Methods and apparatus for storing chemical compounds in a portable inhaler
AssigneeAerogen, Inc.
InventorsYehuda Ivri, Linda R. De Young, Cheng H. Wu, Miro S. Cater, Vijay Kumar, Markus Flierl
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Abstract
The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a cartridge is coupled to a liquid dispenser and includes a substance which is in a dry state. A liquid is dispensed from the dispenser into the cartridge so that the substance may be dissolved into the dispensed liquid to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the cartridge and onto an atomization member which is operated to aerosolize the solution.
Claims15
A method for aerosolizing a substance, the method comprising:
- coupling a cartridge to a liquid dispenser, the cartridge including a substance which is in a dry state;
- dispensing a liquid from the dispenser into the cartridge, wherein the substance is dissolved into the dispensed liquid to form a solution;
- transferring the solution from the cartridge and onto an atomization member;
- and
- operating the atomization member to aerosolize the solution.
An aerosolizing system, comprising:
- a liquid dispenser having a delivery port which delivers a predetermined volume of liquid upon operation of the liquid dispenser;
- a cartridge which is adapted to be coupled to and receive liquid from the liquid dispenser, the cartridge comprising a housing having a substance which is in a dry state, wherein receipt of the volume of liquid from the liquid dispenser dissolves the substance to form a solution and forces the solution from the housing;
- and
- an aerosol generator disposed near the cartridge and which is adapted to receive the solution from the cartridge.
A cartridge for use with an aerosolizing device having a liquid dispenser and an aerosol generator, the cartridge comprising:
- a housing having an inlet opening which is adapted to receive liquid from the liquid dispenser, and outlet opening, a support structure disposed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, a substance which is in the dry state and is dispersed within the support structure such that receipt of the liquid from the liquid dispenser dissolves the substance to form a solution and forces the solution from the outlet opening for atomization by the aerosol generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.