Mobile inhaler for substance delivery

Abstract

A mobile inhaler includes a power source, at least one aerosolization system, an aerosolization system control component, and a data transmission component. Each aerosolization system includes at least one reservoir, and each of the at least one reservoir is configured for holding a liquid to be aerosolized. The mobile inhaler father includes a fault detection component configured for detecting a fault, for at least one of deactivating the at least one aerosolization system and deactivating the power source, and for operating based on a temperature.

Claims

1-35 (canceled)

36. A mobile inhaler comprising a power source, at least one aerosolization system, an aerosolization system control component, and a data transmission component, wherein: each aerosolization system comprises at least one reservoir, and each of the at least one reservoir is configured for holding a liquid to be aerosolized, the mobile inhaler comprises a fault detection component, the fault detection component is configured for detecting a fault, the fault detection component is configured for at least one of deactivating the at least one aerosolization system and deactivating the power source, and the fault detection component is configured for operating based on a temperature.

37. The mobile inhaler according to claim 36, wherein: the mobile inhaler further comprises a voltage control component, the mobile inhaler is configured for operating according to an operation mode depending on a voltage provided by the power source, the voltage control component is configured for sensing a voltage provided by the power source, and the voltage control component is configured for at least one of: deactivating the aerosolization system, if the voltage provided by the power source is below a lower threshold, and reducing a voltage provided to the at least one aerosolization system, if the voltage provided by the power source is above an upper threshold.

38. The mobile inhaler according to claim 36, wherein: the mobile inhaler comprises a replacement part, the replacement part comprises the at least one aerosolization system and a data storage component, the data transmission component is configured for receiving at least one of identification data and state data from the replacement part, and for sending data to the replacement part, the data storage component comprises an identification unit, and the identification unit is configured to be destroyed when removed from the replacement part.

39. The mobile inhaler according to claim 38, wherein: the data storage component is configured for storing state data, and the mobile inhaler is configured for activating the replacement part only if the state data match a state-criterion, and/or the data storage component is configured for storing identification data, and the mobile inhaler is configured for activating the replacement part only if the identification data match an identity-criterion.

40. The mobile inhaler according to claim 39, wherein the data transmission component is configured for: sending state data to the replacement part which do not match the state-criterion based on at least one of: data relating to an amount of dispensed substance, and data relating to a use of the aerosolization system, and/or sending state data to the replacement part which do not match the state-criterion if the fault detection component deactivates the aerosolization system

41. The mobile inhaler according to claim 38, wherein: the at least one aerosolization system is at least two aerosolization systems and each aerosolization system is configured for aerosolizing a different liquid, the at least one reservoir is at least two reservoirs and each reservoir is configured for holding a different liquid to be aerosolized, the replacement part comprises the at least two aerosolization systems and the at least two reservoirs, and the fault detection component is configured for deactivating the at least two aerosolization systems.

42. The mobile inhaler according to claim 41, wherein: the data storage component is configured for storing identification data for at least one of each of the aerosolization systems and each of the reservoirs, and the mobile inhaler is configured for activating each aerosolization system with the corresponding reservoir only if the identification data corresponding to the at least two aerosolization systems match the identification-criterion.

43. The mobile inhaler according to claim 41, wherein: the data storage component is configured for storing state data for at least one of each of the aerosolization systems and each of the reservoirs, and the mobile inhaler is configured for activating each aerosolization system with the corresponding reservoir only if the state data corresponding to the at least two aerosolization systems match the state-criterion.

44. A base of a mobile inhaler, comprising a power source, a data transmission component, and an aerosolization system control component, wherein: the base is configured to be connected to at least one aerosolization system, each aerosolization system comprises at least one reservoir, and each reservoir is configured for holding a liquid to be aerosolized, the base comprises a fault detection component, the fault detection component is configured for detecting a fault, and for at least one of deactivating the aerosolization system and deactivating the power source, and the fault detection component is configured for operating based on a temperature.

45. The base according to claim 44, further comprising a voltage control component, wherein: the voltage control component is configured for sensing a voltage provided by the power source, the base is configured for operating according to an operation mode depending on a voltage provided by the power source, the voltage control component is configured for at least one of: deactivating the aerosolization system, if the voltage provided by the power source is below a lower threshold, and reducing a voltage provided to the at least one aerosolization system, if the voltage provided by the power source is above an upper threshold, the base of the mobile inhaler is configured to be connected to a replacement part, the replacement part comprises the at least one aerosolization system and a data storage component, and the data transmission component is configured for receiving at least one of identification data and state data from the replacement part.

46. The base according to claim 45, wherein: the base is configured for activating the replacement part only if the state data match a state-criterion, and/or the base is configured for activating the replacement part only if the identification data match an identity-criterion.

47. The base according to claim 46, wherein: the data transmission component is configured for sending state data to the replacement part which do not match the state-criterion based on the data relating to at least one an amount of dispensed substance and a use of the aerosolization system, and/or the data transmission component is configured for sending state data to the replacement part which do not match the state-criterion if the fault detection component deactivates the aerosolization system.

48. The base according to claim 45, wherein: the at least one aerosolization system is at least two aerosolization systems, each aerosolization system configured for aerosolizing a different liquid, the at least one reservoir are at least two reservoirs, each reservoir configured for holding a different liquid to be aerosolized, the replacement part comprises the at least two aerosolization systems, and the fault detection component is configured for deactivating the at least two aerosolization systems.

49. The base according to claim 48, wherein the base is configured for activating each aerosolization system with the corresponding reservoir only if the identification data corresponding to the at least two aerosolization systems match the identification-criterion.

50. The base according to claim 48, wherein the base is configured for activating each aerosolization system with the corresponding reservoir only if the state data corresponding to the at least two aerosolization systems match the state-criterion.

51. A replacement part, comprising at least one aerosolization system and a data storage component, wherein: each aerosolization system comprises at least one reservoir and each reservoir is configured for holding a liquid to be aerosolized, the data storage component is configured for storing at least one of identification data and state data, and the data storage component is configured for sending at least one of identification data and state data.

52. The replacement part according to claim 51, wherein: the data storage component comprises an identification unit, and the identification unit is configured to be destroyed when removed from the replacement part.

53. The replacement part according to claim 51, wherein the data storage component is configured for receiving data relating to at least one of: a usage of a mobile inhaler and/or a base of a mobile inhaler with which the replacement part is in use, and an amount of dispensed substance from the at least one reservoir of the replacement part.

54. The replacement part according to claim 51, wherein the data storage component is configured for receiving at least one of: data relating to a use of the aerosolization system of the replacement part, and data configured for deactivating the replacement part from the base of the mobile inhaler with which the replacement part is in use.

55. The replacement according to claim 51, wherein: the at least one aerosolization system is at least two aerosolization systems, each configured for aerosolizing a different liquid, the at least one reservoir are at least two reservoirs, and each reservoir is configured for holding a different liquid to be aerosolized, and the data storage component is configured for storing at least one of identification data and state data for each of the aerosolization systems.

Description

BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0571] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a mobile inhaler. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the mobile inhaler. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a replacement part. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a data storage component. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the replacement part.

DETAILED FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0572] In the following, the figures will be described in detail. It is to be noted that in the figures, like features may be indicated by same reference numerals. Some features may be omitted in some figures for the sake of clarity. Also, some of the shown features may not be present in each embodiment of the invention.

[0573] FIG. 1 shows a mobile inhaler 10. The mobile inhaler 10 can be configured for aerosolization of at least one liquid, particularly of a liquid containing nicotine. The mobile inhaler 10 can be more particularly configured for vaporizing the at least one liquid.

[0574] The mobile inhaler 10 comprises a power source 30. The power source 30 can comprise a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries have been a common power source for mobile, particularly handheld, devices in the past years, due to their high specific energy as well as their high energy density.

[0575] The mobile inhaler may further comprise an aerosolization system 20. The aerosolization system 20 may be configured for aerosolizing a liquid. The mobile inhaler 10 may comprise at least one reservoir configured for holding this liquid. The aerosolization system 20 may be configured heating the liquid, and more particularly for vaporizing the liquid. The aerosolization system 20 can be a vaporization system. The aerosolization system can comprise a heating element 22. The heating element 22 can be configured for converting electric energy in heat. For example, the heating element 22 can comprise a coil and/or a ceramic heating element.

[0576] However, the aerosolization system 20 may also comprise a component configured for non-thermal aerosolization of the liquid, e.g. a nebulizer.

[0577] The mobile inhaler 10 may further comprise an aerosolization system control component 40. The aerosolization system control component 40 may be configured for controlling the corresponding aerosolization system 20. The aerosolization system control component 40 may for example comprise en electronic control component for controlling a voltage, current or power provided to the heating element 22 of the aerosolization system 20. The aerosolization system control component 40 can comprise a portion of a data-processing system, such as a portion of a micro-controller. The aerosolization system control component 40 can generate control signals, e.g. for the electronic control component, or for the aerosolization system 20. The electronic control component can comprise a transistor configured for transferring and/or interrupting electric power provided by the power source 30 to the aerosolization system 20.

[0578] The mobile inhaler may further comprise a voltage control component 34. The voltage control component 34 can be configured for sensing a voltage provided by the power source 30. The voltage control component 34 can be configured for controlling the voltage provided by the power source 30. The voltage control component 34 can be configured for generating control signals for other components of the mobile inhaler 10, e.g. the aerosolization system control component 40, in order to reduce, maintain or increase the voltage provided by the power source 30 to the aerosolization system 20.

[0579] The mobile inhaler may comprise a replacement part. The replacement part may comprise the aerosolization system 20. The replacement part may also comprise the reservoir. The replacement part in FIG. 1 comprises the aerosolization system 20 with the heating element 22 and a reservoir for holding the liquid to be aerosolized.

[0580] The replacement part may be configured for being replaced by a user. For example, the replacement part may be configured for being replaced by a user without tools. The replacement part may comprise parts that need to be regularly changed, such as at least one of the aerosolization system 20, the heating element 22 and the reservoir. Even thought the reservoir does not need to be regularly changed, its contents need to be regularly changed, in other words: the liquid to be aerosolized needs to be refilled.

[0581] The replacement part may comprise an data storage component 24. The data storage component 24 may be configured for identifying the replacement part. For example, it may comprise a serial number of the replacement part. The data storage component 24 may also comprise encrypted or cryptographically signed information.

[0582] The mobile inhaler may comprise a data-transmission component 52. The data-transmission component may be configured for data transmission to and/or from the data storage component 24. The data transmission may be performed by means of electro-magnetic radiation, such as by near field communication. In such a case, the data storage component 24 may be configured for communication by electro-magnetic radiation, that is, for wireless communication. The data storage component 24 may in such cases for example comprise an RFID-tag.

[0583] The data transmission between the data-transmission component 52 and the data storage component 24 may also be performed by means of an electric connection, as will be discussed in the context of FIG. 2.

[0584] The mobile inhaler 10 may further comprise a control component 50. The control component 50 may comprise a micro-controller. The control component 50 can also comprise a micro-processor. The control component 50 can be configured for performing a function of other control components of the mobile inhaler 10, such a part of the function of the data-transmission component 52, the aerosolization system control component 40, the voltage control component 34 and/or the fault detection component 42. In other words, one, some or all of these components can comprise a portion of the control component 50.

[0585] The mobile inhaler 10 may further comprise an air canal 60. The aerosolization system 20 may be configured to provide the liquid (optionally in gaseous or partially gaseous state) to the canal.

[0586] The mobile inhaler 10 may comprise a mouth piece 62. The air canal 60 may be configured for conducting air and the aerosolized liquid to the mouth piece 62.

[0587] The mobile inhaler 10 can be operated by a user, using it for inhalation. However, the person skilled in the art will also easily understand that the mobile inhaler can also be operated without a user interacting with it, for example during a test run in a laboratory, for technical approval tests or the like. In such cases, it may be helpful to provide for a suitable ventilation unit, which takes in air at the mouth piece 62 of the inhaler 10.

[0588] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the mobile inhaler 10.

[0589] The mobile inhaler 10 in FIG. 2 may also comprise at least one of the power source 30, the control component 50, the data transmission component 52, the mouth piece 62, the air canal 60 and the voltage control component 34.

[0590] The mobile inhaler may also comprise the fault detection component 42 (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0591] The mobile inhaler 10 may comprise a first and a second aerosolization system 20, 120. Each aerosolization system 20, 120 may comprise a heating element 22, 122, as discussed above. In the example of FIG. 2, the inhaler 10 further comprises two reservoirs, each associated with one of the aerosolization systems 20, 120. Each of the reservoirs may comprise a different liquid, and each aerosolization system 20, 120 may be configured for aerosolizing the respective liquid.

[0592] The replacement part may comprise the aerosolization systems 20, 120. The replacement part may also comprise the reservoirs. The replacement part may also comprise the reservoirs and the aerosolization systems 20, 120.

[0593] The mobile inhaler 10 in FIG. 2 can be configured for delivering a mixture of aerosols from the two liquids. The mobile inhaler 10 may be configured for delivering the aerosols from the two liquids in a determined ratio. The mobile inhaler 10 may also be configured to deliver a determined amount of at least one of the two liquids, or a component thereof.

[0594] For example, the mobile inhaler 10 may be configured as a nicotine weaning device. In such a case, the mobile inhaler 10 may deliver a mixture of two liquids, one comprising nicotine, the other preferably comprising no nicotine or at least substantially no nicotine. In this case, the mobile inhaler 10 may be configured for delivering a determined amount of nicotine, or a determined amount of the liquid comprising nicotine. A delivery of the other liquid may be determined. The delivery of the other liquid may however also not be determined, e.g. if the other liquid is delivered as long as the user draws on the mobile inhaler 10 and/or as long as the user pushes a button to activate the mobile inhaler 10.

[0595] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the replacement part in lateral view and front view. In the example of FIG. 3, the replacement part comprises an air inlet 28 and an air outlet 29.

[0596] The replacement part may comprise the aerosolization system 20 or the aerosolization systems 20, 120. The replacement part may comprise a portion of the air canal 60. This portion may extend from the air inlet 28 to the air outlet 29. However, the air inlet 28 may also be separate from the air canal 60, so that the air outlet 29 leads to the air canal.

[0597] The replacement part may also comprise the reservoir or the reservoirs.

[0598] The replacement part in FIG. 3 comprises the an aerosolization system 20 and contacts 26 configured to electrically couple the replacement part to a remainder of the mobile inhaler 10, which remainder can be a base of the mobile inhaler 10.

[0599] The replacement part in FIG. 3 further comprises the data storage component 24.

[0600] FIG. 4 shows a specific embodiment of the data storage component 24, together with a replacement part. The replacement part may be the replacement part from FIG. 3.

[0601] In FIG. 4, a housing 78 of the replacement part can be seen. The data storage component 24 may be attached to the housing 78. Particularly, the data storage component 24 may comprise an adhesive layer 72 which is configured for attaching the data storage component 24 to the housing 78. Furthermore, the data storage component 24 may comprise an identification unit 70.

[0602] In FIG. 4, the identification unit 70 is an RFID-tag. The adhesive layer 72 may also be configured to attach the identification unit 70 to the housing 78.

[0603] Another adhesive layer 74 may be configured for attaching a surface layer 76 to the data storage component 24. The surface layer 76 may be configured for protecting the identification unit 70 from scratches and the like.

[0604] The surface layer 76 can for example be a film made of polymer, such as PET. For easier mounting and visual control, the film can be transparent.

[0605] The RFID tag may comprise an antenna and an integrated circuit, as the person skilled in the art easily understands.

[0606] The adhesive layers 72, 74 may comprise an acrylic adhesive. An advantage can be wide availability as well as excellent adhesive properties. The acrylic adhesive may be an adhesive transfer tape. This can be optionally advantageous for simple manufacturing of the data storage component.

[0607] At least one of the adhesive layers 72, 74 can be configured so as to destroy the identification unit 70, when it is separated from the identification unit. This can for example be achieved by using an identification unit 70 with a lower mechanical resistance than one or both of the adhesive layers 72, 74. A suitable layer 72, 74 can for example be made up of 3M™ Adhesive Transfer Tape 467MP.

[0608] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the replacement part. In FIG. 5, the data storage component 24 is mounted to the housing 78 of the replacement part. As discussed above, the data storage component 24 can comprise an RFID-tag.

[0609] The replacement part in FIG. 5 can further comprise contacts 26, as discussed above, as well as an air inlet 28. The replacement part in Fig. can also comprise at least one or two aerosolization systems 20, 120 (not shown).

NUMBERED REFERENCE ELEMENTS

[0610] 10 mobile inhaler [0611] 20, 120 aerosolization system [0612] 22, 122 heating element [0613] 24 data storage component [0614] 26 contacts [0615] 28 air inlet [0616] 29 air outlet [0617] 30 power source [0618] 34 voltage control component [0619] 40 aerosolization system control component [0620] 42 fault detection component [0621] 50 control component [0622] 52 data transmission component [0623] 60 air canal [0624] 62 mouth piece [0625] 70 identification unit [0626] 72, 74 adhesive layer [0627] 76 surface layer [0628] 78 housing

[0629] Whenever a relative term, such as “about”, “substantially” or “approximately” is used in this specification, such a term should also be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g., “substantially straight” should be construed to also include “(exactly) straight”.

[0630] Whenever steps were recited in the above or also in the appended claims, it should be noted that the order in which the steps are recited in this text may be accidental. That is, unless otherwise specified or unless clear to the skilled person, the order in which steps are recited may be accidental. That is, when the present document states, e.g., that a method comprises steps (A) and (B), this does not necessarily mean that step (A) precedes step (B), but it is also possible that step (A) is performed (at least partly) simultaneously with step (B) or that step (B) precedes step (A). Furthermore, when a step (X) is said to precede another step (Z), this does not imply that there is no step between steps (X) and (Z). That is, step (X) preceding step (Z) encompasses the situation that step (X) is performed directly before step (Z), but also the situation that (X) is performed before one or more steps (Y1), . . . , followed by step (Z). Corresponding considerations apply when terms like “after” or “before” are used.

[0631] While in the above, a preferred embodiment has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the skilled person will understand that this embodiment was provided for illustrative purpose only and should by no means be construed to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.