerosol without heating and without compressed gas.
Targets fine, low-velocity aerosol.
Aims for central and deep lung deposition.
Documented Applications
Producing an aerosol for inhalation by a person, including assembly and use of the electronic device for inhaling aerosol through the mouthpiece opening.
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