Capillary system with fluidic element

Abstract

An aerosol generation system having an aerosol generator wherein a liquid formulation is at least partially volatilized in a capillary passage and discharged from the capillary passage to form an aerosol. The aerosol generation system includes a pumping unit adapted to supply a liquid formulation to the aerosol generator; and a fluidic element located between the pumping unit and the capillary passage of the aerosol generator, wherein the fluidic element increases backpressure of the liquid formulation as the liquid formulation enters the capillary passage of the aerosol generator.

1 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heated capillary passage is located in an aerosol generation system, comprising:
 an aerosol generator wherein a liquid formulation is at least partially vaporized in the capillary passage and discharged from the capillary passage to form an aerosol;   a pumping unit adapted to supply a liquid formulation to the aerosol generator; and   a fluidic element located between the pumping unit and the capillary passage, wherein the fluidic element increases the pressure of the liquid formulation as the liquid formulation enters the capillary passage.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic element reduces particle size in the liquid formulation prior to the liquid formulation entering the capillary passage. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic element reduces clogging of the capillary passage and/or pressure spikes within the capillary passage. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic element is a tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the tubular member has a length of approximately 4 to 12 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the capillary passage is a capillary tube, and wherein an inner diameter of the tubular member is smaller than an inner diameter of the capillary tube. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic element is a coiled tubular element. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the coiled tubular element has a helical shape. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic element is a plate-like element having a non-linear channel therein. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluidic element increases the pressure between the pumping unit and outlet of the capillary passage by approximately 150 psi to 1000 psi at a liquid flow rate of 20 microliters per second (μl/s). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the capillary passage is a capillary tube having an outlet smaller in size than an inner diameter of the capillary passage and wherein the liquid formulation is at least partially vaporized by a heater block. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of liquid formulation containing a lung surfactant adapted for delivery as an aerosol to an infant's lungs. 
     
     
         13 . A method of producing an aerosol comprising:
 supplying a liquid material to a heated capillary passage such that a pressure of the liquid at an inlet to the capillary passage is at least 1000 psi; and   generating an aerosol with the heated capillary passage.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising admixing heated air with the generated aerosol so as to produce a heated aerosol of increased flow rate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising communicating the heated aerosol along a passage to a remote location. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid material enters the inlet of the capillary passage at a pressure of about 1150 psi to 1450 psi. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid material is pumped through a fluidic element of reduced size prior to entering the inlet of the capillary passage. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid material is at least partially volatilized in the capillary passage and the volatilized liquid passes out of an outlet of the capillary passage, the capillary passage having a uniform cross section along the length thereof and the outlet is smaller than the inlet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid material includes a lung surfactant and the aerosol is delivered to a CPAP air delivery line. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid material is pumped continuously to the inlet of the capillary passage at a flow rate of 18 to 22 microliters per second (μl/s). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid material is pumped through a linear or non-linear passage having an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the inlet of the capillary passage.