Liquid dispensing apparatus and methods

Patent 5758637 Issued on June 2, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 21, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2266706

3812854

Medical inhalation device for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract
Patent #: 4119096
Issued on: 10/10/1978
Inventor: Drews

Chamber for ultrasonic aerosol generation
Patent #: 4159803
Issued on: 07/03/1979
Inventor: Cameto , et al.

Nebulizer
Patent #: 4268460
Issued on: 05/19/1981
Inventor: Boiarski , et al.

Hand-held atomizer especially for dispensing inhalation-administered medicaments
Patent #: 4300546
Issued on: 11/17/1981
Inventor: Kruber

Atomizer for liquid
Patent #: 4301093
Issued on: 11/17/1981
Inventor: Eck

Inhalator
Patent #: 4334531
Issued on: 06/15/1982
Inventor: Reichl , et al.

Ultrasonic atomizer unit utilizing shielded and grounded elements
Patent #: 4338576
Issued on: 07/06/1982
Inventor: Takahashi , et al.

Portable nebulizer or mist producing device
Patent #: 4454877
Issued on: 06/19/1984
Inventor: Miller , et al.

More ...

Inventors

Application

No. 604313 filed on 02/21/1996

US Classes:

128/200.16, Ultrasonic128/200.14, LIQUID MEDICAMENT ATOMIZER OR SPRAYER128/200.18, Spray impinged against baffle in or adjacent flow conduit239/102.2By electric transducer (e.g., piezoelectric crystal)

Examiners

Primary: Lewis, Aaron J.
Assistant: Srivastava, V.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP

Foreign Patent References

0178925 EP 04/13/1986
477 885 CH. 10/13/1969
2 101 500 GB. 01/13/1983
2101550 GB 01/13/1983
2 272 389 GB. 05/13/1994
2272389 GB. 05/13/1994

International Class

A61M 011/50

Abstract

The invention provides methods and apparatus for nebulizing liquids. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a thin shell member having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween. The apertures are tapered to narrow from the rear surface to the front surface. A liquid supplier is further provided which delivers a predetermined unit volume of liquid to the rear surface. A vibrator vibrates the thin shell member to eject liquid droplets from the front surface of the thin shell member.

Other References

D.C. Cipolla et al., "Assessment of Aerosol Delivery Systems for Recombinant Human Deoxyribonuclease," S.T.P. Pharma Sciences 4 (1) 50-62, 1994
D.C. Cipolla et al., "Characterization of Aerosols of Human Recombinant Deoxyribonuclease I (rhDNase) Generated by Jet Nebulizers," Pharmaceutical Research II (4) 491-498, 1994
I. Gonda, "Therapeutic Aerosols," Pharmaceutics, The Sci. of Dosage Form Design, M.E. Aulton, 341-358, 1988
Anthony J. Hickey, "Pharmaceutical Inhalation Aerosol Technology," Drugs and The Pharmaceutical Sciences, (54) 172-17