United States Patent (19)
`Kessler et al.
`
`USOO6095153A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,095,153
`*Aug. 1, 2000
`
`54). WAPORIZATION OF WOLATILE MATERIALS
`76 Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, 122 Calamint Hill
`Rd. North, Princeton, Mass. 01541; T.
`David Marro, 26 Long Hill Rd.,
`Magnolia, Mass. 01930
`
`58 Field of Search ..................................... 131/194,329,
`131/330, 273, 328, 226,333, 348, 272,
`195, 198.1, 1982; 128/203.26, 202.21
`Ref
`Cited
`eferences Cite
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`56
`56)
`
`c:
`- - -
`(*) Notice:
`
`R
`This patent R ot
`ecution application filed under
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`21 Appl. No.: 09/100,658
`22 Filed:
`Jun. 19, 1998
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`60 Provisional application No. 60/050,254, Jun. 19, 1997.
`511 Int. Cl." ................................................... A24F 1/22
`52 U.S. Cl. .......................... 131/194; 131/272; 131/273;
`131/330
`
`5,144,962 9/1992 Counts et al. .......................... 131/194
`5,224,498 7/1993 Deevi et al. ............................ 131/194
`5,479,948
`1/1996 Counts et al. .......................... 131/194
`Primary Examiner James Derrington
`ASSistant Examiner Rob McBride
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Bruce F. Jacobs
`57
`ABSTRACT
`Vaporization of Volatile materials while avoiding combus
`tion and denaturation of Such material provide an alternative
`to combustion as means of Volatilizing bioactive and flavor
`compounds to make Such compounds available for inhala
`tion without generating toxic or carcinogenic Substances that
`are by-products of combustion and pyrolysis.
`10 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet
`
`12
`N
`36
`
`20
`
`2
`24 26 -28
`
`3O
`
`38
`
`38
`
`22
`
`ww.
`
`42-14 22.222222 pre- 29
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`36 44 32 40 34
`
`34
`
`46
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1030
`Page 001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 1, 2000
`
`6,095,153
`
`18
`
`FIG. 1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`. .
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`42–1 C 7,5ty ''''''''Til Yi Yi, Y.Y.
`- A cerereaucracialisteresa
`...
`."
`"I" .
`.
`.
`.
`.
`'
`'
`'.
`A.
`...'
`Effel
`Il -
`7
`36 44, 32 40 34
`46
`
`Ea
`
`34
`
`FIG. 2
`
`14
`
`50
`
`54
`
`52
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1030
`Page 002
`
`

`

`6,095,153
`
`1
`WAPORIZATION OF WOLATILE MATERLALS
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application Ser. No. 60/050,254, filed Jun. 19, 1997
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`wasting the Source material and making accurate dosage
`difficult. Thus, while recognizing the advantages of avoiding
`combustion, the devices do not provide means for precise
`and reproducible temperature control that is required to
`achieve volatilization without combustion.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 avoids waste of Source material
`by providing an on/off switch that can be controlled by the
`user to Switch the power off when inhalation is not occur
`ring. However there is no temperature adjustment capability
`and the principle of Switching the power on and off can only
`be effective with a low mass heating element which makes
`reproducible temperature control difficult to obtain.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,586 and 5,388,594 describe electrical
`heating devices to vaporize tobacco flavor Substances con
`tained in artificial cigarettes. The devices are not intended to
`cause combustion but no means to accurately control tem
`perature are provided. U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 falls into the
`Same general category and discloses Self-contained electri
`cally heated "Smoking devices.” The only temperature con
`trol is obtained by controlling the amount of time that the
`heater is energized. The “flavor medium’ should be heated
`to a temperature of 100 to 600 C. and, preferably, 300 to
`400° C. U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 describes a heating element
`having a predetermined electrical resistance which is
`intended to control the temperature of operation of the above
`devices. Intended operating temperatures are 100 to 600 C.,
`preferably 250 to 500° C. U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 teaches a
`Simple electronic controller for use in the above "Smoking
`articles.” While the controller delivers a measured amount of
`energy to a heating element, it contains no temperature
`Sensor or temperature control means, thereby resulting in
`temperature variation depending upon ambient conditions.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,442 teaches that a charge of tobacco
`in a vaporizer device is to be brought to combustion
`temperature, thus the device does not avoid the hazards
`caused by combustion.
`Several devices have been Suggested to utilize combus
`tion as a heat Source, while isolating the material to be
`vaporized from the fuel material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,032
`discloses a device resembling a Standard tobacco pipe but
`adding a separate chamber containing e.g. charcoal fitted
`above the bowl to supply heat to the “smokeable substance.”
`The device also includes a reservoir that may be partially
`filled with liquid to cool the vapors. U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,831
`is a more recent example of this approach and features a
`carbonaceous fuel element and an “aeroSol forming Sub
`stance' packaged together in a form resembling a cigarette.
`The “aerosol forming substance” is held in a heat conductive
`container Such that heat from the fuel Source reaches it by
`conduction. Carbon monoxide is generated by the carbon
`aceous fuel and temperatures near the fuel reach 400 to 600
`C.
`Some other patents that use an isolated combustion Source
`to generate vapors and/or aerosols include: U.S. Pat. Nos.
`4,340,072, 4,474,191, 5,042,509, 5,099,861, 5,105,831,
`5,156,170 and 5,345,951.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874 and 4,947,875,
`describe drug delivery, Smoking, and flavor delivery articles
`comprising a reusable controller coupled with a disposable
`heating element. The heating element, having a specific
`Surface area greater than 1.0 m/g, is impregnated with an
`aeroSol forming material. The temperature control is time
`based or current modulation. No means of temperature
`Sensing is described. The preferred temperature range given
`is 150 to 350° C., not to exceed 550° C. U.S. Pat. No.
`5,388,574 discloses an alternative means of temperature
`
`15
`
`35
`
`40
`
`Combustion of Substances to enable the inhalation of
`Volatile materials contained therein has been practiced for
`millennia. In more recent times, the health effects of this
`practice have been extensively Studied from an epidemio
`logical viewpoint and the hazards of Smoking tobacco have
`been well documented. Combustion of tobacco, cannabis or
`other “Smoking materials,” is accompanied by Oxidation,
`hydrogenation, cracking, distillation and Sublimation. The
`first three of these processes result in the formation of
`chemical compounds not present in the original Source
`material and it is these products of combustion and pyrolysis
`that are generally recognized as the most hazardous aspect
`of Smoking. By heating a Substance Such that distillation and
`Sublimation occur without combustion, only those com
`pounds present in the Source material which are Sufficiently
`volatile to boil or Sublime at a given temperature will be
`available for inhalation. By eliminating combustion as a heat
`Source, the health risks and benefits of the volatile com
`25
`pounds present in a Source material can be evaluated on their
`own merits. For example, a study performed by the National
`Toxicology Program and overseen by the U.S. Food and
`Drug Administration and the National Cancer Institute con
`cluded that the active principal of cannabis,
`tetrahydrocannabinol, does not cause cancer and may have
`protected laboratory animals against malignancies. Nicotine,
`the active principal of tobacco, is highly toxic and is
`considered addictive, but it is not carcinogenic. Whether
`these volatile compounds and others ought to be adminis
`tered to humans is a question that could be better addressed
`if a simple means existed for vaporizing the compounds in
`the absence of combustion.
`The advantages of Volatilization and inhalation as a drug
`delivery method include: Simplicity, Selective extraction of
`bioactive compounds from crude plant Sources and the rapid
`uptake of Substances by the lungs. This rapid uptake leads in
`turn to bloodstream levels of bioactive Substances quickly
`reaching effective concentrations. The rapidity of action is
`very desirable to a patient who is Seeking relief from
`Symptoms whose onset is Sudden and cannot be anticipated.
`Compared with oral administration, relatively Smaller doses
`can be administered, having a shorter duration of action and
`enabling the patient to "titrate' the dosage over time. Titrat
`ing the dosage can minimize total dosage, thereby reducing
`the probability of undesirable side effects. These advantages
`apply to both pure compounds and crude mixtures of com
`pounds.
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,141,368 and 4,303.083 describe electrical
`devices for volatilizing desired components of Smoking
`materials without combustion. The first uses an incandescent
`light bulb as a heating Source while the Second uses a
`rheostat or thermoStat controlling an electrical resistance
`heating element. While the second offers the possibility of
`fine tuning the operating temperature, the adjustment would
`have to be made repeatedly to compensate for variations in
`one or more of ambient temperature, rate of inhalation, and
`Voltage in the power Source. Since each adjustment requires
`trial and error, overshooting would lead to the undesirable
`effect of incomplete combustion. Also, both devices require
`continuous heating of the Source material which generates
`Vapors whether or not inhalation is occurring, thereby both
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1030
`Page 003
`
`

`

`6,095,153
`
`3
`control based upon the use of Sensors or thermostats Such as
`bimetallic Strips.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,606 describes specially modified
`tobacco compositions and devices intended to heat the
`compositions and liberate nicotine by electricity, a gas
`burner, or by the mixing of liquids to liberate heat. The
`electrically heated version of the device includes a tempera
`ture sensor controlled by on/off switching of current. The
`device is intended for use with chemically modified tobacco
`which is capable of releasing nicotine at a relatively low
`temperature of about 30 to 200° C.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,574 is another example of an aerosol
`delivery article that is limited in applicability to specific
`formulations. The devices of this patent incorporate a first
`nebulizing Stage and a Second heating Stage. Multi
`component aeroSol forming materials are introduced into an
`ultrasound generator, i.e. a nebulizer, which disperses them
`into relatively large particles 5 to 50 um in diameter. In the
`Second Stage, the dispersion is heated to a temperature below
`that which would vaporize the active ingredients, but which
`Vaporizes or otherwise activates the aerosol generating
`ingredient (s). Thus Submicron particles are generated with
`out evaporating and Subsequently condensing the active
`ingredient(s). The aerosol is Subjected to temperatures in the
`heating stage of from 50 to 400 C. Surface temperatures in
`the heating stage are from 200 to 600 C., preferably from
`200 to 300° C.
`While the prior art has proposed devices for the purpose
`of vaporizing Substances in the absence of combustion, the
`present invention provides more precise and reproducible
`control of temperature than in the prior art. In addition, the
`invention provides a convenient means of controlling the
`time of exposure of the Source material to elevated tempera
`tures. These advantages are especially important when the
`compounds to be delivered by vaporization offer little mar
`gin for error between the temperature of vaporization and
`the temperature at which thermal degradation occurs.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`produce a device and method which can accomplish vapor
`ization of a volatile compound to make Such compound
`available for inhalation without generating toxic or carcino
`genic Substances that are by-products of combustion and
`pyrolysis.
`It is a further object to deliver controlled amounts of
`bio-active or flavor compounds to an individual through
`inhalation.
`More particularly, it is an object of this invention to utilize
`Vaporization of a volatile Source material in the absence of
`combustion to provide an inhalation delivery System com
`50
`bining efficient usage of Source material, accurate delivery
`dosage, and minimum emission of vapors into the ambient
`a.
`It is a still further object to produce a vapor delivery
`System having enhanced temperature Stability.
`These and still further objects are described in the ensuing
`detailed description of the invention.
`
`4
`of operation of the heating System Substantially constant
`within a narrow limited range, generally within about 10 C.,
`preferably within about 5 C., and most preferably within
`about 2 C.
`More particularly, a device intended for use with multiple
`Volatile Source materials which vaporize at different tem
`peratures comprises a high thermal mass heating System
`having one or more air flow holes extending therethrough
`and a temperature Sensor, a volatile Source material holder
`which fits within a chamber in the heating system when
`inhalation is to occur and is removed from the heating
`System when inhalation is not occurring, and a closed loop
`feedback temperature controller. Most preferably, the device
`further comprises a means for forcing air through the air
`flow holes at a controlled rate and a closed loop proportional
`feedback temperature control.
`More particularly for a device intended for use with a
`Single Volatile Source material at a single temperature, a
`Simpler device may be used. In this case, the device com
`prises a high thermal mass heating System having one or
`more air flow holes extending therethrough, a Volatile Source
`material holder which fits within a chamber in the heating
`System when inhalation is to occur and is removed from the
`heating System when inhalation is not occurring, a constant
`Voltage power Source, and a means for forcing air through
`the air flow holes. A combination of a temperature Sensor in
`the heating System and a power Source having an on-off
`controller can be Substituted for the constant Voltage power
`SOCC.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general elements
`of vaporization devices of this invention.
`FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred heating
`System.
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a removable volatile
`Source material holder.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`The vaporization of a volatile material without combus
`tion or significant denaturation of the Volatile material is
`accomplished by a device having a combination of a stable
`heating System, a Source material holding means which is
`insertable in and removable from the heating System, and a
`temperature control means which maintains the temperature
`of operation of the heating System within a narrow limited
`range, generally within about 10 C. of a set point deter
`mined based upon properties of the volatile material.
`Preferably, the device maintains the temperature of opera
`tion within 5 C. of the set point. Most preferably, the device
`maintains the temperature of operation within 2 C. of the
`Set point.
`The vaporization devices of this invention generally com
`bine high thermal mass to provide temperature Stability,
`either or both of closed-loop feedback temperature control
`and constant air flow to achieve accurate temperature control
`and further promote temperature Stability, and a means to
`quickly remove the Source material from the heated area
`when inhalation is not taking place. By providing means for
`accurately and reproducibly controlling temperature, the
`devices of this invention allow a wide range of materials to
`be volatilized while avoiding combustion of the materials
`and of any ingredients admixed with. By providing a means
`for quickly and easily removing the Source material from the
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The vaporization of a Volatile Source material without
`combustion or Significant denaturation of the Source material
`is accomplished by a device comprising, in combination, a
`heating System which can maintain a constant temperature,
`a Source material holder which is insertable in and remov
`able from a chamber within the heating System, and a
`temperature control means which maintains the temperature
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1030
`Page 004
`
`

`

`6,095,153
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`S
`heat Source, the device ensures efficient usage of Source
`material, accurate dosage and minimum emission of vapors
`into the ambient air that could be inhaled inadvertently by
`others.
`In one embodiment, the device contains an electrical
`resistance heater installed in a relatively large (high thermal
`mass) metal body, which also comprises one or more air
`passages and a chamber into which a Source material holder
`can be introduced. Adjacent to the chamber is a thermo
`couple to Sense the temperature of the chamber. Remote
`from the heating device itself and connected by wires are a
`power Supply and temperature control circuitry. The remote
`control unit may include a temperature display device for
`Setting and indicating the temperature of the device.
`The temperature for vaporizing a given Source material is
`predetermined. Once Set, however, the temperature of this
`device is precisely controlled and reproducible.
`Another embodiment, designed to work at a single tem
`perature is useful when only one Source material will be used
`and the Volatilization temperature of that material has been
`determined. This device also makes use of a relatively large
`heating structure, but has no Sophisticated temperature con
`trol circuitry. Instead it is provided with a Source of constant
`air flow, which, combined with the large thermal mass, leads
`to good temperature control. Low-cost pumps that can
`provide constant air flow at a rate comparable to or slightly
`less than typical inhalation rates include Vibratory pumps of
`the Sort used to aerate aquaria. Alternatively, the pump can
`operate Such that a momentarily higher rate of flow can be
`induced by the user as he or She inhales, i.e. temporarily
`overriding the pump.
`A third embodiment combines elements of both the first
`and Second embodiments. This device, which utilizes high
`thermal mass, feedback temperature control, and constant air
`flow, offers the most precise and reproducible temperature
`control. Such a device is particularly useful for materials
`with little difference between volatilization and combustion
`temperatures or where the Source material contains a mix
`ture of compounds, only one of which is to be vaporized, and
`the combustion temperature of the unvaporized compound is
`close to the volatilization temperature of the desired com
`pound.
`Generally, as shown in FIG. 1, a vaporization device 10
`includes a heating device 12, an insertable and removable
`Source material delivery means 14, and a control module 16.
`In use, the heating device 12 is energized from a power
`Source generally located within the control module 16 and
`electrically connected to the heating device 12 by flexible
`connector 18. The heating device 12 is energized and heats
`up to a pre-Set Steady State temperature, generally a few
`degrees C below the intended Set point operating tempera
`ture which will be utilized for the specific source material
`being volatilized. When the Steady State temperature is
`attained, an air pump (not shown), generally physically
`within the control module 16, can be energized, preferably
`automatically, and the temperature allowed to increase the
`last few degrees until a Substantially constant predetermined
`operating temperature is attained. When the heating device
`12 reaches the operating temperature and vaporization is to
`occur, the Source material delivery means 14 is inserted into
`a chamber within the heating device 12 and a user can inhale
`Vapors of the volatile material. After each inhalation, the
`user is able to remove the Source material delivery means 14
`from the heating device 12 So that additional vaporization
`does not occur until the delivery means 14 is reinserted. This
`minimizes contamination of the Surrounding environment
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`from the vaporized material. The control module 16 causes
`the chamber of the heating device 12 into which the delivery
`means 14 is inserted to be maintained at a Substantially
`constant temperature, i.e. within about 10 C., preferably
`within about 5 C., and most preferably within about 2 C.
`Thus, when the user wants to inhale a second breath of
`Vaporized Source material, the delivery means 14 is rein
`Serted into the heating device 12 which is at the operating
`temperature. Preferably, the delivery means 14 includes a
`Seal means (not shown) So that a tight fit with the chamber
`
`OCCS.
`If the device is to be used for a single Source material, then
`the Set point and operating temperatures may be "factory
`Set' and designed for adjustment only by Service perSonnel.
`Alternatively, if the device is intended for multiple source
`materials or for research purposes, the temperatures can be
`adjustable by the user within a predetermined range. The
`optimum temperature of operation will depend upon the
`properties of the Source material to be vaporized and any
`residual Substances that are present.
`A suitable heating device 12 is shown in FIG. 2 and has
`an electric heating element 20 inserted into a metallic
`conduction block 22. Such heating elements are commer
`cially available and a currently preferred heating element is
`a Self-contained cartridge heater, Such as the HotWatt
`SC-18-3 (Hotwatt Inc., Danvers, Mass.). The conduction
`block 22 is generally made of a high thermal conductivity
`metal, Such as copper or aluminum, although other metals
`Such as Stainless Steel may also be used. The conduction
`block 22 is relatively large, i.e. has a high thermal mass. The
`mass must be Sufficiently large that the device can maintain
`the temperature of operation within the limits Specified.
`The conduction block 22 is surrounded by a metallic inner
`case 24 which forms an inner annular space 26 therebe
`tween. The inner case 24 is Surrounded by a metallic or
`non-metallic outer case 28 which form an outer annular
`space 30 between the outer case 28 and the inner case 24. Air
`is caused to enter the outer annular space 30, pass through
`the inner annular space 26 and then through a Series of air
`holes 34 into a central air passage 32 which allows unim
`peded air flow therethrough and inhalation of vaporized
`material. Solid washers 36 are used to close the ends of the
`inner and Outer annular spaces and direct the flow of air
`through the conduction block. Perforated washers 38 are
`used to provide internal Support to the annular SpaceS while
`allowing the passage of air through them. AS shown, the
`central air passage 32 is filled with copper wool 40 to
`improve heat transfer to the air Stream. The conduction
`block 22 could be fabricated in a number of different
`geometrical forms and Still provide the required heat transfer
`characteristics.
`The heating device 12 includes a receiving chamber 42
`which is shaped to receive and hold one end of the Source
`material delivery means 14 during vaporization. A tempera
`ture Sensor 44 is located in or adjacent to the central air
`passage 32, near the point where air emerges from the
`passage 32 into receiving chamber 42, thus it Samples
`temperatures in close proximity to the point where vapor
`ization occurs. Preferred Sensors are thermocouples, but
`other types of Sensors, Such as thermistors, can be used.
`Temperature information from the sensor 44 is transmitted
`to the controller 16 via a wire 46.
`The heating device 12 further includes an air inlet 29 for
`receiving air, either from the atmosphere or from an air
`pump (not shown) generally located within control module
`16.
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1030
`Page 005
`
`

`

`7
`The temperature Sensor 44, coupled with an electronic
`controller in control module 16, enables closed-loop feed
`back control of the temperature of the heating device and air
`Stream.
`The outer case 28 can be fabricated from an engineering
`thermoplastic with good elevated temperature properties
`Such as polysulfone or polyphenylene oxide. The case, while
`used in air flow also is intended to allow the heating device
`12 to maintain a Sufficiently low Surface temperatures that a
`user can comfortably hold the device in his or her hands. If
`desired, the device can be covered with a layer of insulating
`material Such as Silicone foam rubber (not shown).
`FIG. 3 shows a preferred source material delivery means
`14 having a mouthpiece 50, a Source material container 52,
`and an air baffle 54. The mouthpiece 50, which conveys the
`Vapors to the user, can be a simple hollow tube that can be
`either fabricated from or covered with a material having
`insulating properties So as to minimize conduction of heat to
`the lips of the user. The engineering thermoplastics identi
`fied for the outer case 28 are examples of suitable materials
`for the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece 50 may assume a
`number of different shapes, the main requirements being that
`it feel comfortable to the user and maintain a comfortable
`Surface temperature. The Source material container 52 may
`vary in composition and form depending upon the nature of
`the material to be vaporized. A general purpose embodiment
`that is useful for both solid and liquid forms of source
`material is a basket fabricated from fine wire mesh Such as
`Tetco 50/.009/304 (Tetco Inc., Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.).
`Alternatively, when a device is to be used only to vaporize
`liquid Substances, the Source material container 52 may be
`a porous plug, e.g. a plug fabricated from Sintered Stainless
`Steel or copper or a porous polymer Suitable for elevated
`temperature use Such as Sintered nylon. The Source material
`container 52 preferably has a shape which substantially
`completely fills the receiving chamber 42 of the heating
`device 12 when it is inserted therein.
`The air baffle 54, shown as a flange, extends outward at
`the base of the mouthpiece and Serves as a cover for the
`Source material container 52 when it is inserted into the
`receiving chamber 42 of the heating device 12. The air baffle
`54 is used to minimize/-prevent air by-passing the lumen
`of mouthpiece 50 during inhalation and to protect a user
`from the elevated temperatures of exposed portions of
`conduction block 22. Alternatively, the air baffle could be
`omitted from the Source material delivery means 14 and
`incorporated onto the heating device 12.
`A particularly advantageous method to manufacture the
`Source material delivery means 14 is insert injection mold
`ing. In insert injection molding, prefabricated components
`Such as a wire mesh basket or porous plug are installed in an
`injection mold prior to injection. Upon injection of a molten
`thermoplastic to form the mouthpiece 50 and the air baffle
`54, the prefabricated basket or plug becomes incorporated
`into the final part in a single operation. The Source material
`delivery means 14 is intended to be replacable should the
`Source material container 52 become clogged. Alternatively,
`it may be designed for a Single use, being Sold with a
`measured dose of a vaporizable Source material installed.
`The control module 16 contains a power Supply (not
`shown), an electronic temperature controller (not shown),
`and an air pump (not shown). The separate Subcomponents
`preferably share a common housing which is connected to
`the heating device 12 by a flexible connector 18 or “umbili
`cal cord containing all necessary wires and tubes. If the
`combination of components is Sufficiently Small and/or light,
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6,095,153
`
`8
`they may be directly incorporated into the heating device 12
`which is generally intended to be hand-held.
`The power Supply generally uses a step-down transformer
`and rectifier to produce a low-voltage DC current for opera
`tion of the electronic components and, optionally, the heat
`ing element. Alternatively, the power Supply may be a
`battery, preferably a rechargeable one.
`The temperature controller is the key element of a closed
`loop feedback temperature control System which will pro
`vide the best temperature control. To accomplish closed
`loop feedback control, the controller receives information
`from a temperature Sensor 44 located in the heating device
`12 at about the receiving chamber 42, compares the mea
`Sured temperature with a pre-determined temperature Set
`point, and adjusts the electrical output to heating element 20
`as needed. Preferred temperature controllers are those des
`ignated as proportional controllers. In proportional control,
`the controller “recognizes” any deviation from the Set point
`and proportions the corrective action to the Size of the
`deviation. The most preferred type of temperature controller
`are those designated as proportional-integral-derivative or
`PID, an example of which is Omron E5CS (Omron
`Electronics, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.). In addition to
`proportioning, PID controllers incorporate (i) an integral
`function that eliminates Steady-state offset and (ii) a deriva
`tive function that is Sensitive to the rate of change of
`deviation from the set point. The control module 16 may also
`include a digital display that can Selectively indicate either
`the Set point temperature or the operating temperature of the
`heating device.
`The air pump is used to Supply air at a constant flow rate
`to the heating device. A flexible connector 18 leads from the
`air pump to air inlet 29 of heating device 12. Currently
`preferred pumps are designed for constant flow operation in
`the range of about 0.5 to about 5.0 liter/min, more preferably
`at a flow rate of about 1.0 to about 3.0 liter/min. An example
`of such an air pump is the Silent-Air X4 (PenPlax Inc.,
`Garden City, N.Y.).
`The vaporization devices of the invention are useful for
`Source materials that can be vaporized without significant
`decomposition of either the Source material or any residues.
`In general, the operating temperature may be between about
`100 to about 400 C. or higher, depending upon the specific
`compound being vaporized. Typically the operating tem
`perature will be within the range of about 200 to about 350
`C. To obtain vaporization of a given Substance while avoid
`ing combustion or denaturation of Substances in the device,
`the operating temperature of the device and the air Stream
`must be maintained within a very narrow range. The most
`preferred embodiment of described herein is capable of
`maintaining an operating temperature within t1.0° C. The
`operating temperature is the temperature within the device
`that defines an upper bound on the temperature to which the
`Source material will be exposed. Once the desired operating
`temperature has been determined for a given Substance, the
`device is Set to maintain that temperature regardless of
`variations in ambient temperature, electrical Supply Voltage,
`or user inhalation rate.
`The time of exposure of the Source material to elevated
`temperature is important. The time must be Sufficiently long
`for vaporization to occur but not So long that denaturation
`can occur. The minimum exposure time is determined by the
`biomechanics of inhalation, i.e. the time required for a user
`to inhale a Sufficient quantity of vapor to produce the desired
`effect. Generally, this will vary from about 3 to about 10-15
`Seconds. This invention enables the user to control the time
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1030
`Page 006
`
`

`

`6,095,153
`
`of exposure by removal of the Source material delivery
`means 14 from the receiving chamber 42 following each
`inhalation and thereby minimize unwanted vaporization and
`denaturation.
`The following examples demonstrate the performance of
`a device constructed in accordance with the present inven
`tion. All parts and percents are by weight unless otherwise
`Specified.
`
`EXAMPLE 1.
`A prototype heating device was constructed in accordance
`with FIG. 2. Power to the heating element was controlled by
`an Omron E5CS controller (Omron Electronics, Inc.,
`Schaumberg, Ill.) equipped with a type J thermocouple
`(Omega Engineering, Inc., Stamford, Conn.)