Base isolated nebulizing device and methods
First Claim
1. An aerosol generator system comprising:
- an aerosol generator comprising a vibratable member having a front, a rear and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear, wherein the aerosol generator is configured to produce liquid droplets when operated at a certain vibrational frequency;
an isolating structure operably coupled to the aerosol generator and that is configured to couple the aerosol generator to a support structure, wherein the isolating structure comprises means for substantially vibrationally isolating the aerosol generator from the support structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aerosol generator comprises a vibratable member having a front, a rear, an outer periphery and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear. A support element is disposed about the outer periphery of the vibratable member, and a vibratable element is coupled to the support element. The vibratable element is configured to vibrate the vibratable member at ultrasonic frequencies. An isolating structure is coupled to the support element and is configured to couple the aerosol generator to a support structure. The isolating structure has a mechanical vibrational impedance that is sufficient to substantially vibrationally isolate the aerosol generator from the support structure.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An aerosol generator system comprising:
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an aerosol generator comprising a vibratable member having a front, a rear and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear, wherein the aerosol generator is configured to produce liquid droplets when operated at a certain vibrational frequency; an isolating structure operably coupled to the aerosol generator and that is configured to couple the aerosol generator to a support structure, wherein the isolating structure comprises means for substantially vibrationally isolating the aerosol generator from the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An aerosolization device comprising:
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a housing; and an aerosol generator disposed within the housing, the aerosol generator comprising a vibratable member having a front, a rear and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear, wherein the vibratable member is configured to vibrate at ultrasonic frequencies, an isolating structure coupled to the support element, and operably connected to the housing, wherein the isolating structure is configured to substantially vibrationally isolate the aerosol generator from the housing; and wherein the isolating structure comprises a plurality of arms extending from the aerosol generator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for aerosolizing a liquid, the method comprising:
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providing an aerosol generator comprising a vibratable member having a front, a rear, and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear, and a vibratable element to vibrate the vibratable member; supplying a liquid to the rear of the vibratable member; and vibrating the vibratable member with the vibratable element to eject liquid droplets through the apertures while substantially vibrationally isolating the aerosol generator using a plurality of arms that are operably coupled to a support structure. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification