# US 11,439,777 B2 · Drug delivery device with electronics > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,777 B2 - Document ID: US11439777B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/240,983 - Filed: 2019-01-07 - Published: 2019-05-09 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-18 - Assignees: Norton (Waterford) Limited - Applicants: Norton (Waterford) Limited - Inventors: Enrique Calderon Oliveras; Carl L. Lewis; Symon D'Oyly Cotton; Steven D. Gardner; Robert O. Kivlin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439777B2 ## CPC - A61M 15/008: {Electronic counters} - A61B 5/087: Measuring breath flow - A61B 5/4833: {Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment} - A61M 15/0001: {Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof} - A61M 15/0026: {Hinged caps} - A61M 15/0065: {Inhalators with dosage or measuring devices (A61M15/0028 takes precedence; dosage devices incorporated in aerosol cans B65D83/52)} - A61M 15/0071: {having a display or indicator} - A61M 15/0083: {Timers} - A61M 15/009: {using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08)} - A61M 15/0091: {mechanically breath-triggered} - A61M 15/0095: {Preventing manual activation in absence of inhalation} - A61M 15/0096: {Hindering inhalation before activation of the dispenser} - G16H 20/13: delivered from dispensers - G16H 20/17: delivered via infusion or injection - A61B 5/097: Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices - A61B 2505/07: Home care - A61B 2560/0209: adapted for power saving - A61B 2562/0247: Pressure sensors - A61M 15/00: Inhalators {(drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04)} - A61M 15/0005: {with means for agitating the medicament} - A61M 2016/0018: {electrical} - A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter} - A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means - A61M 2205/332: Force measuring means - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate - A61M 2205/3368: Temperature - A61M 2205/3553: remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office - A61M 2205/3569: sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable - A61M 2205/3576: with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver - A61M 2205/3584: using modem, internet or Bluetooth® - A61M 2205/3592: using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission - A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers - A61M 2205/505: Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches - A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient - A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M 2205/584: having a color code - A61M 2205/587: Lighting arrangements - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract A device for delivering medication to a user may include a main body, an electronics module, and a slider. The main body may include a mouthpiece, a medication reservoir, and a mouthpiece cover, where the mouthpiece cover may be hinged to the main body. The electronics module may include a communication circuit, a pressure sensor, and a switch. The slider may be configured to engage the switch when the mouthpiece cover moves from a closed position to an open position. The switch may be configured to switch the electronics module from an off state or a sleep state to an active state. The electronics module may be configured to never return to the off state after the mouthpiece cover is moved to expose the mouthpiece for the first time by the user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inhaler for delivering medication to a user, the inhaler comprising: a metering system configured to meter a dose of medication from a medication reservoir; an electronics module comprising a controller and a switch, wherein the switch is configured to, when actuated, cause the electronics module to change between power states; a slider configured to engage the switch to cause the electronics module to change between the power states while the slider is in contact with the metering system, and wherein the slider is configured to separate from the metering system after causing the electronics module to change between the power states; and a slider spring position on a surface of the slider, wherein the slider spring is configured to apply a force on the slider to cause an arm of the slider to press the switch and cause the electronics module to change between power states as the metering system moves to meter the dose of the medication from the medication reservoir. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the slider is configured to separate from the metering system while the slider is still in contact with the switch, but after the slider causes the electronics module to change between the power states. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, wherein the metering system is configured to meter the dose of medication from the reservoir into a dosing cup, and wherein the slider is configured to separate from the metering system after the metering system meters the dose of medication from the reservoir into the dosing cup. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, further comprising: a mouthpiece cover configured to move between a closed position where the mouthpiece is covered and an open position where the mouthpiece is exposed, wherein the mouthpiece cover is configured to cause the metering system to meter the dose of medication from the medication reservoir when the mouthpiece cover is moved from the closed position to the open position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the slider is configured to be in contact with the metering system when the mouthpiece cover is in the closed position and configured to not be in contact with the metering system when the mouthpiece cover is in the open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The inhaler of claim 4, wherein the metering system comprises a bellows, a yoke, and a dosing cup; and wherein the bellows is configured to compress to deliver a dose of medication from the medication reservoir to the dosing cup when the mouthpiece cover is moved from the closed position to the open position; and wherein the yoke is configured to cause the slider to engage the switch to cause the electronics module to change between the power states when the mouthpiece cover is moved from the closed position to the open position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The inhaler of claim 6, wherein the slider is configured to separate from the metering system after the bellows compresses and delivers the dose of medication from the medication reservoir to the dosing cup. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The inhaler of claim 1, further comprising: a main housing comprising a mouthpiece and the metering system; and a top cap, wherein the electronics module is at least partially housed within the top cap of the inhaler. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The inhaler of claim 8, wherein the top cap is configured to overlap at least a portion of the main housing when the top cap is connected to the main housing; and wherein a top surface of the main housing comprises an orifice, and wherein the orifice is configured to accept the slider such that the slider is configured to at least partially protrude through the top surface of the main housing into the top cap via the orifice. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The inhaler of claim 8, wherein the top cap further comprises a slider guide that is configured to receive the slider spring and the slider, and wherein the slider spring is configured to bias a distal end of the slider to the metering system when the mouthpiece cover is in the closed position; and wherein the slider defines a stopper that is configured to engage a stopper on the slider guide so that the slider is retained within the slider guide when the mouthpiece cover is moved into the open position such that the such that the slider is no longer in contact with the metering system. ### Claim 11 An inhaler for delivering medication to a user, the inhaler comprising: a main housing comprising a mouthpiece and a yoke; an electronics module comprising a controller and a switch, wherein the switch is configured to, when actuated, cause the electronics module to change between power states; a slider configured to actuate the switch to cause the electronics module to change between the power states while the slider is in contact with the yoke, and configured to separate from the yoke after the electronics module changes between the power states; and a slider spring position on a surface of the slider, wherein the slider spring is configured to apply a force on the slider to cause an arm of the slider to press the switch and cause the electronics module to change between power states as the yoke moves downward. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The inhaler of claim 11, further comprising: a mouthpiece cover configured to move between a closed position where the mouthpiece is covered and an open position where the mouthpiece is exposed; wherein the main housing further comprises a reservoir for storing medication, and a dosing cup; wherein the mouthpiece cover is configured to cause a dose of medication to be delivered from the reservoir to the dosing cup when the mouthpiece cover is moved from the closed position to the open position; and wherein the slider is configured to actuate the switch to cause the electronics module to change between the power states when the mouthpiece cover is moved from the closed position to the open position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The inhaler of claim 11, further comprising: a top cap, wherein the electronics module is housed within the top cap of the inhaler. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The inhaler of claim 13, wherein the top cap is configured to overlap at least a portion of the main housing when the top cap is connected to the main housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The inhaler of claim 13, wherein a top surface of the main housing comprises an orifice, and wherein the orifice is configured to accept the slider such that the slider is configured to at least partially protrude through the top surface of the main housing into the top cap via the orifice. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The inhaler of claim 13, wherein the top cap comprises a stopper that is configured to stop vertical travel of the slider such that the slider is no longer in contact with the yoke after the electronics module changes between the power states. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The inhaler of claim 13, wherein the top cap further comprises a slider guide that is configured to receive the slider spring and the slider, and wherein the slider spring is configured to bias a distal end of the slider to the yoke when the mouthpiece cover is in the closed position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The inhaler of claim 17, wherein the slider defines a stopper that is configured to engage a stopper on the slider guide so that the slider is retained within the slider guide when the mouthpiece cover is moved into the open position such that the slider is no longer in contact with the yoke. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The inhaler of claim 11, wherein the slider defines a stopper that is configured to limit the movement of the slider such that the slider is no longer in contact with the yoke after the electronics module changes between the power states. ### Claim 20 An inhaler for delivering medication to a user, the inhaler comprising: a metering system configured to meter a dose of medication from a medication reservoir; an electronics module comprising a controller and a switch, wherein the switch is configured to, when actuated, cause the electronics module to change between power states; a mouthpiece cover configured to move between a closed position where the mouthpiece is covered and an open position where the mouthpiece is exposed, wherein the mouthpiece cover is configured to cause the metering system to meter the dose of medication from the medication reservoir when the mouthpiece cover is moved from the closed position to the open position; a slider configured to be in contact with the metering system when the mouthpiece cover is in the closed position, and configured to be separate from the metering system when the mouthpiece cover is in the open position; and a slider spring position on a surface of the slider, wherein the slider spring is configured to apply a force on the slider to cause an arm of the slider to press the switch and cause the electronics module to change between power states as the metering system moves to meter the dose of the medication from the medication reservoir.