Multi-Chamber Ultrasonic Nicotine Mist Delivery for MTL Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic vaporising inhalers face issues such as leaking, inconsistent nicotine doses, and the inability to mimic the Mouth-To-Lung (MTL) effect of traditional cigarettes, which hampers their effectiveness in smoking cessation programs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a mist generator using ultrasonic vibrations to atomize nicotine-containing liquids, which includes a capillary element made of bamboo fibers to enhance absorption and fluid retention, and a driver configured to generate specific frequency ranges for optimal mist production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electronic vaporising inhalers use heating components to vaporise liquid nicotine, then nicotine delivery is achieved, but the risk of burning metal and inconsistent dosing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal vaporisation system with an ultrasonic atomisation system. The ultrasonic transducer generates high-frequency mechanical vibrations that directly atomize the nicotine liquid through cavitation and surface radiation effects, eliminating the need for heating elements and thereby preventing burnt metal inhalation while ensuring consistent nicotine delivery through controlled atomisation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from thermal energy (heating) to mechanical energy (ultrasonic vibration). By operating at ultrasonic frequencies (typically 20-100 kHz), the system achieves liquid atomisation through mechanical means, fundamentally altering the energy transfer mechanism to eliminate combustion-related hazards while maintaining effective nicotine vapor delivery.
2Device complexity
If conventional vaporisers use simple membrane structures to hold liquid nicotine, then device simplicity is maintained, but leaking and inconsistent dosing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous wick material with controlled pore structure to replace simple membranes. The porous structure provides capillary action that reliably transports liquid nicotine to the ultrasonic atomisation surface while the controlled porosity prevents overflow and leakage. This maintains relative structural simplicity while dramatically improving liquid control and dosing consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite wick structures combining different materials with complementary properties - typically a hydrophilic outer layer for liquid absorption and a hydrophobic inner layer for controlled release. This composite approach prevents leaking while maintaining structural simplicity and enabling consistent nicotine delivery through controlled capillary transport.
3Device complexity
If conventional inhalers use single-chamber designs, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to mimic MTL effect and deliver consistent doses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid delivery system into multiple independent chambers, each containing specific liquids (e.g., nicotine-containing liquid in one chamber, flavouring or throat hit enhancement liquid in another). Each chamber has its own ultrasonic atomisation system, allowing independent control of different liquid components. This segmentation enables precise control over nicotine delivery and throat hit simulation, accurately mimicking the MTL effect while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
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
The ultrasonic mist generator achieves higher efficiency and reduced power requirements, providing consistent nicotine doses and mimicking the MTL effect, thus enhancing the effectiveness of smoking cessation programs.
Implementation Method 1
a mist generator which atomises a liquid by ultrasonic vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a capillary element, typically cotton, that holds the liquid nicotine so as to prevent leaking from the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A mist delivery device for delivering a polydisperse mist. The mist delivery device comprising a mist generator (500) for generating a mist for inhalation by a user. The mist generator (500) comprises a first liquid chamber (546) containing a first liquid, a second liquid chamber (547) containing a second liquid, a first ultrasonic transducer (505) including a planar first atomisation surface and a second ultrasonic transducer (506) including a planar second atomisation surface. The first ultrasonic transducer (505) is configured to generate and transmit ultrasonic waves to generate a first portion of the mist from the first liquid and the second ultrasonic transducer (506) is configured to generate and transmit ultrasonic waves to generate a second portion of the mist from the second liquid, wherein the first portion of the mist and the second portion of the mist combine to form the mist which flows through a mist outlet port (208) for inhalation by the user.