Liquid dispensing apparatus and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for aerosolizing a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
- an aperture plate comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween, said apertures being tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface, the vibrating element being coupled to the aperture plate to vibrate the aperture plate, wherein vibrations of the aperture plate cause the fluid at the rear surface to be ejected through the apertures;
a liquid supplier to deliver liquid to the rear surface; and
a vibrator to vibrate the aperture plate at a frequency of at least about 45 kHz; and
wherein the aperture plate is configured to produce an aerosol having a respirable fraction of at least about 70% upon vibration of the aperture plate.
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Abstract
The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for aerosolizing a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
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an aperture plate comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween, said apertures being tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface, the vibrating element being coupled to the aperture plate to vibrate the aperture plate, wherein vibrations of the aperture plate cause the fluid at the rear surface to be ejected through the apertures;
a liquid supplier to deliver liquid to the rear surface; and
a vibrator to vibrate the aperture plate at a frequency of at least about 45 kHz; and
wherein the aperture plate is configured to produce an aerosol having a respirable fraction of at least about 70% upon vibration of the aperture plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for aerosolizing a liquid, the method comprising:
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providing an aperture plate comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween, said apertures being tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface;
supplying a liquid to the rear surface;
vibrating the aperture plate with a vibrating element at a frequency of at least about 45 kHz to produce an aerosol having a respirable fraction of at least about 70%, the vibrating element being coupled to the aperture plate to vibrate the aperture plate, wherein vibrations of the aperture plate cause the fluid at the rear surface to be ejected through the apertures. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for aerosolizing a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
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an aperture plate comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween, said apertures being tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface;
a liquid supplier to deliver liquid to the rear surface; and
a vibrator to vibrate the aperture plate at a frequency of at least about 45 kHz; and
wherein the aperture plate is configured to produce an aerosol having a respirable fraction of at least about 70% upon vibration of the aperture plate, wherein the aperture plate is non-planar in geometry. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for aerosolizing a liquid, the method comprising:
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providing an aperture plate comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween, said apertures being tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface;
supplying a liquid to the rear surface;
vibrating the aperture plate at a frequency of at least about 45 kHz to produce an aerosol having a respirable fraction of at least about 70%, wherein the aperture plate is non-planar in geometry. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification