Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: An apparatus to make a certain volume of liquid available for atomization comprises a container adapted to hold a liquid, and a piston pump. The piston pump comprises a piston member and a valve body, with the piston member being slidable within the valve body. Further, the valve body functions with the piston member to define a metering chamber. In this way, the metering chamber is adapted to be filled with liquid from the container when the piston member is moved to a filling position, and the piston pump is adapted to dispense a known volume of the liquid from the metering chamber when the piston member is moved to a dispensing position.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: An apparatus to make a certain volume of liquid available for atomization comprises a container adapted to hold a liquid, and a piston pump. The piston pump comprises a piston member and a valve body, with the piston member being slidable within the valve body. Further, the valve body functions with the piston member to define a metering chamber. In this way, the metering chamber is adapted to be filled with liquid from the container when the piston member is moved to a filling position, and the piston pump is adapted to dispense a known volume of the liquid from the metering chamber when the piston member is moved to a dispensing position.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a cartridge is coupled to a liquid dispenser and includes a substance which is in a dry state. A liquid is dispensed from the dispenser into the cartridge so that the substance may be dissolved into the dispensed liquid to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the cartridge and onto an atomization member which is operated to aerosolize the solution.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for the delivery of therapeutic liquids to the respiratory system of a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a vibratable non-planar member having tapered apertures which produce droplets wherein about 70% of more of the droplets by weight have a size in the range from about 1 .mu.m to 6 .mu.m. The apparatus may further optionally include a breath sensor which detects the inspiratory flow rate and transmits a signal to vibrate the non-planar member at a frequency corresponding to the inspiratory flow rate. Optionally, the non-planar member may be included in a disposable mouthpiece assembly that is separate from the oscillator assembly. In this manner, the mouthpiece assembly may be discarded after use, while the oscillator assembly may be reused.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an automatic transmission, including at least one planetary gear, at least one braking pump, at least one flow control valve and an oil path system provided therebetween for obtaining a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Each braking member of at least one planetary gear of the present invention is connected to each rotor shaft of at least one braking pump. A sensing means is provided for sensing a rotation speed of a rear propeller shaft and to output predetermined amounts of pressurized working fluid in response to the rotation speed of the rear propeller shaft. A first flow control valve provided on an oil path system is controlled by the pressurized working fluid to be closed to various extents so as to reduce the flow within the oil path system. The rotation speed of at least one braking pump together with each braking member is also reduced, on extreme conditions the pumps even stop.