Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Cox

Kenneth A. Cox has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040081624
    Abstract: Liquid aerosol formulations for generating aerosols include at least one high volatility carrier and a second component. In some embodiments, the liquid aerosol formulation is propellant free. An aerosol generating device generates an aerosol by passing liquid aerosol formulation through a flow passage heated to convert the liquid into a vapor, which is mixed with air to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, particles of the aerosol consist essentially of the second component. The aerosol generator can be incorporated in a hand held inhaler. The aerosol can be delivered to a targeted portion of the lung using the inhaler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Tung T. Nguyen, Christopher L. Irving, Kenneth A. Cox, Douglas D. McRae, Walter A. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20040079368
    Abstract: An aerosol generating device includes a housing, a heater and an optional mouthpiece. The heater volatilizes liquid within a flow passage and forms an aerosol in the mouthpiece. An aerosol confinement sleeve is disposed to control the size distribution of the aerosol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajiv Gupta, Douglas D. McRae, Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6715487
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20040050383
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel
  • Patent number: 6701921
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid passage arranged between a first and a second layer wherein the first and second layers at least partially define the fluid passage. A liquid supply is arranged to provide a fluid in liquid phase to the fluid passage. The aerosol generator also includes a heater arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Zelita R. Washington, Sirisha Reddy
  • Publication number: 20030205228
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6640050
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol includes a capillary tube made from an electrically conductive material, an upstream electrode connected to the tube, and a downstream electrode connected to the tube and provided with an electrical resistivity sufficient to cause heating of the downstream electrode during operation to approximately the same temperature as the tube at the point of connection. The upstream and downstream electrodes connected to the capillary tube divide the tube into an initial feed section, a heated section, and a tip. A source of material to be volatilized is provided to the tube at the feed section, passes downstream into the heated section, is vaporized, and then exits from the tube through the tip. The temperature profile of the tube along the heated section is controlled by varying parameters to substantially eliminate any effect of the downstream electrode as a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Douglas D. McRae, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030132219
    Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Douglas D. McRae, William R. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20030108342
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid supply which supplies fluid to a fluid passage and a heater which heats the fluid into a gaseous state, the fluid passage being located between opposed layers of a laminate. The fluid passage can be a capillary sized passage formed by locating a mandrel between opposed layers of the laminate, bonding the layers together and removing the mandrel such that the space previously occupied by the mandrel forms the fluid passage. The opposed layers of the laminate can be copper sheets and ceramic layers can be provided on the outside of the copper layers. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Sirisha P. Reddy, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6568390
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6557552
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20030056790
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol and includes first and second capillary tubes connected electrically in series by providing separate electrodes at the inlet ends of each capillary tube, and connecting the outlet ends of the capillary tubes by an electrical connection that connects the outlet ends both electrically and thermally. The capillary tubes are heated by the flow of electricity therethrough, and liquid flowing through the tubes is vaporized. The outlet ends of the capillary tubes are easily maintained at a temperature for optimizing aerosol generation since there is minimal heat loss through the connection connecting the outlet ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030056791
    Abstract: A fluid vaporizing device useful for vaporizing fluid into an aerosol includes a capillary tube made from an electrically conductive material, an upstream electrode connected to the tube, and a downstream electrode connected to the tube and provided with an electrical resistivity sufficient to cause heating of the downstream electrode during operation to approximately the same temperature as the tube at the point of connection. The upstream and downstream electrodes connected to the capillary tube divide the tube into an initial feed section, a heated section, and a tip. A source of material to be volatilized is provided to the tube at the feed section, passes downstream into the heated section, is vaporized, and then exits from the tube through the tip. The temperature profile of the tube along the heated section is controlled by varying parameters to substantially eliminate any effect of the downstream electrode as a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Douglas D. McRae, Tung Tien Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030033055
    Abstract: A programmable aerosol generator forms a volatilized liquid by supplying a material in liquid form to a flow passage and heating the flow passage, such that the material volatilizes and expands out of an outlet of the channel. The volatilized material, if desired, mixes with ambient air such that volatilized material condenses to form the aerosol. An apparatus and method for generating such a volatilized liquid, as well as the control and methods of heating, are disclosed as an analytical tool useful for experimental use, a tool useful for production of commercial products or an inhaler device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas D. McRae, John L. Felter, Clinton E. Blake, Mark T. Capps, Kenneth A. Cox, David H. Keeler, Rajiv Gupta
  • Patent number: 6516796
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6501052
    Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Douglas D. McRae, William R. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20020078946
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid passage arranged between a first and a second layer wherein the first and second layers at least partially define the fluid passage. A liquid supply is arranged to provide a fluid in liquid phase to the fluid passage. The aerosol generator also includes a heater arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Zelita R. Washington, Sirisha Reddy
  • Publication number: 20020079309
    Abstract: A temperature and flow rate controlled capillary aerosol generator includes two heating zones optionally separated by a region in which a pressure drop is induced. Power is metered or applied to the downstream, second zone to achieve a target resistance, and therefore a target temperature, while power is metered or applied to the upstream, first zone to achieve a target mass flow rate exiting the second zone. A target temperature is achieved in the second zone to generate an aerosol from the liquid flowing through the generator at the desired mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Douglas D. McRae, William R. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6234167
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a tube having a first and a second end, a heater arranged relative to the tube for heating the tube, a source of material to be volatilized, the second end of the tube being in communication with the source of material, a valve operatively located between the source of material and the tube, the valve being openable and closeable to open and close communication between the source of material and the first end of the tube, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the tube from the source of material when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A method of making and a method of using an aerosol generator are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 5537670
    Abstract: Images such as product images are identified as substantially similar to one or more reference images by finding pixels which have substantially the same value or values in all or substantially all of the reference images. Image erosion and/or dilation may be used in processing the reference image data to help identify pixels which can always be expected to have the same value in all acceptable images. The values associated with the corresponding pixels in a product image are combined and compared to an expected value. The values associated with pixels which correspond to regions not similar in substantially all of the reference images are combined to produce a discriminant function. The product image is identified as substantially similar to the reference image or images only if the combined values from the product image compare favorably with the expected value, and the dot product between the product image and the discriminant function is equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Henry M. Dante, Robert J. Maher