Methods and apparatus for nicotine delivery reduction

Abstract

A nicotine delivery reduction system includes an electronic cigarette having a breath monitor and a flow controller. The breath monitor detects user breath characteristics such as breath duration, rate, depth, and strength and adjusts the amount of nicotine delivered to the user based on user breath characteristics. In particular examples, if the user is breathing with more urgency, additional nicotine is delivered to the user. The nicotine delivery reduction system also includes an interface to allow implementation of different reduction programs based on personal preferences and characteristics. If the user is breathing normally, the flow controller gradually reduces the level of nicotine delivered to the user. The nicotine delivery reduction system maintains user breath characteristics over time to allow reduction and possible elimination of nicotine dependence. Neuro-response data including electroencephalography (EEG) can be obtained and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of a nicotine reduction program.

1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a nicotine delivery reduction program at a flow controller included in an electronic cigarette;   reducing an amount of nicotine provided to a user according to the nicotine delivery reduction program;   monitoring breath characteristics associated with the user;   temporarily increasing the amount of nicotine provided to the user upon detecting a change in breath characteristics including increased breath rate and/or increased breath depth.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of nicotine provided is reduced by atomizing a reduced amount of nicotine solution. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of nicotine provided is reduced by mixing nicotine solution with a non-nicotine substance. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic cigarette includes the flow controller, a flow monitor, a solution cartridge, and an interface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the electronic cigarette further includes a processor, a memory, and a mouthpiece. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein breath characteristics are monitored for fluctuations. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reducing the amount of nicotine provided to the user upon detecting decreased breath rate and/or decreased breath depth. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising obtaining neuro-response data including electroencephalography (EEG) data associated with the user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the EEG data is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the nicotine delivery reduction program. 
     
     
         10 . A device, comprising:
 an interface configured to receive a nicotine delivery reduction program;   a flow controller configured to reduce an amount of nicotine provided to a user according to the nicotine delivery reduction program;   a flow monitor configured to monitor breath characteristics associated with the user, wherein the flow controller is configured to temporarily increase the amount of nicotine provided to the user upon detecting a change in breath characteristics including increased breath rate and/or increased breath depth.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the amount of nicotine provided is reduced by atomizing a reduced amount of nicotine solution. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the amount of nicotine provided is reduced by mixing nicotine solution with a non-nicotine substance. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the electronic cigarette includes the flow controller, the flow monitor, a solution cartridge, and the interface. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the electronic cigarette further includes a processor, a memory, and a mouthpiece. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein breath characteristics are monitored for fluctuations. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a nicotine solution cartridge having a nicotine solution and a flavoring solution. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a nicotine solution cartridge having multiple nicotine solutions with different nicotine concentrations. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising memory configured to maintain the nicotine delivery reduction program. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising an atomizer configured to convert a nicotine solution into vapor. 
     
     
         20 . An electronic cigarette, comprising:
 means for receiving a nicotine delivery reduction program at a flow controller included in an electronic cigarette;   means for reducing the amount of nicotine provided to the user according to the nicotine delivery reduction program;   means for monitoring breath characteristics associated with the user;   means for temporarily increasing the amount of nicotine provided to the user upon detecting a change in breath characteristics including increased breath rate and/or increased breath depth.