Hand-held inhalable vapor producing device and method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional hand-held inhalable vapor or aerosol producing devices suffer from contamination due to inefficient heating methods, leading to the production of toxic by-products and inconsistent particle sizes, which affect the quality and safety of the inhaled substance.

Innovation Solution

The use of a light energy source, such as a laser, for precise heating decouples the heat source from the substance, preventing contamination and allowing for control over particle size by adjusting the heat application, thereby improving the purity and texture of the inhalable vapor or aerosol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If Joule heating with coiled metal heating elements is used, then the substance can be heated to produce vapor, but the heating is imprecise causing overheating and production of toxic degradation by-products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating precisionVSAvoidtoxic degradation by-products

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional Joule heating system (electrical heating elements) with a laser-based optical heating system. The laser provides precise thermal energy delivery to the substance, enabling accurate temperature control without the thermal runaway issues of resistive heating. This substitution of heating mechanism directly resolves the overheating and toxic by-product formation problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the heating parameter control from indirect electrical resistance heating to direct optical energy absorption. The laser wavelength, power, and pulse duration can be precisely adjusted to control the heating process, allowing the substance to be vaporized at controlled temperatures that prevent degradation and toxic by-product formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If coiled metal heating elements are positioned in proximity to the substance, then heating efficiency is achieved, but metallic components and degradation products transfer to the substance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidmetallic contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical contact between heating elements and the substance by using a laser beam for heating. The laser provides contactless thermal energy transfer, maintaining heating efficiency through direct energy absorption while completely preventing metallic contamination from heating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser beam acts as an intermediary between the energy source and the substance. It transfers thermal energy without requiring physical contact or proximity between the heating source and the substance, thereby eliminating the pathway for metallic contamination while maintaining efficient energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If traditional heating methods are used, then vapor generation is achieved, but the particle size of the inhalable vapor or aerosol cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor generationVSAvoidparticle size control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the controllable parameters of laser heating (power, pulse duration, focal point) to precisely control the vaporization process. By adjusting these parameters, the particle size of the generated aerosol can be controlled, enabling consistent production of inhalable particles within desired size ranges for therapeutic delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces contamination and allows for customizable particle sizes, enhancing the user experience and safety by producing a cleaner, more controlled inhalable vapor or aerosol.

Implementation Method 1

a laser produces a beam that travels to the target surface thereby heating the substance to be vapor or aerosolized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical energy to thermal energy conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

A thermal valve that seals the opening in a first conformation and unseals the opening in a second conformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conformation change: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

a thermal conducting plate configured to receive the liquid from the cartridge within the plurality of pores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10440993B2Hand-held inhalable vapor producing device and method

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 BREEDE MICHAEL EDWARD

AI summary

Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for generating and delivering an inhalable vapor or aerosol. In some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein are used to generate and deliver a vapor or aerosol containing tobacco for use in, for example, traditional smoking or, for example, to deliver a smoking cessation therapy. In some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein are used for generating and delivering a vapor or aerosol comprising a medicament. For example, in some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein are used to deliver an inhalable medicament to the lungs of a patient.