Low temperature electronic vaporization device and methods

Abstract

Low temperature electronic vaporization devices and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein the devices generate an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for generating an aerosol by vaporizing a loose-leaf botanical, the device comprising:
 an elongate outer body having a distal end and a proximal end and a flattened cylindrical shape, wherein the elongate outer body comprises an outer surface that is a thermally conductive shell configured to distribute heat and maintain a low exposed surface temperature;   a mouthpiece through which the aerosol may be drawn;   an oven;   a plurality of openings through the elongate outer body through which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be viewed;   a battery within the elongate outer body;   a controller within the elongate outer body configured to apply power from the battery to regulate the temperature of the oven.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate outer body comprises extruded aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally conductive shell is formed of one part. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the oven comprises a deep-drawn chamber that is longer in an axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end than it is wide in an axis perpendicular to the axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor in communication with the oven and connected to the controller to sense the oven temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the oven comprises an electrical heater wrapped around the oven. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally insulating material on the oven, the thermally insulating material having a low thermal conductivity and a low thermal capacity. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the thermally insulating material comprises a ceramic material. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate outer body has an oval cross-section perpendicular to an axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a proportional integral derivative control loop to control operating temperature at a user-selected temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further wherein the controller dynamically adjusts the set-point during operation. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece is within the distal end of the elongate outer body and wherein the oven is within the proximal end of the elongate outer body. 
     
     
         13 . A device for generating an aerosol by vaporizing a loose-leaf botanical, the device comprising:
 an elongate outer body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the elongate outer body comprises an outer surface that is a thermally conductive extruded aluminum shell configured to distribute heat and maintain a surface temperature below 140 degrees F. during operation, wherein the shell is a single piece;   a mouthpiece through which the aerosol may be drawn within the distal end of the elongate outer body;   an oven within the proximal end of the elongate outer body;   a plurality of openings through the elongate outer body through which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be viewed;   a battery within the elongate outer body;   a controller within the elongate outer body configured to apply power from the battery to regulate the temperature of the oven.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the oven comprises a deep-drawn chamber that is longer in an axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end than it is wide in an axis perpendicular to the axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a thermally insulating material on the oven, the thermally insulating material having a low thermal conductivity and a low thermal capacity. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the thermally insulating material comprises a ceramic material. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the elongate outer body has an oval cross-section perpendicular to an axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller comprises a proportional integral derivative control loop to control operating temperature at a user-selected temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , further wherein the controller dynamically adjusts the set-point during operation. 
     
     
         20 . A device for generating an aerosol by vaporizing a loose-leaf botanical, the device comprising:
 an elongate outer body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the elongate outer body comprises an outer surface that is a thermally conductive extruded aluminum shell configured to distribute heat and maintain a surface temperature below 140 degrees F. during operation, wherein the shell is a single piece;   a mouthpiece through which the aerosol may be drawn within the distal end of the elongate outer body;   an oven within the proximal end of the elongate outer body;   a thermally insulating material on the oven, the thermally insulating material having a low thermal conductivity and a low thermal capacity;   a plurality of openings through the elongate outer body through which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be viewed;   a battery within the elongate outer body;   a controller within the elongate outer body configured to apply power from the battery to regulate the temperature of the oven, wherein the controller comprises a proportional integral derivative control loop to control operating temperature at a user-selected temperature.