Abstract:
An inhaler, comprising an electrohydrodynamic comminution means, a means for partially or fully discharging the liquid comminution and a conduit through which the liquid comminution is administered, wherein the discharging means is arranged to be activated by inhalation of the user.
Abstract:
A device and method for delivering an aerosolized liquid having therapeutic properties to a user's lungs. The compact and convenient device includes a housing of such size that it can be held in a user's one hand with an exit opening in the housing for directing the aerosol to the user's mouth. The housing encloses a dispensing system for containing the liquid to be aerosolized and delivering it to an electrohydrodynamic apparatus and an electrohydrodynamic apparatus for aerosolizing the liquid and delivering the aerosol to the exit opening. The electrohydrodynamic apparatus produces a cloud of aerosolized liquid droplets having a monodispersed respirable droplet size and near zero velocity. The aerosolizing apparatus includes a plurality of spray sites each having a tip end, the spray sites cooperating with a charge source to result in an aerosolized spray from at least one tip end, a plurality of discharge electrodes downstream of the tip ends, and a plurality of reference electrodes downstream of the plurality of discharge electrodes.
Abstract:
A dispensing device has a liquid supplier having a liquid outlet; an electrical charger for generating an electrical field to cause liquid issuing from the liquid outlet to be comminuted to provide electrically charged comminuted matter; an electrical discharger for providing ions for at least partially electrically discharging the comminuted matter; and an ion attracter for attracting ions generated by the electrical discharger away from the electrical charger until a spray cloud of electrically charged comminuted matter has been established by the electrical charger.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating deposits of non-volatile substances, including biomacromolecules, in the form of spots and filing on a substrate surface by electrospray, where the deposits are used to determine the interaction of the deposited non-volatile substances to other substances. Also included in this method is the mass fabrication on a single chip of an array of single and multicomponent microsamples.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for spraying liquid at a target, which comprises atomizing liquid by charging it electrostatically, projecting the charge atomized liquid on a path toward the target and at least partially discharging the charged particles so formed with an ionic discharge induced by the particles as they pass an earthed electrode having a sharp or pointed edge sited adjacent said path.
Abstract:
Electrostatic spraying apparatus and process for spraying liquids which form a coalescent resistant surface in flight in a particular environment to produce a powder or granular material. The process involves delivering a liquid to a spraying site of an electrostatic spray head; making contact with the liquid via an electrically conducting or semiconducting liquid contacting surface; charging the liquid contacting surface to a high voltage of one polarity relative to a reference surface to intensify the electric field strength at the spraying site sufficiently that the liquid at the spraying site is drawn out preponderantly by electrostatic forces into at least one cone from which a corresponding ligament issues and breaks up into a spray of electrostatically charged droplets; providing the environment in a space sufficient that droplets from the spray head form, in flight, particles having a substantially coalescent resistant surface; and collecting the particles so formed.
Abstract:
Methods of electrospraying particles are disclosed that include electrospraying a liquid spray composition from the nozzle (18), the liquid spray composition including a liquid and a compound that exhibits a melting point and a crystallization temperature, and at least one of exposing particles formed from the liquid spray composition to a temperature modified environment, exposing particles formed from the liquid spray composition to an organic solvent, and collecting particles formed from the liquid spray composition on at least one of a temperature modified collector (12), a liquid collector, a variable topography collector, and a dry ice collector.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating deposits of non-volatile substances, including biomacromolecules, in the form of spots and films on a substrate surface by electrospray, where the deposits are used to determine the interaction of the deposited non-volatile substances to other substances. Also included in this method is the mass fabrication on a single chip of an array of single and multicomponent microsamples.
Abstract:
A housing defines a passageway having a mouth piece at one end and through which air is inhalable through the passageway, a dispenser being connected to the housing and operable to dispense a metered dose of aerosol liquid or powder. Electrodes (16, 22) are located intermediate the dispenser and the mouth piece and define a charging region (26). A charging circuit (21) applies a voltage across the electrodes, one of which has a pointed feature, such that particles passing through the charging region acquire charge of a predetermined polarity. A breath sensor (51) is used to co-ordinate operation of the charging circuit with the inhalation of the dose. The site of deposition of inhaled particles within the respiratory tract can thereby be influenced by selecting the magnitude and polarity of the voltage applied to the electrodes.