The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 2008
Filed:
Jan. 14, 2003
Walter A. Nichols, Chesterfield, VA (US);
Donald L. Brookman, Richmond, VA (US);
Gary E. Grollimund, Chesterfield, VA (US);
Ulysses Smith, Midlothian, VA (US);
Walter A. Nichols, Chesterfield, VA (US);
Donald L. Brookman, Richmond, VA (US);
Gary E. Grollimund, Chesterfield, VA (US);
Ulysses Smith, Midlothian, VA (US);
Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, VA (US);
Abstract
An aerosol generator such as a hand-held inhaler and method of delivering aerosol to a user inhaling on an outlet of a mouthpiece when a pressure drop is detected within the mouthpiece. A medicated fluid passing through a capillary passage is heated sufficiently to vaporize the fluid and form the aerosol by condensation of the vaporized fluid as it admixes with air. Air is supplied to the mouthpiece through an air passage which is initially closed during detection of the pressure drop. A metering chamber allows consistent delivery of precise doses of fluid to the capillary passage. The pressure drop is detected before air is supplied to the mouthpiece with the result that the aerosol can be quickly delivered to the user as the user begins to inhale on the mouthpiece. The quick delivery of aerosol provides more efficient use of the user's lung capacity.