Sealed nebulizer liquid reservoir systems and methods

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are described for sealing a nebulizer's liquid reservoir. A nebulizer liquid reservoir may be provided that is in fluid communication with an aerosol generator. The nebulizer liquid reservoir may have an open end and a headspace. A cap may be placed on the open end of the nebulizer liquid reservoir, wherein the cap partially fills the headspace of the nebulizer liquid reservoir. The cap can include a plunger that passes through the cap and allows for air to escape from the headspace of the nebulizer liquid reservoir through the cap. The cap can seal the nebulizer liquid reservoir by actuating the plunger to a locked position. The plunger may create an airtight seal with the cap when in the locked position. An ambient pressure may be maintained in the sealed nebulizer liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nebulizer system comprising:
 an aerosol generator comprising an aperture plate, wherein the aperture plate is vibrated to aerosolize a liquid;   a liquid reservoir having an open end, wherein the liquid reservoir is configured to store the liquid such that a headspace is present within the liquid reservoir as the liquid reservoir discharges the liquid to the aerosol generator;   a cap for sealing the liquid reservoir and decreasing a volume of the headspace of the liquid reservoir, wherein:
 the cap comprises a plunger that passes through the cap; 
 when the plunger is in an unlocked position, an air escape route is present that allows air to pass between the headspace and an external environment through the cap; 
 when the plunger is in a locked position; the air escape route is sealed such that air cannot pass between the headspace and the external environment through the cap; 
 following the liquid reservoir being sealed with the cap, the cap maintains ambient pressure in the sealed liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed; and 
 a negative pressure, as compared with an external environment, develops within the liquid reservoir as liquid is discharged from the liquid reservoir after the liquid reservoir has been sealed using the cap. 
   
     
     
         2 . The nebulizer system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plunger further comprises a stopper; and   when the plunger is in the locked position, the stopper creates a seal against a surface of the cap.   
     
     
         3 . The nebulizer system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the plunger further comprises a unidirectional lock, wherein the unidirectional lock prevents the plunger from being moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.   
     
     
         4 . The nebulizer system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the plunger is partially pulled through the cap to cause the plunger to enter the locked position from the unlocked position.   
     
     
         5 . The nebulizer system of  claim 3 , wherein the unidirectional lock creates a second seal against a second surface of the cap. 
     
     
         6 . The nebulizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a flange that creates a seal between the cap and an inner surface of the liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The nebulizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises an O-ring that creates a seal between the cap and an inner surface of the liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The nebulizer system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is shaped to partially descend within the liquid reservoir such that the cap eliminates a portion of the headspace within the liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . A liquid storage system for a nebulizer, comprising:
 a liquid reservoir having an open end, wherein the liquid reservoir is configured to store a liquid such that a headspace is present within the liquid reservoir and to supply the liquid to an aerosol generator;   a cap for sealing the liquid reservoir and decreasing a volume of the headspace of the liquid reservoir, wherein:
 the cap comprises a plunger that passes through the cap; 
 when the plunger is in an unlocked position, an air escape route is present that allows air to pass between the headspace and an external environment; 
 when the plunger is in a locked position; the air escape route is sealed such that air cannot pass between the headspace and the external environment; 
 following the liquid reservoir being sealed with the cap, the cap maintains ambient pressure in the sealed liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed; and 
 a negative pressure, as compared with an external environment, develops within the liquid reservoir as liquid is discharged from the liquid reservoir after the liquid reservoir has been sealed using the cap. 
   
     
     
         10 . The liquid storage system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the plunger further comprises a stopper; and   when the plunger is in the locked position, the stopper creates a seal against a surface of the cap.   
     
     
         11 . The liquid storage system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the plunger further comprises a unidirectional lock, wherein the unidirectional lock prevents the plunger from being moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.   
     
     
         12 . The liquid storage system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the plunger is partially pulled through the cap to cause the plunger to enter the locked position from the unlocked position.   
     
     
         13 . The liquid storage system of  claim 12 , wherein the unidirectional lock creates a second seal against a second surface of the cap. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid storage system of  claim 9 , wherein the cap further comprises a flange that creates a seal between the cap and an inner surface of the liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid storage system of  claim 9 , wherein the cap further comprises an O-ring that creates a seal between the cap and an inner surface of the liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid storage system of  claim 9 , wherein the cap is shaped to descend within the liquid reservoir such that the cap eliminates a portion of the headspace within the liquid reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . A method for sealing a nebulizer liquid reservoir, the method comprising:
 providing a nebulizer liquid reservoir that is in fluid communication with an aerosol generator, the aerosol generator comprising an aperture plate;   storing a liquid in the nebulizer liquid reservoir, wherein the nebulizer liquid reservoir has an open end and a headspace;   placing a cap on the open end of the nebulizer liquid reservoir, wherein the cap partially fills the headspace of the nebulizer liquid reservoir and the cap comprises:
 a plunger that passes through the cap and allows for air to escape from the headspace of the nebulizer liquid reservoir through the cap; 
   sealing the nebulizer liquid reservoir by actuating the plunger to a locked position, wherein:
 the plunger creates an airtight seal with the cap when in the locked position; 
 an ambient pressure is maintained in the sealed nebulizer liquid reservoir until a portion of the liquid is dispensed; and 
   vibrating the aperture plate to dispense the portion of the liquid from the nebulizer liquid reservoir, wherein:
 dispensing the portion of the liquid decreases an amount of the liquid in the sealed nebulizer liquid reservoir; and 
 decreasing the amount of the liquid in the sealed nebulizer liquid reservoir creates a negative pressure within the nebulizer liquid reservoir as compared to the ambient pressure. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein sealing the nebulizer liquid reservoir by actuating the plunger to the locked position comprises partially pulling the plunger through the cap such that a unidirectional lock of the plunger engages with a surface of the cap. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein sealing the nebulizer liquid reservoir by actuating the plunger to the locked position comprises a stopper of the plunger forming a seal with a surface of the cap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 forming a seal between an interior surface of the nebulizer liquid reservoir and the cap prior to sealing the nebulizer liquid reservoir by actuating the plunger to the locked position.