Usage monitoring attachment for medicament dispenser
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring usage of a medicament dispenser with a monitoring attachment, the method comprising:
- detecting with a first sensor of the monitoring attachment a first signal indicative of handling of the medicament dispenser while in a low-power mode;
in response to detecting the first signal, applying power to a second sensor of the monitoring attachment;
detecting with the second sensor a second signal indicative of priming medicament by the medicament dispenser;
in response to detecting the second signal, applying power to a third sensor of the monitoring attachment; and
detecting with the third sensor a third signal indicative of dispensing of medicament by the medicament dispenser.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for monitoring usage of a medicament dispenser—particularly an inhaled medicament dispenser. While operating in a low-power mode, a first sensor is monitored for a signal indicative of handling of the medicament dispenser by a user. In response to detecting such handling, the device exits the low-power mode and begins to monitor a second sensor for a signal indicative of dispensing of the medicament. The usage monitoring device can be embodied as an attachment configured to be selectively coupled to one of a variety of different inhalers including, for example, a Diskus-type inhaler and a Respimat-type inhaler.
26 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring usage of a medicament dispenser with a monitoring attachment, the method comprising:
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detecting with a first sensor of the monitoring attachment a first signal indicative of handling of the medicament dispenser while in a low-power mode; in response to detecting the first signal, applying power to a second sensor of the monitoring attachment; detecting with the second sensor a second signal indicative of priming medicament by the medicament dispenser; in response to detecting the second signal, applying power to a third sensor of the monitoring attachment; and detecting with the third sensor a third signal indicative of dispensing of medicament by the medicament dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A monitoring attachment coupled to a medicament dispenser for monitoring usage of the medicament dispenser, the monitoring attachment comprising:
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a housing comprising an exterior surface coupleable to a cover of the medicament dispenser, wherein the monitoring attachment does not affect operation of the medicament dispenser; a first sensor fixedly coupled to the housing, configured to detect a first signal indicative of handling of the medicament dispenser; a second sensor fixedly coupled to an exterior of the housing and positioned to detect movement of the cover relative a body of the medicament dispenser, configured to detect a second signal indicative of priming of the medicament dispenser; a third sensor coupled to the exterior of the housing, configured to detect a third signal indicative of dispensing of medicament by the medicament dispenser; a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; operate in a low-power mode where power is applied to the first sensor but not applied to the second sensor and not applied to the third sensor, monitor the first sensor for the first signal, in response to detecting the first signal, apply power to the second sensor but not to the third sensor, monitor the second sensor for the second signal, in response to detecting the second signal, apply power to the third sensor, and monitor the third sensor for the third signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for monitoring usage of a medicament dispenser with a monitoring attachment, the instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
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detect with a first sensor of the monitoring attachment a first signal indicative of handling of the medicament dispenser while in a low-power mode; in response to detecting the first signal, apply power to a second sensor of the monitoring attachment; detect with the second sensor a second signal indicative of priming medicament by the medicament dispenser; in response to detecting the second signal, apply power to a third sensor of the monitoring attachment; and detect with the third sensor a third signal indicative of a dispensing of medicament by the medicament dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification