Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: There is provided an electronically controlled, breath actuated vaporization device for generating vaporized material for inhalation by a user. The vaporization device includes a vaporization chamber for accommodating material to be vaporized and a mesh heater or other heater supported upstream of the vaporization chamber which is operable to heat air that passes through the mesh heater or other heater during an inhalation event. A closed loop control scheme may be employed to control heat generated by the heater to maintain a temperature of the air delivered to the vaporization chamber at or within a predetermined tolerance of a desired vaporization temperature for at least a majority of a duration of the inhalation event.

Abstract: The appliance (10, FIG. 1) includes a body portion (27) and a nozzle portion (30) through which a spray of liquid droplets exits from a distal end thereof for cleaning of dental regions. The nozzle includes an orifice (36) at a proximal end thereof adjacent the body portion, as well as a pump (38) for moving liquid into an area of the nozzle just forward of the orifice. A mechanical system (12, 13, 14) is provided for moving a plunger or piston element (16) first away from the orifice under tension, such as a compression spring (24), and then controllably releasing the plunger or piston toward the orifice, the plunger/piston moving with sufficient force that atmospheric air which has been drawn into the appliance between the plunger or piston is forced through the orifice at a sufficiently high rate of speed to produce a spray of fluid droplets for dental cleaning when the moving air comes into contact with the liquid in the nozzle.

Abstract: The guidance assembly is used for precise cleaning of interproximal spaces of teeth. The guidance assembly includes a base portion (30) for contacting the surfaces of teeth and gum region, adjacent the interproximal space, the base portion being approximately 12 mm in diameter to provide stable contact with the teeth and gum region. The guidance assembly also includes a tip portion (28) which extends forward of the base portion and includes an opening (31) through which the droplet spray is directed coincident with the plane of the interproximal space.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a motor (20) which drives a first compound gear (28) having first and second portions (26, 32), the second portion driving a second compound gear (36). The second compound gear has one portion (38) which has teeth over only one half the circumference thereof. The apparatus further includes an air cylinder (12) and a rack (62) and a spring assembly (66) a sealing end portion (64) of the rack fitting in a fluid-tight relationship with the air cylinder, wherein the rack member is engaged by the one portion of the second compound gear, compressing the spring when the teeth thereon engage the rack member. When the no-teeth portion comes adjacent the rack member, the rack is released and the sealing end of the rack member is forced by action of the spring into the air cylinder, producing bursts of air. The second compound gear also drives a peristaltic pump, producing liquid in bursts which are directed to a mixing chamber 58, from which a stream of liquid droplets exit through exit 16.

Abstract: A dental appliance having a passive arrangement for drawing liquid from a reservoir (22, 33, 54) in the appliance by action of a stream of gas, which can be provided by a source of compressed gas (31, 34) or other system. The liquid mixes with the gas, resulting in liquid droplets which are directed through an orifice (18, 42, 68) at the end of a nozzle portion (12, 39, 66) of the appliance.

Abstract: The appliance (10, FIG. 1) includes a body portion (27) and a nozzle portion (30) through which a spray of liquid droplets exits from a distal end thereof for cleaning of dental regions. The nozzle includes an orifice (36) at a proximal end thereof adjacent the body portion, as well as a pump (38) for moving liquid into an area of the nozzle just forward of the orifice. A mechanical system (12, 13, 14) is provided for moving a plunger or piston element (16) first away from the orifice under tension, such as a compression spring (24), and then controllably releasing the plunger or piston toward the orifice, the plunger/piston moving with sufficient force that atmospheric air which has been drawn into the appliance between the plunger or piston is forced through the orifice at a sufficiently high rate of speed to produce a spray of fluid droplets for dental cleaning when the moving air comes into contact with the liquid in the nozzle.

Abstract: The appliance (10, FIG. 1) includes a body portion (27) and a nozzle portion (30) through which a spray of liquid droplets exits from a distal end thereof for cleaning of dental regions. The nozzle includes an orifice (36) at a proximal end thereof adjacent the body portion, as well as a pump (38) for moving liquid into an area of the nozzle just forward of the orifice. A mechanical system (12, 13, 14) is provided for moving a plunger or piston element (16) first away from the orifice under tension, such as a compression spring (24), and then controllably releasing the plunger or piston toward the orifice, the plunger/piston moving with sufficient force that atmospheric air which has been drawn into the appliance between the plunger or piston is forced through the orifice at a sufficiently high rate of speed to produce a spray of fluid droplets for dental cleaning when the moving air comes into contact with the liquid in the nozzle.

Abstract: The power dental appliance includes a handle/receiver assembly (12) and a nozzle assembly (14) which is attachable thereto. The nozzle assembly and the handle/receiver include portions which together define an interface arrangement. The nozzle includes an extending tubular member (30), with two sets of opposing sides with lateral grooves (42, 44) in one set of opposing sides (38, 40), near the lower end thereof. The handle/receiver includes a hollow upper portion (32), into which the tubular member portion of the nozzle fits, the hollow portion including mating projections in the form of ribs (46, 48) which mate with the grooves in the tubular member to prevent the nozzle from coming off the handle during operation of the appliance, but permitting removal thereof by the user.

Abstract: The appliance includes an elongated body portion (12) and an assembly (14, 16 18) for producing high velocity water droplets, as well as a nozzle and guidance assembly (20) which includes a base portion (21) and a replaceable tip portion (22). The tip portion is connectable to the base portion by a connection arrangement, such as a weld, an adhesive, or a threaded connection.