Counter for fluid dispensers

• US 5,622,163 A
• Filed: 11/22/1995
• Issued: 04/22/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kos Life Sciences, Inc. (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: IEP Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Jewett, Warren R., Ebeling, Frederick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACITI, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US08/562,293
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.23, 128/202.22, 128/202.21, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.23, 222/30, 222/36, 222/37, 222/38
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/008 Electronic counters
• 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 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1028 Pumps having a pumping chamber with a deformable wall B05B11/1087 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/108 Means for counting the number of dispensing strokes

Abstract

The disclosure is of a device for indicating the number of fluid dispensations remaining in a container for holding and dispensing metered quantities of the fluid. The device is a hermetically-sealed unit which is assembled with the dispenser portion or component of the container and includes microprocessor means for maintaining an inventory of the doses or dispensations remaining of a predetermined number of dispensations. Indicator means signals when the predetermined number of dispensations reaches a level before empty.

Claims

1. A device for indicating the number of dispensations remaining in a container for holding and dispensing metered quantities of a fluid, which comprises;

a. a tubular housing, having

i. a first end;

ii. a second end;

iii. a tubular body joining the first and second ends;

said tubular body together with the first and second ends defining a hollow chamber;

b. a flexible first closure, closing the first end;

c. a second closure closing the second end;

d. microelectronic means mounted in the chamber, for receiving a signal upon dispensations of a fluid from the container, calculating the number of dispensations remaining in the container and indicating the calculation upon determination of a pre-determined number of remaining dispensations;

e. means for signalling to the microelectronic means upon the occurrence of each dispensation, positioned proximal to the first end of the tubular housing; and

f. means on the tubular housing for mounting the device on a fluid container in a position where dispensation of a metered dose simultaneously activates the means for signalling.

2. Device of claim 1 wherein the tubular housing is fabricated from a synthetic polymeric housing, which is at least in part light transmitting therethrough.

3. Device of claim 1 wherein the housing is hermetically sealed.

4. Device of claim 1 which further comprises a switch for sending the signal to the microelectronic means, positioned in the hollow chamber.

5. Device of claim 1 wherein the means for signalling comprises a light-emitting diode, positioned in the hollow chamber.

6. Device of claim 1 wherein the microelectronic means comprises an application Specific Integrated Circuit programmed to indicate the number of fluid doses remaining the container after each dispensation.

7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means of signalling the calculation comprises a liquid crystal display.

8. In an assembly for administration to the respiratory tract of a mammal orally or intranasally, a pharmaceutically active medication, which comprises;

(a) a hollow closed tube having

(i) a first open end adapted by size and configuration to receive an aerosol canister containing a predetermined number of unit doses of the medication, in the tube hollow;

(ii) a second open end adapted by size and configuration to couple with the oral or nasal cavities of a mammal;

(b) an aerosol canister having a top and a bottom and a metering valve on the canister top for the release of a predetermined number of unit doses of a contained medication for administration to a mammal, positioned in the first open end of the tube; and

(c) means for the valved release of the predetermined number of unit doses of medication from the aerosol canister;

the improvement, which comprises;

(d) microelectronic means, mounted on the canister bottom and having

(i) an application Specific Integrated Circuit programmed to receive a signal generated by the valved release of a single unit dose from the aerosol canister and to calculate, upon receiving the signal the number of predetermined unit doses minus the number of doses released; and

(ii) means to signal the calculation.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the hollow tube is fabricated from a synthetic polymeric resin.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the means for signalling comprises a light-emitting diode.

11. Apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means of signalling the calculation comprises a liquid crystal display.