# US 10,500,354 B2 · System and method for atomizing and monitoring a drug cartridge during inhalation treatments

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- Number: US 10,500,354 B2
- Document ID: US10500354B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/462,700
- Filed: 2017-03-17
- Published: 2017-07-06
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-25
- Assignees: Sanmina Corporation
- Applicants: Sanmina Corporation
- Inventors: Robert Steven Newberry
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500354B2

## CPC

- A24F 40/00: Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F 40/51: Arrangement of sensors
- A24F 40/53: Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
- A61B 5/02416: {using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation (A61B5/14552 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/0261: {using optical means, e.g. infrared light}
- A61B 5/0816: {Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency (measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00)}
- A61B 5/087: Measuring breath flow
- A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement}
- A61B 5/14551: {for measuring blood gases}
- A61B 5/4839: {combined with drug delivery}
- A61B 5/4848: {Monitoring or testing the effects of treatment, e.g. of medication}
- A61B 5/682: {Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth}
- A61M 11/041: {using heaters}
- A61M 15/0021: {Mouthpieces therefor}
- A61M 15/0028: {using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up}
- A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
- A24F 40/42: Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
- A24F 40/485: Valves; Apertures
- A61B 5/0022: {Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet}
- A61B 5/1118: {Determining activity level}
- A61B 5/725: {using specific filters therefor, e.g. Kalman or adaptive filters (specific diagnostics methods using using bioelectric or biomagnetic signals A61B5/316)}
- A61B 2560/0223: of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
- A61M 2205/3379: Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
- A61M 2205/3584: using modem, internet or Bluetooth®
- A61M 2206/14: Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws
- A61M 2230/005: Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
- A61M 2230/04: Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
- A61M 2230/20: Blood composition characteristics
- A61M 2230/30: Blood pressure (A61M2230/04 takes precedence)
- A61M 2230/42: Rate
- A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

An atomizer includes a cartridge with a reservoir containing a fluid and a heating system configured to atomize the fluid into a vapor for inhalation. A respiratory indicator is configured to determine an inhalation period and an exhalation period of a patient using the atomizer. The atomizer then increases atomization of the vapor during the inhalation period and decreases atomization of the vapor during the exhalation period. An impedance sensor measures an amount of the fluid in the atomizer and deactivates atomization in response to an indication of a low fluid level.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An atomizer, comprising:
a cartridge configured to hold a fluid;
an atomizer system configured to atomize the fluid in the cartridge into a vapor for inhalation;
a biosensor including a sensor circuit that emits a first wavelength of light at tissue of a user and generates at least a first spectral response around the first wavelength of light reflected from the tissue of the user; and
a processing circuit configured to:
determine a respiration rate of the user using the first spectral response;
determine an inhalation period and exhalation period from the respiration rate; and
control the atomizer system to increase atomization of the vapor during the inhalation period and decrease atomization of the vapor during the exhalation period.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the atomizer further comprises:
a fluid sensor configured to detect an indicator of an amount of fluid in the cartridge; and
wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
determine the indicator of the amount of fluid in the cartridge reaches a predetermined level; and
deactivate the atomizer system in response to the indicator of the amount of fluid in the cartridge reaching the predetermined level.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The atomizer of claim 2, wherein the atomizer system comprises:
a wick for absorbing fluid in the cartridge; and
a heating element in contact with the wick, wherein the heating element increases in heat to atomize the fluid absorbed by the wick.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The atomizer of claim 3, wherein the fluid sensor comprises:
an impedance sensor configured to detect an impedance of the wick using the heating element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The atomizer of claim 4, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to control the atomizer to operate in an atomization mode or a measurement mode by:
activating the atomization system to operate in the atomization mode to atomize the fluid in the cartridge into a vapor for inhalation using the heating element;
deactivate the atomization system; and
activate the impedance sensor to detect an impedance of the wick using the heating element.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
determine vitals of the user using at least the first spectral response, wherein the vitals include one or more of: respiratory rate, heart rate or blood pressure;
determine a concentration of a substance in blood flow of vessels of the patient using at least the first spectral response, wherein the substance increases in concentration in the blood flow of the vessels in response to inhalation of the vapor; and
control the atomizer system to increase atomization of the vapor or decrease atomization of the vapor in response to the concentration level of the substance in the blood flow.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The atomizer of claim 6, wherein the sensor circuit is further configured to:
generate the first spectral response around the first wavelength of light reflected from the tissue of the user;
generate at least a second spectral response around a second wavelength of light reflected from the tissue of the user; and
wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
obtain a value Lλ1 using the first spectral response, wherein the value Lλ1 isolates the first spectral response due to pulsating blood flow;
obtain a value Lλ2 using the second spectral response, wherein the value Lλ2 isolates the second spectral response due to pulsating blood flow;
obtain a value Rλ1,λ2 from a ratio of the value Lλ1 and the value Lλ2;
determine the concentration level of the substance in the blood flow from the value Rλ1,λ2.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The atomizer of claim 7, wherein the concentration level of the substance includes at least one of: a blood nicotine level, a liver enzyme level, or a nitric oxide (NO) indicator level.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The atomizer of claim 8, wherein the atomizer is configured to alter a dosage, an administration rate or an administration period of the fluid in response to the concentration level of the substance in the blood flow.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes:
a chamber between a wick and a port of the cartridge, wherein the chamber is configured to hold the fluid; and
a heat soluble seal formed between the chamber and the wick, wherein the heat soluble seal comprises a material configured to dissolve upon heating of the wick.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The atomizer of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes:
a first set of baffles extending across a mouthpiece;
a second set of baffles extending across air flow channels, wherein the air flow channels prove air into the cartridge; and
wherein the first set of baffles and the second set of baffles form an air flow chamber configured to enhance mixing of the vapor and air.

### Claim 12

An atomizer, comprising:
a cartridge configured to hold a fluid;
an atomizer system configured to atomize the fluid in the cartridge into a vapor for inhalation, wherein the atomizer system includes:
a wick for absorbing fluid in the cartridge; and
a heating element in contact with the wick, wherein the heating element increases in heat to atomize the fluid absorbed by the wick;
an impedance sensor configured to detect an indicator of an amount of fluid in the cartridge, wherein the impedance sensor is configured to detect an impedance of the wick using the heating element; and
a processing circuit configured to:
activate the atomization system to operate in the atomization mode to atomize the fluid in the cartridge into a vapor using the heating element;
deactivate the atomization system; and
activate the impedance sensor to detect the impedance of the wick using the heating element.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The atomizer of claim 12, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
obtain an initial impedance of the wick prior to a first atomization mode;
determine the initial impedance is within a predetermined range of impedance measurements; and
initiate the first atomization mode.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The atomizer of claim 12, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
obtain an initial impedance of the wick prior to a first atomization mode;
determine the initial impedance is not within a predetermined range of impedance measurements; and
prevent the first atomization mode.

### Claim 15

An atomizer, comprising:
a cartridge configured to hold a medication in a fluid;
an atomizer system configured to atomize the fluid into a vapor for inhalation by a user;
a biosensor including:
a PPG circuit that emits light at a plurality of wavelengths directed to skin tissue of a user and generates a plurality of spectral responses around the plurality of wavelengths from light reflected from the skin tissue of the user;
a processing circuit configured to:
obtain a concentration level of the medication in blood flow of the user using the plurality of spectral responses; and
control the atomizer system to increase or decrease atomization of the vapor in response to the concentration level of the medication in the blood flow of the user.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The atomizer of claim 15, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
generate an alert in response to the concentration level of the medication reaching a predetermined threshold.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The atomizer of claim 16, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
detect an unsafe level of the concentration level of the medication in the blood flow of the user; and
deactivate operation of the atomizer.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The atomizer of claim 16, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
determine vitals of the user using the plurality of spectral responses, wherein the vitals include a respiratory rate, a heart rate and a blood oxygen level.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The atomizer of claim 16, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
determine a respiratory rate of the user using one or more of the plurality of spectral responses;
determine an inhalation period and exhalation period from the respiration rate; and
control the atomizer system to increase atomization of the vapor during the inhalation period and decrease atomization of the vapor during the exhalation period.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The atomizer of claim 16, wherein the PPG circuit is further configured to:
generate a first spectral response of the plurality of spectral responses around a first wavelength of light reflected from the skin tissue of the user;
generate a second spectral response of the plurality of spectral responses around a second wavelength of light reflected from the skin tissue of the user;
a processing circuit configured to:
obtain a value Lλ1 using the first spectral response, wherein the value Lλ1 isolates the first spectral response due to pulsating blood flow;
obtain a value Lλ2 using the second spectral response, wherein the value Lλ2 isolates the second spectral response due to pulsating blood flow;
obtain a value Rλ1,λ2 from a ratio of the value Lλ1 and the value Lλ2;
determine a concentration level of the medication in the pulsating blood flow from the value Rλ1,λ2 and a calibration.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The atomizer of claim 15, wherein the biosensor is integrated with the atomizer or a separate device in communication with the atomizer.

### Claim 22 (depends on 15)

The biosensor of claim 15, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
determine a concentration level of nitric oxide (NO) in blood flow of the user from at least one of the plurality of spectral responses, wherein the at least one of the plurality of spectral responses is obtained at a wavelength with a high absorption coefficient for NO; and
generate an alert in response to the concentration level of the NO reaching a predetermined threshold.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The biosensor of claim 22, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
determine a concentration level of glucose in blood flow of the user using the at least one of the plurality of spectral responses obtained at a wavelength with a high absorption coefficient for NO; and
generate an alert in response to the concentration level of the glucose reaching a predetermined threshold.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The biosensor of claim 23, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
monitor an insulin response using the at least one of the plurality of spectral responses obtained at a wavelength with a high absorption coefficient for NO.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The biosensor of claim 22, wherein the wavelength with the high absorption coefficient for NO includes a wavelength of approximately 390 nm.

### Claim 26 (depends on 16)

The biosensor of claim 16, wherein the atomizer further includes a mask to deliver the vaper through the nose and mouth.

### Claim 27

An atomizer, comprising:
a cartridge configured to hold a fluid;
an atomizer system configured to atomize the fluid in the cartridge into a vapor for inhalation;
a biosensor including:
a PPG circuit that emits light at a plurality of wavelengths directed to skin tissue of a user and generates a plurality of spectral responses around the plurality of wavelengths from light reflected from the skin tissue of the user;
a processing circuit configured to:
obtain a concentration level of a substance in blood flow of the user using the plurality of spectral responses; and
control the atomizer system to increase or decrease the atomization of the fluid in response to the concentration level of the substance in the blood flow of the user.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The atomizer of claim 27, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine vitals of the user using the plurality of spectral responses, wherein the vitals include a respiratory rate, a heart rate and a blood oxygen level.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The atomizer of claim 27, wherein the PPG circuit is further configured to:
generate a first spectral response of the plurality of spectral responses around a first wavelength of light reflected from the skin tissue of the user;
generate a second spectral response of the plurality of spectral responses around a second wavelength of light reflected from the skin tissue of the user;
a processing circuit configured to:
obtain a value Lλ1 using the first spectral response, wherein the value Lλ1 isolates the first spectral response due to pulsating blood flow;
obtain a value Lλ2 using the second spectral response, wherein the value Lλ2 isolates the second spectral response due to pulsating blood flow;
obtain a value Rλ1,λ2 from a ratio of the value Lλ1 and the value Lλ2;
determine the concentration level of the substance in the blood flow from the value Rλ1,λ2 and a calibration.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The atomizer of claim 29, wherein the concentration level of a substance includes a blood nicotine level and wherein the first wavelength of light reflected from the skin tissue of the user includes a wavelength with a high absorption coefficient of blood nicotine at approximately 260 nm.