Dispensing device

• US 6,105,877 A
• Filed: 04/10/1997
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Original Assignee: Electrosols, Ltd. (Battelle Memorial Institute)
• Inventors: Coffee, Ronald Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Brinson, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Lisa Ann
• Application Number:
  US08/835,676
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 239/690, 239/695, 239/696, 239/708, 239/102.2, 239/3, 361/227, 361/228, 128/203.12, 128/200.14, 128/204.13, 128/204.21
• US Class Current: 239/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/003 by mixing two sprays of opposite polarity
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0255 spraying and depositing by electrostatic forces only
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0531 Power generators
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/16 Arrangements for supplying liquids or other fluent material

Abstract

A device for comminuting liquid has a liquid supply with first and second outlets, a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be commrinuted to form a comminution of one polarity and a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause liquid to be commninuted to form a comminution of the opposite polarity. The first and second electrohydrodynamic comminuters are arranged so as to cause substantial admixing of two opposite polarity comminutions.

Claims

1. A method of providing droplets for delivery to the respiratory tract, which method comprises:

supplying liquid along a first pipe to a first outlet for directing liquid into a mixing zone;

supplying liquid along a second pipe to a second outlet for directing liquid lnto the mixing zone;

subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to a first electrical potential causing the liquid to form a first comminution of droplets of one polarity; and

subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to a second electrical potential causing the liquid to form a second comminution of droplets of a polarity opposite to the one polarity which droplets mix in the mixing zone with the droplets of the first comminution to for a mixed comminution for delivery to the respiratory tract.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 which comprises regulating the charge on the mixed comminution so that the overall charge of the mixed comminution is negative, positive or zero.

5. A method according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises selecting the first and second electrical potentials such that the mixed comminution has an overall charge.

6. A method according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises selecting the first and second electrical potentials such that the mixed comminution has no overall charge.

7. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the droplets of the mixed comminution have a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 25 microns.

8. A method according to claim 1 or 2 for providing droplets for delivery to the lower respiratory tract, wherein the droplets of the mixed comminution have a diameter in the range of from 0.1 to 10 microns.

9. A method according to claim 1 or 2 for providing droplets for delivery to the upper respiratory tract, wherein the droplets of the mixed comminution have a diameter in the range of 10 to 25 microns.

10. A method according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises supplying the liquids such that the mixed comminution has an overall charge.

2. A mthod of providing droplets for delivery to the respiratory tract, which method comprises:

supplying liquid along a first pipe to a first outlet for directing liquid into a mixing zone;

supplying liquid along a second pipe to a second outlet for directing liquid into the mixing zone;

subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to a first electrical potential causing the liquid to form a first comminution of droplets of one polarity; and

subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to a second electrical potential causing the liquid to form a second comminution of droplets of a polarity opposite to the one polarity which droplets mix in the mixing zone with the droplets of the first comminution to form a mixed comminution having droplets with diameters in the range of from about 10 micrometres to 20 microratres which is delivered to the respiratory tract.

4. A method according to claimp or 1 or 2, which comprises supplying the liquids such that the mixed comminution has no overall charge.

11. A device for comminuting liquid, comprising:

a first reservoir;

a first pipe having a first outlet;

a first pump for pumping liquid along the first pipe;

a second reservoir;

a second pipe having a second outlet;

a second pump for pumping liquid along the second pipe; and

a voltage generator for activating the first and second pumps and for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to form a first comminution of one polarity and for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to form a comminution of a polarity opposite to the one polarity which mixes vigorously with the first comminution.

13. A device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first and second electrohydrodynamic comminuters comprise a piezoelectric generator for generating the electrical potentials.

14. A device according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a regulator for regulating the electrical charge on the first and second comminutions so that the comminutions when mixed have a residual positive or negative charge.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the regulator is arranged to regulate the liquid flow rate along the first and second pipes.

16. A device according to claim 14, wherein the regulator is arranged to regulate the electrical potentials to which liquid issuing from the first and second outlets is subjected.

18. A device according to claim 11, 12 or 17, which comprises a liquid supply regulator operable to control the supply of liquid such that the mixed comminution has no overall charge.

19. A device according to claim 11, 12 or 17, which comprises an electrical potential regulator for regulating the first and second electrical potentials such that the mixed comminution has an overall charge.

20. A device according to claim 11, 12 or 17, which comprises an electrical potential regulator for regulating the first and second electrical potentials such that the mixed comminution has no overall charge.

21. A device according to claim 11, 12 or 17, which comprises a liquid supply regulator operable to control the supply of liquid such that the mixed comminution has an overall charge.

25. A device according to claim 21, which comprises a regulator operable to regulate the charge on the mixed comminution so that the overall charge of the mixed comminution is negative, positive or zero.

12. A device for comminuting liquid comprising:

a first liquid supplier having a first liquid outlet;

a second liquid supplier having a second liquid outlet with the first and second liquid outlets being angled towards one another;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a first comminution of one polarity; and

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a second comminution of a polarity opposite to said one polarity which mixes with the first comminution.

17. A device for comminuting liquid comprising:

a first liquid supplier having a first liquid outlet;

a second liquid supplier having a second liquid outlet;

first and second pumps for pumping liquid along the first and second pipes, each pump comprising an electrically insulating conduit enclosing an electrically insulating solid permeable to the liquid, a retainer for retaining the solid within the conduit and electrodes for applying an electric field across the solids for forming a double layer of charge at a solid-liquid interface within the solid to produce a net force for inducing liquid to flow through the solid and hence along the conduit;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a first comminution of one polarity; and

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a second coiminution of a polarity opposite to said one polarity which mixes with the first comminution.

22. A device according to claim 17, wherein the electrodes are constructed from one of wire gaure and electrically conducting titanium oxide.

23. A device according to claim 17 or 22, wherein the electrically insulated solid is a powder.

24. A device according to claim 17 or 22, wherein the electrically insulating solid is selected from the group consisting of powdered ceramic, powdered silica, powdered plastic, clay, fibrous ceramic and polymer fibres.

26. An inhaler comprising:

a first reservoir for liquid;

a first pipe coupled to the first reservoir and having a first outlet;

a second reservoir for liquid;

a second pipe couoled to the second reservoir and having a second outlet;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to form a first comminution of one polarity;

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for causing liquid issuing from the second outlet to form a second comminution of a polarity opposite to the one polarity; and

a mixing zone into which the first and secord cowminutions are delivered whereby a mixed comminution for delivery to the respiratory tract of a user is formed.

27. An inhaler comprising:

a first liquid supplier having a first liquid outlet;

a second liquid supplier having a second liquid outlet;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be coinuted to form a first comminution;

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a second comilnution, the first and second outlets being angled towards one another so as to direct the first and second comminutions towards one another to cause substantial admixing of the first and second comminutions.

28. A device for comminuting liquid, comprising:

a first liquid supplier having a first liquid outlet;

a second liquid supplier having a second liquid outlet;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a first comminution;

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be conminuted to form a second conminution, the first and second outlets being angled towards one anwther so as to direct the first and second comminutions toward one another to cause substantial admixing of the first and second comminutions.

29. A pocket sized dispenser, comprising:

a first liquid supplier having a first liquid outlet;

a second liquid supplier having a second liquid outlet;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for sujecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a first comminution;

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a second comminution; and

a mixing zone for receiving and mixing the first and second comminutions.

30. A pocket-sized dispenser comprising means for supplying liquid to first and second outlets;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminution means for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a comminution of one polarity; and

a second electrohydrodynamic comminution means for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a comminution of the opposite polarity, the first and second electrohydrodynamic comminution means therefore giving rise to formation of two opposite polarity cominutions and being arranged so as to cause substantial admixing of the two opposite polarity comminutions.

31. A medicament delivery device comprising:

a first liquid reservoir containing a medicament;

a second liquid reservoir containing deionised water;

a first liquid supply pipe coupled to the first liquid reservoir;

a second liquid supply pipe coupled to the second liquid reservoir;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to a first electrical potential to provide a first comminution with an average charge of +/- Qa; and

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to a second electrical potential to provide a second comminution with an average charge of -/+ Qb which mixes with the first comminution to provide a mixed commninution having an overall average positive or negative charge having a value equal to the modulus of (Qa-Qb).

32. A device for comminuting liquid, comprising:

a first liquid supplier having a first liquid outlet;

a second liquid supplier having a second liquid outlet;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be commented to form a second comminution;

a second electrohydrodynamic comminuter for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a second comminution;

a mixing zone for receiving and mixing the first and second comminutions, the rate of flow of liquid provided by the first and second liquid suppliers and the electrical potentials to which the liquid is subjected by the first and second electrohydrodynamic comminuters being controlled to provide droplets having a diameter in the range of from 0.1 to 25 micrometers.

33. A device according to claim 32, wherein the rate of flow of liquid and the electrical potentials are controlled to provide droplets having a diameter in the range 0.5 to 10 micrometer.

34. A device for comminuting liquid comprising means for supplying liquid to first and second outlets;

a first electrohydrodynamic comminution means for subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a comminution of one polarity; and

a second electrohydrodynamic comminution means for subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to an electrical potential to cause the liquid to be comminuted to form a comminution of the opposite polarity, the first and second electrohydrodynamnic comminution means therefore giving rise to formation oftwo opposite polarity comminutions and being arranged so as to cause substantial admixing of the two opposite polarity comminutions, and means for controlling the rate of flow of liquid provided by the liquid supply means and the electrical potentials to which liquid is subjected by the first and second electrohydrodynamic comminution means to provide droplets having a diameter in the range 0.1 to 25 micrometers.

35. A device according to claim 34, wherein the controlling means is arranged to control the droplet diameter to be in the range 0.5 to 10 micrometers.

36. A device according to claim 34, wherein the controlling means is arranged to control the droplet size to be in the range 10 to 20 micrometers.

37. A method of reacting components, which method comprises:

supplying liquid containing a first reactive component to a first liquid outlet;

supplying liquid containing a second reactive component to a second liquid outlet;

subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to a first electrical potential causing the liquid to form a first comminution of droplets of one polarity; and

subjecting liquid issuing from the second outlet to a second electrical potential causing the liquid to form a second comminution of droplets of a polarity opposite to the one polarity whereby the opposite polarity cormminutions mix and the reactive components of oppositely charged droplets chemically react immediately upon mixing of the opposite polarity comminutions.

38. A method according to claim 37, which comprises controlling the rate of flow of the liquids and the electrical potentials to provide droplets having a diameter in the range 0.1 to 25 micrometers.

39. A method accordingto claim 37, which comprises controlling the rate of flow of liquid and the electrical potentials so as to provide droplets having a diameter in the range 0.5 to 10 micrometers.

40. A method according to claim 37, which comprises controlling the rate of flow of liquid and the electrical potentials to provide droplets having a diameter in the range of 10 to 20 micrometers.

41. A method of mixing liquids by droplet coalescence, which method comprises:

supplying liquid containing a first chemical to a first liquid outlet;

supplying liquid containing a second chemical to a second liquid outlet;

subjecting liquid issuing from the first outlet to a first electrical potential causing the liquid to form a first comminution of droplets of one polarity; and

subject liquid issuing from the second outlet to a second electrical potential causing the liquid to form a second comminution of droplets of a polarity opposite to the one polarity whereby the opposite polarity comminutions mix and the first and second chemicals of the oppositely charged droplets chemically react upon mixing of the opposite polarity comminution.

42. A method according to claim 41, which comprises controlling the rate of flow of the liquids and the electrical potentials to provide droplets having a diameter in the range 0.1 to 25 micrometers.

43. A method according to claim 41, which comprises controlling the rate of flow of liquid and the electrical potentials so as to provide droplets having a diameter in the range 0.5 to 10 micrometers.

44. A method according to claim 41, which comprises controlling the rate of flow of liquid and the electrical potentials to provide droplets having a diameter in the range of 10 to 20 micrometers.