Instrumented metered-dose inhaler and methods for predicting disease exacerbations
First Claim
1. A metered dose inhaler, comprising:
- a) an inhaler portion including;
i) a medication reservoir compartment constructed and adapted to engage a medication reservoir or to contain medication;
ii) a mouthpiece; and
iii) a flow pathway opening into and connecting the medication reservoir compartment and the mouthpiece so as to deliver a metered dose of a medication from the medication reservoir compartment to the mouthpiece when the inhaler portion is actuated to dispense a metered dose of the medication; and
b) a sensor/transmitter portion including;
i) a dose-dispensing sensor positioned external to the inhaler portion, the dose-dispensing sensor being coupled to the inhaler portion such that when the inhaler portion is actuated to dispense the dose of the medication, the dose-dispensing sensor establishes a signal in response thereto; and
ii) a wireless transmitter connected to the dose-dispensing sensor, the wireless transmitter being constructed and arranged to accept the signal from the dose-dispensing sensor and transmit a signal indicating that a dose has been dispensed to a remote station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring inhaled drug usage to predict when an acute attack or exacerbation of a disease, such as a respiratory disease, is imminent. Instrumented inhalers that use modular designs with standard components are disclosed, as are systems for monitoring the instrumented inhalers. Also disclosed are methods for determining whether or not a patient'"'"'s inhaled drug usage pattern indicates that an acute attack or disease exacerbation is imminent, and notifying appropriate medical personnel of any usage patterns indicative of an attack or disease exacerbation. If such an attack or exacerbation is imminent, additional therapeutic agents may be dispensed to the patient or other interventions made.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A metered dose inhaler, comprising:
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a) an inhaler portion including; i) a medication reservoir compartment constructed and adapted to engage a medication reservoir or to contain medication; ii) a mouthpiece; and iii) a flow pathway opening into and connecting the medication reservoir compartment and the mouthpiece so as to deliver a metered dose of a medication from the medication reservoir compartment to the mouthpiece when the inhaler portion is actuated to dispense a metered dose of the medication; and b) a sensor/transmitter portion including; i) a dose-dispensing sensor positioned external to the inhaler portion, the dose-dispensing sensor being coupled to the inhaler portion such that when the inhaler portion is actuated to dispense the dose of the medication, the dose-dispensing sensor establishes a signal in response thereto; and ii) a wireless transmitter connected to the dose-dispensing sensor, the wireless transmitter being constructed and arranged to accept the signal from the dose-dispensing sensor and transmit a signal indicating that a dose has been dispensed to a remote station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification