Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an EHD nozzle suitable for use in a portable pulmonary aerosol delivery device. SOLUTION: The improved Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) nozzle 20a particularly suitable for a handheld pulmonary aerosol inhaler increases the consistent and efficient dispensing of therapeutic liquids by reducing or eliminating wetting through shielding of discharge electrodes 26. Some versions further eliminate wetting while enhancing neutralization of the aerosol through presentation of a corona wind of ions annularly surround the aerosol. Incorporation of improved liquid distribution with consistent pressure drops to each EHD nozzle tip 32 allows horizontal dispensing, and using dielectric nozzle tips 32 with low surface energy allows to avoid wicking between dispenses and advantageously reduce achievable particle size when dispensing. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A device (10) and method for delivering an aerosolized liquid having therapeutic properties to a user's lungs. The compact and convenient device (10) includes a housing (12) of such size that it can be held in a user's one hand with an exit opening (14) in the housing (12) for directing the aerosol to the user's mouth. The housing (12) encloses a dispensing system (20) for containing the liquid to be aerosolized and delivering it to an electrohydrodynamic apparatus (30) and an electrohydrodynamic apparatus (30) for aerosolizing the liquid and delivering the aerosol to the exit opening (14). The electrohydrodynamic apparatus (30) 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 (34) each having a tip end, the spray sites (34) cooperating with a charge source to result in an aerosolized spray from at least one tip end (48), a plurality of discharge electrodes downstream of the tip ends, and a plurality of reference electrodes (36) downstream of the plurality of discharge electrodes (38).
Abstract:
A non-respirable aerosol, particularly a non-respirable aerosol comprising a biologically-effective amount of a biologically-active agent dissolved, emulsified, or suspended in a highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle. The highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle comprises about 60 wt % to about 100 wt % water, about 0 wt % to about 40 wt % of a co-solvent, about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % of an acceptable surfactant, and about 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of an excipient. The non-respirable aerosol is substantially monodisperse when dispensed from a sprayhead assembly comprising a preferably linear array of a plurality of nozzles and at least one counter electrode adapted to substantially equalize the charge fields of the plurality of nozzles.
Abstract:
An improved Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) nozzle particularly suitable for a handheld pulmonary aerosol inhaler increases the consistent and efficient dispensing of therapeutic liquids by reducing or eliminating wetting through shielding of discharge electrodes. Some versions further eliminate wetting while enhances neutralization of the aerosol through presentation of a corona wind of ions annularly surround the aerosol. Incorporation of improved liquid distribution with consistent pressure drops to each EHD nozzle tip allows horizontal dispensing, and by using dielectric nozzle tips with low surface energy to thereby avoid wicking between dispenses and to advantageously reduce achievable particle size when dispensing. Some versions feature enhanced snap-fit assembly and other manufacturability advantages. One of the unique features of the EHD nozzles is achieved high dose rate (microliters/minute) with low wetting and small particle size (1.0-5 microns), although these properties tend to be mutually exclusive. Furthermore, these attributes are incorporated into a conveniently small, handheld device.
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 reparable 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 electrohydrodynamic aerosol sprayer wherein a gas flow deflector is used for creating a gas flow past the spray nozzle to stabilize the Taylor cone and to transport at least a portion of the aerosol away from the region downstream of the spray nozzle. This stabilization of the cone and transport of aerosol improves the droplet size and distribution and may also reduce the deposit of droplets on the internal components of the device.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to the control of high voltage power, and in part icular to control of high voltage power from low voltage sources while reduc ing unwanted self resonance in the windings of a self oscillating flyback co nverter.
Abstract:
A non-respirable aerosol, particularly a non-respirable aerosol comprising a biologically-effective amount of a biologically-active agent dissolved, emulsified, or suspended in a highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle. The highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle comprises about 60 wt % to about 100 wt % water, about 0 wt % to about 40 wt % of a co-solvent, about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % of an acceptable surfactant, and about 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of an excipient. The non-respirable aerosol is substantially monodisperse when dispensed from a sprayhead assembly comprising a preferably linear array of a plurality of nozzles and at least one counter electrode adapted to substantially equalize the charge fields of the plurality of nozzles.
Abstract:
A thermal treatment system for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water for human or animal consumption, industrial processes, environmental containment, or removal of foreign species. The water purifier includes a he at exchanger for exchanging heat between outgoing thermally conditioned or purified water and incoming makeup water; a water heater is connected to the heat exchanger so as to receive pre-heated incoming makeup water, where the water heater subsequently heats the incoming preheated makeup water to a set - point temperature in the case of thermally conditioned water and for purifie d water also holds the water for a period of time sufficient to inactivate selected organisms to a predetermined level. The heat exchanger has one or more treated water outlets for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water at slected temperatures.