Liquid Medicament Atomizer Or Sprayer Patents (Class 128/200.14)
  • Patent number: 10220166
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring usage of a medicament dispenser—particularly an inhaled medicament dispenser. While operating in a low-power mode, a first sensor is monitored for a signal indicative of handling of the medicament dispenser by a user. In response to detecting such handling, the device exits the low-power mode and begins to monitor a second sensor for a signal indicative of dispensing of the medicament. The usage monitoring device can be embodied as an attachment configured to be selectively coupled to one of a variety of different inhalers including, for example, a Diskus-type inhaler and a Respimat-type inhaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Reciprocal Labs Corporation
    Inventors: John David Van Sickle, Greg Tracy, Mark Gehring, Eric Hoffman, Kevin Houlihan, Chris Hallberg
  • Patent number: 10220179
    Abstract: An elbow assembly includes an elbow with an opening in a sidewall of the elbow. An anti-asphyxia valve (AAV) assembly is provided to the elbow. The opening in the sidewall of the elbow is configured to receive at least a portion of the AAV assembly. The elbow assembly further includes a support member with an atmospheric port. The support member is configured to be secured to a portion of the elbow and cover the opening. The AAV assembly is adapted to be secured to the elbow by the support member. In addition, the support member is configured so that an outer surface of the support member is substantially flush with an outer surface of the elbow when the support member is secured to the portion of the elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Muditha Pradeep Dantanarayana, Saad Nasr
  • Patent number: 10219546
    Abstract: An exemplary spraying atomizing device includes a housing, a liquid tank, a spraying device, a heating element, and a power supply. The housing defines an atomizing chamber. The liquid tank is configured for storing tobacco liquid. The spraying device is configured for spraying the tobacco liquid into the atomizing chamber in a form of liquid particles. The heating element is arranged in the atomizing chamber, and has a heating surface. The heating surface is configured for supporting and heating the liquid particles to form aerosol. The power supply is arranged in the housing, and is configured for feeding the heating element power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yonghai Li, Zhongli Xu, Shuyun Hu
  • Patent number: 10219541
    Abstract: A cartridge is selectively usable with a personal vaporizer. The cartridge may include a chamber for holding a vaporizing medium such as a liquid solution. The cartridge may also include an atomizer that can be manufactured as a unit with the chamber. The cartridge can be attached to a vaporizer structure such as a battery assembly. A cartridge cover fits over and encloses the cartridge therewithin. The cartridge cover can employ decorative aspects that match or complement decorative aspects of the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Lubby Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: J. Christian Rado
  • Patent number: 10218193
    Abstract: A rechargeable pack is provided for containing and recharging an e-cigarette. The pack includes a pack battery; a first connector which is electrically connectable to an external power source; a first recharging mechanism for re-charging the pack battery using the external power source when the first connector is electrically connected to the external power source; a tube for receiving an e-cigarette such that the e-cigarette can be contained within the recharging pack; a second connector which is electrically connectable to the e-cigarette when the e-cigarette is received within the tube; and a second recharging mechanism for re-charging the e-cigarette using the pack battery when the e-cigarette is electrically connected to the second connector. The second recharging mechanism is configured to provide protection against the pack battery providing excessive current through the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Nicoventures Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Colin Gratton
  • Patent number: 10214410
    Abstract: Fluid level measurements for the shared tank and outflow information provided by calibrated flow meters corresponding to dispensing stations connected to the shared tank may be used to derive a filled volume model for the tank as a function of fluid level. Subsequently, a filled volume change for a shared tank over a selected time interval may be determined from pre-change and post-change fluid level measurements. The change in filled volume may be compared with the total fluid flow over the selected time interval as indicated by the flow meters of active dispensing stations. If the filled volume change for the tank is substantially different than the total fluid flow indicated by the flow meters, the flow meters may be collectively adjusted to provide a more accurate indication of the filled volume change in the shared tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Thomas A. Nielson, William Barrett
  • Patent number: 10195381
    Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes a housing that defines an inlet port and an outlet port. A jet pump receives pressurized gas flow from the inlet port and delivers the gas flow to the outlet port. A nebulizer is fluidly coupled to the outlet port and positioned to introduce medication into the gas flow and deliver medicated gas flow to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: VYAIRE MEDICAL CONSUMABLES LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dunsmore, Geoffrey C. Wise, Thomas C. Wilschke, Louis P. Mingione
  • Patent number: 10194697
    Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system is provided, including a secondary unit configured to receive a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element, an interface configured to connect to a primary power supply, a secondary power supply, and secondary circuitry. The secondary circuitry is configured to control supply of electrical power from the secondary supply to the heating element (a) in a pre-heating mode, during which a substrate temperature is increased to an operating temperature, and (b) in a smoking mode, during which a substrate temperature is maintained at substantially the operating temperature; and to control charging of the secondary supply by the primary supply in a charging mode, to have sufficient charge to increase a substrate temperature to the operating temperature in the pre-heating mode and to maintain the substrate temperature at substantially the operating temperature during the smoking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Marc-Robert Chemla, Fredrik Stahle
  • Patent number: 10195368
    Abstract: A handheld high frequency ultrasonic atomizing device for delivering drugs to whole respiratory tract comprising a shell with an air inlet and a lid with a spray nozzle. A drug cup with a piezoelectric transducer and a hood with a spray outlet are provided within the shell. The components of piezoelectric ceramic transducer are as follows (mass percentage): lead tetraoxide 63.3-68.3%, zirconium dioxide 14.2-15.3%, titanium dioxide 8.1-9.5%, strontium oxide 4.6-5.2%, iron sesquioxide 1.5-1.8%, stannic oxide 1.0-1.4%, manganese dioxide 0.3-1.1%, cerium sesquioxide 0.5-0.8%, columbium pentoxide 0.4-0.8% and zinc oxide 0.3-0.7%. This device is small in size, with low power consumption and lower cost, and is able to produce mist with small particle size. The device can efficiently deliver drug liquid into the whole respiratory tract, especially down to the lower respiratory tract and pulmonary alveoli through carrying drug molecules in mist particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: CHANGZHOU ZHENGYUAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., GUANGZHOU NANOTIDES PHARMACEUTICALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng Wang, Patrick Y. Lu, Chuntian Lu, Songlin Jiang, Shenggao Tang, Tao Yuan
  • Patent number: 10195374
    Abstract: A container, a nebulizer and a use of an indicator device are described, where the container comprises an indicator device fixedly mounted on the bottom of the container, the container is arranged within the nebulizer and the container can be detached by grabbing the indicator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Eicher, Herbert Graessl, Mike Janetzko, Andree Jung, Martin Meisenheimer, Herbert Wachtel, Robert Gerhard Winkler, Gilbert Wuttke, Ying Yu
  • Patent number: 10192464
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a simulated medicament delivery device and an electronic circuit system. The simulated medicament delivery device includes a housing, and is devoid of a medicament delivery mechanism that causes a medicament to be delivered. The electronic circuit system is coupled to the housing and includes an audible output device and a cover. The housing of the medicament delivery device and the cover of the electronic circuit system collectively define an acoustic enclosure. The audible output device is configured to be disposed within the acoustic enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: kaleo, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Edwards, Evan T. Edwards, Mark J. Licata, Paul F. Meyers, David A. Weinzierl
  • Patent number: 10183131
    Abstract: An extraction system uses a sample of botanical matter which has been rendered into particles of a predetermined range of sizes and compressed into a non-flowable form. The sample is loaded into an extraction chamber which may be sealed. A conductive or convective heat source is used to heat the loaded sample to a temperature which causes at least one substance within the sample to vaporize. A conduit can be used to transfer vapor resulting from vaporization of the substance to a collection chamber and mask. Pressure may be adjusted within the system to facilitate vaporization and vapor transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Skell
  • Patent number: 10173019
    Abstract: A method of flowing a medicament containing powder using gas, including, providing a volume of a gas according to one or more release conditions; directing flow of said gas through or adjacent a powder including a medicament; and releasing a therapeutically effective amount of said powder using said gas. Optionally, the releasing comprises releasing according to breath considerations. Optionally or alternatively, the releasing comprises releasing according to time considerations. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the powder is held in a capsule that has apertures formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Inspiro Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Nimrod Kaufmann, Guy Steuer
  • Patent number: 10166348
    Abstract: An aerosol generator is positioned adjacent to a patient as an attachment to a trocar. The trocar has an entry port for insufflation gas. Aerosol generated by a vibrating element is entrained in the insufflation gas and the mixture is delivered through the trocar. The aerosol may contain a medicament. The trocar may be a conventional trocar. Such trocars are typically used for a camera. The delivery of the aerosolized medicament can occur at the start of the procedure and be delivered in bolus. At the start of the procedure, the peritoneum is being inflated by means of the flow of insufflator gas. This gas flow will help to entrain the aerosolized medicament to the pneumoperitoneum regions. The surgeon can temporarily remove the camera from the trocar port to facilitate insertion and positioning of the aerosolizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Aerosurgical Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Power, Conor Paul Duffy
  • Patent number: 10159279
    Abstract: An electronic vapor provision system is provided including: a pressure drop or air flow sensor for monitoring inhalation by a user through the electronic vapor provision system; and a control unit for detecting the start and end of inhalation based on readings from the sensor. The control unit is configured to: monitor the cumulative period of inhalation (Ti) over a predetermined window (Tw); and transfer the electronic vapor provision system to a sleep mode if the cumulative period (Ti) exceeds a predetermined threshold (Th).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nicoventures Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Lord, Martin Mullin
  • Patent number: 10155092
    Abstract: A delivery device for delivery of medicament to a user including a container defining a reservoir storing the medicament, a body in which the container is received, a spray nozzle arranged on one of the body and the container for receiving medicament expelled from the container, and a pusher actuatable for pushing the medicament from the container reservoir through the nozzle, said pusher being moveable from a rest position to a fully activated position relative to said body in response to an actuating force. The assembly is particularly applicable to nasal syringes where it is desirable to deliver the medicament in the form of a spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Lionel Vedrine
  • Patent number: 10155094
    Abstract: An inhaler is proposed having an insertable container and a monitoring device for counting uses of the inhaler. The monitoring device is arranged in a detachable housing part or fitted onto a mouthpiece of the inhaler. A supply air current is detected by means of a pressure sensor. A position sensor may further be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wachtel, Andree Jung
  • Patent number: 10143233
    Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating device for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, including a storage portion for storing the aerosol-forming substrate and a vaporizer for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. The storage portion has an outer housing and an internal passageway, the storage portion forming a reservoir for the aerosol-forming substrate between the outer housing and the internal passageway, and the vaporizer extends at least partially inside the internal passageway in the storage portion. The device further includes a porous interface at least partially lining the internal passageway for conveying the aerosol-forming substrate from the storage portion towards the vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Flavien Dubief, Olivier Cochand, Michel Thorens, Jean-Marc Flick, Yvan Degoumois
  • Patent number: 10137260
    Abstract: The present nebulizer kit has a case body having a wall surface with a linear portion. The wall surface can serve as a barrier to change positively toward an aerosol discharge port a stream of aerosol flowing out from an external air introduction path in a direction away from the aerosol discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Tanaka, Susumu Kutsuhara
  • Patent number: 10137261
    Abstract: An inhalator includes a housing with first and second compartments, and a substance. The second second compartment has an air entry port, the inhalator has a first end proximal to the first compartment and second end proximal to the second compartment, and the inhalation part is at the second end. The first compartment stores a substance and has in an inoperative state of the inhalator sealing bodies to define a sealed chamber for containing a substance. The bodies are movable together with the substance from the first compartment into the second compartment to define an inoperative state of the inhalator. Air enters through the air entry port and takes up, such as by evaporation, the substance contained in the second compartment. A release device moves the bodies into the second compartment and allows the air to flow to the air entry port in the operative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: LK INVESTMENT APS
    Inventor: Carsten Leonhard Knudsen
  • Patent number: 10130779
    Abstract: Therapy regimes of a plurality of subjects are remotely monitored and/or managed, wherein the therapy regimes include reception of aerosolized medicament. This enables users such as medical care providers, researchers, clinic administrators, and/or other users to monitor and/or manage the therapy regimes of the plurality of subjects through a centralized access point. This reduces physical requirements of proximity for the users and/or the subjects, alleviates the administrative the burden placed on the users to manage and/or monitor individual therapy regimes, and/or provides other enhancements over convention systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jonathan S. H. Denyer, Anthony Dyche, Ivan Richard Prince
  • Patent number: 10124132
    Abstract: A nasal delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece unit including a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of a subject and a nozzle through which substance is in use delivered, preferably substantially axially to a longitudinal axis of the nosepiece, to the respective nasal cavity, wherein at least a tip element of the nosepiece has, at least in one configuration, an elongate lateral section which has a longer dimension in a first, sagittal direction than a second direction orthogonal to the sagittal direction, such that, when the nosepiece is inserted in the nasal cavity of the subject, the longer dimension of the nosepiece acts to engage lower and upper surfaces of the nasal cavity, preferably at the nasal valve, and expand the same in the sagittal plane; and a delivery unit for delivering substance through the nozzle of the nosepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: OptiNose AS
    Inventor: Per Gisle Djupesland
  • Patent number: 10118753
    Abstract: A metering valve having an elongate moveable stem arranged for axial movements within a container and defining a discharge passage. A flexible bag for containing a liquid formulation to be dispensed from the metering valve surrounds a lower end of the metering valve. The bag is fillable through a fill passage defined by the valve and from an exterior of the container. A one-way valve, disposed in operable combination with the fill passage, prevents liquid formulation in the bag from escaping to ambient through the fill passage but allows the bag to be filled after the lower end of the valve and the bag are inserted into the container and the container is pressurized with a propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: James H. Martin
  • Patent number: 10105502
    Abstract: A dose counter for counting does of medicament dispensed by or remaining in a metered-dose inhaler. The dose counter includes a rotatably mounted gear wheel having a circular arrangement of ratchet teeth defining a root circle and a display coupled to the gear wheel, the display having a visible array of dose counting indicia indexable in response to rotary motion of the gear wheel. The dose counter further includes an actuator mechanism having a driver for rotatably driving the gear wheel in response to the dispensation of a medicament dose, the driver being arranged to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear wheel. The actuator mechanism includes an actuator shaft mounted for linear movement in response to the dispensing of a dose of medicament. In use, the travel of the driver along the root circle of the gear wheel exceeds the corresponding linear movement of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: IVAX INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Simon G. Kaar, Jeffrey A. Karg, Timothy Norman Johnson, Robert Charles Uschold
  • Patent number: 10104913
    Abstract: An e-vapor apparatus may include a pod assembly and a dispensing body configured to receive the pod assembly. A vaporizer may be disposed in the pod assembly and/or the dispensing body. The pod assembly may include a pre-vapor formulation compartment, a device compartment, and a vapor channel extending from the device compartment and traversing the pre-vapor formulation compartment. The pod assembly is a smart pod configured to receive, store, and transmit information that can be communicated with the dispensing body and/or another electronic device. The proximal portion of the dispensing body includes a vapor passage and a through-hole. The vapor passage may extend from an end surface of the proximal portion to a side wall of the through-hole. The through-hole is configured to receive the pod assembly such that the vapor channel of the pod assembly is aligned with the vapor passage of the dispensing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Lau, Eric Hawes, Alistair Bramley
  • Patent number: 10099019
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering a substance to the nasal cavity of a subject in which drawing air from a mouthpiece triggers release of a substance to a subject's nasal cavities. The device comprises a container for containing the substance in fluid communication with a nosepiece, a valve with an active configuration and an inactive configuration, and a trigger mechanism to reconfigure the valve from its inactive configuration to its active configuration and vice versa. Drawing air from the mouthpiece, e.g., when the subject takes in air by mouth, activates the trigger mechanism, thereby reconfiguring the valve from its inactive configuration to its active configuration for a predetermined period of time and delivering the substance from the device to a nasal cavity of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SIPNOSE LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Shahaf, Joseph Hadash
  • Patent number: 10092712
    Abstract: A system for delivery of aerosol therapy to spontaneously breathing patients comprises a housing which defines a chamber. The housing has a base, a top and a main body extending between the base and the top. An ambient air inlet is located adjacent to the base and is normally closed by an inlet valve. The housing also has a patient port for receiving a mouthpiece or a face mask. The mouthpiece has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Similarly, the face mask has an exhaust outlet closed by an exhaust valve. Exhaled air is exhausted through the valves and to prevent recirculation through the chamber which would adversely affect dose efficiencies. The housing also has an aerosol port for receiving a vibrating mesh aerosol generating device. The aerosol port is located in a side of the main body of the housing for delivery of aerosol into the chamber between the inlet valve and the patient port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Stamford Devices Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Power, Jimmy Eaton-Evans
  • Patent number: 10092038
    Abstract: A non-refillable microvaporizer cartridge having a casing with an external surface, an internal surface, a top end, and a bottom end, a tank defined by the internal surface, the top end, and the bottom end of the casing, a trapdoor provided at the top end of the casing having a fluid opening that provides fluid communication to the tank, and an electrical conductor provided at the bottom end of the casing. An atomizer can be attached to the top end of the casing and connected to the trapdoor, and the atomizer is operatively connected to the electrical conductor on the bottom end of the casing to complete the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Yongjie James Xu
  • Patent number: 10092924
    Abstract: An aerosol generator (100) has a vibratable plate (1) with apertures therein and an annular piezo (2) which causes movement of the vibratable plate (1). An annular support member (3) supports the piezo (2) and the vibratable plate (1). A first electrical power conducting pin (10) engages directly with a first, top, surface of the piezo (2). A second electrical power conducting pin (11) indirectly conducts electrical power to a second surface of the piezo (2), by contacting an extension tab (103) of the support member (20), also on its top side. There is a film of cured epoxy adhesive on the tab (103), providing excellent gripping force between the pin (11) and the support (3). The aerosol generator (100) avoids need for soldered joints for electrical contact, and the pins are conveniently mounted parallel to each on the on the same lateral and top side of the piezo and support member. The pins may have multi-point tips (50) for particularly effective electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Stamford Devices, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brendan Hogan, Kieran Hyland, Anthony Redmond
  • Patent number: 10085482
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system is provided, including a housing having a first portion and a second portion. The housing includes an air inlet; a nicotine source; a volatile delivery enhancing compound source; and an air outlet. The first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing are movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the air inlet and the air outlet are unobstructed and the nicotine source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source are both in fluid communication with an airflow pathway through the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. In the closed position, either the air inlet is obstructed or the nicotine source and the volatile delivery enhancing compound source are both not in fluid communication with an airflow pathway through the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 10080387
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device includes a housing and a reservoir having an open end and an opposing closed end. The reservoir includes an aerosol precursor composition therein. The aerosol delivery device also includes an electrical contact in or on the housing. The device further includes a vaporizing unit. The vaporizing unit includes a liquid transport element, a heating element, and an electrical connector. The vaporizing unit is configured to removably engage the open end of the reservoir such that the liquid transport element is in arrangement with the reservoir to transfer the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir to the heating element and configured to engage the electrical contact in or on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Percy D. Phillips, James William Rogers, Lisa E. Brown, James Demopoulos, Michael F. Davis, Noah Mark Minskoff
  • Patent number: 10080853
    Abstract: A nebulizer is proposed as depicted in exemplary FIG. 7 which comprises a replaceable container, a counting device and a lock for locking the nebulizer against further use. The container is provided with an electronic storage which is electrically connected to the counting device. The nebulizer comprises an electric drive for actuating the lock. This allows secure operation and/or simple handling of the nebulizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Holakovsky, Marc Rohrschneider, Florian Witte, Kevin Peter Deane, Douglas Ivan Jennings, Charles Henderson
  • Patent number: 10076613
    Abstract: One embodiment describes an insulin formulation that is specifically adapted for aerosolization. The formulation includes a major amount of water and a minor amount of insulin. Further, the formulation is preservative free, without meta-cresol, cresol or phenol, to permit the formulation to be aerosolized using a vibrating aperture plate without substantial foaming of the insulin formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Dance Biopharm Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Patton, Ryan S. Patton, Mei-chang Kuo, Yehuda Ivri
  • Patent number: 10076137
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to vaporize extract, plant material containing organic material and the like, including utilizing a cartridge which may be disposable. The cartridge may be heated in zones or portions. The cartridge may form the inhalation pathway thereby reducing the accumulation of dirt and odor in the heating device. One disclosed vaporizer system has a base with a cartridge interface, a heater element, an on/off switch, a battery, a temperature sensor in proximity to the heater element; a controller in signal communication with the heater element, battery, temperature sensor and the on/off switch; that mates with a disposable cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Krietzman
  • Patent number: 10073949
    Abstract: The present invention includes and provides a method of delivering a medicament to an eye of a subject in need thereof a solution, the method comprising: (a) providing droplets containing the medicament with a specified average size and average initial ejecting velocity; and (b) delivering the medicament to the eye, where the droplets deliver a percentage of the ejected mass of the droplets to the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Eyenovia, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard L. Ballou, Jr., Mark Packer, Russell John Mumper, Tsontcho Ianchulev
  • Patent number: 10065005
    Abstract: Vaporizing devices and related methods for controlling an amount of substance being vaporized for consumption by a user are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a vaporizing device includes a casing configured to hold a substance for vaporizing. The vaporizing device also includes a plunger comprising a heating element inserted within the casing. The vaporizing device also includes a mechanism configured to advance the substance within the casing. Further, the vaporizing device includes a mouthpiece comprising an atomized configured to vaporize the material using the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: S.E. Research and Design LLC
    Inventors: Robin Wilder, Elizabeth Brooke Green
  • Patent number: 10058661
    Abstract: An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Milton-Edwards, Henry Chrystyn, Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 10058130
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a cartridge are provided. In some implementations, a method comprises forming a storage compartment having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, attaching a mouthpiece to the storage compartment at the second end, and attaching a heater at the first end. The storage compartment is configured to hold a vaporizable material. The heater comprises a heating element, a first plate positioned proximate to a first side of the storage compartment, and a second plate positioned proximate to a second side of the storage compartment. The first plate is coupled to the heating element and attached proximate to the first end, and the second plate is coupled to the heating element and attached proximate to the first end. The first plate and the second plate define a volume therebetween with at least a portion of the heating element disposed within the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: James Monsees, Adam Bowen, Steven Christensen, Joshua Morenstein, Christopher Nicholas HibmaCronan
  • Patent number: 10046123
    Abstract: Example techniques and systems include detecting patient inhalation with a pulmonary medication dosing device and controlling a valve to release medication based on the detection. For example, a method includes generating a signal indicative of air flow within a portion of a pulmonary medication dosing device, receiving, by a processor, a command based on the signal and associated with a valve configured to at least partially control release of medication via the pulmonary medication dosing device, and controlling, by the processor and based on the received command, the valve to release at least a portion of a dose of the medication into the air flow. In some examples, a mobile computing device may be configured to generate and transmit the command to the pulmonary medication dosing device for controlling the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: INHALETECH LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Hadash
  • Patent number: 10039909
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to fluid spraying apparatuses, and related systems and methods. The disclosed fluid spraying apparatuses may be used, for example, to spray a medically suitable fluid on a target region of a subject, such as for treating or removing tissue of the subject. In an embodiment, a fluid spraying apparatus includes a spray mechanism including at least one reservoir, and a spraying device operably coupled to the at least one reservoir which has an adjustable spray nozzle. The fluid spraying apparatus includes a distance sensor configured to sense information at least related to a distance to a target region of a subject and output one or more signals encoding the information, and control electrical circuitry operably coupled to the spray mechanism and the distance sensor. The control electrical circuitry is configured to activate the spray mechanism responsive to receiving the one or more signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ELWHA, LLC
    Inventors: Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Lowell L. Wood
  • Patent number: 10029060
    Abstract: An oropharyngeal device positionable within an airway of a patient may include a hollow body having a proximal end positionable adjacent the patient's mouth and an opposite distal end positionable adjacent and spaced from the patient's epiglottis. The body includes a center channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body. The oropharyngeal device may include a supply passage for delivering oxygen to the patient. The supply passage may include at least one of a discharge port fluidly connecting the supply passage to an exterior region of the oropharyngeal device and a discharge port fluidly connecting the supply passage to the center channel. The discharge ports may be positioned along a wall of the body between the distal and proximal ends. The oropharyngeal device may include a sensing passage for sampling a patient's respiratory composition positioned adjacent the distal end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Steven R. McCauley
  • Patent number: 10028859
    Abstract: A number of user interface device embodiments are disclosed that provide for increased cooling of the skin covered by the mask and/or increased flushing of gasses, including CO2, from the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Petrus Willard, Cornelis Petrus Hendriks, Willem Potze, Rudolf Maria Jozef Voncken, Sima Asvadi, Joyce Van Zanten, Mareike Klee
  • Patent number: 10028665
    Abstract: A biosignal determining device includes: an instruction output circuit which outputs a first instruction, a second instruction, and a third instruction to a user, the first instruction is for asking the user to perform an inhaling or exhaling motion to a limit, a second instruction is for asking the user to stop the motion, and a third instruction is for asking the user to perform a motion reverse to the motion to a limit; a detection circuit which obtains a first cardiography representing a potential difference between two electrodes disposed on a chest of the user, the first cardiography measured between a time when the second instruction is outputted and a time when the third instruction is outputted, and detects a plurality of peaks included in the first cardiography; and a determination circuit which determines whether the user has performed the motion asked in the first instruction to the limit depending on whether potential values of the plurality of peaks are included in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeffry Bonar Fernando, Jun Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10029056
    Abstract: A system and method suitable for monitoring user technique of an inhaler device configured for delivery of a medicament is provided. The system may include a microphone adapted for sensing sound made during operation of the inhaler device and processing circuitry operable to process a data signal obtained from the microphone, wherein the data signal includes acoustic information sensed. The processing circuitry is adapted to determine inhalation and exhalation breath characteristics that occur during use, by analyzing the temporal and spectral components of the acoustic information sensed and processed to differentiate between an inhalation and an exhalation, based on both the temporal and spectral components. This information can be processed to determine user technique adherence to inhaler or respiratory device protocol. The analysis of temporal and spectral components can determine the impact of user technique errors on the quantity and the deposition of medicament delivered into the user's airways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars, & The Other Members of Board, of the College of the Holy & Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
    Inventors: Richard Reilly, Richard Costello, Cian Hughes, Ehsan Chah, Isabelle Killane
  • Patent number: 10015987
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery device comprising a control component and a communication interface is provided. The control component controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in instances in which a flow of air through at least a portion of the at least one housing is detected. The communication interface is coupled to the control component and enables wireless communication. The control component further detects a predefined trigger, and automatically in response thereto, causes the communication interface to broadcast availability of the aerosol delivery device for connection with a capable wireless device. The predefined trigger includes at least one instance in which the flow of air is detected, and excludes user-actuation of any button on the aerosol delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventors: Raymond Charles Henry, Jr., Glen Joseph Kimsey, Frederic Philippe Ampolini
  • Patent number: 10016573
    Abstract: A system and method of body temperature regulation, including inhalation of cooled or warmed air flow supplied either manually or by a ventilator through an intubation tube or a breathing mask. The system is automatically regulated to produce a regime of compensated hyperventilation defined as the rate of breathing gas supply that would cause the defined decrease of CO2 blood levels if left uncompensated under given conditions. The system relies on minimized thermal inertia by including a combined heating/warming chamber, where the corresponding heating and cooling paths are mutually insulated. The inhaled breathing gas is automatically directed via a heating or cooling path by a processor, analyzing the inputs of temperature and CO2 level sensors measuring the core body temperature and CO2 blood level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Anatoly Mayburd
  • Patent number: 10010109
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling resistance-to-draw of an electronic smoking article is disclosed, which includes a reusable portion and a cartomizer portion, and which includes: supplying an air flow from one or more inlets in an outer cylindrical housing of the electronic smoking article to a cartomizer via a cartomizer inlet having a fixed diameter configured to control a resistance-to-draw of the electronic smoking article and wherein the cartomizer inlet is located inside the outer cylindrical housing of the electronic smoking article, wherein a combined air flow area of the one or more inlets in the outer housing of the electronic smoking article are greater than a cross-sectional area of the cartomizer inlet; heating a liquid material from a reservoir to form an aerosol; and combining the at least initially volatilized liquid material with the air flow from the cartomizer inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Janardhan, Eric Hawes, Yezdi B. Pithawalla
  • Patent number: 9999255
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette is disclosed. The electronic cigarette comprises a sleeve, a battery module, an atomizing unit and a blocking module arranged in the sleeve and a reservoir formed in the sleeve. The atomizing unit is electrically connected to the battery module, the blocking module is configured to isolate the battery module and the reservoir, a ventilation hole is disposed on the blocking module for achieving air communication between the atomizing unit and the battery module; wherein the ventilation hole is in the closed state before a first use of the electronic cigarette; when the electronic cigarette is used, the blocking module is switched to make the ventilation hole in the open state, so as to allow air to enter the ventilation hole and pass through the atomizing unit to carry the aerosol generated by the atomizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN FIRST UNION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yonghai Li, Zhongli Xu, Yikuan Zhu, Yunping Zhong
  • Patent number: 9993603
    Abstract: A non linear, medicated aerosol holding and delivery chamber without sealing valves at the aerosol inlet and outlet ends. There is a low pressure actuated, vacuum relief, drain check valve at the bottom end of the chamber and an overpressure relief valve at the top end adjacent the mouthpiece opening. The vacuum relief, drain check valve has a radial support plate beneath it that allows for the creation of a vortex in the aerosol plume. The drain check valve also provides for the complete return of any condensed aerosol to the nebulizer when closed. The overpressure relief valve efficiently allows dispelling of the patient's air. Both valves aid in the decrease of the MMAD of the medicated aerosol particles. There is no truly enclosed volume defined by the body of the chamber as the mouthpiece is open into the top of the chamber body, free of any valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: George Ashford Reed
  • Patent number: 9981199
    Abstract: There is disclosed a water purification apparatus and method, related to desalinization. In an embodiment, a water purification apparatus and method includes at least one port for receiving airflow therethrough, at least one port for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one output for providing outflow of pure water vapor, and at least one output for proving outflow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the airflow, at least one of the chambers forming a plurality of ports arranged in a plurality of rows. In an embodiment, a method includes providing airflow to a water purification apparatus; providing salt water to the water purification apparatus and method; forming a vortex in the airflow to evaporate water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the airflow to a condenser so as to obtain pure water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LYTESYDE, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce E. Nadeau, Jr., Kelly P. Rock