# 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. - **Patent:** US 12734317 - **Original title:** Systems and methods of aerosol delivery with airflow regulation - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, mechanical, telecommunications ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Electronic cigarettes (vaping devices) 2. Personal vaporizers 3. Some types of portable medical nebulizers ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734317/systems-and-methods-of-aerosol-delivery-with-airflow-regulation **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12734317 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Vaporizer Cartridge for Blending Multiple Vapors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733677/vaporizer-cartridge-for-heating-more-than-one-vaporizable-material) — This patent describes a vaporizer cartridge designed to heat more than one type of vaporizable material simultaneously, creating a single, combined inhalable aerosol for a customized experience. - [How Suction Controls Fluid Collection for Medical Tests](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733849/fluid-control-devices-and-methods-of-using-the-same) — This patent describes a device that uses different levels of suction to precisely control and separate bodily fluids, like blood, for collection and analysis. - [Precise Medicine Delivery Device with Priming Control](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734300/devices-and-methods-for-precision-dose-delivery) — This patent describes a device for accurately measuring and delivering liquid medicine, using a special mechanism to control how a plunger moves during both initial setup and actual delivery. - [How Batteries Charge Fast in the Cold Without Damage](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10186887/systems-and-methods-for-fast-charging-batteries-at-low-temperatures) — This patent describes a smart battery system that uses an internal heater to warm itself up for quick, safe charging, even when it's freezing outside. - [How a Fuel Cell Humidifier Controls Air Moisture with a Smart Valve](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10950878/humidifier-for-a-fuel-cell) — This patent describes a fuel cell humidifier that uses two humidifying spaces and a controllable valve to precisely adjust the moisture content of incoming air before it reaches the fuel cell stack, improving efficiency and durability.