Inhalation device with counter
First Claim
1. An inhalation device, comprising:
- a housing;
a container of medicine received in the housing;
a delivery system for dispensing a predetermined dose of medicine from the container for inhalation by a user;
a counter attached to the housing;
a display coupled to the counter; and
a switch actuated by the container of medicine, for controlling operation of the counter and display of data on the display, the switch including first and second actuating positions;
wherein, in the first actuating switch position, a cumulative number of doses of the medicine dispensed from the container is counted by the counter and displayed on the display; and
wherein, in the second actuating switch position, the counter is incremented if the second actuating switch position is maintained for less than a predetermined period of time, and counter is reset to zero if the second actuating switch position is maintained for greater than the predetermined period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inhalation device in the nature of a metered dose inhaler with a counter is disclosed. The device is designed to work with existing respiratory drugs. The device is comprised of a L-shaped medication dispenser in which a counter is attached. A downward force applied to the top portion of the canister protruding from the top of the L-shaped medication dispenser releases a single dose of the aerosol medication and increments the counter. The device contains a visual display of the current count and thus an indication of the metered doses remaining in the aerosol canister. The counter can be electronic, mechanical or electro-mechanical in nature. Counting devices for other shaped dispensers such as cylindrical dispensers are also described. Other options such as a warning alarm, automatic power conservation shutdown of the display, and full computer monitoring functions are also disclosed.
194 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An inhalation device, comprising:
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a housing; a container of medicine received in the housing; a delivery system for dispensing a predetermined dose of medicine from the container for inhalation by a user; a counter attached to the housing; a display coupled to the counter; and a switch actuated by the container of medicine, for controlling operation of the counter and display of data on the display, the switch including first and second actuating positions; wherein, in the first actuating switch position, a cumulative number of doses of the medicine dispensed from the container is counted by the counter and displayed on the display; and wherein, in the second actuating switch position, the counter is incremented if the second actuating switch position is maintained for less than a predetermined period of time, and counter is reset to zero if the second actuating switch position is maintained for greater than the predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An inhalation device, comprising:
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a housing; a container of medicine received in the housing; a delivery system for dispensing a predetermined dose of medicine from the container for inhalation by a user; a counter attached to the housing; a display coupled to the counter; and a switch actuated by the container of medicine, for controlling operation of the counter and display of data on the display, the switch including first and second actuating positions; wherein, in the first actuating switch position, a cumulative number of doses of the medicine dispensed from the container is counted by the counter and displayed on the display; and wherein, in the second actuating switch position, the counter is incremented if the second actuating switch position is maintained for less than a predetermined period of time, and counter is reset to zero if the second actuating switch position is maintained for greater than the predetermined period of time; wherein, the housing includes an opening, and wherein the inhalation device further included a system for securing the counter within the opening; wherein, the system for securing the counter with the opening includes a first set of protrusions configured to be inserted into the interior of the housing through the opening and to engage a inner surface of the housing adjacent the housing, and a second set of protrusions for engaging an outer surface of the housing adjacent the opening, the first and second set of protrusions coacting to securely fasten the counter to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. An inhalation device, comprising:
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a housing; a container of medicine received in the housing; a delivery system for dispensing a predetermined dose of medicine from the container for inhalation by a user; a modular component including a counter coupled to a display; a system for securing the modular component to the housing, including an opening; and a switch, positioned within the housing, actuated by the container of medicine, for controlling operation of the counter and display of data on the display, the switch including first and second actuating positions; wherein, in the first actuating switch position, a cumulative number of doses of the medicine dispensed from the container is counted by the counter and displayed on the display; wherein, the system for securing the counter with the opening includes a first set of protrusions configured to be inserted into the interior of the housing through the opening and to engage a inner surface of the housing adjacent the housing, and a second set of protrusions for engaging an outer surface of the housing adjacent the opening, the first and second set of protrusions coacting to securely fasten the counter to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification