Detection system and method for aerosol delivery

• US 9,927,275 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2017
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• 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:
  US15/469,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20170199067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 356338
• 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 sensor; and

a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to;

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

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

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

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, 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.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a detector operable to detect light.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor;

a light source located within a flow path; and

a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to;

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

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

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

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, 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.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a detector operable to detect light.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, 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.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor;

a light source located within a flow path;

a detector operable to detect light; and

a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to;

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

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

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

calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, 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.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, 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.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.