Systems and methods of aerosol delivery with airflow regulation

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for aerosolizing and delivering therapeutic substances in an electronic aerosol delivery device with airflow regulation. Calibrated airflow resistance settings enable adjustment and control of flow velocity and or flow volume of air, aerosolized air, and or entrained aerosol particles, through the device, for optimal aerosol delivery among diverse conditions and applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol delivery device having a structure comprising a housing, an at least one ambient/unaerosolized air inlet, an at least one aerosolized air outlet, and an at least one airflow passage therebetween/therein;
 said aerosol delivery device further comprising an at least one aerosol generating element producing an aerosol from an at least one aerosolizable substance or formulation with the use of electrical energy and without the use of compressed/pressurized gas;   said aerosol delivery device further having an at least one airflow through said housing produced by a user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device and entraining said aerosol when generated;   wherein said at least one airflow is controllable in velocity, volume, or a combination thereof as said at least one ambient/unaerosolized air inlet, said at least one aerosolized air outlet, said at least one airflow passage, or a combination thereof undergoes an at least one physical change selected from changes in size, angle, shape, biasing resistance to flow, number of apertures, shunting of airflow, or a combination thereof;   said at least one physical change is modulated by user/digital input to control said at least one airflow and to regulate an at least one parameter selected from user inhalation resistance, user inhalation duration, user inhalation rate, aerosol delivery efficiency, targeting of aerosol to different user airway regions, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said user/digital input is selected from user inhalation, user touch, user speech/sound, user programming, user selection, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least two physical change settings when said at least one physical change is modulated by user/digital input. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising marked/digitized indicia, preferably calibrated indicia, adapted to be presented to the user and further representing said at least one parameter selected from user inhalation resistance, user inhalation duration, user inhalation rate, aerosol delivery efficiency, targeting of aerosol to different user airway regions, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an at least one airflow sensor, pressure sensor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an at least one airflow indicator, pressure indicator, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an at least one airflow valve, pressure valve, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising said at least one aerosolizable substance or formulation, said at least one aerosolizable substance or formulation preferably comprising epinephrine, bronchodilator, anticholinergic, nicotine, cannabinoid, opioid, insulin, antibiotic, prostacyclin, interluekin, cytokine, vaccine, immunosuppressant, immunomodulator, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or combination, analogue, or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an at least one holding/storage area, chamber, reservoir, or combination thereof for said at least one aerosolizable substance or formulation. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an at least one power button/switch. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an at least one airflow filter. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device interacts with at least one additional airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device so that these airflows meet in at least partially counterposing directions to at least partially negatively interfere with each other; the resulting at least partial negative interference adapted to change/control the velocity and or trajectory of at least one of these airflows. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device interacts with at least one additional airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device so that these airflows meet in at least somewhat parallel directions to at least partially positively interfere with each other; the resulting at least partial positive interference adapted to enhance the velocity and trajectory of at least one of these airflows. 
     
     
         14 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein an at least one angle of incidence between at least two said at least one airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device is modulated by user/digital input to control said at least one airflow. 
     
     
         15 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein an at least one angle of incidence between at least two said at least one airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device is modulated automatically by airflow, user inhalation rate, user inhalation force, airflow sensor relay feedback or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein an at least one angle of incidence between at least two said at least one airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device is modulated to limit/restrict airflow, airflow velocity, airflow volume, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein an at least one angle of incidence between at least two said at least one airflow through said housing produced by said user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device is modulated to control/change airflow, airflow velocity, airflow volume, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an at least one dial, switch, valve, lever, or a combination thereof to control said at least one airflow. 
     
     
         19 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least two aerosol generating settings to vary the amount and or properties of aerosol generated by said at least one aerosol generating element. 
     
     
         20 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least two aerosol generating settings to vary the amount and or properties of aerosol generated by said at least one aerosol generating element; the selection of said at least two aerosol generating settings determined automatically by airflow, user inhalation rate, user inhalation force, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least two aerosol generating settings to vary the amount and or properties of aerosol generated by said at least one aerosol generating element; the selection of said at least two aerosol generating settings determined automatically by airflow, user inhalation rate, user inhalation force, type of said aerosolizable substance/formulation, or a combination thereof, by a relay/feedback from an at least one airflow sensor, pressure sensor, reader, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to provide for a sustained maximal inhalation when a user is able to sustain for a period of inhalation a negative pressure, airflow rate, or a combination thereof that is at least as great as the negative pressure threshold setting, airflow rate threshold setting, or a combination thereof selected by said user/digital input. 
     
     
         23 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to provide strength training of the muscles involved in respiration and help maintain lung elasticity. 
     
     
         24 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to provide incentive inhalation feedback to said user; said incentive inhalation feedback selected from visual incentive signals, auditory incentive signals, vibrations, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to only allow ambient/unaerosolized air to enter when said user is inhaling or inhaling sufficiently from said aerosol delivery device. 
     
     
         26 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein aerosol generation is activated/actuated and coordinated with the breathing cycle so that said aerosolizable substance or formulation is conserved until/between periods of user inhalation. 
     
     
         27 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to provide proper breathing technique/training for optimized aerosol delivery. 
     
     
         28 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to limit/constrain airflow, airflow velocity, airflow volume, airflow rate, user inhalation rate, user generated negative pressure, or a combination thereof to a range conducive for aerosol delivery efficiency, accuracy and precision, and limiting or preventing deviation; limiting or preventing intra-user and or inter-user variability when using said aerosol delivery device. 
     
     
         29 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to selectively target aerosols to one or more different airway regions; one or more different airway regions comprising the upper airways, upper respiratory tract, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, lower airways, lower respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, lungs, bronchioles, deep lung, alveoli where systemic exchange takes place, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to receive electrical energy from an electrical wall socket/outlet, battery, rechargeable battery, or a combination thereof to power said at least one aerosol generating element. 
     
     
         31 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further adapted to receive electrical energy to recharge an at least one associated battery that powers said at least one aerosol generating element; said electrical energy is received via an at least one power adapter, AC/DC power adapter, AC power connector, AC adapter inlet/socket, AC adapter outlet, AC power adapter, AC adapter power cord, AC power cord, DC power connectors, DC adapter inlet/socket, DC adapter outlet, DC power adapter, DC adapter power cord, DC power cord, male USB fitting, female USB fitting, USB adapter inlet/socket, USB adapter outlet, USB power adapter, USB power cord, USB cord, male micro-USB fitting, female micro-USB fitting, micro-USB adapter inlet/socket, micro-USB adapter outlet, micro-USB power adapter, micro-USB power cord, micro-USB cord, male mini-USB fitting, female mini-USB fitting, mini-USB adapter inlet/socket, mini-USB adapter outlet, mini-USB power adapter, mini-USB power cord, mini-USB cord, fuel cell, micro-turbine, wireless power transfer source, inductive coupling receiver, capacitive coupling receiver, charging pad/surface, or a combination or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said at least one ambient/unaerosolized air inlet, said at least one aerosolized air out, and said at least one airflow passage therebetween/therein are structurally associated with an at least one aerosol chamber of said aerosol delivery device. 
     
     
         33 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in claim lfurther not associated with nor having compressed/pressurized gas. 
     
     
         34 . The aerosol delivery device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least two different aerosolizable substances or formulations and further aerosolizing said at least two different aerosolizable substances or formulations separately, sequentially, or simultaneously. 
     
     
         35 . An aerosol delivery device having a structure comprising a housing, an at least one air inlet, an at least one aerosolized air outlet, and an at least one airflow passage therebetween/therein;
 said aerosol delivery device further comprising an at least one aerosol generating element producing an aerosol from an at least one aerosolizable substance or formulation with the use of electrical energy to produce vaporizing heat, vibration, or a combination thereof, without the use of compressed/pressurized gas;   said aerosol delivery device further having an at least one airflow through said housing produced by a user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device and entraining said aerosol when generated;   said aerosol delivery device further having an at least one rechargeable battery that at least powers the at least one aerosol generating element;   said at least one rechargeable battery receives electrical energy via an at least one power adapter, AC/DC power adapter, AC power connector, AC adapter inlet/socket, AC adapter outlet, AC power adapter, AC adapter power cord, AC power cord, DC power connectors, DC adapter inlet/socket, DC adapter outlet, DC power adapter, DC adapter power cord, DC power cord, male USB fitting, female USB fitting, USB adapter inlet/socket, USB adapter outlet, USB power adapter, USB power cord, USB cord, male micro-USB fitting, female micro-USB fitting, micro-USB adapter inlet/socket, micro-USB adapter outlet, micro-USB power adapter, micro-USB power cord, micro-USB cord, male mini-USB fitting, female mini-USB fitting, mini-USB adapter inlet/socket, mini-USB adapter outlet, mini-USB power adapter, mini-USB power cord, mini-USB cord, fuel cell, micro-turbine, wireless power transfer source, inductive coupling receiver, capacitive coupling receiver, charging pad/surface, or a combination or derivative thereof.   
     
     
         36 . An aerosol delivery device having a structure comprising a housing, an at least one air inlet, an at least one aerosolized air outlet, and an at least one airflow passage therebetween/therein;
 said aerosol delivery device further comprising an at least one aerosol generating element producing an aerosol from an at least one aerosolizable substance or formulation with the use of electrical energy and without the use of compressed/pressurized gas;   said aerosol delivery device further having an at least one airflow through said housing produced by a user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device and entraining said aerosol when generated;   said aerosol delivery device further having an adjustable airflow restriction of said at least one airflow as said at least one air inlet, said at least one aerosolized air outlet, said at least one airflow passage, or a combination thereof undergoes an at least one physical change selected from changes in size, angle, shape, biasing resistance to flow, number of apertures, shunting of airflow, or a combination thereof;   said at least one physical change is modulated by user/digital input to control said adjustable airflow restriction and to regulate an at least one parameter selected from user inhalation resistance, user inhalation duration, user inhalation rate, aerosol delivery efficiency, targeting of aerosol to different user airway regions, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         37 . An aerosol delivery device having a structure comprising a housing, an at least one air inlet, an at least one aerosolized air outlet, and an at least one airflow passage therebetween/therein;
 said aerosol delivery device further comprising an at least one aerosol generating element producing an aerosol from an at least one aerosolizable substance or formulation with the use of electrical energy and without the use of compressed/pressurized gas;   said aerosol delivery device further having an at least one airflow through said housing produced by a user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device and entraining said aerosol when generated;   said aerosol delivery device further having an at least one negative pressure within said housing produced by a user inhaling from said aerosol delivery device;   wherein said at least one negative pressure is adjustable as said at least one air inlet, said at least one aerosolized air outlet, said at least one airflow passage, or a combination thereof undergoes an at least one physical change selected from changes in size, angle, shape, biasing resistance to flow, number of apertures, shunting of airflow, or a combination thereof;   said at least one physical change is modulated by user/digital input to control said at least one negative pressure and to regulate an at least one parameter selected from user inhalation resistance, user inhalation duration, user inhalation rate, aerosol delivery efficiency, targeting of aerosol to different user airway regions, or a combination thereof.