Vibration systems and methods

Abstract

In one arrangement, a vibration system includes a vibratable plate, a support member surrounding the vibratable plate, and a vibration-inducing member surrounding the support member. The vibration-inducing member is configured to radially expand and contract against the support member so as to produce axial vibration of the vibratable plate. In another arrangement, the vibratable plate has an outer circumference; a tubular member is concentrically disposed about the outer circumference of the plate, and an annular vibration-inducing member is concentrically disposed about the outer circumference of the tubular member. The vibration-inducing member is preferably a piezoelectric ring that is radially expandable and contractable against the wall of the tubular member to cause the plate to vibrate in the axial direction.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator comprising: a vibratable member including a center portion and an outer portion disposed about the center portion, the center portion having a plurality of apertures; a support member including an annular surface that is configured to engage a bottom of the outer portion of the vibratable member such that the center portion is held by the support member; a piezoelectric member in communication with the vibratable member; a pair of electric lines in electrical communication with the piezoelectric member; and at least one resilient segment disposed between an upper housing and a lower housing, the at least one resilient segment comprising a first resilient segment disposed relatively above the vibratable member and a second resilient segment disposed relatively below the vibratable member; wherein the piezoelectric member is configured to oscillate the vibratable member in response to the pair of electric lines transmitting an electric current to the piezoelectric member; and wherein the vibratable member and the support member are disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing.

2. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric member includes an annular piezoelectric transducer.

3. The aerosol generator of claim 2, wherein the center portion of the vibratable member is configured to vibrate in response to the annular piezoelectric transducer receiving alternating electric current from the pair of electric lines.

4. The aerosol generator of claim 2, wherein the pair of electric lines contacts an upper surface of the annular piezoelectric transducer.

5. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the vibratable member includes a dome-shaped plate having a diameter smaller than the support member.

6. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the annular surface defines an opening through the support member for receiving the vibratable member through.

7. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures of the vibratable member are tapered.

8. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the vibratable member is configured to aerosolize a liquid in response to the vibratable member oscillating.

9. The aerosol generator of claim 8, wherein the vibratable member is configured to eject the liquid as aerosol droplets via the plurality of apertures.

10. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient segment includes an elastomer seal or O-ring.

11. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the first resilient segment and the second resilient segment suspend the support member between the upper housing and the bottom housing.

12. An aerosol generator comprising: a plate including a dome-shaped center portion with one or more apertures and a flat-shaped outer portion; a support structure including an inner portion configured to engage the flat-shaped outer portion of the plate and suspend the dome-shaped center portion within the support structure; a piezo element in communication with the plate; a pair of electric lines in electrical communication with the piezo element; and at least one resilient segment disposed between an upper housing and a lower housing, the at least one resilient segment comprising a first resilient segment disposed relatively above the plate and a second resilient segment disposed relatively below the plate; wherein the piezo element is configured to oscillate the dome-shaped center portion in response to the pair of electric lines transmitting an electric current to the piezo element; and wherein the plate and the support structure are disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing.

13. The aerosol generator of claim 12, wherein the plate is configured to receive a liquid along the dome-shaped center portion of the plate such that the liquid is disposed over the one or more apertures.

14. The aerosol generator of claim 13, wherein the plate is configured to aerosolize the liquid in response to the piezo element oscillating the dome-shaped center portion.

15. The aerosol generator of claim 14, wherein the plate is configured to eject the liquid through the dome-shaped center portion as aerosol droplets via the one or more apertures.

16. The aerosol generator of claim 12, wherein the at least one resilient segment includes an elastomer seal or O-ring.

17. The aerosol generator of claim 12, wherein the first resilient segment and the second resilient segment suspend the support structure between the upper housing and the bottom housing.

18. An aerosol generator comprising: a vibratable plate including a center portion and an outer portion disposed about the center portion, the center portion having a plurality of apertures; a support member including an annular surface configured to engage a bottom of the outer portion of the vibratable plate such that the center portion is held by the support member and the plurality of apertures are offset from the annular surface of the support member; piezoelectric member in electric communication with the vibratable plate through the support member; a pair of electric lines in electrical communication with the piezoelectric member; and an at least one resilient segment disposed between an upper housing and a lower housing, the at least one resilient segment comprising a first resilient segment disposed relatively above the vibratable plate and a second resilient segment disposed relatively below the vibratable plate; wherein the piezoelectric member is configured to move the support member to thereby oscillate the vibratable plate in response to the pair of electric lines transmitting an electric current to the piezoelectric member, such that a liquid received along the vibratable plate is ejected as aerosolized droplets via the plurality of apertures in response to the vibratable plate oscillating; and wherein the vibratable plate and the support member are disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing.

19. The aerosol generator of claim 18, wherein the at least one resilient segment includes an elastomer seal or O-ring.

20. The aerosol generator of claim 18, wherein the first resilient segment and the second resilient segment suspend the support member between the upper housing and the bottom housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1a and 1b are exploded perspective views of a vibration system of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembled vibration system of FIGS. 1a and 1b.

(3) FIGS. 3a and 3b are cross-sectional side views of the vibration system of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of an aerosolizer according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4b is a partial cross-sectional view of the aerosolizer shown in FIG. 4a.

(6) FIG. 4c is a perspective view of the aerosolizer shown in FIG. 4a.

(7) FIG. 4d is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of an aerosolizer according to the invention.

(8) FIG. 5a is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vibration system according to the invention.

(9) FIG. 5b is a partial cross-sectional view of the vibration system shown in FIG. 5a

(10) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vibration system according to the invention.

(11) FIG. 7a is a perspective view of another embodiment of an aerosolizer according to the invention.

(12) FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional side view of the aerosolizer of FIG. 7a.

(13) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of an aerosolizer system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

(15) It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

(16) Reference herein to “one embodiment”, “one version” or “one aspect” shall include one or more such embodiments, versions or aspects, unless otherwise clear from the context.

(17) In one or more embodiments, the vibration system of the present invention comprises a vibratable plate, a support member surrounding the vibratable plate, and a vibration-inducing member surrounding the support member, wherein the vibration-inducing member is configured to radially expand and contract against the support member so as to produce axial vibration of the vibratable plate. The following detailed description is directed to one preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the vibratable plate is circular, the support member has a circular cross-section, e.g., a tubular member (cylindrical or tapered), into which the circular vibratable plate is disposed, and the vibration-inducing member is an annular disc having a central opening, i.e., a piezoelectric ring, into which the support member is disposed. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(18) The tubular member may be manufactured from a corrosion-resistant metal, for example, stainless steel (preferably grades 316, 303 or 416), titanium, or a C-276 chrome/nickel alloy (e.g., Hastelloy® C-276). The tubular member preferably has relatively thin walls that can be effectively deflected by the piezoelectric ring. In one embodiment, the thickness of the walls of the tubular member is in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably about 0.25 mm. In one embodiment, the tubular member may have a shelf structure disposed around its inner surface to which the periphery of the vibratable plate may be bonded so that it extends across the internal lumen of the tubular member perpendicular to its central axis.

(19) Various piezoelectric rings known in the art may be suitable for use as the annular vibration-inducing member of the present invention. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric ring may comprise any material exhibiting piezoelectric properties, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic material such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or lead metaniobate (PN) and may take the shape of a disc of substantially constant thickness with a central hole. Such piezoelectric rings are commercially available, e.g., from American Piezo Ceramics, Inc. (APC), Mackeyville, Pa., and from Morgan Electro Ceramics (MEC), Fairfield, N.J. The piezoelectric ring may be supplied with an alternating electric current at the selected frequency from a power source; for example, the piezoelectric ring may be electrically connected by wires to a controller that contains the electronics necessary to control the vibration of the piezoelectric ring.

(20) In accordance with the invention, the tubular member is positioned within the center opening of the piezoelectric ring. When actuated by the alternating electrical fields from the controller, the piezoelectric ring expands and contracts in the radial direction against the walls of tubular member in the vicinity of the vibratable plate. This movement of the tubular member walls expands and contracts the periphery of the vibratable plate, thereby forcing the center of the vibratable plate to oscillate in the axial direction, i.e., to move up and down along the central axis of the tubular member. Although the piezoelectric ring may also vibrate in the axial direction and may create a transverse surface wave, only the radial vibration can transmitted to the vibratable plate by the tubular member. In this way, the superposition of conflicting vibration modes is eliminated and efficient translation of electrical energy to mechanical movement is accomplished. The practice of the present invention also allows the vibration system to be installed directly to a rigid body, such as the frame or housing of an aerosolizer, nebulizer or other device, without having the vibration transfer to the entire body. This is mainly because the ends of the tubular member do not vibrate and therefore may be used to install the vibration system to the rigid body.

(21) The invention may be particularly useful when the tubular member is employed to hold an annular aperture plate or other structure having a plurality of apertures. When a liquid is applied to one side of the aperture plate through the tubular member and the piezoelectric ring is actuated, the aperture plate oscillates in a manner that causes liquid droplets to be ejected from the apertures. The resultant aerosol may then be dispensed out the open end of the tubular member.

(22) A particularly useful type of aperture plate is one having tapered apertures that taper from the surface contacting the liquid to the surface where the droplets are ejected. Also, in some embodiments, the aperture plate may be domed shaped, although the invention is not limited to only such aperture plates. Preferred aperture plates may have a thickness in the range of 20 to 100 microns. Examples of piezoelectric materials and aperture plates that may be used with the invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,235,177 and 5,758,637, incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment, the piezoelectric ring may be vibrated at a frequency in the range from about 20 Khz to about 500 Khz, for example, about 128 Khz. In another preferred embodiment, the droplets may have a size suitable for use in pharmaceutics, for example, in the range from about 3 micrometers (μm) to about 6 μm, and the liquid may be aerosolized at a rate in the range from about 5-20 microliters/second.

(23) Referring now to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2, one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Vibration system 10 comprises vibratable plate 101, tubular member 102 and piezoelectric ring 103. Tubular member 102 has an outer circumference 104 and an inner circumference 105, which together define a relatively thin cylindrical wall, preferably having a thickness in the range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The hollow center (lumen) of tubular member 102 terminates in openings 106 and 107 at opposing ends thereof. Mounting structure 111 comprises a circular ridge that projects perpendicularly from inner circumference 105 into the lumen of tubular member 102 at a location, preferably a central location, between openings 106 and 107. Piezoelectric ring 103 comprises an annular disc of piezoelectric material having a center hole 108 with a circumference 112 approximately equal to the outer circumference 104 of tubular member 102. Vibratable plate 101 comprises circular outer flange 109 surrounding a thin circular vibratable center portion 110.

(24) In one method of making vibration system 10, metallic tubular member 102 may first be provided with mounting structure 111 by bonding a ridge of metal around inner circumference 105 at a location equidistant from ends 106 and 107. Vibratable plate 101 may then be concentrically disposed within the lumen of tubular member 102 with the lower surface of circular flange 109 positioned over the upper surface of mounting structure 111 and with the outer periphery of vibratable plate 101 abutting inner circumference 105. Outer flange 109 of vibratable plate 101 may be secured onto mounting structure 111 using a suitable joining procedure, e.g., a metallurgical process such as brazing, welding, soldering or the like, or a chemical bonding process such as adhesive bonding.

(25) In one preferred embodiment, a brazing ring of a suitable corrosion-resistant brazing filler material, e.g., a mixture of 70% gold and 30% copper, may be placed between the upper surface of mounting structure 111 and outer flange 109 of vibratable plate 101. The entire assembly of tubular member 102, vibratable plate 101 and brazing ring may be held in place by a weight placed on top of vibratable plate 101. The assembly may be placed in an oven and heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the brazing 1 and permanently join the surfaces together in a conventional brazing procedure. In another embodiment, vibratable plate 101 may be soldered onto mounting structure 111 using soldering materials, such as a tin/lead soldering material; however, this method may not be suitable if the assembly is to be exposed to acidic pharmaceutical preparations. In another embodiment, vibratable plate 101 may be secured onto mounting structure 111 by ultrasonic or laser welding.

(26) Once vibratable plate 101 is secured across the lumen of tubular member 102, tubular member 102 may be positioned within center hole 108 of piezoelectric ring 103. In one embodiment, tubular member 102 may be placed in a fixture that holds tubular member 102 upright, and piezoelectric ring 103 may be slid lengthwise down tubular member 102 until piezoelectric ring 103 surrounds the outer circumference 104 at a location directly corresponding to the location of mounting structure 111 and vibratable plate 101 on inner circumference 105 of tubular member 102. Outer circumference 104 of tubular member 102 and circumference 112 of center hole 108 in piezoelectric ring 103 may then be bonded together, e.g., by depositing a suitable liquid adhesive around the juncture of circumference 104 and circumference 112 and curing the adhesive, e.g., with UV light. The adhesive used should be capable of efficiently transferring vibration from the piezoelectric ring 103 to tubular member 102. Although ideally the adhesive would have the modulus of elasticity (“Young's Modulus”) of the piezoelectric ring, i.e., about 60 GPa (Giga Pascal), to achieve the ultimate transfer of vibration, this is not possible for any adhesive. Most structural adhesives (such as epoxy) have a modulus of elasticity of plastic material, which may be about 2 GPa, and should be suitable for the present invention if cured to approximately that stiffness. As examples of suitable adhesives, mention may be made of various epoxy and anaerobic adhesives, such as commercially available UV-cured epoxy adhesives sold under the trademark Loctite.

(27) As previously described, piezoelectric ring 103 is configured to radially expand and contract when alternating electric fields are communicated to it via electric lines. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3a, piezoelectric ring 103 contracts radially towards its center opening (direction D) when actuated by a first electric field. This radial contraction causes piezoelectric ring 103 to push inward along outer circumference 104 of tubular member 102 in the vicinity of mounting structure 111 and thereby pinch the wall of tubular member 102. The constriction of tubular member 102 causes flange 109 to also constrict radially and, as a result, the center portion 110 of vibratable plate 101 moves axially in direction A. When actuated by a second electric field, as shown in FIG. 3b, piezoelectric ring 103 expands radially away from its center opening (direction D′), thereby releasing the inward pressure along circumference 104 of tubular member 102. This release of pressure allows flange 109 to expand radially, which causes center portion 110 of aperture plate 101 to move axially in direction A′ to its original position. Continually alternating the electric fields produces an oscillation (vibration) of center portion 110 between the positions shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.

(28) As previously mentioned, the vibration system of the present invention is particularly useful for aerosolizing liquids. FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate an aerosolization system (referred to herein as “aerosolizer 40”) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numbers are used in each of the Figures to refer to the same component. Referring now to FIG. 4a, aerosolizer 40 comprises upper housing 401, detachable lower housing 405 and vibration system 10 (e.g., see FIG. 2). Vibration system 10 comprises tubular member 102, piezoelectric ring 103 and aperture plate 101. Upper housing 401 comprises reservoir 402 configured to hold a volume of liquid, e.g., a liquid medicament, and a conical portion 403 at the lower end of reservoir 402 terminating in discharge tube 404 defined by cylindrical walls 406. Engagement tube 407 defined by cylindrical walls 408 of upper housing 401 is concentrically disposed around and completely encompasses discharge tube 404.

(29) Vibration system 10 is adapted to be detachably engaged with upper housing 401, with the upper section of tubular member 102 of vibration system 10 (i.e., that section of tubular member 102 above piezoelectric ring 103) being configured to be press fit within discharge tube 404 and with piezoelectric ring 103 of vibration system 10 being configured to be press fit with engagement tube 407. When assembled, the upper section of tubular member 102 of piezoelectric ring 103 is fully encompassed by discharge tube 404 and the top surface of piezoelectric ring 103 abuts the lower end of discharge tube 404. This press fit mating of tubular member 102 and discharge tube 404 forms a liquid-tight seal that prevents liquid discharged from reservoir 402 into discharge tube 404 from coming in contact with piezoelectric ring 103.

(30) Lower housing 405 comprises receiving tube 411 defined by cylindrical walls 412, annular flange 413 concentrically disposed around the base of receiving tube 411 and aerosol chamber 414 defined by cylindrical walls 415. Lower housing 405 may be adapted to be detachably engaged with vibration system 10 and upper housing 401, with the lower section of tubular member 102 of vibration system 10 (i.e., that section of tubular member 102 below piezoelectric ring 103) being configured to be press fit within receiving tube 411 and with annular flange 413 being configured to be press fit within engagement tube 407. When assembled, the lower section of tubular member 102 is fully encompassed by receiving tube 411 and forms a passageway directly into aerosol chamber 414. The bottom surface of piezoelectric ring 103 abuts the upper end of receiving tube 411 to securely hold vibration system 10 within engagement tube 407.

(31) Referring now to FIGS. 4b and 4c, piezoelectric ring 103 may be supplied with an electric current by wires 416 and 417 from batteries or another power source (not shown). Each of wires 416 and 417 may be shaped in a “c-clip” arrangement and respectively nestled into grooves 418 and 419 cut around the periphery of walls 415 of upper housing 401. Terminal end 424 of wire 416 may enter engagement tube 407 through opening 422 in wall 415 and make electrical contact with the upper surface of piezoelectric ring 103. Terminal end 425 of wire 417 may enter engagement tube 407 through hole 423 in wall 415 of upper housing 401 and make electrical contact with the lower surface of piezoelectric ring 103.

(32) Center portion 110 of aperture plate 101 may be dome-shaped in geometry, although other shapes may be used. Also, center portion 110 may include apertures that taper from the rear side (facing reservoir 402) to the front side. When aerosolizer 40 is placed in a generally vertical orientation, the liquid from reservoir 402 may be delivered to and rest on the rear side of center portion 110 by force of gravity. Piezoelectric ring 103 is configured to radially expand and contract when actuated by alternating electric fields supplied by wires 416 and 417. In so doing, the wall of tubular member 102 also constricts and expands. In this way, center portion 110 vibrates axially so as to eject liquid droplets from its front side and out the opening in aerosol chamber 414.

(33) One advantage of using vibration system 10 is that aerosolizer 40 may be constructed so that vibration system 10 is removable from upper housing 401 and lower housing 405. In this way, vibration system 10 (which contains relatively expensive piezoelectric ring 103) may be reused in other applications. Upper housing 401 and lower housing 405, which may be able to be produced relatively inexpensively, may be discarded after use. Another advantage of using vibration system 10 is that the ends of tubular member 102 may be connected directly to rigid bodies, such as wall 406 of upper housing 401 and wall 412 of lower housing 405, without affecting the oscillating amplitude of aperture plate 110. This enables aerosolizer 40 to more efficiently produce liquid droplets.

(34) Referring now to FIG. 4d, aerosolizer 40′ is similar to aerosolizer 40 and comprises upper housing 401′ containing reservoir 402′, detachable lower housing 405′ containing aerosol chamber 414′, and vibration system 10′, which comprises tubular member 102′, piezoelectric ring 103′ and aperture plate center portion 110′. However, in aerosolizer 40′, the upper section of tubular member 102′ is not press fit into discharge tube 404′ (as shown in FIG. 4a), but rather O-rings 420 may be positioned to fill a gap between the upper section of tubular member 102′ and discharge tube 404′ of housing 401′. In this way, a liquid-tight seal is formed that prevents liquid from reservoir 402′ from contacting piezoelectric ring 103′. Similarly, O-rings 421 may be positioned to fill a gap between the lower section of tubular member 102′ and receiving tube 411′ of lower housing 405′ to form a liquid-tight seal that prevents aerosol produced from aperture plate center portion 110′ from contacting piezoelectric ring 103′. Accordingly, piezoelectric ring 103′ may be protected from contamination that may prevent it from being re-usable after removal from aerosolizer 40′, without the tight dimensions required for a press fit, as described in connection with aerosolizer 40. Since O-rings 420 and 421 are positioned on both top and bottom surfaces of piezoelectric ring 103′ and serve to suspend piezoelectric ring 103′ from direct contact with upper housing 401′ and lower housing 405′, O-rings 420 and 421 may also have a dampening effect that reduces the undesirable transfer of vibration from piezoelectric ring 103′ to upper housing 401′ and lower housing 405′.

(35) Referring now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Vibration system 50 comprises a piezoelectric ring 502 having a central opening 504. Piezoelectric ring 502 may be constructed of a piezoelectric material that radially expands and contracts when actuated, as previously discussed. Tubular member 506 is disposed within opening 504 and is adapted to hold aperture plate 508 within its internal lumen 509 using any of the techniques described herein. Tubular member 506 may be constructed of a rigid material, such as a hard plastic, metal, ceramic or the like. Tubular member 506 may optionally include projections 510 to provide a good mechanical contact with piezoelectric ring 502. As an alternative, tubular member 506 may be tapered to assure a good mechanical contact.

(36) Tubular member 506 may include one or more resilient segments 511 radially extending from locations on its inner circumference to corresponding locations on its outer circumference. These segments may be constructed from an elastomeric material and positioned in various locations. Resilient segments 511 permit tubular member 506 to be constructed of a rigid material (for securely holding aperture plate 508) while also permitting tubular member 506 to radially expand and contract with piezoelectric ring 502. More specifically, as tubular member 506 is constricted by piezoelectric ring 502, resilient segments 511 compress to reduce the diameter of lumen 509. When piezoelectric ring 502 radially expands, resilient segments 511 expand to increase the diameter of lumen 509. Hence, the amount of expansion and contraction may be varied based in part on the size, number and types of resilient materials used.

(37) Conveniently, vibration system 50 may be coupled to a reservoir of an aerosolizer (not shown) to permit a liquid to be supplied to aperture plate 508. Also, other liquid delivery systems could be used as well, such as wicking systems, and the like. Alternatively, vibration system 50 may be incorporated into other systems, such as nebulizers, ventilators and the like.

(38) FIG. 6 illustrates vibration system 50, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, with an outer ring 512 disposed about the outer circumference of piezoelectric ring 502, which in turn in disposed around tubular member 506. Ring 512 may be employed to adjust the operating frequency of piezoelectric ring 502. In many applications, it is desirable to operate piezoelectric ring 502 at a frequency of about 130 Khz, which is the approximate resonance frequency of the aperture plate. When piezoelectric ring 502 is constructed from a piezoceramic material, its frequency is inversely proportional to its diameter where:
f=(½pir)X√{square root over ((E/p))}

(39) Hence, if the diameter of the piezoelectric ring 502 is made larger to reduce the frequency of the piezoelectric ring, the piezoelectric ring 502 may be too large for certain applications. A low operating frequency of piezoelectric ring 502 may result because the piezoelectric material is “soft” and heavy. To increase the frequency without increasing the diameter, outer ring 512 (which may be constructed of a stiff and lightweight material, such as silicon nitride) may be added. The combination of ring 512 and piezoelectric ring 502 serves to increase the frequency to the desired range.

(40) Referring to FIGS. 7a and 7b, an embodiment of an aerosolization system in accordance with the present invention will be described. System 80 includes an aerosolizer that, for convenience of discussion, includes vibration system 50 having ring 512, as shown in FIG. 6, although it will be appreciated that other vibration systems of the invention could be used as well. Coupled to (or integrally formed with) tubular member 506 of vibration system 50 is a container 802 for holding a liquid. Conveniently, a lid 804 may be provided to close container 802 after filling it with a liquid. Also coupled to tubular member 506 is an outlet 806 through which an aerosol produced by aperture plate 508 may be dispensed. O-rings or gasket seals 805 may be disposed between container 802 and vibration system 50, and between vibration system 50 and outlet 806 to provide adequate sealing and cushioning between the components.

(41) One particular feature of aerosolization system 80 is that piezoelectric ring 502 has a large enough inner diameter that it may be slid over outlet 806 and container 802. In this way, system 80 may be easily assembled and disassembled to remove piezoelectric ring 502. Further, piezoelectric ring 502 does not come into contact with any liquids and therefore may be reused with another aerosolization system. Further, container 802, tubular member 506 and aperture plate 508 may be constructed to be relatively inexpensive so that they may be disposed of following use. Also, system 80 may easily be incorporated into other systems, such as hand-held nebulizers, ventilators and the like.

(42) In operation, container 802 is filled with a liquid and lid 804 is put in place. Piezoelectric ring 502 is slid over container 802 and placed over tubular member 506. An electric current is supplied to piezoelectric ring 502 to cause it to expand and contract. In so doing, liquid that is in contact with aperture plate 508 is ejected as liquid droplets into outlet 806. Following use, container 802 may be refilled, or may be discarded while saving piezoelectric ring 502.

(43) FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein aerosolization system 90 includes tubular member 906 comprising a sharpened end 901 and a discharge end 903. As previously described, tubular member 906 also contains an aperture plate (not shown) across its internal lumen. Piezoelectric ring 904 is disposed around tubular member 906. When aerosolization system 90 is not in use, sharpened end 901 may have a cover (not shown) that protects it from damage and contamination. When ready for use, the cover may be removed and sharpened end 901 may be inserted through the membrane top of a vial 902, which contains liquid 905 to be aerosolized. Liquid 905 is then delivered through sharpened end 901 and the lumen of tubular member 906 to the aperture plate contained therein. Piezoelectric ring 904 may be actuated to vibrate the aperture plate and thereby aerosolize liquid 905 in the manner previously described. The resultant aerosol is then dispensed through discharge end 903. After use, vial 902 may be removed from sharpened end 901 and discarded, piezoelectric ring 904 may be removed from the assembly for re-use, and the remaining assembly may be discarded.

(44) As previously mentioned, the aerosolizers described herein may be incorporated into other systems. Example of ventilator systems are described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/828,765, filed Apr. 20, 2004, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The system described therein is particularly useful in neo-natal and infant continuous positive pressure airway pressure (CPAP) therapies. Accordingly, an aerosolizer of the present invention may be coupled to such a ventilator or CPAP circuit to supply aerosolized medicament to a patient's respiratory system, e.g., through a patient interface device. When the treatment is finished, the aerosolizer, or certain components thereof, may be removed and re-used, while other components of the system may be discarded.

(45) As another example, the aerosolizer of the present invention may be incorporated in a nebulizer such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/833,932, filed Apr. 27, 2004, the complete disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The nebulizer comprises a main housing coupled to an aerosolizer housing, which may comprise an aerosolization system such as previously described in connection with aerosolizer 40 shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, including a reservoir for holding a liquid medicament that is to be aerosolized and a vibration system according to the present invention having an aperture plate with a plurality of tapered apertures extending between a first surface and a second surface, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,164,740, 5,586,550, 5,758,637, and 6,085,740, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. The nebulizer may also have a mouthpiece coupled to the main housing. At least a portion of the tubular member of the vibration system of the present invention may be disposed in the housing so that liquid droplets are ejected through the mouthpiece to permit a patient to inhale the aerosolized medicament. The apertures in the aperture plate may be sized to produce an aerosol in which about 70% or more of the droplets by weight have a size in the range from about 1 to about 5 micrometers. Following use, the aerosol housing may be removed from the main housing. The liquid may be refilled, or one or more components may be replaced. For example, the vibration system may be removed and reused with another nebulizer.

(46) One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a patient that exhibits one or more symptoms of infection or other respiratory disease or disorder. The method generally comprises the steps of: providing a vibration system comprising a circular vibratable aperture plate having an outer circumference, a tubular member concentrically disposed about the outer circumference of the vibratable plate, wherein the tubular member has an outer circumference, and an annular vibration-inducing member concentrically disposed about the outer circumference of the tubular member, wherein the vibration-inducing member is radially expandable and contractable to cause the aperture plate to vibrate in the axial direction; supplying a liquid medicament to the vibration system; actuating the vibration-inducing member to vibrate the aperture plate and aerosolize the medicament; and supplying the aerosol to the patient's respiratory system.

(47) An aerosol generator in accordance with the present invention has the ability to produce a high flow of aerosol relative to the power input. For example, when standard saline solution (2% NaCl) is used, the flow rate of aerosol having a volumetric median diameter (VMD) of 4 microns may be 15 microliters/sec and the power consumption of the generator may be 3 watts.

(48) The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.