How a Device Delivers Aerosol with Controlled Airflow During Inhalation
This patent describes an aerosol delivery device that heats a substance from a cartridge to release an aerosol into an airflow passage specifically when a user inhales, and includes a rechargeable internal power source.
Original patent title: “Systems and methods of aerosol delivery with airflow regulation”
This patent describes an aerosol delivery device that heats a substance from a cartridge to release an aerosol into an airflow passage specifically when a user inhales, and includes a rechargeable internal power source. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This device delivers an aerosol, which is like a fine mist, to a user. It has a mouthpiece with an opening for air to come out and a path for air to flow through. A main body, called a housing, holds a replaceable container, or cartridge, which contains a substance that can turn into an aerosol and a heating part, called a vapor element. When the cartridge is in place, a controller tells the vapor element to heat the substance, releasing the aerosol into the air path, but only when the user breathes in through the mouthpiece. The device also has a built-in battery that can be recharged using an external power source through a special connector.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover aerosol delivery devices that do not use a replaceable cartridge for the aerosolizable substance.
- Does not cover devices where the aerosolizable substance is not heated by a dedicated vapor element.
- Does not cover devices that release aerosol continuously or without being triggered by a user's inhalation.
- Does not cover devices that lack an internal power source that can be recharged from an external source.
- Does not cover devices without a specific airflow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet in the mouthpiece.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is the system's ability to precisely time the heating and release of the aerosol to coincide with a user's inhalation. This ensures that the aerosol is generated and delivered efficiently when it can be immediately drawn into the user's lungs or mouth, rather than being wasted.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Electronic cigarettes (vaping devices)
Personal vaporizers
Some types of portable medical nebulizers
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Controlled aerosol delivery is important in various fields, from medical inhalers to personal vaporizers. This patent focuses on precise delivery triggered by inhalation, which can improve efficiency and user experience. Such systems aim to provide a consistent and controlled dose of aerosol, which is crucial for both therapeutic and recreational applications.
Filed
January 4, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies developing electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers are actively working on similar technologies. Major players in this space include British American Tobacco, Philip Morris International, and Juul Labs, who continuously innovate on heating elements, airflow control, and cartridge systems to enhance user experience and device efficiency.
Market impact
This type of technology contributes to the ongoing evolution of the personal vaporizer market, enabling more sophisticated and user-friendly devices. Patents in this area can influence product design, potentially blocking competitors from using similar inhalation-activated heating mechanisms or specific airflow regulation techniques, thereby shaping product differentiation and market share.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This device delivers an aerosol, which is like a fine mist, to a user. It has a mouthpiece with an opening for air to come out and a path for air to flow through. A main body, called a housing, holds a replaceable container, or cartridge, which contains a substance that can turn into an aerosol and a heating part, called a vapor element. When the cartridge is in place, a controller tells the vapor element to heat the substance, releasing the aerosol into the air path, but only when the user breathes in through the mouthpiece. The device also has a built-in battery that can be recharged using an external power source through a special connector.
The clever bit
The clever part is the system's ability to precisely time the heating and release of the aerosol to coincide with a user's inhalation. This ensures that the aerosol is generated and delivered efficiently when it can be immediately drawn into the user's lungs or mouth, rather than being wasted.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover aerosol delivery devices that do not use a replaceable cartridge for the aerosolizable substance.
- Does not cover devices where the aerosolizable substance is not heated by a dedicated vapor element.
- Does not cover devices that release aerosol continuously or without being triggered by a user's inhalation.
- Does not cover devices that lack an internal power source that can be recharged from an external source.
- Does not cover devices without a specific airflow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet in the mouthpiece.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 15.2 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How a Device Delivers Aerosol with Controlled Airflow During Inhalation (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,317). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734317/systems-and-methods-of-aerosol-delivery-with-airflow-regulation
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Device Delivers Aerosol with Controlled Airflow During Inhalation cover?
This patent describes an aerosol delivery device that heats a substance from a cartridge to release an aerosol into an airflow passage specifically when a user inhales, and includes a rechargeable internal power source.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Controlled aerosol delivery is important in various fields, from medical inhalers to personal vaporizers. This patent focuses on precise delivery triggered by inhalation, which can improve efficiency and user experience. Such systems aim to provide a consistent and controlled dose of aerosol, which is crucial for both therapeutic and recreational applications.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover aerosol delivery devices that do not use a replaceable cartridge for the aerosolizable substance.
Patent monitoring