Dose Counter and Recording Method
First Claim
1. A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler comprising a force sensor, an electronic controller, a memory for storing data indicative of a remaining number of doses and an electronic display device coupled to the controller for displaying the remaining number of doses, said dose counter being attached or otherwise integrated into a base of a canister containing medicament such that force applied to the base of the canister is registered by the force sensor, said controller being configured to measure force applied to said dose counter when depressing said canister and being responsive to measured force to decrement the remaining number of doses stored in the memory and shown on said display device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler includes a force sensor, an electronic controller, a memory for storing data indicative of a remaining number of doses and an electronic display device coupled to the controller for displaying the remaining number of doses. The dose counter is attached or integrated into a base of a canister containing medicament such that force applied to the base of the canister is registered by the force sensor, the controller being configured to measure force applied to the dose counter when depressing the canister and being responsive to measured force to decrement the remaining number of doses stored in the memory and shown on the display device.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A dose counter for a metered dose inhaler comprising a force sensor, an electronic controller, a memory for storing data indicative of a remaining number of doses and an electronic display device coupled to the controller for displaying the remaining number of doses, said dose counter being attached or otherwise integrated into a base of a canister containing medicament such that force applied to the base of the canister is registered by the force sensor, said controller being configured to measure force applied to said dose counter when depressing said canister and being responsive to measured force to decrement the remaining number of doses stored in the memory and shown on said display device.
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11. A method for facilitating monitoring by a medical practitioner of adherence by a patient to a medication regimen requiring administering to the patient at least two drugs using more than a single metered dose inhaler, said method comprising:
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recording in a memory of each inhaler dosage data indicative of actual dosage including for each dose administered to the patient a time-stamp permitting determination by the medical practitioner of an actual time; coupling each of the metered dose inhalers to a computer of the medical practitioner for downloading said dosage data to said computer; and presenting the respective dosage data from each of the inhalers in a form that allows a unified picture thereof. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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18. A method for minimizing risk of a medical practitioner prescribing a change of drug treatment administered via a metered dose inhaler to a patient whose poor response to an existing medication regimen is due to his or her non-compliance with a current medication regimen, said method comprising:
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coupling a memory of the metered dose inhaler to a computer for downloading dosage data stored in said memory to computer, said dosage data being indicative of actual dosage administered to the patient including for each dose administered to the patient a time-stamp permitting determination by the medical practitioner of an actual time adjusted to a local time reference; determining from the dosage data whether the patient has complied with a current medication regimen; and associating with the metered dose inhaler a recommendation to the medical practitioner to verify compliance by the patient to an existing MDI medication regimen prior to prescribing a different medication regimen.
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19. A metered dose inhaler (MDI) comprising:
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a canister and a memory for storing dosage data indicative of actual dosage administered to the patient including for each dose administered to the patient a time-stamp permitting determination by the medical practitioner of an actual time adjusted to a local time reference, and prescribing information attached to or otherwise associated with the canister that includes a recommendation to the medical practitioner to verify the compliance of a patient to an existing MDI medication regimen prior to prescribing a different medication regimen.
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Specification