US 5,284,133 A · Inhalation device with a dose-timer, an actuator mechanism, and patient compliance monitoring means

Abstract

An inhalation device is provided with a mechanism to assure patient compliance with a drug dosage regimen. The control mechanism includes a controller (24), a timer (26), an actuator (28) and a signalling device (30). The controller (24) is programmed or preset with a time and dosage schedule for the drug to be delivered. For example, the controller (24) may be programmed to allow for two puffs from an MDI every eight hours. The actuator (28) operates in conjunction with the timer (26) and prevents the inhalation device from being actuated after the programmed dosage has been administered at the prescribed interval. The actuator (28) could be an electronically controlled valve (58) or pawl (66) arrangement or other suitable mechanism. The signaling device (30) provides an audible, visual or tactile sensation during the time period prescribed for administration of the drug so that the patient is reminded to inhale his or her medicine at the prescribed time intervals. The history of actuation, non-actuation, and improper attempts at actuation can all be recorded and analyzed off-site at a later by a physician, pharmacist, or other authorized health care professional.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A patient compliance system, comprising:

a drug delivery means;
a controller connected to said drug delivery means programmed or preset with dose and time of dose information for a drug being delivered by said drug delivery means, said dose and time of dose information setting forth a number of actuations of said drug delivery means to be provided at prescribed intervals;
a timer connected to said controller for tracking the time between actuations of said drug delivery means;
an actuator connected to said drug delivery means and said controller for actuating said drug delivery means, said actuator including means for preventing actuation of said drug delivery means when a patient attempts to actuate the drug delivery means at non-prescribed intervals or when a patient tries to exceed said number of actuations at said prescribed intervals;
means, coupled to said controller, for recording a time and number of actuations of said drug delivery means, said recording means being actuated by said actuator;
and
means for verifying that a patient is properly positioned to inhale drug from said drug delivery means,
said verifying means comprising means for simultaneously sensing a patients mouth in close contact and around said drug delivery means, a drop in pressure in said drug delivery means and an actuation of said drug delivery means by said actuator.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inhalation device with a dose-timer, an actuator mechanism, and patient compliance monitoring means

Life of this patent

Inhalation device with a dose-timer, an actuator mechanism, and patient compliance monitoring means

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16