High modulus polymeric ejector mechanism, ejector device, and methods of use

Abstract

An ejector device and method of delivering safe, suitable, and repeatable dosages to a subject for topical, oral, nasal, or pulmonary use is disclosed. The ejector device includes a housing, a reservoir disposed within the housing for receiving a volume of fluid, and an ejector mechanism in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to eject a stream of droplets, the ejector mechanism comprising an ejector plate coupled to a generator plate and a piezoelectric actuator; the piezoelectric actuator being operable to oscillate the ejector plate, and thereby the generator plate, at a frequency and generate a directed stream of droplets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for delivering a fluid to a target, the device comprising:
 a housing;   a reservoir disposed within the housing for receiving a volume of fluid; and   an ejector mechanism in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to eject a stream of droplets, the ejector mechanism comprising an ejector plate coupled to a high modulus polymeric generator plate and a piezoelectric actuator;   the high modulus polymeric generator plate including a plurality of openings formed through its thickness; and   the piezoelectric actuator being operable to oscillate the ejector plate, and thereby the high modulus polymeric generator plate, at a frequency and generate a directed stream of droplets.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings are configured to provide desired three-dimensional geometry and shape and are formed via laser micromachining. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said plurality of openings are shaped so as to comprise a fluid entrance orifice, an entrance cavity, a capillary channel, and a fluid exit orifice. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the high modulus polymer generator plate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), talc-filled PEEK, polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF), and polyetherimide. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the ejector plate has a central open region aligned with the high modulus polymeric generator plate, and the piezoelectric actuator is coupled to a peripheral region of the ejector plate so as to not obstruct the plurality of openings of the high modulus polymeric generator plate. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of openings of the high modulus polymeric generator plate are disposed in a center region of the high modulus polymeric generator plate that is uncovered by the piezoelectric actuator and aligned with the central open region of the ejector plate. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the high modulus polymeric generator plate has a reduced size relative to the ejector plate, and the size of the high modulus polymeric generator plate is determined, at least in part, by the area occupied by the center region and the arrangement of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , having an average ejected droplet diameter greater than 15 microns, the stream of droplets having low entrained airflow such that the stream of droplets deposit on a target during use. 
     
     
         9 . An ejector mechanism configured to eject a stream of droplets, the ejector mechanism comprising:
 an ejector plate coupled to a high modulus polymeric generator plate and a piezoelectric actuator;   the high modulus polymeric generator plate including a plurality of openings formed through its thickness; and   the piezoelectric actuator being operable to oscillate the ejector plate, and thereby the high modulus polymeric generator plate, at a frequency and generate a directed stream of droplets.   
     
     
         10 . The ejector mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein one or more of said plurality of openings are shaped so as to comprise a fluid entrance orifice, an entrance cavity, a capillary channel, and a fluid exit orifice. 
     
     
         11 . The ejector mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein each of said plurality of openings are shaped so as to comprise a fluid entrance orifice, an entrance cavity, a capillary channel, and a fluid exit orifice, and wherein each opening comprises an overall pitch length. 
     
     
         12 . The ejector mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the high modulus polymer generator plate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), talc-filled PEEK, polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF), and polyetherimide. 
     
     
         13 . The ejector mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the ejector plate has a central open region aligned with the high modulus polymeric generator plate, and the piezoelectric actuator is coupled to a peripheral region of the ejector plate so as to not obstruct the plurality of openings of the high modulus polymeric generator plate. 
     
     
         14 . The ejector mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of openings of the high modulus polymeric generator plate are disposed in a center region of the high modulus polymeric generator plate that is uncovered by the piezoelectric actuator and aligned with the central open region of the ejector plate. 
     
     
         15 . The ejector mechanism of  claim 14 , wherein the high modulus polymeric generator plate has a reduced size relative to the ejector plate, and the size of the high modulus polymeric generator plate is determined, at least in part, by the area occupied by the center region and the arrangement of the plurality of openings.