Pulmonary aerosol delivery device and method

a technology of aerosolized liquid and aerosolized liquid, which is applied in the direction of spraying apparatus, liquid supply arrangement, agriculture, etc., can solve the problems of unsuitable direct use by users on a demand or as-needed basis outside a clinical setting, conventional devices are particularly unsuitable for use during user's regular activities at home, at work, and while traveling. , to achieve the effect of sufficient electric field strength
US20050039738A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-02-24ZIMLICH WILLIAM C JR +3
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
ZIMLICH WILLIAM C JR
Publication Date
2005-02-24
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A device and method for delivering an aerosolized liquid having therapeutic properties to a user's lungs. The compact and convenient device includes a housing of such size that it can be held in a user's one hand with an exit opening in the housing for directing the aerosol to the user's mouth. The housing encloses a dispensing system for containing the liquid to be aerosolized and delivering it to an electrohydrodynamic apparatus and an electrohydrodynamic apparatus for aerosolizing the liquid and delivering the aerosol to the exit opening. The electrohydrodynamic apparatus produces a cloud of aerosolized liquid droplets having a monodispersed respirable droplet size and near zero velocity. The aerosolizing apparatus includes a plurality of spray sites each having a tip end, the spray sites cooperating with a charge source to result in an aerosolized spray from at least one tip end, a plurality of discharge electrodes downstream of the tip ends, and a plurality of reference electrodes downstream of the plurality of discharge electrodes.
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Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH Not applicable REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX Not applicable FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to devices and methods for delivering an aerosolized liquid to a user's lungs, and particularly an aerosolized liquid having therapeutic properties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For some therapeutic agents, delivery of the aerosolized liquid without a propellant is preferred. Such liquids may be aerosolized, for example, by an electrohydrodynamic apparatus. The liquid to be aerosolized is made to flow over a region of high electric field strength, which imparts a net electric charge to the liquid. This electric charge tends to remain on the surface of the liquid such that, as the liquid exits the nozzle, the repelling force of the surface charge balances against the surface tension of the liquid, forming a cone (a “Taylor cone” as described in, e.g., M. Cloupeau and B. Prunet-Foch, “Electrohydrodynamic Spraying Functioning M...

Claims

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