Aerosol generating and delivery device
Inventors
Giroux, Marc • DeGroodt, William A. • Pearce, Joseph R. • Kamp, Robert W. • Rinne, Finn O. • Leung, Paul C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7905229-B2
Publication Date
2011-03-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Particular aspects provide novel atomizers for generating particles over a broad range of MMAD size distributions, the eliminating the requirement for an impaction baffle in generating the desired particle sizes. In particular aspects, the atomization means communicates with a remote particle filter member configured and positioned to provide for particle size filtering. In additional aspects, the atomization means communicates with a particle dispersion chamber suitable to impart a desired particle flow pattern to particles within and exiting the dispersion chamber. In further aspects, the atomization means communicates with a nasal, ocular, oral or ‘vicinity’ adapter. The novel devices provide for targeted (e.g., nasal, ocular, oral, local vicinity), systemic, and/or topical delivery of an atomized liquid (e.g., via the nasal cavity, olfactory region, and mouth). Further exemplary aspects relate to aerosolization and delivery of perfume, fragrance, essential oil or cosmeceutical agents and the like.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aerosol generating and delivery device that includes a liquid feed tube with a liquid feed channel exit orifice, an end-wall face, and a sidewall. The end-wall face between the liquid feed channel exit orifice and a perimeter of the liquid feed tube is substantially normal to a diverting portion of the sidewall, and a compressed fluid feed channel with a compressed fluid exit orifice is arranged to direct a stream of compressed fluid toward the diverting portion.
The diverting portion is configured to disrupt a portion of the stream of compressed fluid, and the disrupted portion is configured to atomize a liquid from the liquid exit orifice. The compressed fluid exit orifice is spaced from the diverting portion of the sidewall and directs the stream toward the diverting portion so that the diverting portion disrupts only a portion of the stream.
The disclosed device further includes optional features that refine aerosol generation and delivery, including aerodynamic particle size filtering and particle dispersion. An aerodynamic filtering member is configured to aerodynamically filter particles from an atomized liquid when the particles are larger than a predetermined maximum size, and the device can further include a particle dispersion chamber configured to impart a flow pattern to an aerosolized liquid.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim covering the core aerosol atomization device, with dependent claims that add inventive features such as aerodynamic particle filtering, non-uniform diversion by the diverting surface, and a particle dispersion chamber. The claim coverage centers on compressed-fluid disruption of a portion of the stream onto a diverting portion of a liquid feed tube sidewall to atomize liquid at a liquid exit orifice, together with downstream control features for aerosol particle size and flow pattern.
Compressed-fluid diverting-sidewall atomization
A liquid feed tube having a liquid feed channel exit orifice, an end-wall face and a sidewall, where the end wall face is substantially normal to a diverting portion of the sidewall; and a compressed fluid feed channel having a compressed fluid exit orifice spaced from the diverting portion, configured to direct a stream toward the diverting portion; the diverting portion is configured to disrupt a portion of the stream so the disrupted portion atomizes a liquid from the liquid exit orifice.
Aerodynamic particle size filtering by threshold
The device includes a filtering member configured to aerodynamically filter particles from an atomized liquid when the particles are larger than a predetermined maximum size.
Non-uniform compressed-fluid diversion by diverting surface
The diverting portion has a surface such that the compressed fluid contacting it engages the surface and the surface is configured to divert the contacting compressed fluid non-uniformly.
Particle dispersion chamber imparting a flow pattern
The device further includes a particle dispersion chamber configured to impart a flow pattern to an aerosolized liquid.
Overall, the claim set covers compressed-fluid stream disruption by a diverting portion of a liquid feed tube sidewall to atomize liquid, and further covers dependent refinements for particle size filtering and for controlling aerosolized-liquid flow patterns via a dispersion chamber and via a non-uniform diverting surface.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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