RESPIRATORY DRUG DELIVERY APPARATUS WHICH PROVIDES AUDIO INSTRUCTIONS

• US 20110226242A1
• Filed: 08/15/2009
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Koshinske, Robert, Von Hollen, Dirk
• Granted Patent: US 9,555,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0013 with inhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0023 retractable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• 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 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/183 the sound being generated pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/44 making noise when used incorrectly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated

Abstract

A respiratory drug delivery apparatus that includes a housing for holding a source of a medication, wherein the housing has a patient interface portion for delivering one or more doses of the medication to an airway of a patient, and a sound generator coupled to the housing. The sound generator is adapted to generate one or more audible instructions in response to an actuation signal. The actuation signal may generated in response to a manual actuation performed by the patient, or in response to the detection of an event relating to operation of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A respiratory drug delivery apparatus, comprising:

a housing for holding a source of a medication, said housing having a patient interface portion for delivering one or more doses of said medication to an airway of a patient; and

a sound generator coupled to said housing, said sound generator, in response to an actuation signal, being adapted to generate one or more audible instructions.

2. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said actuation signal is generated in response to a manual actuation performed by said patient.

3. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said sound generator is operatively coupled to a manual actuator, and wherein said manual actuation comprises a manual actuation of said manual actuator.

4. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said manual actuator is a button, and wherein said manual actuation comprises a press of said button.

5. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cap structured to be removeably attached to a portion of said housing, wherein said manual actuation comprises a removal of said cap from said housing.

6. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for detecting that said cap has been removed from said housing and in response thereto causing said actuation signal to be generated.

7. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said manual actuation comprises causing said source of a medication to be held by said housing.

8. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said source of a medication is adapted to be inserted at least partially within said housing, and wherein said causing said source of a medication to be held by said housing comprises inserting said source of medication at least partially within said housing.

9. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for detecting that said source of a medication has been caused to be held by said housing and in response thereto causing said actuation signal to be generated.

10. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said one or more audible instructions comprises a set of audible instructions for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

11. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is an MDI, wherein said housing comprises a canister holder, wherein said patient interface portion is an outlet of said canister holder, wherein said source of a medication is a canister holding said medication, and wherein said set of audible instructions include instructions relating to shaking the MDI, actuating the MDI, inhaling, and breath holding.

12. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said set of audible instructions include an instruction instructing the patient to shake the MDI, an instruction instructing the patient to actuate the MDI, an instruction instructing the patient to inhale slowly, and an instruction instructing the patient to hold his or her breath for a predetermined period of time.

13. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber, wherein said patient interface portion is a mouthpiece, wherein said source of a medication is an MDI, and wherein said set of audible instructions include instructions relating to shaking the MDI, actuating the MDI, inhaling, and breath holding.

14. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said set of audible instructions include an instruction instructing the patient to shake the MDI, an instruction instructing the patient to actuate the MDI, an instruction instructing the patient to inhale slowly, and an instruction instructing the patient to hold his or her breath for a predetermined period of time.

15. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said housing includes a chamber housing, an end cap attached to a first end of said chamber housing for receiving and holding said MDI, and a mouthpiece assembly including said mouthpiece attached to a second end of said chamber housing opposite said first end.

16. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber, wherein said patient interface portion is a mouthpiece, wherein said source of a medication is an MDI, and wherein said set of audible instructions include instructions relating to shaking the MDI, actuating the MDI, and taking and counting a certain number of breaths.

17. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber, wherein said patient interface portion is a mouthpiece, wherein said source of a medication is an MDI, and wherein said set of audible instructions include instructions relating to shaking the MDI, actuating the MDI, and inhaling for a particular period of time.

18. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for sensing an occurrence of an event relating to operation of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus, wherein said actuation signal is generated in response to the occurrence of the event being sensed by said sensor.

19. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said one or more audible instructions comprises a set of audible instructions for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

20. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said one or more audible instructions comprise an instruction relating to a technique for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus that is related to the event that was sensed by said sensor.

21. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the instruction comprises a command directed to correcting or preventing a negative behavior relating to use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

22. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the instruction comprises a command directed to reinforcing a positive behavior relating to use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

23. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber, wherein said patient interface portion is a mouthpiece, and wherein said source of a medication is an MDI.

24. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said event comprises actuation of said MDI.

25. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the instruction relates to proper inhalation technique.

26. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said one or more audible instructions further comprise an instruction relating to proper breath hold technique.

27. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said sensor senses a spray of mediation resulting from the actuation of said MDI.

28. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said sensor comprises an optical sensor for optically sensing a presence of said spray within said housing.

29. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said valved holding chamber comprises an inhalation valve, wherein said event comprises an opening of said inhalation valve.

30. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the instruction relates to proper inhalation technique.

31. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said one or more audible instructions further comprise an instruction relating to proper breath hold technique.

32. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said valved holding chamber comprises an inhalation valve, wherein said event comprises a closing of said inhalation valve.

33. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the instruction relates to proper breath hold technique.

34. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said valved holding chamber comprises a noisemaker for indicating that a patient is not inhaling properly, wherein said event comprises said noisemaker making a sound.

35. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the instruction relates to proper inhalation technique.

36. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said sensor includes a microphone for detecting said sound.

37. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sound generator is removeably attachable to said housing.

38. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said sound generator is provided within a second housing that is removeably attachable to said housing.

39. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said second housing is made of a flexible material.

40. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said second housing is made of a rigid material.

41. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said second housing includes means for removeably attaching said second housing to said housing.

42. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sound generator comprises a sound module having a power source and a speaker, and wherein said sound module requires no more than 3 volts to operate and said speaker has a rating of no more than 8 ohms.

43. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said sound module includes an integrated circuit for storing data relating to said one or more audible instructions and for causing said speaker to generate said one or more audible instructions.

44. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said integrated circuit is an ASIC.

45. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least part of said sound module is a MEMS device.

46. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said second housing includes written instructions for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

47. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said second housing includes first and second arms structured to wrap partially around said housing

48. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber, wherein said housing includes a chamber housing and a mouthpiece assembly including said mouthpiece attached to an end of said housing, and wherein said second housing includes a first flange portion structured to be received between said mouthpiece assembly and said end of said housing to couple said second housing to said housing.

49. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber, wherein said housing includes a chamber housing and an MDI adapter attached to an end of said chamber housing, and wherein said second housing includes a flange portion structured to be received between said MDI adapter and said end of said housing to couple said second housing to said housing.

50. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber, wherein said housing includes a chamber housing and a mouthpiece assembly attached to an end of said housing, said mouthpiece assembly including said mouthpiece and first and second hollow legs, and wherein said second housing includes first and second protruding portions structured to be received within said first and second hollow legs, respectively, to couple said second housing to said housing.

51. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said second housing further includes a loop portion opposite said first and second protruding portions, said loop portion being structured to wrap around said chamber housing.

52. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber, wherein said housing includes a chamber housing and a mouthpiece assembly including said mouthpiece attached to an end of said housing, and wherein said second housing is structured to snap onto said mouthpiece assembly to couple said second housing to said housing.

53. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber, wherein said housing includes a chamber housing and a mouthpiece assembly including said mouthpiece attached to an end of said housing, and wherein said second housing includes a loop portion structured to wrap around said chamber housing to coupled said second housing to said housing.

54. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber, wherein said housing includes a chamber housing and an MDI adapter having a hole for receiving an MDI therein, and wherein said second housing includes a tab actuating member extending partially over said hole, wherein said actuation signal is generated in response to said tab actuating member being pushed by said MDI when said MDI is inserted into said hole.

55. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber having a cap removeably attached to said mouthpiece, wherein said second housing includes a recess structured to receive and hold said cap, and wherein said actuation signal is generated in response to said cap being received within said recess.

56. The respiratory drug delivery apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus is a valved holding chamber having a cap removeably attached to said mouthpiece and a tether strap attaching said cap to said second housing, wherein said actuation signal is generated in response to said cap being removed from said mouthpiece and a portion of said tether strap being disengaged from a portion of said second housing.

57. A method of encouraging proper use of a respiratory drug delivery apparatus, comprising:

detecting on said respiratory drug delivery apparatus that a predetermined instruction triggering event has occurred; and

generating one or more audible instructions relating to proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus from said respiratory drug delivery apparatus in response to said detecting.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein said predetermined instruction triggering event comprises a manual actuation performed by a patient using said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein said manual actuation comprises an actuation of a manual actuator associated with said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein manual actuator is a button provided on said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

61. The method according to claim 58, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus includes a cap, wherein said manual actuation comprises removal of said cap by a patient using said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

62. The method according to claim 58, wherein said manual actuation comprises causing a source of medication to be held by said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber, wherein said source of medication comprises an MDI, and wherein said causing comprises inserting said MDI at least partially within said valved holding chamber.

64. The method according to claim 58, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises an MDI, and wherein said one or more audible instructions comprises a set of audible instructions for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus including instructions relating to shaking the MDI, actuating the MDI, inhaling, and breath holding.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein said set of audible instructions include an instruction instructing the patient to shake the MDI, an instruction instructing the patient to actuate the MDI, an instruction instructing the patient to inhale slowly, and an instruction instructing the patient to hold his or her breath for a predetermined period of time.

66. The method according to claim 64, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus further comprises a valved holding chamber for holding said MDI.

67. The method according to claim 58, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises an MDI, and wherein said one or more audible instructions comprises a set of audible instructions for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus including instructions relating to shaking the MDI, actuating the MDI, and taking and counting a certain number of breaths.

68. The method according to claim 58, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises an MDI, and wherein said one or more audible instructions comprises a set of audible instructions for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus including instructions relating to shaking the MDI, actuating the MDI, and inhaling for a particular period of time.

69. The method according to claim 57, wherein said predetermined instruction triggering event comprises an event relating to operation of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

70. The method according to claim 69, wherein said one or more audible instructions comprise an instruction relating to a technique for proper use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus that is related to the event that was sensed by said sensor.

71. The method according to claim 70, wherein the instruction comprises a command directed to correcting or preventing a negative behavior relating to use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

72. The method according to claim 70, wherein the instruction comprises a command directed to reinforcing a positive behavior relating to use of said respiratory drug delivery apparatus.

73. The method according to claim 70, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises an MDI and wherein said event comprises actuation of said MDI.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein the instruction relates to proper inhalation technique.

75. The method according to claim 74, wherein said one or more audible instructions further comprise an instruction relating to proper breath hold technique.

76. The method according to claim 73, wherein said detecting comprises sensing a spray of mediation resulting from the actuation of said MDI.

77. The method according to claim 70, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber having an inhalation valve, wherein said event comprises an opening of said inhalation valve.

78. The method according to claim 77, wherein the instruction relates to proper inhalation technique.

79. The method according to claim 78, wherein said one or more audible instructions further comprise an instruction relating to proper breath hold technique.

80. The method according to claim 70, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber having an inhalation valve, wherein said event comprises a closing of said inhalation valve.

81. The method according to claim 80, wherein the instruction relates to proper breath hold technique.

82. The method according to claim 70, wherein said respiratory drug delivery apparatus comprises a valved holding chamber having a noisemaker for indicating that a patient is not inhaling properly, wherein said event comprises said noisemaker making a sound.

83. The method according to claim 82, wherein the instruction relates to proper inhalation technique.

84. The method according to claim 57, wherein said detecting and generating require no more than 3 volts and wherein said generating employs a speaker having a rating of no more than 8 ohms.