Intraoral aerosol delivery device

An electrically-powered inhalation device for delivery of an aerosol to the oropharynx of a user, the inhalation device comprising:

• a. respective proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion including an inlet for a liquid, the distal portion including (i) an aerosol outlet defining a mist-exiting location and (ii) a piezo assembly including an ultrasonically vibrable mesh membrane, for producing, upon electrical activation, a mist comprising droplets of the liquid, the mesh membrane defining a mist-generating location;
• and
• b. an intermediate portion disposed distally from the proximal portion and proximally from the distal portion.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a portable power source.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising an inhalation sensor for monitoring a flow in an inhalation flow-path.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising an exhalation sensor for monitoring a flow in an exhalation-flow path.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesh membrane is effective to eject at least 5 times, or at least 10 times, or at least 20 times, or at least 50 times more liquid in the mist during user inhalation than during user exhalation.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, comprising an inhalation flow-path and an exhalation flow-path, each of the flow-paths including a respective one-way fluid valve.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the distal portion comprises a coating for generating a taste and/or odor sensation.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion comprises a coating for generating a taste and/or odor sensation.

The inhalation device of any one of the previous claims, comprising control circuitry programable to cause the mesh membrane to eject, in the mist, a liquid quantity that is either predetermined or received in an input from a user.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the container is above a plane longitudinally bisecting the intermediate portion when the device is rotated such that the plane is horizontal.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal portion comprises a liquid-retaining compartment in fluid communication with the liquid inlet via a conduit, the liquid-retaining compartment being shaped to receive a quantity of the liquid via the conduit by force of gravity when the inhalation device is in a first orientation, and to retain at least a part of the quantity against the force of gravity when the inhalation device is in a second orientation.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mist-generating location is at least 20% deep or at least 30% deep or at least 40% deep or at least 50% deep or at least 60% deep or at least 70% deep or at least 80% deep into an oral-cavity volume beneath the user's hard palate.

The inhalation device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a display device configured to display information about at least one of:

• (i) a currently-remaining quantity of the liquid or of a component thereof, (ii) an already-misted quantity of the liquid or of a component thereof, and (iii) the identity of a component of the liquid.

An electrically-powered inhalation device for delivery of an aerosol to the oropharynx of a user, the inhalation device comprising:

• a. respective proximal and distal portions, the distal portion including (i) a volume for storing a liquid, (ii) an aerosol outlet defining a mist-exiting location and (iii) a piezo assembly including an ultrasonically vibrable mesh membrane, for producing, upon electrical activation, a mist comprising droplets of the liquid, the mesh membrane defining a mist-generating location;
• and
• b. an intermediate portion disposed distally from the proximal portion and proximally from the distal portion.

An electrically-powered inhalation device for delivery of an aerosol to the oropharynx of a user, the inhalation device comprising:

• a. respective proximal and distal portions, the distal portion including (i) a volume for storing a liquid, (ii) an aerosol outlet defining a mist-exiting location and (iii) a piezo assembly including an ultrasonically vibrable mesh membrane, for producing, upon electrical activation, a mist comprising droplets of the liquid, the mesh membrane defining a mist-generating location;
• and
• b. an intermediate portion disposed distally from the proximal portion and proximally from the distal portion.

The device of any one of claims 45-48 wherein the distal portion is dimensioned to vertically span the user's oral cavity from tongue to hard-palate when the user's lips and/or teeth are transversely engaged with the intermediate portion, so as to place the mist-exiting location in fluid communication with the user's oropharynx.