Mesh nebulizer systems

Abstract

A nebulizer system is disclosed, and comprises a first portion and a second portion configured for selectably receiving and electrically connecting to the first portion. The first portion includes a first housing for containing fluid, a vibratable mesh which seals a first outer opening of the first housing and configured to release fluid from the first housing through the first outer opening, first electrical conductors electrically connected to the vibratable mesh, a wick arranged such that vibration of the vibratable mesh causes release of fluid from the wick, and a biasing member compressing the wick against the vibratable mesh. The second portion includes a second housing having a second outer opening, second electrical conductors for contact with the first electrical conductors, and control electronics electrically connected to the second electrical conductors and configured to control the vibratable mesh to cause fluid release from the first housing through the outer openings.

1 . An inhaler system comprising:
 (i) a first portion including:
 a first housing configured to contain fluid and having a first outer opening, 
 a vibratable mesh sealing the first outer opening of the first housing and configured to release fluid from the first housing through the first outer opening, 
 first electrical conductors electrically connected to the vibratable mesh and configured for outer electrical contact, 
 a wick located inside the first housing and arranged such that vibration of the vibratable mesh causes release of fluid from the wick, and 
 a biasing member compressing the wick against the vibratable mesh; and 
   (ii) a second portion configured for selectably receiving and electrically connecting to the first portion, the second portion including:
 a second housing having a second outer opening, 
 second electrical conductors configured to contact the first electrical conductors when the first portion is received by the second portion, 
 control electronics electrically connected to the second electrical conductors and configured to control the vibratable mesh to cause release of fluid from the first housing through the first and second outer openings, and 
 a nozzle at the second outer opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first interface printed circuit board which includes or supports the first electrical conductors. 
     
     
         3 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes a second interface printed circuit board which includes or supports the second electrical conductors. 
     
     
         4 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring. 
     
     
         5 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second electrical conductors include compressive electrical connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibratable mesh is a piezo-ceramic element. 
     
     
         7 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion further comprises a power source electrically connected to and providing electrical power to the control electronics. 
     
     
         8 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibratable mesh is held between two elastic material membranes at the first outer opening. 
     
     
         9 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , further comprising actuator electronics electrically connected to, or integral with, the control electronics, and configured, upon activation, to trigger release of fluid from the first housing. 
     
     
         10 . The inhaler system of  claim 9 , wherein the second portion includes an actuator surface configured to be pressed by a user to cause activation of the actuator electronics. 
     
     
         11 . The inhaler system of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator electronics include a pressure sensor configured to detect air flow through the nozzle of the second portion. 
     
     
         12 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle has a hydrophobic interior surface. 
     
     
         13 . An inhaler system comprising:
 (i) a first portion including:
 a first housing configured to contain fluid and having a first outer opening, 
 a vibratable mesh held between two elastic material membranes at the first outer opening, sealing the first outer opening, and configured to release fluid from the first housing through the first outer opening, 
 first electrical conductors electrically connected to the vibratable mesh and configured for outer electrical contact, and 
 a wick located inside the first housing and arranged such that vibration of the vibratable mesh causes release of fluid from the wick; and 
   (ii) a second portion configured for selectably receiving and electrically connecting to the first portion, the second portion including:
 a second housing having a second outer opening, 
 second electrical conductors configured to contact the first electrical conductors when the first portion is received by the second portion, 
 control electronics electrically connected to the second electrical conductors and configured to control the vibratable mesh to cause release of fluid from the first housing through the first and second outer openings, and 
 a nozzle at the second outer opening. 
   
     
     
         14 . A cartridge comprising:
 a housing configured to contain fluid and having an outer opening;   a vibratable mesh which is held between two elastic material membranes at the outer opening, which seals the outer opening of the housing, and which is configured to release fluid from the housing through the outer opening;   electrical conductors electrically connected to the vibratable mesh and configured for outer electrical contact;   a wick located inside the first housing and arranged such that vibration of the vibratable mesh causes release of fluid from the wick; and   a biasing member compressing the wick against the vibratable mesh.   
     
     
         15 . The inhaler system of  claim 14 , further comprising a memory configured to store information regarding fluid contained in the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The inhaler system of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle includes a tapered passageway. 
     
     
         17 . The inhaler system of  claim 13 , wherein the nozzle has a hydrophobic interior surface. 
     
     
         18 . The inhaler system of  claim 13 , wherein the nozzle includes a tapered passageway. 
     
     
         19 . The inhaler system of  claim 7 , wherein the second outer opening and the power source are located at opposite lateral ends of the second portion. 
     
     
         20 . The inhaler system of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion further comprises a power source electrically connected to and providing electrical power to the control electronics, and wherein the second outer opening and the power source are located at opposite lateral ends of the second portion.