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Dry powder inhalant device with dosage and air flow monitor

  • US 5,505,195 A
  • Filed: 09/16/1993
  • Issued: 04/09/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A dry powder inhalant device adapted for mounting on a conventional medication dry powder dispenser having a mouthpiece incorporated in one end of the dispenser, the device designed for monitoring prescribed dosages of dry powder received through a mouthpiece of a dispenser, through the lips and into the mouth, throat, and respiratory system of a user of the device, the device comprising:

  • dry powder sensing means mounted inside an electronic housing, said electronic housing adapted for attachment to a dispenser, said dry powder sensing means for sensing the release of dry powder in a dispenser;

    dry powder signal generating means connected to said dry powder sensing means, said dry powder signal generating means for electrically signaling when dry powder is released in a dispenser;

    air flow sensing means mounted inside said electronic housing and disposed adjacent an air inlet in said electronic housing, said air flow sensing means for determining the flow rate of air through the air inlet, said air flow sensing means also for determining the air flow rate through a mouthpiece of a dispenser and sensing the duration of the air flow therethrough;

    air flow signal generating means connected to said air flow sensing means, said air flow signal generating means for electrically signaling the rate and duration of the air flow; and

    display means connected to said dry powder signal generating means, said display means for displaying each occurrence of the release of dry powder in a dispenser, further said display means connected to said air flow signal generating means, said display means for displaying each occurrence of air flow from said air inlet in said electronic housing, an air flow rate through a mouthpiece of a dispenser and the duration of an air flow through a mouthpiece in a dispenser;

    computing and recording means mounted in said electronic housing for logging positively when dry powder is released, when the air flow is received in said electronic housing and through a mouthpiece and the rate of airflow; and

    a dry powder dispenser sensing means for sensing when a dry powder dispenser is received and removed from said electronic housing, said dry powder dispenser sensing means connected to said computing and recording means for logging when a dry powder dispenser is received and removed.

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