WO2023030962A1

WO2023030962A1 - Liquid jet inhalation device

Info

Publication number: WO2023030962A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/073440
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Dodd; James Alan Mott; David ELLEMENT; Bruce Michael Eckard; Jeffrey John GLASSETT
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2021-08-31
Filing date: 2022-08-23
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-29

Abstract

A vapour generation assembly for generating a vapour that can be inhaled by a user, the assembly comprising a base part providing at least one surface for mounting a plurality of components; a first component mounted on said base part and forming a liquid jet device comprising a fluid chamber, an ejection nozzle and a supply channel embedded in a substrate, said first component being configured to generate drops of a liquid on demand; and at least one second component mounted on said base part and forming an air flow management device, said second component being configured to manage air that is to be mixed with said drops to generate the vapour to be inhaled by the user.

Description

LIQUID JET INHALATION DEVICE

Technical field

The present invention relates to inhalation devices with at least one liquid j et device for producing drops of a liquid on demand . More particularly, the present invention relates to such inhalation devices in the form of electronic cigarettes , cigalikes , e-cigarettes , vapour inhalers and related devices .

Background

In the arts there are several types and concepts for inhalation devices that serve a broad range of purposes including medical and therapeutic applications and also leisure and pleasure devices such as electronic cigarettes . Existing inhalation devices either change the phase of a fluid before inhalation with for example a wick and a coil so as to signi ficantly raise the vapor temperature above human body temperature or deliver drops a room temperature by, for example , employing an ultrasonic mesh . In the above wick and coil system the vapor can be perceived as 'warm' by a user in the mouth, whereas in the ultrasonic mesh systems , the vapor is usually perceived as ' cold' .

Such inhalation devices are oftentimes portable and pocket- si ze devices that can easily fit in the user' s hand or can be handled by the user' s fingers alone . In this way, the devices can be convenient for use and can be carried by a user for regular or emergency use . In the former case , a user can conveniently carry an inhalation device in the form of an e- cigarette to use and enj oy it whenever and wherever desired, whereas in the latter case a medical or therapeutic inhalation device may be ready to use when needed .

The desire to manufacture such inhalation devices portable , energy ef ficient , and reliable has led to the increased use of liquid j et droplet generators in the form of , for example , micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS ) that provide compact units for generating droplets of a liquid in a well-defined, reproducible and reliable fashion . However, the generation of an inhalation vapour does also require further medium and gas management which is usually not implemented in a MEMS droplet generator and thus still requires substantial space in the device - which of course works against compact designs .

There is therefore a need for improved inhalation devices that not only quality of experience and fidelity of action, but also obtain compact designs . It is thus an obj ect of the present invention to provide such improved inhalation devices that can remedy the drawbacks of the conventional solutions .

Summary

The mentioned drawbacks are remedies by the sub ect-matter of the independent claims . Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims .

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vapour generation assembly for generating a vapour that can be inhaled by a user, the assembly comprising a base part providing at least one surface for mounting a plurality of components ; a first component mounted on said base part and forming a liquid j et device comprising a fluid chamber, an ej ection noz zle and a supply channel embedded in a substrate , said first component being configured to generate drops of a liquid on demand; at least one second component mounted on said base part and forming an air flow management device , said second component being configured to manage air that is to be mixed with said drops to generate the vapour to be inhaled by the user .

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention, which are presented for better understanding the inventive concepts and which are not to be seen as limiting the invention, will now be described with reference to the Figures in which :

Figures 1A to 1C show schematic views of an inhalation device and vapour generation assemblies according to respective embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a MEMS configuration of liquid j et devices as part of the embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 3A & 3B show schematic views of a MEMS configuration of liquid j et devices together with a second component according to embodiments of the present invention; and

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP Figures 4 shows a schematic view of a mixing chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention .

Detailed description

Figure 1A shows a schematic view of an inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present invention . In this view the inhalation device 1 comprises an elongate housing 101 with a proximal end toward a mouthpiece 108 and a distal end . Inside the housing 101 there may be accommodated a battery or power source 102 , a controller circuitry 103 and a compartment 104 for holding some reservoir 105 of a liquid to be vapori zed . For the latter purpose , there is a liquid conduit 106 providing liquid to a vapour generation assembly 10 that is as such explained in greater detail in conj unction with the respective embodiments .

Figures IB and 1C show schematic views of a vapour generation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and speci fically in an embodiment in which it can be integrated into the inhalation device as shown and described in conj unction with Figure 1A. A vapour generation assembly 10 is for generating a vapour that can be inhaled by a user an shown in a top view in Figure IB and a corresponding side view in Figure 1C . The vapour generation assembly 10 comprises a base part 11 providing at least one surface 110 for mounting a plurality of components . On said surface 110 there is mounted a first component 21 on said base part 11 which forms a liquid j et device comprising a fluid chamber, an ej ection noz zle and a supply channel embedded in a substrate , said first component being configured to generate drops of a liquid on demand . Details of such liquid j et devices are explained in conj unction with Figure 2 . The vapour generation assembly 10 comprises at least one second component 22 mounted on said base part 11 and forming an air flow management device . The second component 22 is configured to manage air that is to be mixed with said drops to generate the vapour to be inhaled by the user . Specifically, the common arrangement of the first component 21 and the second component 22 on the same base part 11 allows for a close integration of functionalities that manage air and the ej ection of the droplets 205 that are to be mixed with that air . The base part 11 can in particular form with its surface 110 form a space 3 atop the base part in which the droplets 217 can interact and mix with air 30 and thus form at least in part a mixing chamber . The common arrangement on the base part 11 thus provides not only mounting of the involved components but also close proximity therefor and delimitation of a mixing chamber . The close proximity of the second component 22 can speci fically provide an advantageous direct and quick interaction with the droplets 205 formed and ej ected by the liquid j et device 21 .

As shown in Figures IB and 1C, the base part 11 is planar and can moreover be formed as one piece . One example is that the base part 11 is formed from a printed circuit board ( FOB ) , preferably a planar printed circuit board . In a further embodiment, the base part 11 is formed from a flexible printed circuit board which does of course not exclude a still planar configuration but allows in principle the formation and realization of further mechanical and physical structures such as air guides , impedances , cavities , tubes , etc . as well as contributing to compactness since a flexible printed circuit board can adapt to and interact with any further elements and components of the inhalation device .

Figure 2 show a schematic view of a MEMS configuration of liquid j et devices as part of the embodiments of the present invention . The liquid j et device 11 is formed as a MEMS in a substrate 210 of any suitable material , for example silicon .

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP In that substrate 210 there is formed a fluid chamber 211, an ejection nozzle 212, and a supply channel 213 in liquid communication with a reservoir for providing liquid 214 to the fluid chamber 211 so as to be vaporized or atomized. An ejection heating element 215 is arranged in the vicinity of the fluid chamber 211 so as to heat up a portion of the liquid 214 to vaporized and form a gas bubble 216. Specifically, said ejection heating element 215 can be a resistor arranged in a vicinity of said fluid chamber 211 and configured to heat a an amount of the liquid 214 to at least a vaporization temperature, so that a vapour bubble expels a drop of the liquid through the ejection nozzle. So, the resulting expansion leads to the ejection of an amount of the liquid in the form of a drop or droplet 217 that then can form in the mixing chamber a vapour or aerosol.

In the embodiment, there can be provided a heating element arranged to pre-heat said liquid 214 to a predetermined temperature prior to ejection through said ejection nozzle 212. For example, the heating element can be a resistor embedded in the substrate 210 so as to pre-heat to the predetermined temperature at least a part of the liquid 214 present in the fluid chamber 211 or supply channel 214. In this way, the resistor embedded in a substrate of said MEMS can pre-heat to a predetermined temperature at least a part of the liquid present in cavities formed in the substrate 210. The overall control (e.g. control unit 103) may be configured to drive said resistor so that an amount of the liquid 214 is pre-heated before entering the fluid chamber 211 to a predetermined temperature, and then subsequently the amount of the liquid is heated to at least the vaporization temperature. In this way, the temperature of the liquid can be raised just before being ejected.

Generally, said resistors can be a temperature sense resistor, TSR, embedded in the substrate. In such embodiments, the resistor is a temperature sense resistor, TSR, embedded in the substrate, which can then be used for heating. In respective MEMS dies there can be provided a TSR trace to measure the temperature of the substrate (e.g. silicon) and, in steady state, the temperature of the liquid being ejected. This can be a trace with high current carrying capability. By putting voltage to the TSR, heat can be generated through resistance.

In general, temperatures above 150°C should be avoided for that for example polymer layers in the fluid chamber and nozzle may start to melt. Further, if water was being ejected, at temperatures around 95 °C - 100 °C drops would start to shoot out of the fluid chamber in an uncontrolled manner. So, in general, the liquid in the assembly can be heated to a similar temperature as the die, wherein an ejecting a 'warm' drop of fluid can also create a warmer vapor for inhalation. Figure 2B shows a schematic view of a MEMS layout in a substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention. There is specifically shown an exemplary position of the TSR on a MEMS device. By means of the TSR solution, there can be obtained a reduction on the particle/droplet size. Especially, when the air temperature is enough there can be vaporized small droplets in the size range of <8 pm. By use of the liquid jet device technology there can be generated small droplets, and, in turn, the benefit would be obtained of smaller droplet sizes due to the vaporization of those.

Figure 3A shows a schematic view of a MEMS configuration of liquid jet devices together with a second component according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the at least one second component 22 comprises an air pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure p of air to be mixed with the drops and/or air mixed with the drops. In this way the pressure of the air next to the ejection of droplets can be measured so as to react instantly and/or appropriately to specific pressures or pressure ranges by controlling the liquid jet device. For example, a relatively low pressure may indicate that a user is inhaling and that accordingly droplets should be ej ected, whereas a relatively high pressure - or pressure close to the room pressure - may indicate that the ej ection of droplets should be stopped .

The magni fied inset of Figure 3A depicts a further embodiment in which the air pressure sensor comprises a membrane 221 arranged co-planar in an opening 222 of the base part 11 when for example implemented as printed circuit board ( PCB ) . In this way, a pressure sensor can be formed ef ficiently and reliably in connection with a PCB as the base part 11 .

Further, the configuration as a PCB may directly allow the routing of conducting lines on the base part toward the membrane 221 so as to detect its pressure-induced deflection by an accordingly varying electric resistance , capacitance or voltage . Further, this embodiment allows for an implementation even of a larger number of pressure sensors in the very vicinity of the liquid j et device so as to detect for example homogeneity or flow direction of the air/droplet mixture .

Figure 3B shows a schematic view of a MEMS configuration of liquid j et devices together with a second component according to an embodiment of the present invention . Speci fically, the at least one second component 22 comprises heating arrangement 223 configured to pre-heat air before it is mixed with said drops . Speci fically, the second component 22 can heat the air in the vicinity of the liquid j et device to a predetermined temperature T . In the context o f generating liquid drops or vapour that is to be inhaled by a user, the temperature of the inhaled aerosol/air mixture can be of substantial importance : First , the absorption by the body of any active medical agents may highly depend on temperature . Second, also in the case of aromas and leisure applications , the temperature of the inhaled mixture may greatly af fect user experience . In addition to these more or less obj ective reasons , the temperature of the inhaled mixture may of course also be subj ect to individual taste and preferences , which can all be addressed ef ficiently and in a compact device by the respective embodiments of the present invention .

The magni fied inset of Figure 3B depicts a further embodiment in which the heating arrangement comprises a heating wire 223 formed as a trace on said printed circuit board which can be replaced or accompanied by heating wire being through-hole mounted to said printed circuit board 11 . In further embodiments the printed circuit board 11 comprises one or more openings 224 arranged to guide an air flow in thermal vicinity to said heating wire . For example , the layout of the openings may be adj usted to the layout of the heating traces so that traces partially surround an opening on the surface 111 of the printed circuit board 11 . Moreover, this can be used to form a plurality of openings with optionally selectable heating traces at their respective openings .

Figures 4 shows a schematic view of a mixing chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention . In this embodiment the vapour generation assembly 10 further comprises a cover 300 arranged to form a mixing chamber 3 together with said base part 11 . The cover 300 may be arranged atop the surface 111 of the base part 10 so as to form an enclosure having fluid access to an air inlet and toward a mouthpiece . The liquid j et device as the first component 21 may ej ect the droplets 217 into the so formed chamber 3 . In a further embodiment , the cover 300 may comprise features 301 that guide and/or restrict air flow inside the chamber 3 . In a further embodiment , these features 301 may interact with openings 224 in the base part 11 so as to guide the air flow from an under side of the base part 11 to a top side of the base part in a meandering and/or alternating fashion . In this way, for example , the air may be guided ef ficiently along a surface of the base part 11 which can exchange heat to the air when for example heated by traces 223 on or in the base part 11 , e . g . in the form of a printed circuit board . Again, the traces may be replaced or complemented by heating wire and/or coils that can be surface soldered or through-hole mounted to or in the PCB .

Although detailed embodiments have been described, these only serve to provide a better understanding of the invention defined by the independent claims and are not to be seen as limiting .

Claims

1 . A vapour generation assembly for generating a vapour that can be inhaled by a user, the assembly comprising : a planar base part providing at least one surface for mounting a plurality of components ; a first component mounted on said base part and forming a liquid j et device comprising a fluid chamber, an ej ection noz zle and a supply channel embedded in a substrate , said first component being configured to generate drops of a liquid on demand; at least one second component mounted on said base part and forming an air flow management device , said second component being configured to manage air that is to be mixed with said drops to generate the vapour to be inhaled by the user .

2 . The vapour generation assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one second component comprises an air pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of air to be mixed with the drops and/or air mixed with the drops .

3 . The vapour generation assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least one second component comprises a heating arrangement configured to pre-heat air before it is mixed with said drops .

4 . The vapour generation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the base part is formed as one piece .

5 . The vapour generation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the base part is formed from a printed circuit board, preferably a planar printed circuit board . The vapour generation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the base part is formed from a flexible printed circuit board . The vapour generation assembly according to claims 2 and 5 , wherein the air pressure sensor comprises a membrane arranged co-planar in an opening of the printed circuit board . The vapour generation assembly according to claim 3 and any one of 5 and 6 , wherein the heating arrangement comprises a heating wire formed as a trace on said printed circuit board . The vapour generation assembly according to claim 3 and any one of 5 and 6 , wherein the heating arrangement comprises a heating wire being through-hole mounted to said printed circuit board . The vapour generation assembly according to 7 or 8 , wherein the printed circuit board compri ses one or more openings arranged to guide an air flow in thermal vicinity to said heating wire . The vapour generation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , further comprising a cover arranged to form a mixing chamber together with said base part . The vapour generation assembly according to claim 11 , wherein said cover comprises features to guide and/or limit airflow in the mixing chamber . The vapour generation assembly according to claim 12 , wherein said features guiding and/or limiting the airflow interact with opening in the base part . An inhalation device comprising a vapour generation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , a power source , and a control and driving circuit , the inhalation device further being configured to hold an amount of a liquid from which said drops can be generated .