Systems and methods of aerosol delivery with airflow regulation
An example aerosol delivery device includes a mouthpiece having an airflow outlet, and an airflow passage extending between an airflow inlet and the airflow outlet. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a housing configured to receive a cartridge that includes an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element configured to heat the aerosolizable substance, and an internal power source configured to provide electrical power. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a controller coupled to the internal power source to receive a portion of the electrical power and configured to, when the cartridge is installed at the housing, cause the vapor element of the cartridge to heat the aerosolizable substance to release an aerosol into the airflow passage during an inhalation through the airflow outlet, and a connector configured to receive power from an external source to recharge the internal power source.
1 . An aerosol delivery device comprising:
an airflow inlet;
a mouthpiece region having an aerosol outlet, wherein the mouthpiece region is removably attached to the aerosol delivery device;
an airflow path from the airflow inlet to the aerosol outlet;
a receptacle configured to receive a cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element, the aerosolizable substance at least partially surrounds the vapor element, and the vapor element includes an electrically-resistive heater configured to, when activated, vaporize a portion of the aerosolizable substance to produce an aerosol;
an internal battery to provide power;
a controller coupled to the internal battery to receive the power and configured to, in response to each inhalation, activate the vapor element to release a respective dose of the aerosol of the aerosolizable substance; and
a connector, when connected, configured to receive power from an external source to recharge the internal battery, wherein the connector is positioned at an end of the aerosol delivery device opposite the aerosol outlet, wherein
the airflow inlet is located between the mouthpiece region and the connector,
the aerosol delivery device has an overall elongated shape of non-circular cross-section,
the aerosol delivery device includes six faces, the aerosol outlet is located at a first face of the six faces, a second face is opposite the first face, and a third face, a fourth face, a fifth face, and a sixth face extend between the first face and the second face,
the third face is opposite the fourth face and the fifth face is opposite the sixth face, and
the controller and the internal battery are disposed in a first space between the third face and the fourth face and in a second space between the fifth face and the sixth face.
2 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to transfer, send or receive data or instructions between an external electronic device, computer or smart phone.
3 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the data or the instructions include information to authorize a user or use, information to lockout unauthorized users or use, a password, user data, medicament information, dosage counting, time/date memory, dosage usage history, serial number, instructions used by the controller to regulate heating temperatures, power, a duration of heating, period, of the vapor element, or any combination thereof.
4 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , further comprising a microchip or memory chip configured to store at least some of the data or the instructions.
5 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a USB connector, a USB port, a micro USB connector, a micro USB port, an adaptor, or a derivative thereof.
6 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the airflow path extends through the cartridge.
7 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect an inhalation and provide a signal to the controller, the signal indicating detection of the inhalation.
8 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to illuminate an indicator light when in use.
9 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical contact configured to provide electrical communication between the controller and the cartridge.
10 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the aerosolizable substance includes at least one of a cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol, a tetrahydrocannabinol salt, a tetrahydrocannabinol analogue, a tetrahydrocannabinol derivative, a tetrahydrocannabinol extract, or any combination thereof.
11 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the aerosolizable substance includes at least one of nicotine, a nicotine salt, a nicotine analogue, a nicotine derivative, a nicotine extract, or any combination thereof.
12 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to illuminate an indicator light to signal when data or instructions are being transferred.
13 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to be replaceable.
14 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to be refillable with the aerosolizable substance.
15 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising a circuit board configured to include the controller.
16 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the external source to recharge the internal battery includes an external device or a power adapter.
17 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect an inhalation duration, an inhalation intensity, or a combination thereof, wherein the controller is configured to receive detection of the inhalation duration, the inhalation intensity, or the combination thereof from the sensor.
18 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 17 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of an airflow sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a pressure sensor.
19 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 18 , further comprising an indicator light, wherein the controller is configured to cause the indicator light to illuminate in response to detection of the inhalation duration, the inhalation intensity, or the combination thereof.
20 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator light, wherein the controller is configured to cause the indicator light to illuminate in response to detection of a level of electrical power of the internal battery, recharging of the internal battery, the internal battery falling below an available power threshold, or any combination thereof.
21 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator light, wherein the controller is configured to cause the indicator light to illuminate in response to detection that a temperature of the vapor element is equal to or greater than a temperature setting.
22 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator light, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the indicator light to illuminate in response to detection that vaporization is taking place.
23 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to store a temperature setting associated with the vapor element, wherein the temperature setting indicates a temperature to heat the aerosolizable substance.
24 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the first space is a same space as the second space.
25 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the aerosolizable substance and the vapor element are additionally disposed in the first space between the third face and the fourth face and in the second space between the fifth face and the sixth face.
26 . The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the third face and the fourth face have a larger surface area than the fifth face and the sixth face and the airflow inlet is at least partially defined by the third face.
27 . An aerosol delivery device, comprising:
a mouthpiece having an airflow outlet;
an airflow path from an airflow inlet to the airflow outlet;
a cartridge including an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element, the aerosolizable substance at least partially surrounding the vapor element and the vapor element including an electrically-resistive heater configured to vaporize of a portion of the aerosolizable substance to provide a condensation aerosol;
a housing configured to receive the cartridge;
an internal power source configured to provide electrical power;
a controller coupled to the internal power source to receive the electrical power and configured to cause the vapor element of the cartridge to vaporize the portion of the aerosolizable substance and provide the condensation aerosol into the airflow path; and
a connector configured to receive power from an external source to recharge the internal power source, wherein
the airflow inlet is located between the mouthpiece and the connector,
the aerosol delivery device has six faces,
during inhalation of the aerosol delivery device, the airflow outlet is located at a first face of the six faces and a second face of the six faces is opposite the first face,
a remaining four faces of the six faces extend between the first face and the second face,
the remaining four faces of the six faces include a third face opposite a fourth face and a fifth face opposite a sixth face, and
the controller and the internal power source are disposed in a first space between the third face and the fourth face and in a second space between the fifth face and the sixth face.
28 . An aerosol delivery device, comprising:
a plurality of external surfaces including a front face, a rear face opposite the front face, a first side face between the front face and the rear face, a second side face opposite the first side face, a downstream end face, and an upstream end face opposite the downstream end face, the front face and the rear face having a larger surface area than the first side face and the second side face;
a mouthpiece having an airflow outlet;
an airflow path extending from an airflow inlet to the airflow outlet;
an internal power source configured to provide electrical power;
a cartridge including an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element, the aerosolizable substance at least partially surrounding the vapor element and the vapor element configured to receive the electrical power from the internal power source to heat the aerosolizable substance;
a housing configured to receive the cartridge;
a controller coupled to the internal power source to receive the electrical power and configured to cause the vapor element of the cartridge to vaporize a portion of the aerosolizable substance and provide an aerosol into the airflow path; and
a connector configured to receive power from an external source to recharge the internal power source, wherein
the airflow inlet is located between the mouthpiece and the connector,
the airflow path extends through the cartridge and is at least partially defined by the front face and the airflow outlet,
during inhalation of the aerosol delivery device, the airflow outlet is located at the downstream end face of the plurality of external surfaces, and
the controller and the internal power source are disposed in a first space between the front face and the rear face and in a second space between the first side face and the second side face.
29 . An aerosol generating device, comprising:
a plurality of external surfaces including a front face, a rear face opposite the front face, a first side face between the front face and the rear face, a second side face opposite the first side face, a downstream end face, and an upstream end face opposite the downstream end face, the front face and the rear face having a larger surface area than the first side face and the second side face;
a mouthpiece having an airflow outlet;
an interface configured to receive power from an external source to recharge an internal power source; and
a cartridge including an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element, the aerosolizable substance at least partially surrounding the vapor element, the vapor element configured to receive power from the internal power source to heat the aerosolizable substance, and at least one external face of the cartridge configured to form a portion of at least one surface of the plurality of external surfaces,
wherein an airflow path extends through the cartridge from an airflow inlet to the airflow outlet, and the internal power source is disposed in a first space between the front face and the rear face and in a second space between the first side face and the second side face.