Patent ID: 8020973
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: A61M,B05B

Abstract:
1. A programmable liquid droplet spray device for atomising a liquid substance, comprising: (a) a housing comprising a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said first substrate has at least one membrane section that is thinner than a rest of said first substrate, and said first substrate has a cavity formed on the first surface that at least partially defines said at least one membrane section; (b) a space within the housing adapted to contain the liquid substance; (c) a first supply disposed to supply said liquid substance to said space, wherein the second surface of the first substrate is directed toward said space; (d) an outlet arranged in said membrane section and comprising at least one outlet nozzle arranged in the first surface of said first substrate and at least one output channel connecting said space to said at least one outlet nozzle; (e) a vibrating element disposed to vibrate liquid in said space so as to eject said liquid substance as an atomized spray through said at least one outlet nozzle; and (f) a voltage supply connected to the vibrating element, wherein said at least one output channel has a stepped shape having a lower portion and an upper portion, and said lower portion is arranged adjacent said space and is of larger diameter than said upper portion, and said output channel has straight and parallel side walls, and in that said rest of said first substrate comprises sections that are thicker than said membrane section and that are located on the side of the first surface of said first substrate, and wherein droplet size of the atomized spray through said at least one outlet nozzle is variable by varying only the applied voltage so that the liquid droplet spray device is a programmable platform that generates the atomized spray comprising droplets of a selected size based on selected applied voltage.