Nicotine Cessation Device and Method of Using Same

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/502,425, filed on Nov. 6, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/782,781, filed Feb. 5, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,805,812, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/801,134, filed Feb. 5, 2019, the entirety of each which is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present invention relates to device and method to promote breaking of a nicotine addiction/dependency and encouraging cessation of smoking or vaping, and more particularly relates to a nicotine cessation device including a plurality of vaping pods wherein each pod has different nicotine concentration, and still more particularly to a method of employing the nicotine cessation device to systematically taper nicotine intake until nicotine is no longer consumed.

Vaping is the inhaling of an aerosolized fluid (vapor) produced by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or another similar device. Proponents argue that vaping produces a safer delivery of nicotine to its users than cigarettes. However, the combination of flavor, elevated nicotine concentrations and lower price have increased the consumption and the population of adults and young adults consuming nicotine. As is known, nicotine is an addictive chemical commonly associated with cigarette smoking. While there is some question as to nicotine's carcinogenicity, nicotine is frequently inhaled with other known or suspected carcinogens, such as volatile organic compounds like acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and toluene, and heavy metals like cadmium and lead.

Nicotine patches and nicotine gum are used by many people to break their addiction/dependency. Nevertheless, some people still find it difficult to break their addiction through the continued use of conventional methods of breaking an addiction. Moreover, breaking a nicotine addiction increases in difficulty as the consumer's resistance increases when accustomed to higher consumption rates of nicotine. By way of example, someone who smokes one cigarette per day has a significantly easier time breaking the nicotine addiction than someone who smokes four cigarettes per day.

According to the CDC based on 2018 statistics, of the 248 million adults in the United States, 17% are smokers. This is down from 21% which was measured 15 years ago. Of the 28 million young adults aged 12-18, 6% smoke tobacco (about 1.7 million young adults between 12 and 18 years old). Of the 16 million young adults aged 15-18 (high school aged), 25% vape (about 4 million between 15 and 18 years old). Moreover, an average cigarette provides about 12 mg of nicotine during its use, with the average ingestion by the consumer of about 1.1-1.8 mg of nicotine. Thus, for each pack of cigarettes, the user will inhale between 22-36 mg of nicotine. An average adult consumer smokes about 1100 cigarettes per year, which comes out to about 3 cigarettes per day and approximately 4.5 mg nicotine/day. In contrast, typically available vape juice has a nicotine concentration of about 5% nicotine. Thus, a typically available vape juice pod containing about 1 milliliter of vape juice will deliver about 50 mg of nicotine. This is more than 2× the nicotine available in a pack of cigarettes. Moreover, the average vape user consumes a pod every three days. This means that the average vape user is consuming about 16.67 mg nicotine/day, which is 4× that of cigarette users. Consequently, while it appears that safer delivery of addictive nicotine exists in atomized/vaporized e-cigarettes when compared to tobacco cigarettes, vaping is leading to a greater percentage of the young adult population becoming addicted to nicotine, with such addiction being exponentially more difficult to overcome.

Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that provides a safe delivery of lower nicotine concentrations, while incorporating psychological and sociological positive reinforcement training to support the reduction of nicotine consumption as a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), with the ultimate aim to free a user from their nicotine dependency. The present invention addresses these as well as other needs.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for aiding in the cessation of a nicotine dependency including a nicotine cessation device. The device includes a device housing comprising a plurality of vapor access ports. Each access port includes a fluid pod bay configured to receive a fluid pod and to energize the vapor fluid within the fluid pod to produce vapor, and a mouthpiece defining a chamber in fluid communication with the fluid pod bay through which vapor is inhaled by a user. The device housing further comprises inter-pod channels formed into the device housing that fluidly connect adjacent vapor access ports, such that vapor produced at one vapor access port flows to an adjacent vapor access port when sufficient negative pressure is applied at the adjacent vapor access port. Each fluid pod of the plurality of fluid pods is configured to receive a vapor fluid having a predetermined concentration of nicotine therein, and each respective fluid pod receives a nicotine fluid concentration that is different than at least one other fluid pod. The system also includes one or more computer processors, one or more computer-readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructions comprising program instructions to execute a method. The method includes storing a dosage program defining an appropriate dosage of nicotine at any given time based, at least in part, upon a predetermined goal of nicotine cessation, and calculating which combination of fluid pods to activate to achieve the appropriate dosage. At least one of the vapor fluid pods has a high concentration and at least one other of the vapor fluid pods has a low concentration. The appropriate dosage is between the high concentration and the low concentration. The appropriate dosage is achieved by activating both the high concentration vapor fluid pod and the low concentration vapor fluid pod and mixing the vapor produced through at least one of the inter-pod channels.

Further embodiments are directed to a method of aiding in cessation of nicotine dependency. The method included storing a dosage program for a user that defines a desired nicotine dosage as a function of time, and providing a nicotine cessation device having two or more mouthpieces and two or more fluid pods. Each mouthpiece is connected to one of the fluid pods held within the nicotine cessation device, and each of the two or more fluid pods contains fluid of a different concentration of nicotine. Vapor produced for one of the mouthpieces is permitted to reach other mouthpieces through inter-pod channels. The method also includes calculating which of the fluid pods to activate to deliver the desired nicotine dosage to the first mouthpiece based, at least in part, upon a concentration of nicotine within the two or more fluid pods.

Yet other embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a nicotine cessation device with a triangular-shaped housing with three sides and three mouthpieces at the points of the triangle. The device also includes three fluid pods within the housing corresponding to the three mouthpieces, a first fluid pod containing a high nicotine concentration, a second fluid pod containing a medium nicotine concentration, and a third fluid pod containing a low nicotine concentration. The device includes a power source coupled to each of the fluid pods to vaporize the fluid within the fluid pods that selectively delivers power to the first fluid pod, second fluid pod, third fluid pod, or any combination of the one or more of the fluid pods according to a dosage program. The dosage program dictating a desired nicotine concentration, and the desired nicotine concentration is between the low nicotine concentration and the high nicotine concentration. A user accesses the nicotine cessation device by inhaling from one of the mouthpieces and in response to the access the dosage program informs the power source which one or more of the three fluid pods to activate to achieve a desired nicotine concentration level by mixing the vapor from the activated fluid pods.

Additional aspects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures.

The present disclosure is directed to a nicotine cessation device (NCD) that delivers vapor from one or more vapor pods according to a predetermined schedule in an effort to taper down nicotine delivery through the device over time. The NCD is generally triangular and has three ports, each with a mouthpiece and an associated vapor pod within the NCD. The user can access one of the mouthpieces by putting their mouth onto the mouthpiece as they would normally access a vape pen or other similar device, inhale, and receive a precise dosage of vapor from the pods through the mouthpiece.

The NCD includes an onboard processor and memory that can store parameters and operating instructions for the NCD. The memory can store a predefined dosage program that determines how the NCD operates to deliver vapor to the user. One of the parameters of the dosage program is a dosage for each pull on the NCD. When the user accesses the NCD, the NCD calculates a dosage for that pull and delivers the dosage by activating one or more of the pods and delivering the vapor to the mouthpiece for inhalation.

The NCD can calculate the dosage based on characteristics of the vapor fluid that is within each vapor pod. Each pod may have a different percentage of nicotine that roughly correlates to the strength of the vapor produced. In one example the three vapor pods contain vapor fluid having a concentration of 3%, 4%, and 5%, respectively. If the calculation calls for a 3% dosage, the NCD activates the first vapor pod and delivers the vapor. If the calculation calls for a 3.5% dosage, the NCD activates the first vapor pod and the second vapor pod, and the vapors from each are mixed within the NCD and delivered as a mixed vapor to the mouthpiece. There are a multitude of possible dosage percentages, and different concentrations of vapor fluid, and the systems and methods of the present disclosure can activate one, two, or three pods to approximate the desired dosage as directed by the dosage program. The NCD includes inter-pod channels that direct vapor produced at one pod that is near one mouthpiece of the NCD to another mouthpiece that the user accesses for that pull.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and specifically to, a nicotine cessation system according to one aspect of the present invention is generally designated as reference numeral. Systemcomprises a nicotine cessation deviceincluding a printed circuit board (PCB)which may be integrated as a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and power sourcedisposed within a housing. PCBmay include a radio module, as well as a BLUETOOTH modulefor wireless communicationbetween nicotine cessation deviceand an external computing device, such as, for example, a smart phone, desktop personal computer (PC), laptop computer, tablet PC, and the like. PCBmay also include a Wi-Fi modulewhich also enables wireless communication,between nicotine cessation deviceand external computing device, such as via the Internet or cellular network. Networkmay also provide communication,between nicotine cessation deviceand server. Modules,are not limited to any specific hardware or software configuration, but may rather be implemented as computer executable instructions in any computing or processing environment, including in digital electronic circuitry or in computer hardware, firmware, device driver, or software.

Additionally, external computing device, when embodied by a wireless handheld device, such as a smart phone, tablet PC or the like, may include a software application (“app”) stored in a memory of external computing device. The app is programmed and configured to program, configure, edit or otherwise customize nicotine cessation system files that are stored in external computing device, which will be discussed in greater detail below. The app may be preloaded in the memory of external computing device, or may be downloaded from servervia network. The app may be configured to allow external computing deviceto download nicotine cessation system files stored on serverto the memory of external computing device. These downloaded files may then be programmed, configured, edited or otherwise customized as described herein. Using the app, a user may disseminate one or more nicotine cessation system files to one or more multiple external computing devices. This may be of particular advantage when access to serverrequires a subscription or other associated service fee. In yet another example, nicotine cessation system files may be preloaded in the memory of external computing deviceso that the user does not need to perform any downloading using external computing deviceor server.

By way of example, BLUETOOTH modulemay include both a BLUETOOTH Link Controller and BLUETOOTH Baseband Controller supporting v4.2 BR/EDR and BLUETOOTH Low Energy (BLE). BLE may then be the method of communication used between nicotine cessation deviceand the frontend software (app) resident on the user's external computing device(e.g., smartphone). Data sent to and from nicotine cessation deviceand the frontend application is encoded using the BLE communication profile defined in the Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) called HDP (Health Device Profile). This profile supports Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) between devices and is the method used for pairing nicotine cessation deviceto external computing device. As is part of the HDP, nicotine cessation devicecommunicates on the Multi-Channel Adaptation Protocol (MCAP layer) within BLE. This enables nicotine cessation deviceto communicate usage records and inventory identification to the frontend application, while the frontend software writes back a set of Usage Map (which instructs how to permit dispensing) within what GATT defines as a characteristic.

Communication between nicotine cessation deviceand the frontend application incorporates an industry standard for personal health device communications by the IEEE. This provides a unique integration for interoperability with standards based medical monitoring devices that could exist in medical offices and hospitals while limiting the access to secure and proprietary instructions for dosage that is maintained by the frontend application. By way of example, the standard utilized for this communication may be—Medication monitor—0x1048 (4168 decimal)—Defined within IEEE standard: 11073-10472 Health informatics—Personal health device communication—Device specialization—Medication monitor.

Turning now to, nicotine cessation devicegenerally comprises device housingwhich includes a plurality of pod receiving sockets,,(generally pod receiving socket) and a plurality of fluid pods,,(generally fluid pod). Each respective fluid podis configured to be removably coupled with a respective pod receiving socket. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, each respective fluid podis configured to receive a nicotine fluid having a predetermined concentration of nicotine therein. In a further aspect each respective fluid podreceives a nicotine fluid concentration that is different than at least one other fluid pod. By way of example, fluid podmay contain a first vape fluid having a 5% nicotine concentration, while fluid podmay contain a second vape fluid having a 4% nicotine concentration and fluid podmay contain a third vape fluid having a 3% nicotine concentration, the purpose of which will be discussed in greater detail below. Device housingfurther includes power sourceand PCBwhich includes a processorand a memory, all of which will be discussed in greater detail below.

With reference to, each fluid podmay generally comprise three elements: a vaporizing coil, vape juice/fluid, and an identification circuit as will be discussed below. To that end, fluid podincludes a pod housingdefining a cavityconfigured to hold the vape juice/fluidtherein. Each pod housinghas opposing first and second ends,. First endincludes a coil housingcommunicatively coupled to PCBand power source. Upon providing power to coil housingvia power source, the vape juice/fluidis carried by wickinto coil housingwhere it is heated by vaporizing coiluntil the fluid vaporizes. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, vaporizing coilmay utilize a 36 gauge nichrome 80 wire. Nichrome 80 wire is an alloy of nickel and chromium and has a melting point of about 1,400° C. The resistance of this coil is calculated to be 2.4 Ohms (D×26.510 Ohms per foot). As a result, approximately 6.67 watts of power may be required at 4 v to initiate atomization of vape juice/fluid

To promote inhalation of the vaporized vape juice/fluid′, second endof pod housingmay define at least one output openingtherein whereby the vaporized vape juice/fluid′ may exit fluid pod. In one aspect of the invention, second endof pod housingis dimensioned to be received between a user's lips during use whereby the vaporized vape juice/fluid′ may be inhaled by the user. In a further aspect, second endmay also include a capacitive sensorcommunicatively coupled to PCB. Capacitive sensormay then communicate a signal to PCBwhen said user's lips engage second endof fluid podso that each specific fluid pod,,may be individually monitored and measured, as will be described in greater detail below.

To further distinguish fluid pods,,, each fluid podmay include a sensor that can detect and identify the fluid pods. In some embodiments the sensor is a resistorlocated on coil housing. Resistormay then provide a signal to PCBidentifying the concentration of the vape juice/fluidcontained in its respective fluid pod. By way of example and without limitation thereto, when fluid podis inserted into device housing, one or more contacts, such as a pogo pin, within pod receiving interfacewithin pod receiving socket(see) may engage with a respective corresponding contacton fluid podto complete the circuit. An exemplary paradigm is shown below in Table 1.

With additional reference to, device housingmay further include a respective diaphragmcoupled to each of the pod receiving sockets,,and being selectively flexible when subject to a vacuum force, such as a draw force upon second endof fluid podduring a vaping inhalation. Each diaphragmis operably coupled to a respective vacuum sensor maymounted within housing. In this manner, each diaphragm/sensorpair may then individually detect and communicate a draw strength and a draw duration when the vaporized nicotine fluid′ is being drawn through output openingof the selected fluid podand inhaled by the user, as described above.

In other embodiments the sensor for identifying a vapor concentration can be a pin loopback sensor, also known as a contact bridging sensor. These sensors use simple wiring or conductive traces within the connected device to loop certain pins together. The main device checks if an expected signal path is completed, which confirms the presence and type of the connected block through a known wiring configuration. Different fluid pods activate different signal paths, thereby identifying the vapor and the vapor concentration.

In other embodiments the sensor can be an EEPROM sensor, sometimes known as a 1-wire chip identification sensor. These devices include a small memory chip (IC or 1-Wire) embedded therein. When connected, the nicotine cessation devicecommunicates digitally with the chip to retrieve a unique serial number and optionally read stored configuration or product data, which can include vapor concentration values. In some embodiments the memory chip can be built into the main electronics for the nicotine cessation device, or it can be a separate chip that is embedded elsewhere within the device.

In yet other embodiments the sensor can contain an RFID or NFC tag. When the tag is brought close to the main unit in the nicotine cessation devicethe tag is powered wirelessly and returns a unique identifier associated with a certain pod or type of pods, which can also identify the vapor concentration. This type of sensor is less dependent on physical electrical contacts and is suitable for the sensor to be sealed. This type of sensor also therefore reduces the amount of pogo pins that are required.

As discussed above, device housingmay further include a plurality of indicators,,(collectively, “indicator”), such as but not limited to multicolor light emitting diodes (LEDs). A respective indicatormay be coupled to a respective pod receiving socketor pod receiving interface. Each respective indicatormay be selectively modulated to visually communicate the nicotine concentration of the vape juice/fluidwithin the respective fluid pod,,. For instance, as described above, each fluid podmay include a resistorsensible by its respective pod receiving interfaceand PCB. In this manner, indicators,,may illuminate, such as either orange, yellow or green, to visually indicate to the user the relative nicotine concentrations of the vape juice/liquidwithin their respective fluid pod,,. In one aspect of the present invention, a green indicator (e.g., indicator) may indicate the lowest nicotine concentration, followed by yellow (e.g., indicator), with orange (e.g., indicator) indicating the highest nicotine concentration.

Initially, all of the vape pods are active and the user may choose whichever strength (nicotine concentration) to vape. By way of example, the three vape pods may include the vape industry standard 5% nicotine concentration (orange indicator), a less concentrated 4% nicotine (yellow indicator), or a least concentrated 3% nicotine (green indicator). In a further aspect of the present invention, if an indicatoris colored red, the corresponding fluid podmay be temporarily locked out (unable to produce vaporized vape juice/fluid) due to over-use. After some time, depending on where the user is in the dosage therapy, the locked out fluid pod may come back online.

With reference to, nicotine cessation devicemay further include a number of peripheral devices and associated modules operably coupled to PCBand power source, as appropriate. By way of further example, peripheral devices and modules may include real time clock and lower power module. In one aspect of the present invention, nicotine cessation deviceis generally maintained in a low-power sleep mode. The real-time clock (RTC) periodically wakes nicotine cessation deviceto listen for an initiator. A brief secure connection is established with the BLE Standard. External computing deviceis considered the BLUETOOTH Sink and the Initiator setting up the periodic control channel. The process of syncing to the frontend app is illustrated inand has one main event loopthat repeats until synchronization is completed.

Radio moduleincludes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter (Tx)and RF Receiver (Rx), a Clock Generatorand a packet Switch. In one aspect of the invention, PCB/SoCuses two LX6 coreseach running up to 120 MHz while an internal SRAMis divided into 2 parts, fast and slow. The fast SRAM can be accessed by the CPU and when coming out of RTC boot (deep sleep), and the Slow SRAM can be accessed by the co-processor of lower power moduleduring the deep sleep mode. 4 Mbytes (32 Mbits) of Flash may be built in to maintain log storage between periodic BLUETOOTH syncing with the frontend app. Nicotine cessation devicemay also include an encryption modulethat incorporates hardware-based acceleration for encryption including AES, RNG, SHA2, RSA which optionally can be used for both storage of data and data transfer to a paired device or medical hub. Additionally, a built-in temperature sensormay provide accurate logging and monitoring of the nicotine cessation devicewhile in use and during wake periods between low power mode sleep intervals. If a temperature of greater than 115 F is measured, the program will shut down to safety mode for 2 minutes before resampling the temperature. During this period, nicotine cessation devicewill not permit vape usage. During normal operation, ambient temperature is captured by temperature sensor.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the nicotine cessation devicepower systems may be completely contained within nicotine cessation devicesuch that there are no external connections for charging of the power source (rechargeable battery). In accordance with this aspect, batteryis not serviceable and should last for multiple days between charges given regular use. More specifically, power sourcemay comprise a Lithium Ion Polymer (LiPo) 3.7 v 420 mAh battery which is installed during manufacturing. A Qi Rx circuit is integrated in nicotine cessation deviceand coupled with an inductor coil at the center of the nicotine cessation device. The inductor coil handshakes with the charging dock (compatible with any Qi charger) to enable the transmitting inductor coil to begin providing a 5 v inductive charge. The inductor coil powers the recharging circuit within nicotine cessation deviceat a regulated 3.7 v. Thus, the charging dock contains a wireless transmitting coil that may communicate with the receiving coil of nicotine cessation deviceto charge a lithium battery following standard Qi induction protocol. The charging dock may be equipped with standard micro USB receptacle for connection to 5 v+, Gnd over USB. The charging circuit is driven by the power fed from the Qi circuit. The charging circuit balances power output to both nicotine cessation deviceand the internal LiPo battery. In one aspect, charging time may be about 60 minutes with a 2 A power source.

As described above, during use when a user inhales from an active fluid pod, the vaporizing coilis energized and vape juice/fluidis atomized allowing for inhalation. During this mode, a number of details are recorded by nicotine cessation deviceand later combined during synchronization with the phone app logs. These details are then communicated back to the backend serverto generate a dosage program or incorporate the usage data with an already-existing dosage program. The results of this analysis produce a new or improved dosage program which is updated to the phone app over network.

In total, the backend serveraggregates and analyzes the following captured data from the nicotine cessation device (NCD)and frontend app to compute changes to the Dosage Program:

In a further aspect of the present invention and with reference to, the dosage program may apply medically accepted strategies into stages and translates that into algorithms for reducing nicotine addiction. There are three objectives for users as described above. Users may be looking to complete one of three program modes: 1) I want help to stop smoking; 2) I want help to stop vaping; or 3) I just want to vape more safely. In all three modes of operation above, the dosage program has 4 stages. Each stage represents a period of time that the program behaves with a different objective for the user. Depending on the user's ability to meet the programmed behavior, the stages will advance, or shift to another algorithm that could be more or less aggressive. The four stages are:

is a flow diagram showing an exemplary methodthat may be implemented using systemin accordance with one aspect of the present invention. In particular, as previously mentioned, methodis computer-implemented and programmed for execution in a computing environment for aiding in cessation of nicotine dependency. Methodgenerally comprises the steps of) providing a nicotine cessation device comprising: i) a device housing including a plurality of pod receiving sockets; ii) a plurality of fluid pods, wherein a respective fluid pod is removably coupled with a respective pod receiving socket of said plurality of pod receiving sockets; iii) a printed circuit board (PCB) including a processor and a memory; and iv) a power source, wherein each respective fluid pod of said plurality of fluid pods is configured to receive a nicotine fluid having a predetermined concentration of nicotine therein, and wherein each respective fluid pod receives a nicotine fluid concentration that is different than at least one other fluid pod;) allowing a user to inhale a vaporized portion of a selected nicotine fluid from a selected fluid pod of said plurality of fluid pods;) detecting the selected fluid pod and the predetermined concentration of the selected nicotine fluid;) measuring one or more of: i) a duration of the inhale; ii) a draw force of the inhale; iii) a length of time between successive inhales; and) calculating a nicotine intake for the inhale.

As described above, a user must first initialize the nicotine cessation deviceprior to its first use. As shown in, in a further aspect of the present invention, the frontend application may assist user initiation. It should be noted thatshow representative screenshots of the frontend application as displayed on an Apple iPhone smartphone, but it should be further noted that the frontend application may be configured for use with any suitable computer operating system including, but not limited to, OS and Android. After downloading and installing the frontend application, the user needs to complete two tasks, namely pairing the nicotine cessation devicewith the external computing device (e.g., iPhone)and creating a user account. After viewing the home screen(), the user will then be asked to Login through a Login screen(). Before first use, the user sets up an account in an Account Setup screenby inputting an email addressand selecting a password(). The frontend application will then present a second Account Setup screen, such as that shown in, presenting a Challenge questionand asking for the length of time the user has smoked and/or vaped. If the nicotine cessation devicehas not already been paired with the external computing device, the frontend application will instruct the user to do so using Account Setup screen. See. The final Account Setup screenasks for the user's ageand any additional, optional informationthe user would like to provide. Once logged in and registered, the user can begin to use the nicotine cessation deviceas described above to generate and progress along a personalized dosage therapy program.

Turning now to, an exemplary screenshotof the frontend application at some point in time during a user's personalized dosage therapy program. As shown in screenshot, the application may actively comment with positive reinforcement, provide tips to support better behavior, chart performanceshowing actual use′ versus targets″ and illustrate recent usage patterns that may not be as noticeable to the user so that the user may more readily see where performance was better or worse.

is shows a NCDaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. The NCDincludes two or more fluid pods within that each contain a vapor of a different concentration and provides a vapor having a precise dosage from one or more of the fluid pods. The NCDhas a generally triangular shape with three ports,, and. Each porthas a mouthpiecethrough which the user accesses the NCD. The NCDalso has a housingthat contains the internal components of the NCD.

is a top isometric view of the NCDofwith a portion of the housingremoved according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The three ports,, andmay be similar and in some cases identical. Each port includes a contact platehaving a plurality of contactsexposed to the interior of the NCD. A region adjacent to the contact plateis a fluid pod baythat receives the fluid pod against the contacts. The contactsare used to activate the fluid pods which in response produce vapor for inhalation. The fluid pod baycan include a fastening mechanism to accommodate and secure the fluid pod in place and ensure proper connection with the contact plate. Such fastening mechanisms are not shown to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

Between each adjacent portis an inter-pod channelthat provides fluid communication between adjacent ports. The inter-pod channelcan be a passive structure formed into the housing. The inter-pod channelsallow vapor produced at a first portto be delivered to the other portsor, as needed.

is a top view of a single portof a NCDaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.is a top isometric view of two portsandof the NCDaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. Portis shown without a mouthpiece, spout plate, or contact plate. For purposes of explanation and not limitation, in certain embodiments each port of the NCDcontains similar elements. Referring now to, the portincludes a mouthpiecesecured to a housing. The contact plateis shown from above to be a relatively thin member positioned between the fluid pod bayand the mouthpiece. The NCDincludes a spout platepositioned toward a distal side of the contact plate. The spout plateincludes spacersthat are secured against the contact plate. The spout platealso includes a spoutthrough which vapor produced by the fluid pod in the fluid pod bayis delivered to the user through the mouthpiece.

The contact platecontains contact plate holesthat permit vapor produced on the proximal side of the contact plateto reach the distal side for delivery to the mouthpiece. Arrows A show how the vapor flows through the contact plate holes. There are contact plate holesat either side of the contact platewhen the vapor is to be delivered to another of the ports of the NCD. Arrows B and C show the flow of vapor to either of the other ports. In some embodiments the vapor produced by the one or more fluid pods moves through the inter-pod channelsunder the vacuum pressure provided by the user's inhalation at one of the mouthpieces of the NCD. The NCDalso includes a diaphragmand a resistorfor measuring pressure in the NCDcreated by the user's inhalation, and for measuring the concentration within the vapor, respectively.

is an isometric view of a vertical cross-section of an NCDaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. The NCDincludes a topthat covers the interior portions of the NCDsuch as the contact platesand the fluid pod bays. The topalso covers the inter-pod channelssuch that the vacuum pressure from one mouthpieceis able to draw the vapor through the inter-pod channelsand into the mouthpiecewhere the user's mouth is accessing the NCD.

The fluid pods in the fluid pod bays can include different fluids of different concentrations that produce vapor of different strength. The NCDcan use the different concentrations to mix vapor to achieve a dosage that is unachievable from a single source. A user may instruct the NCDto deliver a certain dosage in the vapor for each pull of the device, and the NCDcan determine how to deliver the desired dosage. The dosage in the vapor produced by the pods is a function of the concentration of the vapor fluid. In an example, if a user requests a dosage produced by a vapor fluid of 3.5% concentration from a NCDwhich has two pods, one containing vapor fluid of 3% concentration, and another containing vapor fluid of 4% concentration, the NCDcalculates that to achieve the 3.5% vapor, the NCDshould activate both pods in equal measure to arrive at the 3.5%. Other requests may be more complex and may require activating a third fluid pod. A calculation by the NCDcan produce vapor nearer to a desired dosage than what is possible from a single vapor fluid.

The NCDof the present disclosure operates under a dosage program as disclosed in detail above with respect to. In some embodiments, at any given time, the NCDcan store a desired dosage for the next use of the NCDaccording to the dosage plan. When the user accesses the NCD, one or more fluid pods are activated to deliver to the user a dosage as close to the desired dosage as possible. [In some embodiments the fluid pods can be activated at different power levels, which can provide an additional variable for use in calculating the dosage for the next pull of the NCD. In some embodiments the distance of the inter-pod channelcauses the effective dosage in the vapor produced in the remote fluid pod to be less than from the same fluid in the near fluid pod. The NCDcan take this into account when calculating how and when to activate the fluid pods. In some embodiments the remote fluid pod can be activated a brief moment earlier than the near fluid pod to allow that vapor to enter the inter-pod channelsand reach the mouthpieceof the near pod. In other embodiments the stage (1-4) at which the user is presently operating can be used as a factor for how and when to activate the various pods of the NCD.]

In some embodiments the desired dosage for a given use is higher or lower than any viable combination vapor from the different fluid pods is able to achieve. The NCDmay store a tolerance that allows an imperfect vapor to be produced. In some embodiments if no combination of parameters can achieve a dosage within the tolerance, the NCDwill issue a notification or a warning to inform the user of the fact. The dosage program can also be updated.

In some embodiments the NCDis configured to compare a dosage program to the available fluid pods and if the concentrations and other parameters of the fluid pods in the device is not viable in terms of producing the dosage according to the dosage plan reliably, the NCDcan inform the user of the fact. In some embodiments the NCDand/or the smartphone (or other suitable computing device) used to execute the dosage program can inform the user which concentrations and types of fluid pods will produce a viable dosage according to the dosage program.

is a flow chart of a methodfor delivering vapor from a NCD according to a dosage program according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Portions of the methodare performed onboard the NCDdevice itself, and other portions are performed by a remote computing device, including a remote server or a smartphone. Stepis to store user data. The user data is data pertaining to the user's consumption of vapor from the NCDwith respect to the user's goal of diminishing or terminating use of the vapor. Other aspects of the user data are the user's location and proximity to others to the extent those items are relevant to the user's cessation plan.

Stepis to store the dosage program for the user, which can include in which stage the user is currently, recent consumption of vapor, and other associated parameters. The dosage program and the user data are used by the NCDto instruct the NCDhow and what to deliver to the user at any given time. Stepis to calculate the “next activation parameters” from the user data, the dosage program, and the contents of the fluid pods in the NCD. The parameters include the vapor concentration in the fluid pod(s), the position of the fluid pods relative to the mouthpiece the user accesses for the next activation, and power level to achieve the desired output.

Stepis to detect use of the NCDby sensing that the mouthpiece of the NCDis in the user's mouth by sensing deflection of the mouthpiece, wetness, temperature, or any other suitable metric. In some embodiments detecting use is accompanied by a press of a button. At stepthe mouthpiece that is being used is determined from among the available mouthpieces of the NCD. At stepthe NCDcalculates vapor parameters that will result in delivering the vapor dosage and quantity set forth in the dosage program at the time of the use. Calculating the vapor parameters can include identifying the concentrations of vapor fluid in the device and identifying which one or which combination of the fluid pods is best equipped to deliver the appropriate vapor dosage. Other vapor parameters can include how much power to deliver to each of the fluid pods, where higher power delivery creates more vapor. Another vapor parameter can be the location of the fluid pod that is being used relative to the fluid pod or pods that will create the vapor for that use. Other vapor parameters can include external aspects such as the location of the use, the location of the use relative to other vapor users, as this may be relevant to the dosage program of the present disclosure. Atthe device delivers the vapor. This methodcan repeat for each use of the device. The dosage program can also be updated after each use in cases where the dosage program is sensitive to the amount and concentrations the user has recently consumed.