Detection System and Method for Aerosol Delivery

• US 20110079220A1
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Gray, Larry B., Altobelli, David E., Kane, Derek G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,687,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0065 Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/34 by measuring pressure or differential pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 13/006 measuring volume in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2202 involving separation of sample components during sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/02 Investigating particle size or size distribution by measuring osmotic pressure G01N7/10; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0205 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1456 without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2223 aerosol sampling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/4707 Forward scatter; Low angle scatter
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/53 within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a detector, a pressure sensor and a processor. The detector is operable to detect light that is scattered by an aerosol that is associated with a pressure. The pressure sensor is operable to measure the pressure. The processor is coupled to the detector and to the pressure sensor, and is configured to receive at least a signal from the detector and the pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to use the received signals to calculate a volume of the first aerosol, and to output an output signal associated with the calculated volume. The various measurements can be repeated and compared, and the output signal can be a feedback signal for metering subsequent amounts of the aerosol, based on the comparison.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a detector operable to detect light;

a sensor operable to determine a pressure; and

a processor coupled to the detector and the sensor, the processor configured to

receive a signal associated with the detector that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the sensor; and

calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the sensor;

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and

output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal can be received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source.

6. A therapeutic agent delivery device comprising:

a housing having an orifice for delivery of the therapeutic agent to the user; and

a processor configured to

receive a signal associated with a sensor, the signal associated with a volume of a first therapeutic agent delivered to the user;

receive a signal associated with the sensor, the signal associated with a volume of a second therapeutic agent delivered to the user;

calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent delivered and the second therapeutic agent delivered;

compare the calculated volumes; and

adjust the target volume of a subsequent delivery of the therapeutic agent.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising a detector operable to detect light.

8. The device of claim 6 further comprising a pressure sensor.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the pressure sensor;

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and

output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal can be received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.

11. The device of claims 10 wherein the device is configured to deliver a predetermined volume of the therapeutic agent.

12. A therapeutic agent device comprising:

a volume transducer, the volume transducer sends a signal associated with a volume of a therapeutic agent in a flow path; and

a processor, the processor configured to

receive signals from the volume transducer and calculate the volume of the therapeutic agent.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising wherein the processor further configured to adjust a target volume of the therapeutic agent.

14. The device of claim 12 further comprising a pressure sensor.

15. The device of claim 12 further comprising a detector operable to detect light.

16. The device of claim 15 further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into the flow path;

receive a signal from a pressure sensor; and

calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the sensor;

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and

output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal can be received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.