FLOW MEASURING APPARATUS AND INHALATION APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAME

• US 20160213865A1
• Filed: 08/28/2014
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Protecsom Amerique Du Nord Inc.
• Original Assignee: Protecsom Amerique Du Nord Inc.
• Inventors: POREE, Thierry
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0015 located upstream of the dispenser, i.e. not traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0016 located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• 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 15/0086 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 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/46 Pitot tubes

Abstract

The present document describes a flow measuring apparatus for measuring the air flow through a section of an inhalation apparatus, and for measuring the drug delivery by inhalation using an inhalation apparatus. The flow measuring apparatus comprises a set of Pitot tubes configured for traversing entirely the lumen of the section of an inhalation apparatus. The set of Pitot tubes comprises a first and second Pitot tube which are respectively fluidly connected to a differential pressure sensor, for measuring a difference between a dynamic pressure and a static pressure within the flow measuring apparatus.

Claims

1. A flow measuring apparatus for measuring a flow through a section of an inhalation apparatus, comprising:

at least one set of Pitot tubes comprising a first Pitot tube longitudinally aligned with and contacting a second Pitot tube,

said set of Pitot tubes being configured for traversing entirely a lumen of said section of an inhalation apparatus;

said first and second Pitot tube being respectively fluidly connected to a differential pressure sensor, for measuring a difference between a dynamic pressure and a static pressure within said flow measuring apparatus;

said first Pitot tube comprising at least one opening facing a direction of said flow; and

said second Pitot tube comprising at least one opening facing a direction opposed to said flow.

2. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and said second Pitot tubes are back to back.

3. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one opening facing a direction of said flow and said at least one opening facing a direction opposed to said flow are substantially coplanar along the longitudinal axis of said first and said second Pitot tubes.

4. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said set of Pitot tubes is streamlined, to reduce resistance of said set of Pitot tubes to said flow within said section of an inhalation apparatus.

5. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said first and said second Pitot tube is for measuring a dynamic pressure, and the other of said first and said second Pitot tube is for measuring a static pressure.

6. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said first Pitot tube is for measuring a dynamic pressure, and said second Pitot tube is for measuring a static pressure, or

wherein said first Pitot tube is for measuring a static pressure, and said second Pitot tube is for measuring a dynamic pressure.

7. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening is a single opening, or two openings, or three openings, or four openings.

8. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening is a circular opening, or a slot, or an oval opening, or a square opening, or a rectangular opening, or combinations thereof.

9. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the first or second Pitot tubes at regular intervals.

10. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor, operatively connected to said flow measuring apparatus, for calculating said flow rate from said difference between a dynamic pressure and a static pressure measured with said flow measuring apparatus.

11. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a transmission means for transmitting said flow rate.

12. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a visual means to visually indicate correct use of said flow measuring apparatus, said inhalation apparatus, or both.

13. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 10, wherein any one of said processor, said transmission means, and said visual means is comprised within a housing.

14. The flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said set of Pitot tubes is removable.

15. An inhalation apparatus for drug delivery by inhalation comprising:

an inhalation chamber having

a first end to be connected to a source of drug to be administered by inhalation to a user,

a second end to be connected to said user;

a flow measuring apparatus of claim 1, traversing entirely a lumen of a section of said inhalation apparatus, for measuring flow of said drug within said section of said inhalation apparatus.

16. The inhalation apparatus of any claim 15, wherein said second end is a mouthpiece or a tube to be connected to a face mask.

17. The inhalation apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a valve, upstream of said inhalation chamber and downstream of said second end, allowing passage of said flow from said inhalation chamber to said second end.

18. The inhalation apparatus of claim 17, wherein said valve is a one-way inhalation valve.

19. The inhalation apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second end further comprises an expiratory valve.

20. The inhalation apparatus of claim 19, wherein said second end further comprises a tubular portion.

21-47. -47. (canceled)