End-of-dose detection in nebulizers
US10967138B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB06B2201/77
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A digital processor of a nebulizer controller controls and monitors drive current (I) applied to an aperture plate. The drive current is detected as a series of discrete values at each of multiple measuring points, each having a particular drive frequency The processor in real time calculates a slope or rate of change of drive current with frequency and additionally determines a minimum value for drive current leading up to the peak value. The processor uses both the value of the minimum drive current during the scan and also the maximum slope value to achieve reliable prediction of end of dose, when the aperture plate becomes dry.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.