Airflow puff topography measurement device and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10849361-B2
Application number	US-201615749796-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 25, 2016
Priority date	Aug 3, 2015
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

Provided herein is a device for measuring puff topography generated by a human user of a smoking device and methods for using the same. The device may be used for research on puffing behavior of tobacco product users in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A puff topography apparatus for providing puff topographical information, comprising:
a holder comprising a flow sleeve wherein an electronic smoking device is received, wherein the holder has a tubular structure of a size suitable for said electronic smoking device and wherein each end of said electronic smoking device extends beyond said holder;
a means for applying a seal around said electronic smoking device at each end of said tubular structure;
an air inlet to permit air intake into said tubular structure;
a flow sensor for measurement of air flow into said tubular structure;
a means for data acquisition; and
a power supply.

2. The puff topography apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the means for data acquisition is embedded on an electronic board containing a microprocessor and replaceable battery.

3. The puff topography apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the electronic board, flow sensor, and holder are mounted in a single enclosure.

4. The puff topography apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the means for data acquisition and flow sensor are mounted in an externally powered enclosure which is attached to the holder via flexible tubing.

5. A method for measuring puff topography of a subject smoking an electronic smoking device, comprising the steps of:
placing said electronic smoking device within a holder comprising a flow sleeve operably connected to an air inlet and a flow sensor, wherein each end of said electronic smoking device extends beyond said holder;
sealing the ends of said flow sleeve around said electronic smoking device, wherein airflow is channeled through a single inlet;
providing said electronic smoking device arranged in said holder to said subject for smoking;
measuring flow rate of air entering said air inlet and passing through said electronic smoking device for each puff performed during said smoking step; and
acquiring and analyzing flow rate associated with at least one puff performed in said smoking step.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the parameters selected from the group consisting of puff volume, interpuff interval, and puff duration is measured in said acquiring and analyzing step.

Assignees

• Univ Virginia Commonwealth
• American Univ Of Beirut

Inventors

• Shihadeh Alan
• Eissenberg Thomas

Classifications

• A24C5/3418 Primary

  by pneumatic means (A24C5/3406 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A24F40/80

  Testing · CPC title

• A24F21/00

  Stands for smokers' requisites · CPC title

• G01F1/00

  Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow (measuring a proportion of the volume flow G01F5/00) · CPC title

• A61B5/091

  Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity · CPC title