How a Droplet Device Delivers Medicine When You Breathe In

This patent describes an electronic device that sprays a fine mist of liquid, like medicine, into your mouth or nose automatically when it detects you are inhaling at a specific speed.

What it covers

This electronic droplet delivery device includes a main body, called a housing, with a mouthpiece for air to exit. It holds liquid in a removable fluid reservoir. Inside, an aperture plate with many small openings receives fluid from this reservoir. An electronic actuator then vibrates this aperture plate very quickly, which creates a stream of tiny droplets. A sensor in the device is connected to this actuator and is designed to trigger the droplet stream only when it senses a specific, pre-set breathing speed, or "predetermined inhalation flow rate," from the user.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover devices that are triggered by a manual button press or a timer, rather than by sensing inhalation.
• —Does not cover devices that use propellants or heat to create a mist, as it specifies an "electronic actuator that oscillates the aperture plate."
• —Does not cover devices that deliver a continuous stream of liquid instead of an "ejected stream of droplets."
• —Does not cover devices that deliver liquid without first detecting a "predetermined inhalation flow rate."
• —Does not cover devices that do not include a "removable fluid reservoir" or an "aperture plate."

The clever bit

The innovation lies in precisely coordinating the release of medicine with the user's breathing, specifically by detecting a "predetermined inhalation flow rate." This ensures the droplets are delivered deep into the lungs or nasal passages at the most effective time, overcoming common challenges with user coordination in traditional inhalers.

Why it matters

This technology aims to improve how effectively people receive inhaled medicines by ensuring the medicine is delivered at the optimal moment during breathing. By automatically triggering droplet delivery only when a user inhales correctly, it can help patients, especially children or those with coordination difficulties, get the full benefit of their medication. This can lead to better health outcomes and more consistent treatment adherence for respiratory conditions.

Real-world examples

• 1.Smart inhalers for asthma and COPD
• 2.Electronic nebulizers with breath-actuated features
• 3.Connected drug delivery devices for respiratory therapy