Detection system and method for aerosol delivery
First Claim
1. A method for determining a delivered volume of aerosol for comparison with a pre-determined volume of the aerosol comprising:
- receiving a signal associated with light scattering from a first aerosol that is associated with a first airflow;
receiving a signal representing the first airflow; and
calculating a volume of the first aerosol, the calculation being based at least on the signal associated with light scattering from the first aerosol and the signal representing the airflow.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus comprises a detector, a pressure sensor and a processor. The detector is operable to detect light that is scattered by an aerosol that is associated with a pressure. The pressure sensor is operable to measure the pressure. The processor is coupled to the detector and to the pressure sensor, and is configured to receive at least a signal from the detector and the pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to use the received signals to calculate a volume of the first aerosol, and to output an output signal associated with the calculated volume. The various measurements can be repeated and compared, and the output signal can be a feedback signal for metering subsequent amounts of the aerosol, based on the comparison.
65 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for determining a delivered volume of aerosol for comparison with a pre-determined volume of the aerosol comprising:
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receiving a signal associated with light scattering from a first aerosol that is associated with a first airflow; receiving a signal representing the first airflow; and calculating a volume of the first aerosol, the calculation being based at least on the signal associated with light scattering from the first aerosol and the signal representing the airflow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer program product for use on a computer system for delivering a delivered volume of aerosol for comparison with a pre-determined volume of aerosol, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code thereon, the computer readable program code causing a processor to:
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receive a signal associated with light scattering from a first aerosol that is associated with a first airflow; receive a signal representing the first airflow; and calculate a volume of the first aerosol, the calculation being based on the signal associated with light scattering from the first aerosol and the signal representing the first airflow. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a detector operable to detect light originating at a light source and scattered by an aerosol; a sensor operable to determine a pressure of the aerosol; and a processor coupled to the detector and the sensor, the processor configured to receive a signal associated with light scattering from a first aerosol that is associated with a first airflow; receive a signal representing the pressure of the first airflow; and calculate a volume of the first aerosol, the calculation being based on the signal associated with light scattering from the first aerosol and the signal representing the pressure of the first airflow. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for determining a delivered amount of aerosol for comparison with a pre-determined amount of the aerosol comprising:
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receiving a first input signal associated with a scattering event with a first aerosol; receiving a second input signal associated with a scattering event with a second aerosol; receiving a third input signal associated with a flow rate of at least one of the first aerosol and the second aerosol; and determining a net amount of aerosol transferred, the determination based on the first input signal and the second input signal and the third input signal. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An aerosol delivery device comprising:
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a housing having an orifice for delivery of the aerosol to the mouth of a user; an aerosol producing device in fluid communication with the housing; a detector within the housing operable to defect light originating at a light source and scattered by the aerosol producing device; a sensor operable to determine a pressure of the aerosol; and a processor coupled to the detector and the sensor, the processor configured to receive a signal associated with light scattering from a first aerosol that is associated with a first airflow; receive a signal representing the pressure of the first airflow; and calculate a volume of the first aerosol, the calculation being based on the signal associated with light scattering from the first aerosol and the signal representing the pressure of the first airflow. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification