Abstract: An air freshening device comprises a housing defining a chamber. The chamber contains air and a supply of fragrance material that scents the air inside the chamber. A mechanical oscillator is in fluid communication with the air in the chamber and is configured to transmit acoustic waves in the chamber. A narrow conduit provides a passage from an interior of the chamber to the atmosphere outside the chamber. The conduit is dimensionally configured such that a synthetic jet from the narrow conduit is generated upon activation of the mechanical oscillator, the synthetic jet ejecting scented air from the chamber interior to the atmosphere outside the chamber. The mechanical oscillator may be driven intermittently, resulting in a consistent intensity and character of the emitted scent over the life of the product.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a liquid includes a chamber holding a supply of liquid, an annular conduit substantially filled with liquid from the chamber, and a thermoelectric transducer near one end of the annular conduit. Upon application of electrical current to the thermoelectric transducer, the transducer operates to cause boiling of a quantity of liquid in the annular conduit. Expansion of a resulting bubble forces liquid out the end of the annular conduit. The dispenser may include battery powered electronic control circuit that includes a supercapacitor. The liquid may be dispensed in periodic bursts. In one application, the dispenser is especially suited to automatically and unobtrusively dispense a fragrance, perfume, or other personal care liquid worn by a person. In some applications, the dispenser may be worn on or under an article of clothing, or attached to an article of jewelry.

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: A method of treating a disease involving surfactant deficiency or dysfunction in a patient's lungs is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a liquid lung surfactant composition; aerosolizing the lung surfactant composition with a vibrating aperture-type aerosol generator to form a surfactant aerosol; and introducing the surfactant aerosol into the gas flow within a circuit of a pressure-assisted breathing system coupled to the patient's respiratory system, whereby a therapeutically effective amount of said surfactant is delivered to the patient's lungs. Apparatus is also disclosed that increases the efficiency of delivery of aerosolized medicaments such as aerosolized lung surfactant.

Abstract: A fluid injection device for ejecting fluid droplets in response to electrical signals comprises an oscillating surface that has one or more tapered apertures, each aperture having a first and second opening. The first opening of each aperture is larger than the second opening. The first opening is in surface tension contact with the fluid to be ejected. The fluid interaction with the tapered aperture wall creates cycles of fluid compression and decompression inside the aperture, causing fluid to be drawn from the large opening and ejected out the small opening of the aperture. The device includes a fluid supply nozzle that transports fluid to the oscillating surface at the large opening of the apertures. A discharge valve controls the fluid supply. An electronic wave generator induces oscillation in the tapered aperture containing surface. The device is used to great advantage for fluid atomization and fluid spray.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an aerosol that includes a support member having a first face and a second face and defining an opening therethrough, where the support member includes a first material having a first galvanic potential, and an aerosolization element mounted on the support member and disposed substantially over the opening and defining at least one aperture therethrough. The aerosolization element may include a second material having a second galvanic potential that is substantially equal to the first galvanic potential of the first material. Also, a method of aerosolizing a liquid medicament by providing an aperture plate made of a first material and having a top surface and a bottom surface. The aperture plate is mounted on a support member that includes a second material that has an opening such that the aperture plate covers the opening, and where the first and second materials have similar galvanic potentials.

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: A method for controlling the supply of liquid to an aerosol generator comprises operating a liquid supply system to supply a liquid to a vibratable aperture plate of an aerosol generator which senses an amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate, and controls operation of the liquid supply system to adjust the amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate.

Abstract: A fluid injection device for ejecting fluid droplets in response to electrical signals comprises an oscillating surface that has one or more tapered apertures, each aperture having a first and second opening. The first opening of each aperture is larger than the second opening. The first opening is in surface tension contact with the fluid to be ejected. The fluid interaction with the tapered aperture wall creates cycles of fluid compression and decompression inside the aperture, causing fluid to be drawn from the large opening and ejected out the small opening of the aperture. The device includes a fluid supply nozzle that transports fluid to the oscillating surface at the large opening of the apertures. A discharge valve controls the fluid supply. An electronic wave generator induces oscillation in the tapered aperture containing surface. The device is used to great advantage for fluid atomization and fluid spray.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary methods and apparatus for dispensing liquids as an atomized spray. In one particularly preferably method, a liquid is dispensed as an atomized spray from a vibratable member having a front surface and a rear surface, with the member having at least one tapered hole between the surfaces for dispensing the liquid. The tapered hole has a larger cross-sectional area at the rear surface than at the front surface. The liquid is delivered from a supply container to the rear surface of the vibratable member in an amount sufficient to cover the hole with liquid. The vibratable member is then vibrated to dispense at least a portion of the liquid through the hole and from the front surface. Additional liquid is delivered from the supply container and to the rear surface in volumes that are substantially equal to the volumes dispensed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the supply of liquid to an aerosol generator comprises operating a liquid supply system to supply a liquid to a vibratable aperture plate of an aerosol generator which senses an amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate, and controls operation of the liquid supply system to adjust the amount of liquid adhering to the vibratable aperture plate.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary methods and apparatus for dispensing liquids as an atomized spray. In one particularly preferably method, a liquid is dispensed as an atomized spray from a vibratable member having a front surface and a rear surface, with the member having at least one tapered hole between the surfaces for dispensing the liquid. The tapered hole has a larger cross-sectional area at the rear surface than at the front surface. The liquid is delivered from a supply container to the rear surface of the vibratable member in an amount sufficient to cover the hole with liquid. The vibratable member is then vibrated to dispense at least a portion of the liquid through the hole and from the front surface. Additional liquid is delivered from the supply container and to the rear surface in volumes that are substantially equal to the volumes dispensed.

Abstract: A fluid injection device for ejecting fluid droplets in response to electrical signals comprises an oscillating surface that has one or more tapered apertures, each aperture having a first and second opening. The first opening of each aperture is larger than the second opening. The first opening is in surface tension contact with the fluid to be ejected. The fluid interaction with the tapered aperture wall creates cycles of fluid compression and decompression inside the aperture, causing fluid to be drawn from the large opening and ejected out the small opening of the aperture. The device includes a fluid supply nozzle that transports fluid to the oscillating surface at the large opening of the apertures. A discharge valve controls the fluid supply. An electronic wave generator induces oscillation in the tapered aperture containing surface. The device is used to great advantage for fluid atomization and fluid spray.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease involving surfactant deficiency or dysfunction in a patient's lungs is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a liquid lung surfactant composition; aerosolizing the lung surfactant composition with a vibrating aperture-type aerosol generator to form a surfactant aerosol; and introducing the surfactant aerosol into the gas flow within a circuit of a pressure-assisted breathing system coupled to the patient's respiratory system, whereby a therapeutically effective amount of said surfactant is delivered to the patient's lungs. Apparatus is also disclosed that increases the efficiency of delivery of aerosolized medicaments such as aerosolized lung surfactant.

Abstract: A fluid injection device for ejecting fluid droplets in response to electrical signals comprises an oscillating surface that has one or more tapered apertures, each aperture having a first and second opening. The first opening of each aperture is larger than the second opening. The first opening is in surface tension contact with the fluid to be ejected. The fluid interaction with the tapered aperture wall creates cycles of fluid compression and decompression inside the aperture, causing fluid to be drawn from the large opening and ejected out the small opening of the aperture. The device includes a fluid supply nozzle that transports fluid to the oscillating surface at the large opening of the apertures. A discharge valve controls the fluid supply. An electronic wave generator induces oscillation in the tapered aperture containing surface. The device is used to great advantage for fluid atomization and fluid spray.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary methods and apparatus for dispensing liquids as an atomized spray. In one particularly preferably method, a liquid is dispensed as an atomized spray from a vibratable member having a front surface and a rear surface, with the member having at least one tapered hole between the surfaces for dispensing the liquid. The tapered hole has a larger cross-sectional area at the rear surface than at the front surface. The liquid is delivered from a supply container to the rear surface of the vibratable member in an amount sufficient to cover the hole with liquid. The vibratable member is then vibrated to dispense at least a portion of the liquid through the hole and from the front surface. Additional liquid is delivered from the supply container and to the rear surface in volumes that are substantially equal to the volumes dispensed.

Abstract: A device for aerosolizing a liquid includes a chamber having a deformable wall which expands and contracts as fluid is delivered and expelled from a fluid chamber. The chamber is partially bounded by a vibrating structure having holes therein for expelling the fluid. In another aspect, the invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. 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: 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.