A nitric oxide delivery system, which includes a gas bottle having nitrogen dioxide in air, converts nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide and employs a surface-active material, such as silica gel, coated with an aqueous solution of antioxidant, such as ascorbic acid. A nitric oxide delivery system may be used to generate therapeutic gas including nitric oxide for use in delivering the therapeutic gas to a mammal.

Vaporization element, device and method for vaporizing phyto material. A hollow member defining a fluid pathway is positioned proximate a heating element with a phyto material contact surface. An electrical heater is positioned on the opposite side of the phyto material contact surface. Phyto material or extract deposited on the phyto material contact surface can be vaporized by heat from the electrical heater. The vapor can enter the fluid pathway and pass through the hollow member to an inhalation aperture. The electrical heater may be powered by an electrical power source provided in a support unit. The hollow member can be mounted to a vapor processing device that cools and/or filters the vapor before it reaches the inhalation aperture. The support unit may have securement mechanisms to attach the vapor processing device to the vaporization device.

A medical agent inhaler includes a body that is provided therein with a container accommodating chamber, a tubular mouthpiece that protrudes upward from the body, an inhalation passage having a first end that is open to a container accommodating part and a second end that is open to an upper end of the mouthpiece, a container that is accommodated in the container accommodating part and is provided therein with a medical agent accommodating chamber of which an upper side is formed as an opening, the container being capable of switching positions between a dosing position where the opening of the medical agent accommodating chamber is communicated with the inhalation passage and a storage position where the opening is separated from the inhalation passage, and an inflow passage that is disposed on the body to be positioned closer to the upper side than the container accommodating part.

A medical agent inhaler includes a body that is provided therein with a container accommodating chamber, a tubular mouthpiece that protrudes upward from the body, an inhalation passage having a first end that is open to a container accommodating part and a second end that is open to an upper end of the mouthpiece, a container that is accommodated in the container accommodating part and is provided therein with a medical agent accommodating chamber of which an upper side is formed as an opening, the container being capable of switching positions between a dosing position where the opening of the medical agent accommodating chamber is communicated with the inhalation passage and a storage position where the opening is separated from the inhalation passage, and an inflow passage that is disposed on the body to be positioned closer to the upper side than the container accommodating part.

A heating element assembly for a vaporizing apparatus can include a housing, a heating element disposed within the housing, a magnetic connector, and a spacing member. The housing can comprise an outer wall defining an inner bore and a base portion disposed within the inner bore, the base portion defining an upper well portion and a lower well portion. The upper well portion can receive at least a portion of a therapeutic agent container. The heating element can increase in temperature when a current is applied. The magnetic connector can be disposed at least partially within the housing and coupled to the heating element. The spacing member can be disposed between the heating element and the magnetic connector. The magnetic connector can be configured to couple an electric power source.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.

Some embodiments are directed to an adherence monitor for use with a tethered cap inhaler device. The adherence monitor engages the inhaler device, and includes a tether opening located within a housing of the adherence monitor for receiving the tether. The tether opening is in the form of a slot in a base portion of the housing. The path length of the tether around the adherence monitor is kept from being increased, compared to its path length when the adherence monitor is not attached to the inhaler, by having the slot located to allow the tether to pass through the slot. Various sensors of the adherence monitor in various embodiments detect inhaler usage.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.

A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler includes: a power supply able to discharge power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol source; a connector able to be electrically connected to an external power supply; a control device configured to control at least one of charging and discharging of the power supply or configured to be able to convert power which is input from the connector into charging power for the power supply; and a zener diode provided between the connector and the control device so as to be connected in parallel with the control device. A maximum value of zener voltage of the zener diode is lower than a maximum operation guarantee voltage of the control device.