Patents by Inventor Mingzu Lei

Mingzu Lei 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).

  • Patent number: 11839714
    Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei
  • Publication number: 20230364357
    Abstract: A heating unit comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A chemical reactant material capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate. An igniter is in proximity with the chemical reactant material. A layer of adhesive material overlays at least a portion of at least one of the chemical reactant material and the first surface of the substrate. Other embodiments of the heating unit include a first and a second substrate, each having first and second surfaces positioned with the first surfaces opposing each other in a sandwich construction. A chemical reactant material is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of at least one of the substrates. The first and the second substrates are sealed together to define a cavity containing the chemical reactant material and an igniter is provided in proximity with the chemical reactant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Krishnamohan SHARMA, Mingzu LEI, Karen WANG, Hoi Sze LAU, Ron L. HALE, Reynaldo QUINTANA, Pravin SONI
  • Publication number: 20230355515
    Abstract: A device for vaporizing a composition. The device comprises a thermally conductive substrate having a surface, the surface comprising a thermally conductive surface structure. A dry composition capable of a solid to liquid phase change upon being heated to at least a select temperature is disposed on the surface structure. The surface structure is configured to form liquid droplets of the composition upon heating of the surface structure to at least the select temperature. The liquid droplets have a median diameter less than a median diameter of liquid droplets formed on a planar substrate surface heated to at least the select temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Krishnamohan SHARMA, Mingzu LEI, Peter D. NOYMER, Daniel J. MYERS
  • Publication number: 20230044017
    Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Krishnamohan SHARMA, Mingzu LEI
  • Patent number: 11484668
    Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Alexza Pharmauceticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei
  • Publication number: 20210106775
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing condensation aerosols for the treatment of disease and/or chronic, intermittent or acute conditions. These condensation aerosols are produced from drugs including temperature sensitive drugs and small molecule drugs that are coated onto a foil substrate which is heated via electrical resistance heating at precisely controlled temperature profiles with controllable ramp-up and heating rates to vaporize the coated drug which subsequently condenses to form aerosol particles. These condensation aerosols have little or no degradation products. Kits comprising a drug and a device for producing a condensation aerosol are also provided. Also disclosed, are methods for using these aerosols and kits and methods of making the aerosols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: David Koji HASEGAWA, Mingzu LEI, Gilbert T. TONG
  • Publication number: 20210046259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing condensation aerosols for the treatment of disease and/or chronic, intermittent or acute conditions. These condensation aerosols are produced from drugs including temperature sensitive drugs and small molecule drugs that are coated onto a foil substrate which is heated via electrical resistance heating at precisely controlled temperature profiles with controllable ramp-up and heating rates to vaporize the coated drug which subsequently condenses to form aerosol particles. These condensation aerosols have little or no degradation products. Kits comprising a drug and a device for producing a condensation aerosol are also provided. Also disclosed, are methods for using these aerosols and kits and methods of making the aerosols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: David Koji HASEGAWA, Mingzu LEI, Gilbert T. TONG
  • Publication number: 20210008300
    Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei
  • Patent number: 10786635
    Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei
  • Publication number: 20190021987
    Abstract: A device for vaporizing a composition. The device comprises a thermally conductive substrate having a surface, the surface comprising a thermally conductive surface structure. A dry composition capable of a solid to liquid phase change upon being heated to at least a select temperature is disposed on the surface structure. The surface structure is configured to form liquid droplets of the composition upon heating of the surface structure to at least the select temperature. The liquid droplets have a median diameter less than a median diameter of liquid droplets formed on a planar substrate surface heated to at least the select temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei, Peter D. Noymer, Daniel J. Myers
  • Publication number: 20180126098
    Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei
  • Publication number: 20120048963
    Abstract: A heating unit comprising an electrically conductive substrate. A solid fuel layer comprising a metal reducing agent, a metal containing oxidizing agent and a binder is coated on a surface of the substrate, the solid fuel layer having a solid fuel surface spaced from the substrate. A first electrode coupled to the substrate. A second electrode coupled to the solid fuel surface. A power supply is configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second electrodes to provide a voltage between the metallic substrate and the solid fuel surface. The voltage acts to propagate an exothermic metal oxidation-reduction reaction without the use of an igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei
  • Publication number: 20110253135
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drug delivery device comprising a housing defining an airway, wherein the airway comprises at least one air inlet and a mouthpiece having at least one air outlet, at least one heated metal substrate disposed within the airway, at least one drug disposed on the at least one heated metal substrate. Drugs that can be complexed with metals or metal salts and could be deposited as thin films on heated metal substrate for generating thermal condensation aerosols are particularly suited. The metal substrate could be electrically or chemically heated. Further, the chemically heated metal source could be activated by an igniter that generates heat or spark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ron L. HALE, C.V Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei
  • Patent number: 7923662
    Abstract: High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron L. Hale, Mingzu Lei, Hilary N. Pettit, Dennis W. Solas, Soonho Song, Curtis Tom
  • Publication number: 20100300433
    Abstract: A device for vaporizing a composition. The device comprises a thermally conductive substrate having a surface, the surface comprising a thermally conductive surface structure. A dry composition capable of a solid to liquid phase change upon being heated to at least a select temperature is disposed on the surface structure. The surface structure is configured to form liquid droplets of the composition upon heating of the surface structure to at least the select temperature. The liquid droplets have a median diameter less than a median diameter of liquid droplets formed on a planar substrate surface heated to at least the select temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei, Peter D. Noymer, Daniel J. Myers
  • Patent number: 7834295
    Abstract: An igniter comprises at least two conductors in the spaced-apart configuration and an electrically conductive layer bridging the at least two conductors, wherein the conductive layer has an electrical resistance greater than an electrical resistance of the at least two conductors. In one embodiment, the at least two conductors and the electrically conductive layer comprise a conductive ink, which may be the same conductive ink having different dimensions. A supplementary initiator composition may be deposited on or incorporated into the conductive layer. In a process for producing the igniter, the electrically conductive layer and the at least two conductors are printed on a non-electrically conducting substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: C. V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Hoi Sze Lau, Karen Wang, Mingzu Lei, Vladimir Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20100068155
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are reactant formulations capable of undergoing an exothermic chemical reaction. The reactant formulations comprise a metal reducing agent, a metal-containing oxidizing agent, and manganese oxide in an amount effective to control a temperature profile of the reactant formulation. The manganese oxide may be, for example and without limitation, MnO, MnO2, or Mn3O4. The manganese oxide may be present at a concentration within the range of 2 to 60 percent, and in other embodiments, 8 to 40 percent, by weight of the reactant formulation. Also disclosed are an article for vaporization of a vaporizable compound and a heating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Mingzu Lei, C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Hoi Sze Lau, Karen Wang
  • Publication number: 20100068154
    Abstract: An igniter comprises at least two conductors in the spaced-apart configuration and an electrically conductive layer bridging the at least two conductors, wherein the conductive layer has an electrical resistance greater than an electrical resistance of the at least two conductors. In one embodiment, the at least two conductors and the electrically conductive layer comprise a conductive ink, which may be the same conductive ink having different dimensions. A supplementary initiator composition may be deposited on or incorporated into the conductive layer. In a process for producing the igniter, the electrically conductive layer and the at least two conductors are printed on a non-electrically conducting substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Hoi Sze Lau, Karen Wang, Mingzu Lei, Vladimir Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20100065052
    Abstract: A heating unit comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A chemical reactant material capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate. An igniter is in proximity with the chemical reactant material. A layer of adhesive material overlays at least a portion of at least one of the chemical reactant material and the first surface of the substrate. Other embodiments of the heating unit include a first and a second substrate, each having first and second surfaces positioned with the first surfaces opposing each other in a sandwich construction. A chemical reactant material is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of at least one of the substrates. The first and the second substrates are sealed together to define a cavity containing the chemical reactant material and an igniter is provided in proximity with the chemical reactant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei, Karen Wang, Hoi Sze Lau, Ron L. Hale, Reynaldo Quintana, Pravin Soni
  • Publication number: 20100006092
    Abstract: Aerosol drug delivery devices incorporating percussively activated heat packages are disclosed. The heat packages include a percussive igniter and a fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction when ignited by the percussive igniter. The drug delivery devices disclosed can be activated by an actuation mechanism to vaporize a thin solid film comprising a drug disposed on the exterior of a hat package. Metal coordination complexes of volatile drugs, and in particular nicotine, from which the drug can be selectively vaporized when heated are also disclosed. The use of aerosol drug delivery devices comprising thin films of nicotine metal salt complexes for the treatment of nicotine craving and for effecting smoking cessation are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ron L. Hale, Mingzu Lei, Peter M. Lloyd, Patrik Munzar, C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Dennis W. Solas, Matthew D. Stracker