Ultrasonic fog maker and methods of drug delivery and air freshening

Abstract

An ultrasonic fog generator creates a fog of a liquid such as water. The visual appearance of the fog may be altered such as by being illuminated by one or more lights having one or more colors. Further, the fog may be used to deliver pharmaceuticals to one or both of the lungs of a patient.

1. A housing for an ultrasonic fog generator, the housing comprising:
 a transducer adapted to vibrate ultrasonically, wherein when the housing is positioned in a source comprising a liquid and when the transducer vibrates ultrasonically, the housing is adapted to create a fog from the liquid in the source, the fog emanating from the liquid source; and  
 a visually appealing display adapted to alter an appearance of the fog, the visually appealing display comprising: 
 a stand adapted to support the housing; and  
 at least two lights adapted to radiate light of at least two different colors,  
 
 
       wherein the stand maintains the housing and the liquid source above a surface, and wherein the fog is adapted to fall toward the surface after emerging from the liquid source. 
     
     
       2. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted to be hand-held. 
     
     
       3. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
       4. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the fog is in the form of a mist. 
     
     
       5. The housing according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor.  
 
     
     
       6. The housing according to  claim 5 , wherein the sensor is adapted to monitor a property of the liquid contacting the housing, and wherein a current control system is adapted to stop vibration of the transducer in response to the monitored property. 
     
     
       7. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the colors which the lights are adapted to radiate are variable. 
     
     
       8. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual display further comprises a light diffuser through which the at least two colors of light pass. 
     
     
       9. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is adapted to vibrate to vibrate at between about 1.6 MHz and about 1.8 MHz. 
     
     
       10. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is adapted to vibrate at about 1.7 MHz. 
     
     
       11. The housing according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a fragrance that is dispersed in the fog. 
     
     
       12. A method for adding at least one fragrance to ambient air in a room, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a housing according to  claim 1 , the housing further comprising the at least one fragrance, wherein each of the at least one fragrance is in a substantially liquid form;  
 vibrating ultrasonically the at least one fragrance with the transducer, to create a fog of the at least one fragrance; and  
 emanating the fog formed of the at least one fragrance into the ambient air.  
 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the fragrance is dissolved in a liquid solvent. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 monitoring a property of the at least one fragrance and the liquid solvent in the housing with a sensor.  
 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 stopping the vibrating of the transducer if property of the at least one fragrance and the liquid solvent in the housing, as measured by the sensor, is outside a predetermined range for the property.  
 
     
     
       16. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of vibrating ultrasonically the at least one fragrance with the transducer comprises:
 vibrating the transducer at between about 1.6 MHz and about 1.8 MHz.  
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of vibrating ultrasonically the at least one fragrance with the transducer comprises:
 vibrating the transducer at about 1.7 MHz.