Patent ID: 6250301
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for extracting active ingredients from a specimen of at least one of a crude natural product and an inert particulate matrix, comprising:means for providing an ascending heated gas stream such that said specimen is heated by said heated gas stream to a predetermined temperature wherein said active ingredients of said specimen are volatilized;means for isolating said specimen such that particles of said specimen are suspended within a predetermined area by said heated gas stream while said specimen is heated to said predetermined temperature during apparatus use, said isolation means being disposed downstream from said heating means;means for filtering said particles of said specimen provided downstream from said isolation means, such that during inhalation by a user of said active ingredients of said specimen, said particles of said specimen are not inhaled by said user after said active ingredients of said specimen have been volatilized within said isolation means by said heating means; andmeans for diverting said heated gas stream away from said specimen during intermittent periods of apparatus disuse by said user, said diverting means being provided downstream from said heating means.