GB2484687A

GB2484687A - Actuator for an inhaler having a lip sensor

Info

Publication number: GB2484687A
Application number: GB1017653.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Pinfold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-20
Filing date: 2010-10-20
Publication date: 2012-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-20
Also published as: GB201017653D0; GB2484687B

Abstract

The actuator has a main container with clips A to accommodate a pDMI inhaler and a lip trigger B on a mouthpiece. In use the sensor, which may be a capacitance switch, initiates a timer circuit to delay the activation of internal mechanical actuators (fig 5) which in turn activate the pressurized canister in the pDMI inhaler. The circuitry and mechanical actuators are all located in the main container. The actuator may further comprise a mouthpiece protector which covers the lip trigger when not in use.

Description

Low-pressure triggered pMDI inhaler add on This invention relates to a low-pressure triggered device to release an atomised drug medicine in the mouth and consequently air passage of a patient requiring an atomised delivery.

The use of conventional atomisers requires a manual triggering of the delivery of the drug through a mouthpiece. Conventional atomisers also use manually stored potential energy in a heavy spring to provide energy for the metered delivery of the measured drug. The ability to provide this function requires the patient to have enough physical strength and movement to prime the inhaler with potential energy and enough strength and movement to trigger the drug delivery.

Patients of limited dexterity and limited motor function may have difficulty in achieving these functions.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a low voltage electronic means to trigger an electronic timed.Mechanism to activate a pMDl inhaler for the patient.

The triggering is to be mounted on a mouthpiece dip on and be a capacitance based switch to reduce accidental discharge of the device. The patients lips would cause a triggering of an internal electronic timer circuit that controls a delay before actuating thelhe actuation of an electronic triggered lever to drive the pMDl inhaler.

The timings of the delay of delivery, will be determined by programmed variables.

The timing variables are held in non-volitile memory and are available to be reprogrammed by an external contact interface. The device actuvation is also controlled by sensors to monitor breathe direction in that the delay with continue until the patient is taking an inspiration.

This invention uses an easy-grip wrapped plastic shell that serves as a holder for the intemal electronics and a battery holder. The device will dip over a pMDl inhaler. A lip triggered sensor will commence the device's action of depressing the pMDl canister via linear mechanical electrially driven actuators. An internal log of the number of triggered deliveries will be held in non-volitile memory. An external mechanical counter is also provided to show the patient the number of deliveries per cannister. This external counter is reset on insertion of the pMDI inhaler.

The patient reveals the mouthpiece by removing the mouthpiece protector, bringing the device to the mouth and on contact with the lips the capacitance switch fires the timer circuit. The timer circuit provides a delay before drug delivery according to the patients prescription,supplemented by inspiration-expiration sensor to facilitate patient compliance. The sensor activates the actuator that levers the pressurised cannisters in the pMDI inhaler and the counter, the drug will be delivered into the patients mouth the switch will be disabled for a pre-determined period to prevent accidental discharge.

The configuration of the timer periods will be stored independantly of the replacable battery in non-volitile memory. The replacable battery is used for the capacitance switch, timer circuit and actuators only. This will extend the life of the battery.

The timer circuit, capacitance switch connectors and mechanical acturatrs will be postioned within the main container, a battery level check via an internal led displayed through the lip switch insulators.

Figure 1 shows external side view showing the clips to house a pMDI inhaler A. The lip trigger B on the mouthpiece, mouthpiece protector C. Counter viewing window D. The battery access cover E. The external interface F. Figure 2 shows front external view. The lip trigger B, mouthpiece protector C, counter viewing window D. The external interface F. The battery access cover E. Figure 3 shows rear external view showing the clips to house a pMDJ inhaler. Counter viewing window D. The internal view of mouthpiece G. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the internal mechanical actuators. The voltage supply at start delivery 5f and 5g causes a lever pivoted at 5h to compress the return spring 51 to engage the arm attached at 5k to slide through 5j until the arm attached Se is pulled passed lock Sd. The return spring Sc will engage the lock Sd behind Se and hold the arm that engages SI piveting arm which pushes down Sm base plate. At the time cessation control point as determined by the timer is reached a voltage is applied toSa and Sb which contracts the actuator at Sc to release the fixed point Se and the arm is returned by the return spring Si. The lock 5d Id returned by the spring at Sc.

Case fixed points are 4a, Sb, 5f 5h, 5j.

Claims

CLAiMS.1. EASE OF USE FOR PATIENT WITH LIMITED DEXTERITY AND CO-ORDINATION.
2. TO FACILITATE PATIENT COMPLIANCE OF INHALER USE.
3. SIMPLE CLIP IN CONNECTION ACCORD1NG TO CLAIM 1.
4. LOW PRESSURE TRIGGER TO OPERATE A pMDI DEVICE USiNG ELECTRICITY DRIVEN MECHANICAL ACTION ACCORDiNG TO CLAIM 1.
5. MECHANICAL COUNTER DISPLAY OR VIEWING WINDOW ACCORDING TO CLAIM 4.
6. A MOUTHPIECE DESIGNED TO HOUSE LOW PRESSURE SENSOR/EXHALE SENSOR DETECTOR.
7. EXHALE SENSOR OR DETECTOR ACCORDING TO CLAIM 2.
8. LOW POWER iNDICATOR.
9. WIPE CLEAN MOUTHPIECE.
10. THE ACTUATORS ARE ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN MECHANICAL LINEAR MOTION ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1.
11. INTERNAL NON-VOLITILE MEMORY TO FACILITATE USAGE RECORDING.
12. INTERNAL TIMER CiRCUIT TO CONTROL ACTUVATION ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1.
13. REAL TIME CLOCK FOR ITEMISED LOGGING OF ACTUVATION ACCORDING TO CLAIM 11.
14. DATA LOGGING ACCORDING TO CLAIM 11.
15. INTERNAL POWER MONITORING ACCORDING TO CLAIM 8.
16. EXTERNAL INTERFACE OR BLUETOOTH FOR EXTRACTING LOGGED DATA AND RESET ACCORDING TO CLAIM 2.S
17. ABiLITY TO SET PARAMETERS RELATING TO DATA AND TIME! DRUG IDENTITY AND PATIENT, DOCTOR IDENTIFIER ACCORDING TOCLAIM2.
18. AN EXTERNAL ACCESSIBLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT TO ENABLE CHANGING OF THE BATTERY.
19. LOW VOLTAGE ACTUATORS TRIGGERED BY SENSORS APPROPRIATE TO CORRECT OPERATION ACCORDING TO CLAIM 2.
20. BACK UP POWER FOR RTC ON BATTERY EXCHANGE ACCORDING TO CLAIM 2.
21. TWELVE MONTHS USEAGE ACCORDING TO CLAIM 1.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followed CLAIMS: 1. An actuator for attachment to an inhaler, the actuator comprising a lip triggered sensor.2. An actuator according to Claim 1 having a clip-in connection for attaching the actuator to the inhaler.3. An actuator according to claim 1 having an electrically triggered lever to operate the inhaler.4. An actuator according to Claim I having a mechanical counter display.5. An actuator according to Claim 4 having a viewing window.6. An actuator according to Claim 1 having a sensor for detecting inhalation and exhalation to facilitate patient compliance of inhaler use with recommended drug delivery dosage to the patient.7. An actuator according to Claim I where the lip triggered sensor and the breath sensor are contained within a mouthpiece.8. An actuator according to Claim I wherein the actuator includes a low power indicator.9. An actuator as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the mouth piece is a wipe clean mouthpiece.10. An actuator as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the actuator uses electrically driven *:°* 30 mechanical linear motion to trigger the lever to operate the inhaler.* 11. An actuator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an internal non-volatile memory to facilitate usage recording. *. * * S S S **S*S*S*5 * S 12. An actuator according to Claim I having an internal timer circuit to control the activation of a lever to operate the inhaler.13. An actuator according to Claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises a real time clock for item ised logging of activation.14. An actuator according to Claim 1 having an internal data log to record to record the number of times the inhaler has been used.15. An actuator according to Claim 1 having means for downloading data Logged in the non-volatile internal memory, said means comprising an external interface or Bluetooth for extracting logged data and resetting.16. An actuator according to Claim I having an external accessible battery compartment to enable changing of the battery.17. An actuator according to Claim 3, wherein the actuator is a low voltage actuator triggered by sensors so as to correctly operate an inhaler to facilitate patient compliance with appropriate inhaler use.18. An actuator according to Claim I allowing battery exchange.19. An actuator according to Claim 1, wherein the battery provides twelve months useage.20. An actuator substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. *. I * I I * II* 1*sI* * * I. * * 4 S * * 4* * * * * * 0* *S0*.. * 4