 Indicating device for aerosol container |
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Electronic medication chronolog device
| Details |
Inventors: Wolf, James L.;
Assignee: Medtrac Technologies, Inc. (Lakewood, CO)
Primary Examiner: Asher; Kimberly L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sheridan Ross P.C.
An electronic medication chronolog device adapted for attachment to various shapes and sizes of conventional pressurized inhalant packages. The packages include in common an actuator housing with one end having a mouthpiece and an opposite end having an opening for receiving a vial/canister therein. The vial/canister having a valve stem used for dispensing a prescribed dosage of medication inhalant in an aerosol chamber inside the actuator housing. The aerosol chamber is disposed next to an outlet of the mouthpiece for dispensing the medication therethrough. The chronolog device includes computing and recording equipment with audio and visual display mounted in a chronolog housing. The chronolog housing is adapted for attachment to the actuator housing. A strain gauge sensing arm is attached to the computing equipment and extends through a hole in a side of the actuator housing for engaging a portion of the vial/canister next to the valve stem. The sensing arm senses and signals the computing equipment when the valve stem of the vial/canister is properly compressed for release of medication. Also, the sensing arm senses and signals the computing equipment when the vial/canister is engaged and disengaged inside the actuator housing Further, a fast response thermistor is connected to the computing equipment and disposed between the hole in the side of the actuator housing and an opening in the chronolog housing. The thermistor senses and signals each occurrence and amount of inhale air flow and exhale air flow in the actuator housing. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION An object of the present invention is an improved accessory chronolog which will mount "piggyback" to conventional, commercially available vial/actuator combinations of dispensing metered dose inhalant devices.
The accessory chronolog shall not interfere with, or alter, the original pharmaceutical manufactured vial/actuator combination so as to preserve its original tested and FDA approved performance with respect to the delivery of the medicated inhalant.
Another object of the present invention is an adaptable housing, which shall afford the accessory chronolog apparatus to be economically mounted to any of the pharmaceutical manufactured vial/actuator combinations available, making an improved apparatus which allows the original manufacturer tested and FDA approved actuators fitted for monitoring the user/patient for proper usage and compliance without interfering with, or altering, the delivery of medication.
The apparatus, by means of an accelerometer and reed switch generating a mixing detect signal, properly indicates that the pharmaceutical manufacturer's recommendation for pre-mixing the medication has occurred prior to inhalation of said medication.
That a strain guage dynamic sensing arm indicated that a vial/canister is received into the commercial actuator and is properly seated into its aerosol chamber and ready for use, and, that it can detect the start and valid actuation of the medication delivery process.
That an air flow fast response thermistor can detect the proper inhalation sequence in the medication delivery; as the user/patient inhales through the mouthpiece, a portion of air would enter the air inlet in the housing (of the improved apparatus) passing through an air channel and a hole in the main printed circuit board.
As the air passes through the hole in the main-PCB, it is sensed by pass over a very small fast response thermistor and continue through the access hole that is shared with the dynamic sensing arm.
This fraction of inhaled air, via the mouthpiece, is representative of the remainder of air drawn into the commercial actuator around the sides of the vial/canister
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Communications 
