Sensor System with Acoustic Transducer

• US 20080042823A1
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited (GSK plc)
• Inventors: Heasley, Matthew, Jones, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/718,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20080042823A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0043 Non-destructive separation of the package, e.g. peeling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0045 using multiple prepacked dosages on a same carrier, e.g. blisters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0051 the dosages being arranged on a tape, e.g. strips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8256 being integrated in the case or housing of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/02 Equipment for testing the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A remote sensor for determining an environmental condition within pharmaceutical packaging that is inductively powered and transmits data by acoustical telemetry. The invention further includes a power supply that can also be configured to receive data from the sensor.

Claims

1. A sensor apparatus for determining an environmental condition, comprising:

a sensor capable of measuring said environmental condition;

an inductive power receiver; and

an acoustic transducer,

wherein said sensor is powered by said inductive power receiver and communicates data representing said environmental condition with said acoustic transducer.

2. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller that is adapted to operate said sensor, said power receiver and said acoustic transducer.

3. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said environmental condition comprises temperature.

4. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said environmental condition comprises humidity.

5. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor is responsive to a second environmental condition.

6. The sensor apparatus of claim 5, wherein said sensor is responsive to temperature and humidity.

7. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to be incorporated into a pharmaceutical package.

8. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to be incorporated into a pharmaceutical delivery device.

9. A sensor system for determining an environmental condition, comprising

a remote sensor apparatus having a sensor capable of measuring said environmental condition, an inductive power receiver, and an acoustic transducer;

and

an inductive power supply having a power transmitter, a current amplifier and a signal generator,

wherein said power transmitter is configured to inductively couple with said power receiver and wherein said sensor is powered by said inductive power receiver and communicates data representing said environmental condition with said acoustic transducer.

10. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein said inductive power supply is configured to inductively couple with said remote sensor apparatus over a distance of about 20 mm.

11. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein said inductive power supply is configured to inductively couple with said remote sensor apparatus over a distance of about 15 mm.

12. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein said power transmitter comprises a non-conductive former.

13. The sensor system of claim 12, wherein said former includes a constant diameter portion and a tapered portion.

14. The sensor system of claim 13, wherein said inductive power supply is configured to produce a substantially uniform electromagnetic field having a diameter at least equal to said power receiver at a first operating distance.

15. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein said inductive power supply is battery powered.

16. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein said inductive power supply is configured to operate said remote sensor apparatus without significantly affecting an environmental condition surrounding said sensor.

17. The sensor system of claim 16, wherein said environmental condition comprises temperature and wherein said inductive power supply is configured to operate said remote sensor apparatus at least about 5 times sequentially without raising said temperature more than about 1°

C.

18. The sensor system of claim 9, wherein said remote sensor apparatus is configured to be disposed within pharmaceutical packaging.

19. The sensor system of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of said remote sensor apparatus is configured to be disposed within a pharmaceutical delivery device.

20. The sensor system of claim 19, wherein said sensor has a volume about 1300 mm³ or less.

21. The sensor system of claim 20, further comprising a microphone configured to receive input from said acoustic transducer.

22. The sensor system of claim 21, wherein said microphone outputs to a data controller configured to decode output from said acoustic transducer.

23. The sensor system of claim 22, wherein said microphone and data controller are integrated into a handheld reader.

24. The sensor system of claim 23, wherein said handheld reader further includes said inductive power supply.

25. A method for determining an environmental condition within pharmaceutical packaging, said method comprising the steps of:

sealing a remote sensor apparatus inside said pharmaceutical packaging, said remote sensor apparatus having a sensor capable of measuring said environmental condition and an inductive power receiver;

inductively powering said remote sensor apparatus;

measuring said environmental condition with said sensor; and

transmitting data corresponding to said environmental data by audio telemetry.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of receiving said transmitted data by detecting said audio telemetry.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of transmitting data comprises transmitting sound waves have a frequency of less than about 2000 Hz.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of inductively powering said remote sensor apparatus comprises powering said remote sensor apparatus without significantly altering said environmental condition.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of measuring said environmental condition comprises measuring humidity.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of measuring an additional environmental condition wherein said remote sensor apparatus is capable of measuring said additional environmental condition.

31. The method of claim 30, comprising measuring temperature and humidity.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein said steps do not alter said pharmaceutical packaging.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein said steps of inductively powering and receiving are effectuated with a mobile, handheld reader that comprises an inductive power supply and a microphone.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the steps of measuring and transmitting occur a plurality of times over a given time period.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of sealing said remote sensor apparatus inside said pharmaceutical packaging does not alter said pharmaceutical packaging.

36. A packaging assembly for determining an environmental condition within pharmaceutical packaging, comprising:

a sensor apparatus having a sensor capable of measuring said environmental condition;

an inductive power receiver; and

an acoustic transducer hermetically sealed within said packaging, wherein said sensor is powered by said inductive power receiver and communicates data representing said environmental condition with said acoustic transducer.

37. The packaging assembly of claim 36, wherein said sensor is capable of measuring humidity.

38. The packaging assembly of claim 36, wherein said sensor is capable of measuring temperature.

39. The packaging assembly of claim 36, wherein said sensor element is capable of measuring temperature and humidity.

40. The packaging assembly of claim 36, wherein said pharmaceutical packaging further contains a medicament.

41. The packaging assembly of claim 36, wherein said pharmaceutical packaging further contains a pharmaceutical delivery device.

42. The packaging assembly of claim 40, wherein said medicament is selected from the group consisting of albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasone dipropionate and salts, solvates and combinations thereof.

43. A method for determining an environmental condition within pharmaceutical packaging, said method comprising the steps of:

sealing a remote sensor apparatus inside said pharmaceutical packaging, said remote sensor apparatus having a sensor capable of measuring said environmental condition and an inductive power receiver;

powering said remote sensor apparatus by inductively coupling a power supply having a power transmitter, a current amplifier and a signal generator with said power receiver;

measuring said environmental condition with said sensor; and

transmitting data corresponding to said environmental data by audio telemetry.