Microwave heating unit and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microwave heating method and a unit (1) for heating a sample (2) due to absorption of microwaves by a material (102) of the sample (2) forming an aerosol, and in particular for thereby releasing at least one aerosol by or from the sample (2) when heating the sample (2), in particular in or as an inhalation, nebulization and / or suction product or device (T), in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery applications. The microwave heating unit (1) comprises (i) a sample receiving and exposing unit (10) configured to receive and receive a sample (2) in a receiving and exposing space (15) and expose the sample (2) to a microwave radiation field (25) in the receiving and exposing space (15), (ii) a microwave radiation generating and / or releasing unit (20) configured to release the microwave radiation field (25) into the receiving and exposing space (15), and (iii) an impedance matching unit (30) configured to achieve impedance matching between the receiving and exposing space (15) and the microwave radiation field (25).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a microwave heating unit and a method, which are particularly configured for heating a sample due to absorption of microwaves by the material of the sample forming an aerosol, and particularly for releasing at least one aerosol by or from the sample when heating the sample, and / or the microwave heating unit is configured in or as an inhalation, nebulization and / or smoking product or device, particularly configured for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery applications. Background Art

[0002] There are known devices as consumer products (e.g., electronic cigarettes, etc.) that are configured to release an aerosol from a sample due to heating. However, there are problems with these known devices that the sample is heated incompletely, unevenly, and / or rather slowly. As a result, the required temperature and / or temperature distribution cannot be achieved to achieve a suitable heating process in order to meet all consumer needs. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative microwave heating unit and method having improved heating capacity and thus improved aerosol release capacity.

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved by the microwave heating unit according to the present invention and the microwave heating method according to the present invention.

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

[0006] A microwave and / or RF heating unit according to the invention comprises:

[0007] (i) a sample holding and exposure unit, the sample holding and exposure unit being configured to receive and hold a sample in a holding and exposure space and to expose the sample to a microwave radiation field within the holding and exposure space,

[0008] (ii) a microwave radiation and / or RF unit configured to provide said microwave and / or RF radiation field and / or underlying microwave and / or RF radiation signal to said accommodation and exposure space,

[0009] And at least one of the following:

[0010] (iii) an impedance matching unit configured to achieve impedance matching between the accommodation and exposure space and the microwave and / or RF radiation field and / or underlying microwave and / or RF radiation signal, and

[0011] (iv) a self-excited oscillator configured to generate and provide the microwave and / or RF radiation field and / or the underlying microwave and / or RF radiation signal.

[0012] By these measures, a very high reliability of the heating process can be achieved, especially in terms of rapidity, uniformity and / or completeness. This is achieved in particular by the non-contact and / or non-resistance heating process emphasized by the microwave heating unit and method of the present invention.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the present invention, the sample holding and exposure unit comprises a sample container, which defines and forms the holding and exposure space internally, in particular as a cavity, by means of a first holding part and a second holding part and / or the first holding part and the second holding part separated by a slit structure.

[0014] Advantageously, the impedance matching unit and in particular its impedance matching network is tunable in its matching characteristics with respect to at least one of impedance, frequency and aerosol-forming sample. By these measures, the effectiveness and / or uniformity of the microwave heating process can be further improved.

[0015] The impedance matching unit and in particular its impedance matching network may include at least one of the following:

[0016] - electrodes for generating said microwave radiation field upon receiving a bottom layer microwave radiation signal and / or geometrically cooperating with said aerosol-forming sample, said containing and exposing space and / or its cavity,

[0017] - an output end, which comprises a waveguide structure, a transmission line and / or a stub,

[0018] - 1 / 8λ to 1 / 4λ waveguide matching element, where λ represents the wavelength of the underlying microwave radiation, and

[0019] - one or more portions of dielectric material,

[0020] Accordingly, the impedance matching unit is particularly tunable with regard to its properties.

[0021] Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, the microwave radiation unit may be or may comprise one or more microwave radiation sources and / or microwave radiation signal sources, in particular in the form of solid-state microwave sources and / or microwave radiation signal sources, respectively.

[0022] Furthermore, additionally or alternatively, a connection arrangement for such one or more microwave radiation sources and / or microwave radiation signal sources may be provided, the connection arrangement being provided with connectors and / or waveguides for providing connections for the respective sources.

[0023] The one or more microwave radiation (signal) sources and / or solid-state microwave (signal) sources may be configured to generate and / or release the underlying microwave radiation field and / or the microwave radiation field signal when powered on.

[0024] Hence, a power supply unit may be provided, which is configured to provide energy to the underlying microwave radiation unit, in particular one or more microwave radiation (signal) sources, and the power supply unit in particular comprises one or more DC power supplies.

[0025] The microwave radiation unit, in particular its microwave radiation (signal) source may be or may include a transistor amplifier.

[0026] The impedance matching unit and in particular its impedance matching network may be or may include a microwave feedback port and / or a microwave signal feedback port, which is connected to the input terminal of the transistor amplifier so as to meet the bottom oscillation condition.

[0027] In this case, 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.

[0028] The microwave radiation generating and / or releasing unit and in particular its microwave source may be or may comprise a transistor amplifier and may in particular have an input connected to an output of a low-power signal source.

[0029] In this case, the low power signal source may be or may include at least one of a phase locked loop (PLL), a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a direct digital synthesizer (DDS).

[0030] The microwave and / or RF heating unit according to the present invention may be configured so as to achieve at least one of the following:

[0031] - treating an aerosol-forming sample, the aerosol-forming sample being formed as or comprising at least one of a liquid substance, a solid substance, a substance containing nicotine, a phyto-active substance, a phyto-derived drug substance, a drug active substance and a tobacco substance, and

[0032] - releasing the at least one aerosol comprising at least one of a phytoactive substance, a botanically derived drug substance and a pharmaceutically active ingredient.

[0033] In different specific embodiments, the microwave heating unit of the present invention can be formed in at least one of a drug delivery product and / or device, an inhalation product and / or device, a suction product and / or device, a mobile product and / or device, and / or a portable product and / or device, or formed as at least one of a drug delivery product and / or device, an inhalation product and / or device, a suction product and / or device, a mobile product and / or device, and / or a portable product and / or device.

[0034] According to a further optional or additional preferred embodiment of the microwave and / or RF heating unit of the present invention, the bottom layer self-excited oscillator is at least one of:

[0035] - connected to or part of said sample containing and exposure unit,

[0036] - is, comprises and / or implements an IQ modulator and / or the functionality of an IQ modulator, which means the ability to control phase and / or gain, and

[0037] - comprising a transistor amplifier or the transistor amplifier, an impedance matching unit or the impedance matching unit and / or an impedance matching network and an amplitude / phase correction device or the amplitude / phase correction device in the feedback loop.

[0038] The operation of the self-excited oscillator and thus the oscillation process is initiated by statistical and / or random properties and in particular by the noise of the entire circuit. The amplitude, phase and gain characteristics are defined by the electrical properties of the sample, the sample holding and exposure device, in particular the sample holder with the holding and exposure space, in particular the cavity and other components and / or geometric shapes and material parts of the impedance matching unit and network (e.g. slit structures and any dielectrics).

[0039] Normally and in the start-up phase of the oscillation process, all frequency components are contained in the noise spectrum according to their ratios. However, based on the further characteristics of the entire circuit, in particular based on the characteristics of the amplitude correction device used, the desired signal can be obtained in the amplification formed by the feedback process.

[0040] In this regard, the phase and amplitude correction device is capable of changing the overall phase response of an amplifier or amplifier chain as well as the overall gain and resonant impedance matching to meet the phase and amplitude conditions at a desired frequency, thereby making the circuit an oscillator. By changing the phase portion, slight tuning of the oscillation frequency is possible. By adjusting the overall gain amplitude, the second Mayor oscillation condition is controllable and requires a gain of at least 1 to be met under small signal conditions. It can be used for power and efficiency control.

[0041] Of course, the impedance matching unit and network and characteristics are also important:

[0042] Typically, a high electric field of a given frequency is required to dielectrically heat a sample. When a low frequency signal is used, a transformer and / or lumped elements such as 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 of the sample material due to its tan(δ) property do provide the real part of the impedance and result in heating of the sample when an electric field is inserted.

[0043] At higher frequencies, it is more appropriate to use transmission lines and waveguides to match electrodes and signal sources. This means increasing the voltage amplitude of the source output. The electrodes of the containment structure have a slight capacitive impedance caused by their geometry, for example, in the order of 100fF. A transmission line with a length of about 1 / 8λ to about 1 / 5λ (for example, as part of the impedance matching unit 30, i.e., 30a) converts it into a lower capacitive impedance, which is equivalent to a higher capacitance. When a coil or a short circuit is connected to a short waveguide that is less than 1 / 10λ at ​​this time, the inductance and capacitance parts compensate each other and build a resonant circuit. This type of impedance matching converts the electrical loss of the sample into a suitable impedance range for a microwave signal source (such as a transistor output stage).

[0044] The present invention also relates to a microwave and / or RF (radio frequency) heating method for heating a sample due to absorption of microwaves by the material of the sample forming an aerosol, and in particular for releasing at least one aerosol by or from the sample when heating the sample, the at least one aerosol containing at least one of a phytoactive substance and a pharmaceutical active ingredient, wherein a microwave heating unit according to some embodiments of the present invention is used to heat the sample.

[0045] Different entities can be used and / or heated as samples and / or parts thereof, for example:

[0046] - an aerosol-forming substrate for smoking articles, in particular nicotine-containing and / or nicotine-free smoking articles,

[0047] - a smoking sample, in particular a tobacco-loaded solid aerosol-forming sample of a smoking sample containing nicotine and / or not containing nicotine,

[0048] - an aerosol-forming substrate containing a nicotine-containing and / or nicotine-free liquid, or an aerosol-forming substrate of a nicotine-containing and / or nicotine-free liquid,

[0049] - an aerosol-forming active pharmaceutical ingredient,

[0050] - aerosol-forming phytoactive substances, in particular of phytochemical origin and / or from phytomaterials,

[0051] - aerosol-forming phytogenic medicinal substances and / or phytogenic medicinal products, and / or

[0052] - an aerosol-forming substrate having at least one of a microwave sensitizer and / or absorber from the group consisting of functionalized polysilsesquioxanes, carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene, activated carbon, activated charcoal, metal powders, semiconductor powders, and combinations and mixtures thereof,

[0053] or any combination thereof.

[0054] To achieve higher microwave efficiency, a material referred to herein as a sensitizer may be part of the aerosol-forming material or may be mixed with the aerosol-forming material at low concentrations so as to significantly increase the local dielectric loss. When exposed to microwave energy, the sensitizer produces uniform heating of the aerosol-forming material and improves the heating efficiency.

[0055] Preferably, the temperature of the aerosol-forming sample is measured and / or estimated, and its value may be fed to a temperature control loop unit configured for controlling the power provided for powering the microwave generation and / or release process.

[0056] It is particularly advantageous to have an operating frequency in the range of about 1 MHz to about 15 GHz, preferably in the ISM band, in the range of about 2.4 GHz to about 2.5 GHz and / or with a center frequency of about 2.45 GHz.

[0057] The projected operating power in continuous mode may be in the range of about 0.1 mW to 50 W, and preferably about 2W.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, the operating power in pulse mode may be in the range of about 0.1 mW to about 50 W, and preferably about 3W.

[0059] The operating power may be ramped between a value of about 0.1W and a value of about 30W.

[0060] As another additional or alternative embodiment, the operating frequency may be set to a constant value.

[0061] The operating frequency may also be varied over time, in particular swept between a minimum value and a maximum value, in particular swept between about 2.4 GHz and about 2.5 GHz.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol-forming sample can be used, wherein the aerosol-forming sample is formed into, contains at least one of a fluid material, a solid material, a tablet, a capsule, a cartridge, a shell vial, a pill, is contained inside thereof or and / or is packaged inside thereof, and / or can be matched according to the size of the underlying cavity and / or a pharmaceutical excipient is added to the aerosol-forming sample.

[0063] Further optionally or additionally, the aerosol-forming sample may be or may form a container and / or may have a housing, wherein the housing may in particular be transparent with respect to microwave radiation, may comprise or may be formed of plastic, synthetic material, polypropylene, glass, quartz, and / or may have a relatively low dielectric loss factor ε″ and / or a relatively low loss tangent tan(δ).

[0064] As another optional or additional embodiment of the present invention, the capsule, cartridge, etc. may be formed of or may include glass or quartz, particularly including ITO (indium tin oxide) at its end, because ITO is conductive and can therefore provide a high frequency or microwave signal to the interior of the capsule. In this arrangement, the capsule may also include 2 through holes with a top plate to allow a gas or air flow to flow therethrough to release the aerosol generated from the interior.

[0065] The aerosol-forming sample may be contained in a container formed as a mouthpiece, formed as an integral piece, formed as a disposable component and / or comprising a filter and / or a hollow tube, the mouthpiece being configured to allow inhalation of the formed aerosol, the filter in particular having a low or very low particle filtration efficiency.

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, plant-based materials can be used, and the plant-based materials can be selected from the group consisting of: betel nut, long-leaf jasmine, hairy style (Trichocereus spp.), cocoa tree (Theobromacacao), pepper spp., night-scented tree spp. (Cestrum spp.), coleus, reed, coffee tree, Brazilian cocoa, beautiful silver back vine, short-spined rabbit lip flower (Lagochilus inebriens), fox grandson flower (Justicia pectoralis), round grass (Sceletium tortuosum), kava pepper, lion ear flower, water lily spp., lotus spp., side flower Sophora (Sophorase cundiflora), prickly bean, medicinal nightshade ginseng, fine-leaved mimosa, tube flower potato (Ipomoea violacea), nutmeg, hazelnut spp. (Turbina corymbosa), passion flower, Phalaris spp. (Phalaris spp.), Duboisia hopwoodii, sage, Combretum quadrangulare, Trichocereus pachanoi, Heimia salicifolia, Stipa robusta, Solandra spp., Hypericum perforatum, Tabernaemontana spp., tea, tobacco, rust (rusticum), Virola theidora, Voacanga africana, Lactuca virosa, Ilex paraguariensis, Anadenanthera spp., coffee (Rubiaceae), Camellia, Malva, Ilex, Hoodia, spp.), Chamomile, Passionflower, Tea Tree (Camellia sinensis), Mint (Mentha piperita), Spearmint, Sweet Tea (Rubus idaeus), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Thyme, Bee Balm (Melissa officinalis), Aloe, Angelica, Star Anise, Barberry, Black Horehound, Blue Lotus, Burdock, Camomille / Chamomile, Coriander, Cat's Claw, Clove, Comfrey, Corn Silk, Couch Grass Grass), Damiana, Damiana, Dandelion, Ephedra, Eucalyptus, Evening Primrose, Fennel, Feverfew, Tassel Tree, Garlic, Ginger, Gingko, Ginseng, Goldenrod, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Green Tea, Guarana, Hawthorn, Horsetail, Hyssop, Kola Nut, Kratom, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Licorice, Maca Root, Marshmallow, Meadowfoam, Milk Thistle, Motherwort, Passionflower, Passionflower, Peppermint, Purslane, Raspberry Leaf, Sage, Saw Palmetto, Heartleaf Goldenrod, Mayan Sun Opener), Spearmint, Sweet Flag, Thyme, Turmeric, Valerian, Wild Yam, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yerba mate, any part thereof and / or any combination thereof.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, a sample containing and / or capable of releasing a pharmacologically active agent in the sample and / or the released aerosol may be used.

[0068] Samples comprising tobacco, tobacco extracts and tobacco capsules, any raw or processed form of tobacco can be used as powders, dusts, granules, fragments, slurries, flowable gels and equivalents, particularly those having a final tobacco concentration in the range of 1 wt % to 99 wt % of the final composition and / or up to about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90% tobacco and / or any combination thereof.

[0069] According to other preferred embodiments of the microwave heating method of the present invention, a sample can be used, which contains one or more humectants for maintaining and / or protecting the moisture level of the sample material, especially the tobacco material in the tobacco-containing hydrogel capsule, and / or as a preservative to remove excess water, thereby reducing the growth of microorganisms to provide a higher moisture sensation in the drier sample material, tobacco material, tobacco substitute material and / or drier smokeless tobacco material, and the humectant contains one or more of glycerol and propylene glycol in the range of about 0.001wt% to about 5wt%, about 0.1wt% to about 2wt%, and / or any combination thereof.

[0070] According to other additional or alternative preferred embodiments of the microwave heating method of the present invention, a sample comprising a liquid selected from the group of polyols consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol and combinations thereof may be used.

[0071] In the following, further optional or additional preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with respect to the aerosol-forming sample involved and the material of said sample:

[0072] The sample forming the aerosol and / or the components of the material of the sample may include drugs consisting of one of the following categories: antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antiemetics, antihistamines, anti-Parkinson's disease drugs, antipsychotics, antianxiety drugs, erectile dysfunction drugs, migraine drugs, alcoholism treatment drugs, addiction treatment drugs, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, other analgesics and stimulants.

[0073] When the drug is an antibiotic, it can be selected from one of the following compounds: cefmetazole; cefazolin; cephalexin; cefoxitin; ceftriaxone; cefglycine; ceftriaxone; cephalosporins, such as cephalosporin C; cephalosporins; cephamycins, such as cephamycin A, cephamycin B and cephamycin C; cephalosporins; cephradine; ampicillin; amoxicillin; hetacillin; carbenicillin; carbocillin; penicillin; azithromycin; benzylpenicillin; clomethicillin; cloxacillin; cyclopentylpenicillin; methicillin; 2-pentenylpenicillin; penicillins, such as penicillin N, penicillin O, penicillin S, penicillin V; clobuticillin; dicloxacillin; diphenylpenicillin; heptylpenicillin; and ampicillin.

[0074] When the drug is an anticonvulsant, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: tiagabine and vigabatrin.

[0075] When the drug is an antidepressant, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: amoxapine, phenamoxine, butriline, desipramine, duleupine, doxepin, imipramine, kitanserin, lofepramine, medixamine, mianserin, maprotiline, mirtazapine, protriptyline, trimipramine, viloxazine, citalopram, cotinine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, milnacipran, nisoxetine, paroxetine, reboxetine, sertraline, acepheniramine, acetaphenazine, benedarline, brofaromine, ceramide, chlorvosine, iproniazid, isocarboxazid, phenylhydrazine, phenelzine, sibutramine, tranylcypromine, adenosine methionine, adrafenid, amisulpride, ampazid, bephenazine, bupropion, gepirone, idazoxan, milnacipran, bendamorphine, nefazodone, nomifensine, ritanserin, S-adenosine methionine, tolfenacin, trazodone, tryptophan, venlafaxine, and zaspironone.

[0076] When the drug is an antiemetic, it can be selected from one of the following compounds: alizapride, azasetron, benzquinamide, bromide, buclizine, chlorpromazine, cinnarizine, clebopride, cyclizine, clopentol, dolasetron mesylate, droperidol, granisetron, metoclopramide, metopimazine, ondansetron, promethazine, prochlorperazine, triethylperazine, trifluoperazine, triflupromazine, trimethobenzamide, tropisetron, domeridon and palonosetron.

[0077] When the drug is an antihistamine, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: azatadine, brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, dexmedetomidine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, cetrazine, fexofenadine, loratadine and promethazine.

[0078] When the drug is an anti-Parkinson's disease drug, it can be selected from one of the following compounds: amantadine, baclofen, biperiden, benztropine, orphenadrine, procyclidine, levodopa, carbidopa, andropinirole, benserazide, bromocriptine, budipine, dihydroergocryptine, eliprodil, estigmine, pramipexole, galantamine, lazabemide, memantine, mofegline, pergolide, pramipexole, propentofylline, rasagiline, remacemide, spheramine, entacapone and tolcapone.

[0079] When the drug is an antipsychotic, it can be selected from one of the following compounds: alizapride, ampazid, benperidol, benzquinamide, bromperidol, brabamate, propionylperphenazine, carpipramine, clomaclen, clopenthixol, chlorspirazine, clothiapine, cyanomemazine, droperidol, flupenthixol, fluphenazine, fluspirine, mesoridazine, percynanzine, pimozide, pipamazine, piperazine, pipexetazine, prochlorperazine, promazine, remopride, spiperone, sulpiride, thioridazine, thiothixene, trifluperidol, triflupromazine, triflupyrazine, ziprasidone, zotepine, amisulpride, butalamo, clozapine, meperone, olanzapine, quetiapine.

[0080] When the drug is an anxiolytic, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: mecloquinol, medetomidine, adinazolai, clophenazepam, flurazepam, alpitant, alseroxion, amphetamine, azacyclin, bromoisovaleryl urea, buspirone, calcium N-carboamoylaspartate, captopril, caprourea, carbcloral, carbromurea, chloral betaine, encirapine, fluoxetine, ixabepilone, lesopitron, loxapine, methprylon, zopiclone.

[0081] 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.

[0082] When the drug is a drug for migraine, it can be selected from one of the following compounds: almotriptan, alperopride, dihydroergotamine, eletriptan, rotriptan, isometheptene, lidocaine, lisuride, metoclopramide, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tolfenamic acid, zolmitriptan, atenolol, clonidine, cyproheptadine, diltiazem, doxepin, fluoxetine, lisinopril, metoprolol, nadolol, paroxetine, pizotifen, pizotyline, protriptyline, sertraline, timolol and verapamil.

[0083] When the drug is a drug for treating alcoholism, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: naloxone, naltrexone and disulfiram.

[0084] When the drug is a muscle relaxant, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, orphenadrine, quinine and tizanidine.

[0085] When the drug is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, it can be selected from one of the following compounds: aceclofenac, alminoprofen, amfenac, aminopropylpyrazone, amisetrine, benoxaprofen, bromfenac, bufenac, carprofen, choline, salicylates, cinchophen, cinmetacin, clopriac, clometacin, diclofenac, etodolac, maprednione, meclofenamate, piroxicam, pirprofen and tofenamate.

[0086] When the drug is other analgesics, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: azapropazone, benzpiperylon, benzydramine, clonixin, ethoheptazine, flupirtine, orphenadrine, propacetamol and propoxyphene.

[0087] When the drug is a stimulant, it may be selected from one of the following compounds: dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, pemoline, phentermine, and sibutramine.

[0088] The drug can be selected from one of the following compounds: benzofurans, ibogoids, benzocyclobutene derivatives, arylcyclohexylamines, andamantanes, diarylethylamines, carnosine, carnosine A, carnosine B, carnosine C, carnosine D, carnosine E, carnosine F, carnosine G, carnosine H, carnosine I, 17α-carnosine J, 17β-carnosine J, atropine derivatives, oxytocin, racteams.

[0089] These aspects may be combined in any manner.

[0090] Description of the drawings

[0091] These and further details, advantages and features of the invention will be described based on embodiments of the invention and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] Figures 1 to 3 A preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the invention is illustrated by means of a schematic block diagram.

[0093] Figures 4 to 10 C shows details of a preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit of the invention and its details.

[0094] Figures 11 to 14 Further embodiments of the microwave heating unit of the invention and its details are explained by means of a cross-sectional side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] In the following, by reference to the attached Figures 1 to 14The embodiments and technical background of the present invention are presented in detail. The same or equivalent elements and elements that function the same or equivalently are represented by the same reference numerals. The detailed description of the elements and components is not repeated every time it appears.

[0096] The features and other properties of the depicted and described embodiments of the invention may be arbitrarily separated and recombined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0097] Figures 1 to 3 A preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit 1 according to the invention is illustrated by means of a schematic block diagram. Figures 1 to 3 Each of the microwave heating units or devices 1 shown in any of the drawings may be formed to inhale, atomize or pump the product and / or device 1 ′, in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery / inhalation functions.

[0098] like Figure 1 The embodiment of the microwave heating device or unit 1 of the present invention shown is formed by or comprises a microwave radiation generating and / or releasing unit 20, which in the sense of the present invention can also be referred to as a microwave radiation signal generating and / or releasing unit. Preferably, a solid-state microwave source 100 can be used as microwave radiation source 20 in this respect.

[0099] The microwave radiation field thus generated and / or provided can be provided to a plant / drug containing compound / material 102, which is a sample to be contained in a containment and exposure space 15 (e.g., a cavity 16), which is formed by a sample containment and exposure device 10, for example based on a first and second containment component or containment portion 11, 12.

[0100] This is preferably done by or in cooperation with an impedance matching unit 30 which is configured for matching the impedance between the provided microwave radiation field and the sample holder 13 defining the receiving and exposure space 15 and the cavity 16 thereof.

[0101] In this regard, impedance matching can be achieved by at least one of electrical or electronic means, geometric means, and / or material means. Electrical or electronic means refers to the nature of the radiation and its underlying generation and / or supply process. Geometric means refers to the positioning, geometry, and / or orientation of certain physical items. Material means refers to the positioning, geometry, and / or orientation of certain material items, such as by using dielectric materials.

[0102] In this regard, an impedance matching network 101 may be involved to implement the impedance matching unit 30, said network 101 implementing one of the electrical / electronic geometry and / or material aspects.

[0103] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, in addition to Figure 1 In addition to the illustrated embodiment, the microwave radiation generating and / or releasing unit 20 can be formed by a continuous arrangement of a small-power or low-power signal source 104 and a transistor amplifier 103, wherein the small-power or low-power signal source 104 includes a microwave radiation source or a microwave radiation signal source 21, for example also as a solid-state microwave (signal) source 100.

[0104] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, in addition to Figure 2 In addition to the embodiment shown, the microwave radiation generating and / or releasing unit 20 also includes a feedback loop 106 connected between the impedance matching unit 30 and its network 101, which provides an input to the amplitude / phase correction device 105, the output of which is fed to the input port of the transistor amplifier 103. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the small / low power signal source 104 is replaced by a feedback loop 106 and an amplitude / phase correction device 105 .

[0105] Figures 4 to 10 C shows details of a preferred embodiment of the microwave heating unit 1 of the present invention and details thereof, each microwave heating unit 1 being formed as an inhalation, atomization and / or suction product and / or device 1 ', in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery / inhalation functions.

[0106] The sample containing and exposing device 10 and the impedance matching unit 30 of the present invention according to these embodiments are formed of first and second containing members or containing portions 11 and 12 to define a sample container 13 for defining a containing and exposing space 15 through a cavity 16 .

[0107] The basic aspects of the impedance matching unit 30 and its impedance matching network may be formed based on the geometrical and material aspects of the slot or slot structure 14 and the dielectric 17 used in this respect.

[0108] The sample containment and exposure device 10 may be surrounded by a housing 18, which may also serve as a shield.

[0109] Figure 8B By along Fig. 8A The cross-sectional view of plane BB shown in the figure illustrates the details of the E-field configuration of the underlying microwave radiation field 25, namely in relation to the arrangement of the sample holding and exposure device 10, the impedance matching unit 30 and its slit structure 14 and the dielectric material 17, and also in relation to the first holding component / portion and the second holding component / portion which can simultaneously serve as the first electrode 53 and the second electrode 54, respectively.

[0110] like Fig. 8AAs shown, in a preferred embodiment, the impedance matching unit 30 may include a feeding portion of a feeding point 31, through which microwave radiation may be introduced into the accommodation and exposure space 15 and the 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 size of about 1 / 8λ to about 1 / 5λ and less than 1 / 10λ, where λ represents the wavelength of the underlying microwave radiation.

[0111] Figures 11 to 14 Further embodiments of the microwave heating unit 1 of the present invention and its details are explained by cross-sectional side views, each microwave heating unit 1 being formed as an inhalation, atomization and / or suction product and / or device 1 ′, in particular for medical and / or pulmonary drug delivery / inhalation functions.

[0112] In each of these embodiments, a power supply unit 40 can be used, which includes a DC power supply 40, such as a battery, which is capable of providing energy to the underlying microwave radiation generating and / or releasing unit 20 with its microwave radiation source 21 and its control unit or control electronic device 50, based on or via which the first and second power supply lines 51, 52, the first electrode 53 and the second electrode 54 are subjected to corresponding electric fields to generate the required microwave radiation field 25 in the cavity 16 of the holding and exposure space 15 formed in the sample holding and exposure device 10 of the sample container 13.

[0113] The sample 2 and its sample material 102 (in the sense of a compound or material containing a plant / drug) are heated in a fast, reliable and uniform manner by means of a microwave radiation field 25, thereby releasing an aerosol to be delivered, which is delivered using an air flow 111 entering an air flow channel 110 formed in a body or housing 118 of the device 1'.

[0114] The sample 2 and the sample material 102 may be designed in various forms.

[0115] For example, in Fig.12 and Fig.14 In the embodiment shown, use is made of a capsule 3 formed by a more or less stable wall which, when in use, has to be penetrated by a needle 112 or any other penetration means housed and formed in the gas flow channel 110 of the device 1 '.

[0116] like Fig.14 As shown, the main body 118 or at least a portion of its housing 118 may be formed as a mouthpiece 119 , which is optionally provided with a filter member 115 for interacting with the airflow 111 in the airflow channel 110 .

[0117] Reference numerals list

[0118] 1 Microwave heating device / unit

[0119] 1' Inhalation, nebulization and / or smoking products and / or devices

[0120] 2 Samples

[0121] 10 Sample holding and exposure device

[0122] 11. First receiving component / receiving portion

[0123] 12 Second receiving component / receiving portion

[0124] 13. Sample holder

[0125] 14 Slits and slit structures

[0126] 15 Space for containment and exposure

[0127] 16 Cavity

[0128] 17 Dielectric Materials Section

[0129] 18 Shell, shield

[0130] 20 Microwave radiation generating and / or releasing unit, microwave radiation signal generating and / or releasing unit

[0131] 21 Microwave radiation source, solid-state microwave source, microwave radiation signal source, solid-state microwave signal source

[0132] 22 Waveguide

[0133] 23 Connectors

[0134] 25 Microwave radiation field

[0135] 26 Microwave radiation field signal

[0136] 30 Impedance matching unit

[0137] 30a The first part of the impedance matching unit 30

[0138] 30b The second part of the impedance matching unit 30

[0139] 31 Feeding point of microwave radiation field 25

[0140] 40 Power supply unit

[0141] 41 DC power supply, battery

[0142] 50 Control units, electronic devices

[0143] 51 First power supply line

[0144] 52 Second power supply line

[0145] 53 First electrode

[0146] 54 Second electrode

[0147] 100 Solid-state microwave source, solid-state microwave signal source

[0148] 101 Impedance Matching Network

[0149] 102 Sample materials, compounds / materials containing plants / drugs

[0150] 103 Transistor Amplifier

[0151] 104 Small / Low Power Signal Source

[0152] 105 Amplitude / Phase Correction Equipment

[0153] 106 Feedback loop / branch / line

[0154] 109 (Self-Excited) Oscillator

[0155] 110 Airflow channel

[0156] 111 Airflow

[0157] 112 Needles, penetrating devices

[0158] 115 Filters

[0159] 118 Main body, shell

[0160] 119 Cigarette Holder

[0161] x space direction

[0162] y space direction

[0163] z spatial direction

Claims

1. A microwave heating unit (1) for heating a sample (2) by virtue of absorption of microwaves by a material (102) of the sample (2) forming an aerosol, and for thereby releasing at least one aerosol from or by the sample (2) when heating the sample (2), the microwave heating unit being in or as an inhalation, atomization and / or suction product or device (1'), the microwave heating unit being used for pulmonary drug delivery, wherein the microwave heating unit (1) comprises: (i) a sample receiving and exposure unit (10) configured to receive and receive a sample (2) in a receiving and exposure space (15) and to expose the sample (2) to a microwave radiation field (25) within the receiving and exposure space (15), (ii) a microwave radiation unit (20) configured to provide the microwave radiation field (25) and / or an underlying microwave radiation signal (26) to the accommodation and exposure space (15), and (iii) an impedance matching unit (30) configured to achieve impedance matching between the accommodating and exposing space (15) and the underlying microwave radiation signal (26) and / or the microwave radiation field (25), wherein the impedance matching unit (30) and its impedance matching network (101) include a first electrode (53) and a second electrode (54), and the first electrode and the second electrode are used to generate the microwave radiation field (25) when receiving the underlying microwave radiation signal (26), The sample receiving and exposing unit (10) comprises a sample receiving container (13), wherein the sample receiving container internally defines and forms the receiving and exposing space (15) as a cavity (16) by means of a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion separated by a slit structure (14); and The first accommodating portion (11) and the second accommodating portion (12) are simultaneously used as a first electrode (53) and a second electrode (54), respectively, wherein the first accommodating portion (11) has a first arcuate wall at an end facing the second accommodating portion (12), and the second accommodating portion (12) has a second arcuate wall at an end facing the first accommodating portion (11), and the first arcuate wall and the second arcuate wall extend toward each other and are separated by the slit structure.

2. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The impedance matching network (101) of the impedance matching unit (30) comprises the first electrode (53) and the second electrode (54).

3. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The microwave heating unit comprises a self-excited oscillator (109) configured to generate and provide the microwave radiation field (25) and / or the underlying microwave radiation signal (26).

4. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The impedance matching unit (30) is tunable in its matching characteristics with respect to at least one of impedance, frequency and the aerosol-forming sample (2).

5. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The impedance matching network (101) of the impedance matching unit (30) is tunable in its matching characteristics with respect to at least one of impedance, frequency and the aerosol-forming sample (2).

6. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The impedance matching unit (30) comprises at least one of the following: - the first electrode (53) and the second electrode (54) are used to generate the microwave radiation field (25) when receiving the underlying microwave radiation signal (26), which is geometrically matched to the aerosol-forming sample (2), the containing and exposure space (15) and / or its cavity (16), - an output end, which comprises a waveguide structure, a transmission line and / or a stub, -1 / 8λ to 1 / 4λ waveguide matching components, and - one or more portions of dielectric material (17), Accordingly, the impedance matching unit (30) is tunable in its characteristics.

7. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The impedance matching network (101) of the impedance matching unit (30) comprises at least one of the following: - the first electrode (53) and the second electrode (54) are used to generate the microwave radiation field (25) when receiving the underlying microwave radiation signal (26), which is geometrically matched to the aerosol-forming sample (2), the containing and exposure space (15) and / or its cavity (16), - an output end, which comprises a waveguide structure, a transmission line and / or a stub, -1 / 8λ to 1 / 4λ waveguide matching components, and - one or more portions of dielectric material (17), Accordingly, the impedance matching unit (30) is tunable in its characteristics.

8. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - the microwave radiation unit (20) comprises one or more microwave radiation or radiation signal sources (21) in the form of solid-state microwave or radiation signal sources, and / or a connection arrangement having a connector (23) and / or a waveguide (22) for providing a connection to the one or more microwave radiation or radiation signal sources (21), and - the one or more microwave radiation or radiation signal sources (21) and solid-state microwave or radiation signal sources are configured to generate and / or release the microwave radiation field (25) or the underlying microwave radiation signal (26) when powered on.

9. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein: The microwave heating unit comprises a power supply unit (40), which is configured to provide energy to the microwave radiation unit (20), and the power supply unit comprises one or more DC power supplies (41).

10. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein: The power supply unit (40) is configured to provide energy to the one or more microwave radiation or radiation signal sources (21).

11. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - the microwave radiation unit (20) comprises a transistor amplifier (103), and / or The impedance matching unit (30) comprises a microwave feedback port and / or a microwave signal feedback port, wherein the microwave feedback port and / or the microwave signal feedback port are connected to the input end of the transistor amplifier (103) so as to meet the bottom oscillation condition.

12. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The microwave radiation or radiation signal source (21) of the microwave radiation unit (20) comprises a transistor amplifier (103).

13. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The impedance matching network (101) of the impedance matching unit (30) comprises a microwave feedback port and / or a microwave signal feedback port.

14. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 11, wherein: An additional intelligent amplitude / phase correction device (105) is connected between the feedback port and the input of the transistor amplifier (103).

15. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - the microwave radiation unit (20) comprises a transistor amplifier (103), and - having an input connected to an output of a low power signal source (104), and / or - The low power signal source (104) comprises at least one of a phase locked loop, a voltage controlled oscillator and a direct digital synthesizer.

16. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 15, wherein: - the microwave radiation or radiation signal source (21) of the microwave radiation unit (20) comprises a transistor amplifier (103), and - having an input connected to an output of a low power signal source (104), and / or - The low power signal source (104) comprises at least one of a phase locked loop, a voltage controlled oscillator and a direct digital synthesizer.

17. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, which is formed in at least one of a drug delivery product and / or device, an inhalation product or device, a suction product or device, a mobile product or device and / or a portable product or device, or is formed as at least one of a drug delivery product and / or device, an inhalation product or device, a suction product or device, a mobile product or device and / or a portable product or device.

18. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The self-excited oscillator (109) is at least one of the following: - connected to the sample containing and exposure unit (10) or being part of the sample containing and exposure unit, - comprises and / or implements an IQ modulator and / or the functionality of an IQ modulator, which means the ability to control phase and / or gain, and - comprising a transistor amplifier (103), an impedance matching unit (30) and / or an impedance matching network (101) and an amplitude / phase correction device (105) within a feedback loop (106).

19. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The slit structure is formed by a dielectric between the first arc-shaped wall and the second arc-shaped wall.

20. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 19, wherein: The electric field configuration of the microwave radiation field is related to the arrangement of the slot structure and the dielectric.

21. The microwave heating unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The first arcuate wall and the second arcuate wall extend toward each other such that the first arcuate wall, the slit structure and the second arcuate wall form an annular profile.

22. A microwave heating method for heating a sample (2) by virtue of absorption of microwaves by a material (102) of the aerosol-forming sample (2), and for thereby releasing at least one aerosol from or by the sample (2) when heating the sample (2), the at least one aerosol comprising at least one of a phytoactive substance and a pharmaceutical active ingredient, -in, The microwave heating unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is used to heat the sample (2), and - wherein at least one of the following is used and / or heated as the sample (2) or as a part thereof: - an aerosol-forming substrate of a smoking article, - smoking a tobacco-loaded solid aerosol-forming sample of the sample, - an aerosol-forming substrate containing a nicotine-containing and / or nicotine-free liquid, or an aerosol-forming substrate containing a nicotine-containing and / or nicotine-free liquid, - an aerosol-forming active pharmaceutical ingredient, - aerosol-forming phytoactive substances, - aerosol-forming phytogenic medicinal substances and / or phytogenic medicinal products, - an aerosol-forming substrate having at least one microwave sensitizer and / or absorber from a group consisting of functionalized polysilsesquioxanes, carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene, activated carbon, and metal powders, or a group consisting of functionalized polysilsesquioxanes, carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene, activated carbon, and semiconductor powders.

23. The microwave heating method according to claim 22, wherein: The smoking product is a smoking product containing nicotine and / or not containing nicotine.

24. The microwave heating method according to claim 22, wherein: The puff sample is a puff sample containing nicotine and / or not containing nicotine.

25. The microwave heating method according to claim 22, wherein: The aerosol-forming phytoactive substance originates from phyto-raw material and / or from phyto-material.

26. The microwave heating method according to claim 22, wherein: The temperature of the aerosol-forming sample (2) is measured and / or estimated and its value is fed to a temperature control loop unit which controls the power provided for powering the microwave generation and / or release process.

27. The microwave heating method according to claim 22, wherein: - Operating frequency range from 1MHz to 15GHz, - Operating power in continuous mode ranges from 0.1mW to 50W, - Operation power in pulse mode ranges from 0.1mW to 50W, - the operating power is ramped between a value of 0.1 W and a value of 30 W, and / or - set the operating frequency to a constant value, -The frequency of operation varies over time.

28. The microwave heating method according to claim 27, wherein: The operating frequency is in the ISM band and / or in the range of 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz and / or has a center frequency of 2.45 GHz.

29. The microwave heating method according to claim 27, wherein: The operating power in the continuous mode is 2W.

30. The microwave heating method according to claim 27, wherein: The operating power in the pulse mode is 3W.

31. The microwave heating method according to claim 27, wherein: The operating frequency varies with time and is swept between a minimum value and a maximum value.

32. The microwave heating method according to claim 27, wherein: The operating frequency varies with time and sweeps between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz.

33. The microwave heating method according to claim 22, wherein: The aerosol-forming sample (2) is used, wherein the aerosol-forming sample is at least one of the following: - formed into, containing at least one of a fluid material and a solid material, contained inside and / or packed inside, and / or capable of being matched according to the size of the cavity (16), and / or adding a pharmaceutical excipient to the aerosol-forming sample (2), - forming a container and / or having a housing, wherein the housing is transparent to microwave radiation, comprises or is formed of plastic, glass, quartz, and / or has a relatively low dielectric loss factor ε" and / or a relatively low loss tangent tan(δ), and - contained in a container formed as a mouthpiece (119), a monolithic piece, a disposable component and / or comprising a filter (115) and / or a hollow tube, the mouthpiece being configured to allow inhalation of the formed aerosol, the filter having a low particle filtration efficiency.

34. The microwave heating method according to claim 33, wherein: The fluid material or the solid material includes tablets, capsules, cartridges, press-cap bottles and pills.

35. The microwave heating method according to claim 33, wherein: The plastic includes polypropylene.

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