Dispensing device

• US 5,655,517 A
• Filed: 06/01/1995
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Original Assignee: Electrosols, Ltd. (Battelle Memorial Institute)
• Inventors: Coffee, Ronald Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACITI, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US08/457,077
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/203.12, 239/3, 239/690, 239/696, 239/706
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0255 spraying and depositing by electrostatic forces only

Abstract

A device for dispensing a comminuted liquid to the upper respiratory tract, which comprises an electrohydrodynamic comminution means and a means for supplying a liquid to the comminution means. And a device for comminuting a liquid, the comminution site sit of which is provided by fibres projecting from an end surface or edge, the edge or surface being composed substantially of fibres.

Claims

1. A device for comminuting a liquid, which comprises an electrohydrodynamic comminution site, a means for supplying a liquid to the comminution site and a means for electrically charging the comminution site to an electric potential sufficient to comminute the liquid in use, characterized in that the comminution site is provided by fibres projecting from an end surface or edge, the edge or surface being composed substantially of fibres.

2. A device according to claim 1, adapted to dispense a biocide or an insecticide.

3. A device according to claim 1, adapted to dispense a perfume or an aroma.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibres are fibres of ceramic, glass, or a polymer such as polyester or nylon.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are fibers of ceramic or glass.

6. A device according to claim 1, adapted to dispense a medicament.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are fibers of a polymer such as polyester or nylon.

8. A device according to claim 6, in the form of a nasal spray.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the surface or edge is the end surface of a porous bundle of fibers.

10. A device according to claim 13, wherein the rod shape has a cone shaped end which end provides the comminution site.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the fibres are generally aligned coaxially within the bundle and are so aligned that liquid flows between the interstitial spaces defined by the fibers to the said comminution site.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the fibers are bonded together by a binding means.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the bundle is shaped into a rod shape.