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Liquid dispensing apparatus and methods

  • US 8,561,604 B2
  • Filed: 02/12/2007
  • Issued: 10/22/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for aerosolizing a liquid, the method comprising:

  • providing an aerosolization device comprising an aerosol generator, an inhalation sensor, an acoustic chamber, and control circuitry, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a plate having a plurality of apertures and a vibratable element that is mechanically linked to the plate, wherein the vibratable element is configured to vibrate the plate, wherein the plate is non-planar in geometry, and wherein the acoustic chamber is adapted to produce an audible signal that has an acoustic tone during inhalation;

    sensing a user inhalation with the sensor based on the acoustic tone, wherein the acoustic tone is proportional to the inhalation;

    transmitting an electrical signal indicating the inhalation to the control circuitry;

    sending a signal from the control circuitry to vibrate the vibratable element only when the inhalation reaches a threshold amount; and

    sending a second signal from the control circuitry to control a rate of liquid delivered to the vibratable element such that aerosolized liquid is produced at a rate corresponding to a rate of the inhalation.

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