Microwave heating unit and method

Abstract

To provide a microwave heating unit and method.SOLUTION: A microwave heating unit 1 holds: (i) a sample holding and exposure unit 10 configured to receive and hold a sample 2 inside a holding and exposure space 15 and to expose the sample 2 in a microwave radiation field inside the holding and exposure space 15; (ii) a microwave radiation generation and / or radiation unit 20 configured to radiate the microwave radiation field into the holding and exposure space 15; and (iii) an impedance matching unit 30 configured to achieve impedance matching between the holding and exposure space 15 and the microwave radiation field.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates in particular to microwave heating units and methods configured to heat an aerosol-forming sample by microwave absorption by the material of the sample, in particular thereby releasing at least one aerosol by or from the sample upon heating of the sample, and / or configured within or as an inhalation, vaporizer and / or smoking product or device, in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery applications. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known consumer devices, e.g., electronic cigarettes, that are configured to release an aerosol from a sample by heating. However, these known devices suffer from incomplete, non-uniform and / or relatively slow heating of the sample, and therefore are unable to achieve the temperature and temperature distribution required to achieve an adequate heating process to meet all consumer needs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The underlying object of the present invention is to provide an alternative microwave heating unit and method having improved heating and thus aerosol delivery capabilities.

[0004] The object underlying the present invention is achieved by a microwave heating unit according to independent claim 1 and by a microwave heating method according to independent claim 12. Preferred embodiments are defined in the respective dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microwave and / or RF heating unit for heating an aerosol-forming sample by microwave and / or RF (radio frequency) absorption by material of the sample, and in particular for thereby emitting at least one aerosol by or from the sample upon heating of the sample, in particular in or as an inhalation, vaporizer and / or smoking product or device, in particular for pulmonary drug delivery.

[0006] The microwave and / or RF heating unit according to the present invention comprises: (i) a sample holding and exposure unit configured to receive and hold a sample within a holding and exposure space and expose the sample to a microwave radiation field within the holding and exposure space; (ii) a microwave and / or RF radiation unit configured to provide a microwave and / or RF radiation field and / or an underlying microwave and / or RF radiation signal to the holding and exposure space; (iii) an impedance matching unit configured to achieve impedance matching between the holding and exposure space and a microwave and / or RF radiation field and / or an underlying microwave and / or RF radiation signal; and (iv) a free-running oscillator configured to generate and supply the microwave and / or RF radiation field and / or the underlying microwave and / or RF radiation signal.

[0007] By these means, a relatively high reliability of the heating process can be achieved, in particular with regard to rapidity, uniformity and / or completeness, which is achieved in particular by the non-contact and / or non-resistance heating process that underlines the microwave heating unit and method of the present invention.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the invention, said sample holding and exposure unit comprises a sample holder which defines and forms said holding and exposure space therein, in particular as a cavity, by means of first and second holding parts and / or first and second holding parts separated by a slit structure.

[0009] Advantageously, the impedance matching unit and in particular its impedance matching network is adjustable in its matching characteristics with respect to at least one of the impedance, frequency and the aerosol forming sample. By these measures the effectiveness and / or uniformity of the microwave heating process can be further improved.

[0010] Said impedance matching unit and in particular its impedance matching network comprises: electrodes for generating a microwave radiation field upon reception of an underlying microwave radiation signal and / or adapted geometrically to the aerosol forming sample, holding and exposure space and / or its cavity, Outputs including waveguide structures, transmission lines and / or stubs, 1 / 8λ to 1 / 4λ waveguide matching element, where λ denotes the wavelength of the underlying microwave radiation, and one or more portions of dielectric material; whereby the impedance matching unit is specifically adjustable in its properties.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the microwave radiation unit may be or include one or more microwave radiation sources and / or microwave radiation signal sources, in particular in the form of a solid-state microwave source and / or microwave radiation signal source.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, a connection arrangement may be provided for one or more such microwave radiation sources and / or microwave radiation signal sources, the connection arrangement having connectors and / or waveguides for providing connections to the respective sources.

[0013] The one or more microwave radiation (signal) sources and / or solid-state microwave (signal) sources may be configured such that upon energization, they are capable of generating and / or emitting the underlying microwave radiation field and / or the microwave radiation field signal.

[0014] Thus, a power supply unit may be provided which is configured for powering said underlying microwave radiation unit, in particular said one or more microwave radiation (signal) sources, and in particular comprises one or more DC power supplies.

[0015] The microwave radiation unit and in particular its microwave radiation (signal) source may be or comprise a transistor amplifier.

[0016] The impedance matching unit and in particular its impedance matching network may be or may comprise a microwave feedback port and / or a microwave signal feedback port connected to the input of the transistor amplifier to satisfy the underlying oscillation conditions.

[0017] Under such circumstances it is particularly advantageous if an additional smart phase and / or amplitude correction device is connected between the feedback port and the input of the transistor amplifier.

[0018] The microwave radiation generating and / or emitting unit, and in particular its microwave source, may be or comprise said transistor amplifier, and in particular may have an input connected to the output of a low power signal source.

[0019] Under such circumstances, the low power signal source may be or comprise at least one of a phase locked loop (PLL), a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a direct digital synthesis (DDS).

[0020] The microwave and / or RF heating unit according to the present invention comprises: Treating an aerosol-forming sample that is formed as or contains at least one of a liquid substance, a solid substance, a medical cannabis-containing substance, a nicotine-containing substance, a botanical active substance, a botanical drug substance, a pharmaceutical active substance, and a tobacco substance; and releasing at least one aerosol comprising at least one of a botanical activator, a botanical drug substance, and a pharmaceutical active substance; may be configured for at least one of

[0021] In separate specific embodiments, the microwave heating unit of the present invention may be formed in or as at least one of a drug delivery product and / or device, an inhalation product and / or device, a smoking product and / or device, a mobile product and / or device, and / or a portable product and / or device.

[0022] According to a further alternative or additional preferred embodiment of the microwave and / or RF heating unit of the present invention, said underlying free running oscillator comprises: - connected to or part of said sample holding and exposure unit; being, comprising and / or realising the functionality of an IQ modulator, meaning an IQ modulator and / or the ability to control phase and / or gain; and Providing in the feedback loop a transistor amplifier or said transistor amplifier, an impedance matching unit or said impedance matching unit and / or an impedance matching network and an amplitude / phase correction device or said amplitude / phase correction device, At least one of the following is true:

[0023] The operation of the free-running oscillator, and thus the oscillation process, is initiated by statistical and / or stochastic properties, in particular by noise in the overall electrical circuit. The amplitude, phase and gain properties are defined by the electrical properties of further components and / or the geometric shape and material parts of the sample, the sample holding and exposing means, in particular the sample holder with its holding and exposing space, in particular the cavity and the impedance matching units and networks, e.g. slit structures and any dielectrics.

[0024] Generally, at the initial stage of the oscillation process, all frequency components are included in the noise spectrum according to their proportions. However, based on further characteristics of the entire circuit, especially the surface used in the amplitude correction device, the required signal is formed by the feedback process and is amplified according to the feedback process to obtain it.

[0025] In this regard, the phase and amplitude correction device can shift the overall phase response of the amplifier or amplifier chain as well as the overall gain and resonant impedance matching to make the circuit an oscillator by meeting the phase and amplitude conditions at the desired frequency. By varying the phase part, slight adjustments of the oscillation frequency are possible. By adjusting the overall gain amplitude, the second main oscillation condition can be controlled, and at least one gain must be met in small signal conditions. This can be used for power and efficiency control.

[0026] Of course, impedance matching units and networks and characteristics are also important.

[0027] Generally, a high electric field at a given frequency is required to dielectrically heat a sample. When using low frequency signals, lumped elements such as transformers and / or capacitors and inductors / coils build a resonant circuit that can be used to match the generator output impedance to the high impedance behavior of the electrodes for dielectric heating of the sample. The electrical losses in the sample material given by its tan(δ) characteristic provide the real part of the impedance and cause heating of the sample when inserting the electric field.

[0028] At higher frequencies, it is more appropriate to use transmission lines and waveguides to match the electrodes and the signal source. This means increasing the voltage amplitude of the source output. The electrodes of the holding structure have a slight capacitive impedance due to their geometry, for example, a magnitude of about 100 fF. A transmission line (e.g., part of the impedance matching unit 30, i.e., 30a) with a length of about 1 / 8 λ to about 1 / 5 λ transforms it into a lower capacitive impedance that is equivalent to a higher capacitance. If a coil or a short circuit is connected at this point with a short waveguide less than 1 / 10 λ, the inductive and capacitive parts compensate each other and build a resonant circuit. This type of impedance matching transforms the electrical losses of the sample into an impedance range suitable for the microwave signal source, for example, a transistor output stage.

[0029] The invention further relates to a microwave and / or RF (radio frequency) heating method for heating an aerosol-forming sample by microwave absorption by a material of said sample, in particular whereby upon heating of said sample, at least one aerosol is released by or from said sample, said at least one aerosol comprising at least one of a botanical active substance and a pharma- ceutical active ingredient, wherein a microwave heating unit according to any one of the preceding claims is used for heating said sample.

[0030] Different entities may be used and / or heated as and / or as part of the sample, e.g. aerosol-forming substrates for smoking articles, in particular nicotine and / or non-nicotine containing smoking articles; · tobacco-filled solid aerosol-forming samples of smoking samples, in particular nicotine and / or non-nicotine containing smoking samples; an aerosol-forming substrate comprising or consisting of a nicotine and / or non-nicotine containing liquid; Aerosol-forming active pharmaceutical ingredients; aerosol-forming botanical active substances and in particular aerosol-forming botanical active substances from live plant material and / or plant material; aerosol-forming delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and / or cannabidiol (CBD) and / or cannabinoid-containing plant material; aerosol-forming botanical drug substances and / or botanical medicinal products; and / or an aerosol-forming substrate having at least one microwave sensitizer and / or absorber from the group of substances including functionalized polysilsesquioxanes, carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene, activated carbon, activated charcoal, metal powders, semiconductor powders and combinations and mixtures thereof; or any combination thereof.

[0031] To achieve higher microwave efficiency, a material, referred to herein as a sensitizer, may be part of or mixed in low concentrations with the aerosol-forming material to significantly increase local dielectric losses. Upon exposure to microwave energy, the sensitizer heats the aerosol-forming material uniformly, increasing heating efficiency.

[0032] Preferably, the temperature of the aerosol-forming sample can be measured or / and approximated and the value fed to a temperature control loop unit configured to control the power supplied to power the microwave generation and / or emission process.

[0033] Particularly advantageously, the operating frequency is within the range of about 1 MHz to about 15 GHz, preferably within the ISM band, within the range of about 2.4 GHz to about 2.5 GHz, and / or has a center frequency of about 2.45 GHz.

[0034] The underline operating power in continuous mode may be in the range of about 0.1 mW to 50 Watts, and preferably around 2 W.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, the operating power in pulsed mode may be in the range of about 0.1 mW to about 50 W, and preferably around about 3 W.

[0036] The operating power may be increased between a value of about 0.1W and a value of about 30W.

[0037] As a further additional or alternative embodiment, the operating frequency may be set to a constant value.

[0038] The operating frequency may vary over time, and may in particular be swept between a minimum and a maximum value, in particular between about 2.4 GHz and about 2.5 GHz.

[0039] According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, an aerosol-forming sample may be used that is formed as, contains, may be contained within, and / or may be filled within, and / or may be adapted according to the size of an underlying cavity, at least one of a fluid material, a solid material, a tablet, a capsule, a cartridge, a shell vial, a pellet, and / or a pharmaceutical excipient may be added to the aerosol-forming sample.

[0040] Further alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming sample may be or form a container and / or may have a housing, which may in particular be transparent to microwave radiation and may comprise or be formed from a plastic, synthetic material, polypropylene, glass, quartz and / or have a relatively low dielectric loss factor ε″ and / or a relatively low loss tangent tan(δ).

[0041] As a further alternative or additional embodiment of the present invention, the underlying capsule, cartridge, etc. may be formed from or include glass or quartz, in particular including ITO (indium tin oxide) at its ends, since ITO is conductive and therefore radio frequency or microwave signals can be provided to the interior of the capsule. The capsule may further comprise, in such a configuration, two through holes with a ceiling, allowing a gas or air flow to flow therethrough to release the aerosol generated from the interior.

[0042] The aerosol-forming sample may be contained within a container formed as a mouthpiece configured to allow inhalation of the formed aerosol, as an integral part, as waste, and / or including a filter and / or hollow tube having particularly low or very low particulate filtration efficiency.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, plant-based materials may be used which may be selected from the following group: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis, Acacia spp., Amanita muscaria, Yage, Atropa belladonna, Areca catechu, Brugmansia spp., Brunfelsia latifolia, Desmanthus illinoensis, Banisteriopsis caapi, Trichocereus spp., Theobroma cacao, Capsicum spp. spp.), Cestrum spp., Erythroxylum coca, Solenostemon scutellarioides, Arundo donax, Coffea arabica, Datura spp., Desfontainia spp., Diplopterys cabrerana, Ephedra sinica, Claviceps purpurea, Guarana (Paullinia cupana), Argyreia nervosa, Hyoscyamus niger, Tabernanthe iboga, Lagochilus inerbrianus inebriens, Justicia pectoralis, Sceletium tortuosum, Piper methysticum, Catha edulis, Mitragyna speciosa, Leonotisleonurus, water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), lotus (Nelumbo spp.), Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora), black beans (Mucuna pruriens), mandragora (Mandragora officinarum), mimosa tenuiflora, yellow bindweed (Ipomoea violacea), numbing mushrooms (Psilocybe spp.), chrysanthemums (Panaeolus spp.), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Turbina corymbosa, Passiflora incarnata, Lophophora williamsii, reed grass (Phalaris spp.), Duboisia hopwoodii, Papaver somniferum, Psychotria viridis spp., Salvia divinorum, Combretum quadrangulare, Trichocereus pachanoi, Heimia salicifolia, Stipa robusta, Solandra spp., Hypericum perforatum, Peganum harmala, Tabernaemontana spp., Tea plant, Camellia sinensis, Nicotiana tabacum, rusticum, Virola seidora theidora, Voacanga africana, Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa), Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), Anadenanthera spp., Yohimbe (Corynanthe yohimbe), Caleazacatechichi, Coffea spp. (Family: Rubiaceae), Family: Sapindaceae, Camellia spp., Family: Malvaceae, Family: Aquifoliaceae, Hoodia spp., German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), Family: Passiflora incarnate, Tea plant (Camellia sinensis), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), European raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Eucalyptus globulus, Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Thymus vulgaris, Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis, Aloe Vera, Angelica, Anise, Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi), Barberry, Black Horehound, Blue Lotus, Burdock, Chamomile, Caraway, Cat's Claw, Clove, Comfrey, Corn Silk, Quackgrass, Damiana, Dandelion, Ephedra, Eucalyptus, Evening Primrose, Fennel, Feverfew, Fringe Tree), Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Goldenrod, Goldenseal, Potato Herb, Green Tea, Guarana, Hawthorn, Hops, Horsetail, Hyssop, Kola Nut, Kratom, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Licorice, Lion's Tail, Maca Bulb, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Milk Thistle, Motherwort, Passion Flower, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Prickly Poppy, Purslane, Raspberry Leaf, Red Poppy, Sage, Saw Palmetto, SidaCordifolia, Shinikuichi (Maya Sun Opener), Spearmint, Calamus, Syrian rue (Peganum harmala), Thyme, Turmeric, Valerian, Wild Yam, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yerba Mate, Yohimbe, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis, any and / or combinations thereof.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, a sample may be used which contains and / or is capable of releasing a pharmacologically active agent of the sample and / or emitted aerosol selected from the group including A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinodil (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabiditriol (CBT) and combinations and portions thereof.

[0045] According to further additional or alternative preferred embodiments of the invention within the microwave heating method of the invention, a sample may be used which contains and / or is capable of releasing one or more flavourings and / or sensation elicitors, said one or more flavourings and / or sensation elicitors being, for example, tobacco; cigars; menthol; mints such as peppermint and spearmint; chocolate; licorice; citrus and other fruit flavours; gamma octalactone; vanillin; ethyl vanillin; breath freshening flavours; spice flavours such as cinnamon, methyl salicylate, linalool, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, ginger oil; phenylacetic acid, solanone, megsigmatrienone, 2-heptanone, benzyl alcohol, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, valeric acid, valeraldehyde, esters, terpenes, sesquiterpenes, nootkatone, maltose ... flavor compounds selected from the group consisting of acids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, ketones, pyrazines, combinations thereof and equivalents, from the group consisting of toll, damascenone, pyrazines, lactones, anethole, isovaleric acid, combinations thereof and equivalents; any natural or synthetic flavoring agent, such as peppermint, spearmint, oil of wintergreen, menthol, cinnamon, chocolate, vanillin, licorice, clove, anise, sandalwood, geranium, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, cassia, spearmint, fennel, ginger, ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, propyl isobutyrate, isobutyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl valerate, benzyl formate, limonene, cymene, pinene, linalool, geraniol, citronellol, citral, peppermint oil, orange oil, coriander oil, borneol, fruit extracts, and equivalents.In preferred embodiments, the flavorants are essential oils and essences of coffee, tea, cocoa, and mint, and suitable amounts of flavorants present in the core range from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight, about 1% to about 40% by weight, about 10% to about 30% by weight, the flavorants are incorporated as solid powders, spray dried as liquids, or mixed with a starch or gum type matrix, and / or the optional warming agent is formed as or comprises one or more ingredients configured to elicit a sensory experience such as a tingling sensation, a warming sensation, a cooling sensation, and the like, and is or comprises at least one of acetic acid, adipic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, the like, and mixtures thereof, and suitable amounts of the warming agent range from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, preferably from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight, and / or any combination thereof.

[0046] Samples including tobacco, tobacco extracts and tobacco capsules, tobacco in any raw or processed form, powder, dust, granules, shreds, slurries, flowable gels and equivalents may be used, particularly those having a final tobacco concentration in the final composition ranging from 1% to 99% by weight, and / or having a final tobacco concentration of at most about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90% tobacco and / or any combination of one of these.

[0047] According to other preferred embodiments of the microwave heating method of the present invention, samples may be used that contain one or more humectants to maintain and / or protect the moisture level of the sample material, particularly the tobacco material in the tobacco-containing hydrogel capsule, and / or as a preservative to remove excess water, thereby reducing microbial growth, and provide a higher moisture sensation in the drier sample material, tobacco material, tobacco substitute material, and / or dry smokeless tobacco material, including one or more of glycerol and propylene glycol, and / or in the range of about 0.001% to about 5% by weight, about 0.1% to about 2% by weight, and / or any combination thereof.

[0048] According to other additional or alternative preferred embodiments of the microwave heating method of the present invention, a sample may be used that includes a liquid selected from the group of polyhydric alcohols consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

[0049] In the following further alternative or additional preferred embodiments of the present invention are presented taking into account the aerosol-forming sample involved and the material on which the sample is based.

[0050] The components of the aerosol-forming sample and / or the material on which the sample is based may comprise a composition of drugs from one of the following classes: antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antiemetics, antihistamines, antiparkinsonian drugs, antipsychotics, antianxiety drugs, drugs for erectile dysfunction, drugs for migraine headaches, drugs for the treatment of alcoholism, drugs for the treatment of addiction, muscle relaxants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, other analgesics and stimulants.

[0051] If the drug is an antibiotic, the following compounds: cefmetazole; cefazolin; cephalexin; cefoxitin; cephacetrile; cephaloglycin; cephaloridine; cephalosporins such as cephalosporin C; cephalothin; cephamycins such as cephamycin A, cephamycin B, and cephamycin C; cephalin; cephradine; ampicillin; amoxicillin; hetacillin; carfecillin; kali It may be selected from one of: dacillin; carbenicillin; amylpenicillin; azidocillin; benzylpenicillin; clomethocillin; cloxacillin; cyclacillin; methicillin; nafcillin; 2-pentenylpenicillin; penicillins such as penicillin N, penicillin O, penicillin S, penicillin V; quilobutinpenicillin; dicloxacillin; diphenicillin; heptylpenicillin; and methampicillin.

[0052] When the drug is an anticonvulsant, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: gabapentin, tiagabine, and vigabatrin.

[0053] Where the drug is an antidepressant, it may be any of the following compounds: amitriptyline, amnoxapine, benmoxine, butriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, dosulepin, doxepin, imipramine, xantanserin, lofepramine, medifoxamine, mianserin, maprothrine, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine, viloxazine, citalopram, cotinine, duloxetine, fluox ... Voxamine, milnacipran, nisoxetine, pyoxetine, reboxetine, sertraline, tianeptine, acetaphenazine, binedaline, brofaromine, cericlamine, clovoxamine, iproniazid, isocarboxazid, moclobemide, phenihydrazine, phenezine, selegiline, sibutramine, tranylcypromine, ademethionine, adrafinil, amesergide, aminisipride, amperozide, benactidine. It may be selected from one of bupropion, caroxazone, gepirone, idazoxan, metralindole, milnacipran, minaprine, nefazodone, neuniphensine, ritanserin, loxindol, sadenosylmethionine, tofenacin, trazodone, tryptophan, venlafaxine, and zalospirone.

[0054] When the drug is an antiemetic, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: alizapride, azasetron, benzquinamide, bromopride, buclizine, quiopromazine, cinarizine, clebopride, cyclizine, diphenhydramine, clifenidol, dolasetron methanesulfonate, draperidol, granisetron, hyoscine, lorazeparn, metoclopramide, metopimazine, ondansetron, perphenazine, promethazine, prochiorperazine, scopolamine, triethylperazine, trifluoperazine, triflupromazine, trimethobenzamide, tropisetron, domeridone, and palonosetron.

[0055] When the drug is an antihistamine, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: azatadine, brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine (chiorpheniramine), clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexmedetomidine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, cetrizine, fexofenadine, loratidine, and promethazine.

[0056] When the drug is an anti-Parkinson's drug, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: amantadine, baclofen, biperiden, benztropine, orphenadrine, procyclidine, trihexyphenidyl, levodopa, carbidopa, selegiline, deprenyl, andropinirole, apomorphine, benserazide, bromocriptine, budipine, cabergoline, dihydroergokryptine, eliprodil, eptastigmine, ergoline pramipexole, galantamine, lazabemide, lisuride, mazindol, memantine, mofegiline, pergolike, pramipexole, propentofylline, rasagiline, remacemide, spheramine, terguride, entacapone, and tolcapone.

[0057] When the drug is an antipsychotic, it may be any of the following compounds: acetophenazine, alizapride, amperozide, benperidol, benzquinamide, bromperidol, bramate, butaperazine, carphenazine, carpipramine, chlorpromazine, chlorprothixene, clocapramine, clomacrane, clopenthixol, clospyrazine, clothiapine, cyanemazine, droperidol, flupenthixol, fluphenazine, fluspirilene, haloperidol, mesoridazine, metofenazate, molindrone, It may be selected from one of penfluridol, pericyazine, perphenazine, pimozide, pipamerone, piperacetazine, pipotiazine, prochiorperazine, promazine, remoxipride, sertindole, spiperone, sulpiride, thioridazine, thiothixene, trifluperidol, triflupromazine, trifluoperazine, ziprasidone, zotepine, zuclopenthixol, amisuipride, butaclamol, clozapine, melperone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone.

[0058] When the drug is an anxiolytic it may be any of the following compounds: mecloqualone, medetomidine, metomidate, adinazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clobenzepam, flurazepam, lorazepam, loprazulam, midazolam, alpidem, alseroxion, amiphenidone, azacyclonol, bromoisovalem, buspirone, calcium N-carbamoyl aspartate. N-carboamoylaspartate, captodiamine, capride, carbcloral, carbromal, chloral betaine, enciprazine, flesinoxan, ipsapiraone, lesopitron, loxapine, methaqualone, metoprilone, propanolol, tandospirone, trazadone, zopiclone, and zolpidem.

[0059] When the drug is a drug for erectile dysfunction, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: Cialis (IC351), sildenafil, vardenafil, apomorphine, apomorphine diacetate, phentolamine, and yohimbine.

[0060] When the drug is a drug for migraine, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: almotriptan, alperopride, codeine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, eletriptan, frovatriptan, isometheptene, lidocaine, lisuride, metoclopramide, naratriptan, oxycodone, propoxyphene, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tolfenamic acid, zolmitriptan, amitriptyline, atenolol, clonidine, cyproheptadine, diltiazem, doxepin, fluoxetine, lisinopril, methysergide, metoprolol, nadolol, nortriptyline, paraxetine, pizotifen, pizotyline, propanolol, protriptyline, sertraline, timolol, and verapamil.

[0061] When the drug is a drug for the treatment of alcoholism, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: naloxone, naltrexone, and disulfiram.

[0062] If the drug is a suitable drug for treating addiction, it may be buprenorphine.

[0063] When the drug is a muscle relaxant, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, orphenadrine, quinine, and tizanidine.

[0064] When the drug is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: aceclofenac, aluminoprofen, amfenac, aminopropylone, amixetrine, benoxaprofen, bromfenac, bufexamac, carprofen, choline, salicylate, cinchophen, cinmetacin, clopriac, clometacin, diclofenac, etodolac, indoprofen, mazipredone, meclofenamic acid, piroxicam, pyroprofen, and tolfenamic acid.

[0065] When the drug is an opioid, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: alfentanil, allylprodine, alphaprodine, anileridine, benzylmorphine, bezitramide, buprenorphine, butorphanol, carbifene, cipramadol, clonitazene, codeine, dextromoramide, dextropropoxyphene, diamorphine, dihydrocodeine, diphenoxylate, dipipanone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, L-alphaacetylmethadol, lofentanil, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, meptazinol, metopon, morphine, nalbuphine, nalorphine, oxycodone, papaveretam, pethidine, pentazocine, phenazocine, remifentanil, sufentanil, and tramadol.

[0066] When the drug is another analgesic, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: apazone, benzpiperylone, benzydramine, caffeine, clonixin, ethoheptadine, flupirtine, nefopam, orphenadrine, propacetamol, and propoxyphene.

[0067] When the drug is a stimulant, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: amphetamine, brucine, caffeine, dexfenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, ephedrine, fenfluramine, mazindol, methylphenidate, pemoline, phentermine, and sibutramine.

[0068] Drugs include the following compounds: indoles, trypamines, benzofurans, ibogoids, ergolines, phenethylamines, substituted phenethylamines, indane derivatives, benzocyclobutene derivatives, nBOMe derivatives, NBOH derivatives, NBMD derivatives, NBF derivatives, substituted amphetamines (α-methyl-phenethylamines): substituted amphetamines (α-methyl-phenethylamines), DOx family (2,5-dimethoxy, 4-substituted amphetamines), phenylcyclopropylamine derivatives (not technically amphetamines), substituted methylenedioxy-phenethylamines (MDxx), substituted amphetamines, cathinones, substituted cathinones, benzofurans, substituted benzofurans, tetralin, substituted tetralins, substituted indanes, substituted naphthalenes, substituted phenylisobutylamines, amines (α-ethylphenethylamines), α-substituted (-alkylated) tryptamines, arylcyclohexylamines, andamantanes, diarylethylamines, morphinans, opioids, benzodiazepines, thienodiazepines, GHB, GHB analogues, methaqualone, methaqualone analogues, synthetic cannabinoids, harmaline, salvinorines, salvinorin A, salvinorin The therapeutic agent may be selected from one of salvinorin B, salvinorin C, salvinorin D, salvinorin E, salvinorin F, salvinorin G, salvinorin H, salvinorin I, 17α-salvinorin J, 17β-salvinorin J, piperazines, atropine derivatives, ibotenic acid, muscimol, psilocybin, ketamine, ketamine derivatives, oxytocin, nootropics, racetams, cocaine, and cocaine analogs.

[0069] These aspects can be combined in any way.

[0070] These and further details, advantages and features of the invention will be explained on the basis of embodiments of the invention and by referring to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0071] [Figure 1]A preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention is revealed by a schematic block diagram. [Diagram 2] A preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention is revealed by a schematic block diagram. [Diagram 3] A preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention is revealed by a schematic block diagram. [Figure 4] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Diagram 5] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Figure 6] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Figure 7] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Figure 8A] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Figure 8B] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Figure 9] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Figure 10] 1 shows details of a preferred embodiment of a microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details. [Figure 11] Another embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details are illustrated by a cross-sectional side view. [Figure 12] Another embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details are illustrated by a cross-sectional side view. [Figure 13] Another embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details are illustrated by a cross-sectional side view. [Figure 14] Another embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention and its details are illustrated by a cross-sectional side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0072] In the following embodiments, the technical background of the present invention is presented in detail by referring to the accompanying Figures 1 to 14. The same or equivalent elements and the elements that act the same or equivalent are indicated by the same reference numerals. In each case, the detailed description of the elements and components is not repeated.

[0073] The illustrated and described features and further characteristics of the embodiments of the invention may be arbitrarily separated and rearranged without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0074] Figures 1 to 3 reveal by means of schematic block diagrams preferred embodiments of the microwave heating unit 1 of the present invention. Each of the microwave heating units or devices 1 shown in any of Figures 1 to 3 may be formed as an inhalation, vaporizer or smoking product and / or device 1', in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery / inhalation functions.

[0075] The embodiment of the inventive microwave heating device or unit 1 shown in Figure 1 is formed by or comprises a microwave radiation generating and / or emitting unit 20, which may also be referred to as a microwave radiation signal generating and / or emitting unit in the sense of the present invention. In this respect, it is preferred to use a solid-state microwave source 100 as microwave radiation source 20.

[0076] The microwave radiation field generated and / or provided thereby can be provided to the plant / medicinal-containing compound / material 102 as a sample contained within a holding and exposing space 15, e.g. a cavity 16, formed by the sample holding and exposing means 10 based on first and second holding parts or holding portions 11, 12.

[0077] This is preferably done by or in cooperation with an impedance matching unit 30 configured to match the impedance between the provided microwave radiation field and the holding and exposure space 15 and the sample holder 13 defining its cavity 16.

[0078] In this regard, impedance matching may be achieved by at least one of electrical or electronic means, geometric means, and / or material means. Electrical or electronic means refer to the properties of the radiation and its underlying generation and / or delivery process. Geometric means refer to the positioning, geometric shape, and / or orientation of certain physical items. Material means refers to the positioning, geometry, and / or orientation of particular material items, for example, by using dielectric materials.

[0079] In this regard, an impedance matching network 101 may be involved by which to realize the impedance matching unit 30, the network 101 realizing one of the following electrical / electronic, geometrical and / or material aspects.

[0080] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the microwave radiation generating and / or emitting unit 20 may be formed by a successive arrangement of a small or low power signal source 104, comprising a microwave radiation source or microwave radiation signal source 21, e.g. again as a solid-state microwave (signal) source 100, and a transistor amplifier 103.

[0081] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, in addition to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the microwave radiation generating and / or emitting unit 20 comprises a feedback loop 106 connected between the impedance matching unit 30 and its network 101 to provide an input to an amplitude / phase correction device 105, the output of which is fed to an input port of the transistor amplifier 103. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the small / low power signal source 104 is replaced by the feedback loop 106 and the amplitude / phase correction device 105.

[0082] Figures 4 to 10C show details of preferred embodiments of the microwave heating unit 1 of the present invention and its details, each of which is formed as an inhalation, vaporizer and / or smoking product and / or device 1', in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery / inhalation functions.

[0083] The sample holding and exposing means 10 and impedance matching unit 30 of the present invention according to these embodiments are formed by first and second holding parts or portions 11 and 12, thereby defining a sample holder 13 for defining a holding and exposing space 15 by means of a cavity 16.

[0084] The essential aspects of the impedance matching unit 30 and its impedance matching network may be formed based on the geometric and material aspects of the slit or slit structure 14 and within the dielectric 17 used in this regard.

[0085] The sample holding and exposing means 10 may be surrounded by a housing 18 which also acts as a shield.

[0086] FIG. 8B illustrates, by a cross-sectional view along plane BB shown in FIG. 8A, details of the E-field configuration of the underlying microwave radiation field 25, i.e. in relation to the sample holding and exposing means 10, the impedance matching unit 30, and the arrangement thereof of the slit structure 14 and the dielectric material 17, and simultaneously in relation to the first and second holding parts / portions which may function respectively as first and second electrodes 53 and 54.

[0087] 8A, the impedance matching unit 30 in one preferred embodiment may include a feed portion at a feed point 31 to introduce microwave radiation into the holding and exposed space 15 and cavity 16. In this regard, the first portion 30a and the second portion 30b of the sleeve component of the impedance matching unit 30 may have a length or dimension of about 1 / 8λ to about 1 / 5λ and less than 1 / 10λ, where λ denotes the wavelength of the underlying microwave radiation.

[0088] Figures 11 to 14 illustrate, by cross-sectional side views, other embodiments of the microwave heating unit 1 of the present invention and its details, each of which is formed as an inhalation, vaporizer and / or smoking product and / or device 1', in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery / inhalation functions.

[0089] In each of these embodiments, a power supply unit 40 comprising a DC power source 40, e.g. a battery, may be used which is able to power the underlying microwave radiation generating and / or emitting unit 20 by means of its microwave radiation source 21 and its control unit or control electronics 50, on the basis of which, by means of first and second power supply lines 51, 52, the first and second electrodes 53 and 54 are subjected to respective electric fields to generate the required microwave radiation field 25 in the cavity 16 of the holding and exposing space 15 formed in the sample holding and exposing means 10 of the sample holder 13.

[0090] The microwave radiation field 25 causes the sample 2 having its sample material 102 (in the sense of plant / medicinal containing compounds or materials) to be heated rapidly, reliably and uniformly, thereby releasing an aerosol which is carried along with the air flow 111 which enters the air flow passage 110 formed within the body or housing 118 of the device 1'.

[0091] The sample 2 and the sample material 102 may be designed in different forms.

[0092] For example, the embodiment shown in Figures 12 and 14 uses a capsule 3 formed by a more or less stable wall which, in use, must be penetrated by a needle 112 or any other penetration means contained and formed within the air flow path 110 of the device 1'.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 14 , the body 118 or at least a portion of the housing 118 thereof may be formed as a mouthpiece 119 and optionally includes a filter component 115 for interacting with the airflow 111 in the air flow passage 110. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Microwave Heating Device / Unit 1' Inhalation, vaporizer and / or smoking products and / or devices 2. Sample 10 Sample holding and exposure means 11 First holding part / holding part 12 Second holding part / holding part 13 Sample holder 14 Slits, slit structure 15 Retention and Exposure Space 16 Cavity 17 Dielectric material part 18 Housing, Shield 20 Microwave radiation generating and / or emitting unit, microwave radiation signal generating and / or emitting unit 21 Microwave radiation source, solid-state microwave source, microwave radiation signal source, solid-state microwave signal source 22 Waveguide 23 Connector 25 Microwave radiation field 26 Microwave Radiation Field Signals 30 Impedance Matching Unit 30a First part of impedance matching unit 30 30b Second part of impedance matching unit 30 31 Microwave radiation field 25 supply points 40 Power supply unit 41 DC power supply, battery 50 Control units, electronic devices 51 First power line 52 Second power line 53 First electrode 54 Second electrode 100 Solid-state microwave source, solid-state microwave signal source 101 Impedance Matching Network 102 Sample materials, plants / medicinal compounds / materials 103 Transistor Amplifier 104 Small / Low Power Signal Source 105 Amplitude / phase correction device 106 Feedback Loop / Branch / Line 109 (free-running) oscillator 110 Air flow path 111 Air Flow 112 Needle, penetration means 115 Filters 118 Body, housing 119 Mouthpiece x spatial direction y space direction z spatial direction

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol-forming apparatus comprising a heater for dielectrically heating a solid aerosol-forming substrate by exposure to an RF electric field, the heater comprising: an RF voltage source; and two electrodes interconnected to the RF voltage source for generating an RF electric field between a heating region defined between the two electrodes; the heating region is configured to removably receive a cylindrical sample comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate; The two electrodes each form a concave surface and face each other. Aerosol forming device.

2. The aerosol formation device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the two electrodes forms a segment of a cylinder.

3. The aerosol formation device of claim 1 , wherein the RF voltage source includes a transistor amplifier.

4. The aerosol-forming device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sample holder for removably housing the sample.

5. The aerosol formation device according to claim 4 , further comprising an impedance matching unit (30) configured to achieve impedance matching between the RF electric field and the sample holder.

6. The aerosol forming device according to claim 5 , wherein the impedance matching unit is defined by the two electrodes.

7. The aerosol forming device according to claim 1 , wherein the two electrodes are separated by a slit structure and a dielectric material.

8. 2. The aerosol forming device according to claim 1, wherein the RF frequency of the RF electric field is in the range of 1 MHz to 15 GHz.

9. 2. The aerosol forming device according to claim 1, wherein the operating power in continuous mode is from 0.1 mW to 50 W.

10. The aerosol forming device according to claim 1 , further comprising a power supply unit including a DC power supply.

11. The aerosol forming device of claim 10 , wherein the DC power source is a battery.

12. The aerosol forming device according to claim 1 , wherein the aerosol forming device is a portable device.

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