Electrospraying devices and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrospray head for use in an electrospraying apparatus, the electrospray head comprising:
- a body;
an actuator disposed in said body;
an internal surface in said body defining a conduit, said conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting said fluid; and
a movable wall forming a portion of said internal surface defining the conduit;
wherein said movable wall is arranged to co-operate with said actuator to constrict or dilate said conduit upon operation of the actuator;
wherein the movable wall is located adjacent the outlet of the conduit whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator;
wherein the actuator comprises an expandable member disposed adjacent said movable wall, and means for varying the expansion of said expandable member;
whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator to provide an additional element of control to affect the fluid dynamics and the creation of an electrospray plume.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrospray head for use in an electrospraying apparatus comprises a body with an internal surface defining a conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting the fluid. A movable wall forms a part of the internal surface defining the conduit, the movable wall being arranged to constrict or dilate the conduit upon operation of the actuator. The movable wall can thus control the delivery of fluid through the outlet from the conduit.
17 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. An electrospray head for use in an electrospraying apparatus, the electrospray head comprising:
-
a body; an actuator disposed in said body; an internal surface in said body defining a conduit, said conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting said fluid; and a movable wall forming a portion of said internal surface defining the conduit; wherein said movable wall is arranged to co-operate with said actuator to constrict or dilate said conduit upon operation of the actuator; wherein the movable wall is located adjacent the outlet of the conduit whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator; wherein the actuator comprises an expandable member disposed adjacent said movable wall, and means for varying the expansion of said expandable member; whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator to provide an additional element of control to affect the fluid dynamics and the creation of an electrospray plume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. An electrospraying device comprising an electrospray head, and means for receiving a supply of fluid for electrospraying, wherein said electrospray head comprises:
-
a body; an actuator disposed in said body; an internal surface in said body defining a conduit, said conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting said fluid; and a movable wall forming a portion of said internal surface defining the conduit; wherein said movable wall is arranged to co-operate with said actuator to constrict or dilate said conduit upon operation of the actuator, wherein the movable wall is located adjacent the outlet of the conduit whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator; wherein the actuator comprises an expandable member disposed adjacent said movable wall, and means for varying the expansion of said expandable member; whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator to provide an additional element of control to affect the fluid dynamics and the creation of an electrospray plume.
-
-
26. A bronchoscope apparatus comprising an electrospraying device mounted on a body adapted for insertion into the respiratory passages of a subject,
wherein said electrospraying device comprises an electrospray head, and means for receiving a supply of fluid for electrospraying, wherein said electrospray head comprises: -
a body; an actuator disposed in said body; an internal surface in said body defining a conduit, said conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting said fluid; and a movable wall forming a portion of said internal surface defining the conduit; wherein said movable wall is arranged to co-operate with said actuator to constrict or dilate said conduit upon operation of the actuator; wherein the movable wall is located adjacent the outlet of the conduit whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator; wherein the actuator comprises an expandable member disposed adjacent said movable wall, and means for varying the expansion of said expandable member; whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator to provide an additional element of control to affect the fluid dynamics and the creation of an electrospray plume; whereby the electrospray head of the device may be directed at a tissue wall for delivery of an agent to said tissue by electrospraying.
-
-
27. An apparatus for delivering a biological agent to a sample of cells in vitro, comprising a sample area for receiving said sample of cells, and an electrospraying device, wherein said electrospraying device comprises an electrospray head, and means for receiving a supply of fluid for electrospraying, wherein said electrospray head comprises:
-
a body; an actuator disposed in said body; an internal surface in said body defining a conduit, said conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting said fluid; and a movable wall forming a portion of said internal surface defining the conduit; wherein said movable wall is arranged to co-operate with said actuator to constrict or dilate said conduit upon operation of the actuator; wherein the movable wall is located adjacent the outlet of the conduit whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator; wherein the actuator comprises an expandable member disposed adjacent said movable wall, and means for varying the expansion of said expandable member; whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator to provide an additional element of control to affect the fluid dynamics and the creation of an electrospray plume; the electrospray head of said electrospraying device being positioned to deliver said biological agent from said supply of fluid to said sample of cells by electrospraying, and optionally, a counter-electrode positioned relative to the sample area to direct said electrospray.
-
-
28. A method of treatment of the human or animal body comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an apparatus having an electrospray head, the electrospray head comprising;
a body; an actuator disposed in said body; an internal surface in said body defining a conduit, said conduit having an inlet for receiving a fluid to be sprayed and an outlet for emitting said fluid; and a movable wall forming a portion of said internal surface defining the conduit; wherein said movable wall is arranged to co-operate with said actuator to constrict or dilate said conduit upon operation of the actuator; wherein the movable wall is located adjacent the outlet of the conduit whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator; wherein the actuator comprises an expandable member disposed adjacent said movable wall, and means for varying the expansion of said expandable member; whereby the effective exit dimensions of the conduit can be varied by controlling the actuator to provide an additional element of control to affect the fluid dynamics and the creation of an electrospray plume; and (b) operating said apparatus to deliver an electrospray agent to said human or animal body.
- (a) providing an apparatus having an electrospray head, the electrospray head comprising;
Specification