Aerosol devices and methods for inhaling a substance and uses thereof

• US 10,231,484 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2015
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc. (PAX Labs, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc. (PAX Labs, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bowen, Adam, Monsees, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Michael H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mayes, Dionne W.
• Application Number:
  US14/625,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20150157056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/20 Devices using solid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/40 Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/42 Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/10 Devices with chemical heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/047 by exothermic chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/048 with a flame, e.g. using a burner
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0035 Piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0041 with movable piercing or cutting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 having a color code
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/09 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/10 : on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/205 : Metallic coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/31 : Heat sealable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/702 : Amorphous
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7244 : Oxygen barrier
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7246 : Water vapor barrier
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2435/02 : for containers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 : of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 : comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 : using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties

Abstract

Devices, cartridges, and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein a device generates an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract, while reducing Hoffman analytes and mutagenic compounds delivered to the user as compared to a common tobacco cigarette.

Claims

1. A method of delivering an aerosol to a subject, the method comprising:

a) deploying an aerosol generating device comprising a heater and a vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a tobacco product and an aerosol-forming medium, wherein the tobacco product comprises fine pieces of tobacco, wherein the fine pieces of tobacco are less than 2 mm in diameter, and wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises glycerin or propylene glycol;

b) heating the vaporizable material in the vaporization chamber with the heater of the device to a target temperature, wherein the target temperature is 100°

C. to 180°

C.;

c) generating the aerosol in the vaporization chamber, wherein the aerosol contains at least 70% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette; and

d) delivering the aerosol directly to the subject for inhalation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the Hoffman analytes include:

ammonia, aminonaphthalenes, benzopyrene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, methylethylketone, butyraldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitrous oxides, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), pyridine, quinoline, hydroquinone, phenol, cresols, carbon monoxide, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, and styrene.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the target temperature is 100°

C. to 150°

C.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the target temperature is about 150°

C.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol contains at least about 80% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol contains at least about 90% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises glycerine and propylene glycol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporization chamber and heater are within a sealed cartridge, and wherein deploying the aerosol generating device comprises attaching the cartridge to a reusable portion of the device.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising removing the cartridge from the reusable portion when the vaporizable material is depleted.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material is a fluidic vaporizable material.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the tobacco product comprises fine pieces of tobacco, wherein the fine pieces of tobacco are less than 1 mm in diameter.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol comprises particles less than about 2 microns in diameter.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-forming medium further comprises a natural or an artificial flavorant.

14. The method of claim 1, comprising a natural flavorant, wherein the natural flavorant comprises lemon flavor.

15. An aerosol generating device comprising:

a heater; and

a vaporization chamber comprising a vaporizable material that comprises a tobacco product and an aerosol-forming medium, wherein the tobacco product comprises fine pieces of tobacco, wherein the fine pieces of tobacco are less than 2 mm in diameter, and wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises glycerine or propylene glycol,

wherein the device generates an aerosol in the vaporization chamber upon heating the vaporizable material to a target temperature, wherein the target temperature is 100°

C. to 180°

C.,

wherein the aerosol in the vaporization chamber is deliverable directly to a user following generation, and

wherein the aerosol contains at least 70% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the Hoffman analytes include:

ammonia, aminonaphthalenes, benzopyrene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, methylethylketone, butyraldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitrous oxides, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), pyridine, quinoline, hydroquinone, phenol, cresols, carbon monoxide, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, and styrene.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the target temperature is 100°

C. to 150°

C.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the target temperature is about 150°

C.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the aerosol contains at least about 80% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the aerosol contains at least about 90% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette.

21. The device of claim 15, wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises glycerine and propylene glycol.

22. The device of claim 15, wherein the vaporization chamber and heater are within a sealed cartridge.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the cartridge is configured to be removed from a reusable portion of the device when the vaporizable material is depleted.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the vaporizable material is a fluidic vaporizable material.

25. A method of delivering an aerosol to a subject, the method comprising:

a) deploying an aerosol generating device comprising a heater and a vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a tobacco product and an aerosol-forming medium, wherein the tobacco product comprises fine pieces of tobacco, wherein the fine pieces of tobacco are from 1 mm to 2 mm in diameter, and wherein the aerosol-forming medium comprises glycerin or propylene glycol;

b) heating the vaporizable material in the vaporization chamber with the heater of the device to a target temperature, wherein the target temperature is 100°

C. to 180°

C.;

c) generating the aerosol in the vaporization chamber, wherein the aerosol contains at least 70% less Hoffman analytes than a common tobacco cigarette; and

d) delivering the aerosol directly to the subject for inhalation.