Method and apparatus for dispensing liquids as an atomized spray

• US 6,921,020 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis Ag)
• Original Assignee: Aerogen, Inc. (Nektar Therapeutics)
• Inventors: Ivri, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US10/394,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20040000598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 239/4, 239/103, 239/104, 239/102.1, 239/102.2, 239/120, 239/121, 239/124
• US Class Current: 239/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/006 operated by applying mechanical pressure to the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/025 Bubble jet droplet ejection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3382 Upper level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3386 Low level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/08 responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged, of ambient medium or of target ; responsive to condition of spray devices or of supply means, e.g. pipes, pumps or their drive means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0646 Vibrating plates, i.e. plates being directly subjected to the vibrations, e.g. having a piezoelectric transducer attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0676 Feeding means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0684 Wicks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/025 by vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/04 generating single droplets or particles on demand
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/15 Moving nozzle or nozzle plate

Abstract

The invention provides exemplary methods and apparatus for dispensing liquids as an atomized spray. In one particularly preferably method, a liquid is dispensed as an atomized spray from a vibratable member having a front surface and a rear surface, with the member having at least one tapered hole between the surfaces for dispensing the liquid. The tapered hole has a larger cross-sectional area at the rear surface than at the front surface. The liquid is delivered from a supply container to the rear surface of the vibratable member in an amount sufficient to cover the hole with liquid. The vibratable member is then vibrated to dispense at least a portion of the liquid through the hole and from the front surface. Additional liquid is delivered from the supply container and to the rear surface in volumes that are substantially equal to the volumes dispensed.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the amount of liquid supplied to an aerosolizer, the system comprising:

an aerosol generator having a vibratable member with a plurality of apertures;

a supply nozzle having an exit opening positioned in close proximity to the aerosol generator;

a suction device arranged to remove excess liquid from the vibratable member.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the supply nozzle is positioned to supply liquid to a center of the vibratable member, and wherein the suction device is configured to remove the excess liquid from an outer periphery of the nozzle.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the suction device comprises a ring element having an annular slot, a suction outlet in communication with the slot and a suction source.

4. An aerosolizer, comprising:

an aerosol generator comprising an aperture plate having a plurality of apertures and a vibratable element to vibrate the aperture plate;

a supply nozzle having an exit opening positioned in close proximity to the aperture plate; and

a suction device arranged to remove excess liquid from the aperature plate.

5. An aerosolizer as in claim 4, wherein the supply nozzle is positioned to supply liquid to a center of the aperature plate, and wherein the suction device is configured to remove the excess liquid from an outer periphery of the nozzle.

6. An aerosolizer as in claim 4, wherein the suction device comprises a ring element having an annular slot, a suction outlet in communication with the slot and a suction source.

7. An aerosolizer as in claim 4, further comprising a container in communication with the supply nozzle for supplying liquid to the aperture plate.

8. An aerosolizer as in claim 4, wherein the apertures are tapered.

9. An aerosolizer as in claim 4, wherein the suction outlet is in fluid communication with the supply nozzle to supply withdrawn liquid back to the aperture plate.

10. A method for aerosolizing a liquid, the method comprising:

providing an aerosol generator comprising an aperture plate having a plurality of apertures and a vibratable element to vibrate the aperture plate;

supplying liquid to the aperture plate through a supply nozzle;

vibrating the aperture plate to eject liquid droplets; and

suctioning excess liquid from the aperature plate.

11. A method as in claim 10, further comprising recirculating the excess liquid back to the aperture plate through the supply nozzle.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein the excess liquid is suction using a ring element having an annular slot, a suction outlet in communication with the slot and a suction source.