Detection system and method for aerosol delivery

• US 8,687,191 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Altobelli, David E., Gray, Larry B., Kane, Derek G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Punnoose, Roy M
• Application Number:
  US12/964,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20110079220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 356/338
• US Class Current: 356/338
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• 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 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/34 by measuring pressure or differential pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 13/006 measuring volume in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2202 involving separation of sample components during sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/02 Investigating particle size or size distribution by measuring osmotic pressure G01N7/10; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0205 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1456 without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2223 aerosol sampling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/4707 Forward scatter; Low angle scatter
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/53 within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a detector, a pressure sensor and a processor. The detector is operable to detect light that is scattered by an aerosol that is associated with a pressure. The pressure sensor is operable to measure the pressure. The processor is coupled to the detector and to the pressure sensor, and is configured to receive at least a signal from the detector and the pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to use the received signals to calculate a volume of the first aerosol, and to output an output signal associated with the calculated volume. The various measurements can be repeated and compared, and the output signal can be a feedback signal for metering subsequent amounts of the aerosol, based on the comparison.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a light source;

a detector operable to detect light;

a sensor operable to determine a pressure; and

a processor coupled to the detector and the sensor, the processor configured to

receive a signal associated with the detector that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the sensor; and

calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the sensor;

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and

output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal is received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.

5. A therapeutic agent delivery device comprising:

a housing having an orifice for delivery of the therapeutic agent to the user;

and

a processor configured to

receive a signal associated with a sensor, the signal associated with a volume of a first therapeutic agent delivered to the user;

receive a signal associated with the sensor, the signal associated with a volume of a second therapeutic agent delivered to the user;

calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent delivered and the second therapeutic agent delivered;

compare the calculated volumes; and

adjust the target volume of a subsequent delivery of the therapeutic agent.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a detector operable to detect light.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising a pressure sensor.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the pressure sensor;

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and

output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal is received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.

10. The device of claims 9 wherein the device is configured to deliver a predetermined volume of the therapeutic agent.

11. A therapeutic agent device comprising:

a volume transducer, the volume transducer sends a signal associated with a volume of a therapeutic agent in a flow path; and

a processor, the processor configured to

receive signals from the volume transducer and calculate the volume of the therapeutic agent, and

adjust a target volume of the therapeutic agent.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising a pressure sensor.

13. The device of claim 11 further comprising a detector operable to detect light.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into the flow path;

receive a signal from a pressure sensor; and

calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;

receive a signal from the sensor;

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and

output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal is received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.