JP2004097617A - Inhalation apparatus and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reliable inhalation apparatus for discharging a liquid containing a medicine, or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The inhalation apparatus which discharges the liquid as liquid droplets for making a user inhale them is provided with: a discharging part for discharging the liquid; and a drive means for making the discharging part discharge the liquid droplets. The drive means characteristically performs at least discharging operation for making the user inhale the liquid and discharging operation of a quantity smaller than the quantity for being inhaled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus that discharges liquid as liquid droplets and causes a user to inhale the liquid droplets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device that is configured to be carried and carried by a user and that discharges and inhales a medicine as droplets, and is a method for suitably using an inhalation device for health management.
[0002]
[Background Art]
In recent years, due to advances in medicine and science, the life expectancy has been extended and the society is aging. On the other hand, changes in eating habits and living environment, environmental pollution, new diseases and infectious diseases caused by viruses and fungi have been found, and anxiety about people's health has increased. In particular, in countries called developed countries, the increase in patients with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension has become a problem.
[0003]
On the other hand, the number of medical institutions has not increased enough to cope with this increase in patients, and there are regions where there are no medical institutions that can go to hospitals.
[0004]
For this reason, a telemedicine system and a home health care system have been proposed which can receive a doctor's diagnosis and perform daily health care without going to the hospital for elderly people or patients with lifestyle-related diseases or chronic diseases.
[0005]
A typical configuration of these systems is that a symmetrical individual installs a terminal at home or the like, connects to a server at a medical institution or a center via a communication line such as the Internet, and responds to medical questions and blood pressure from the terminal, A nurse or doctor checks the data collected in the server by inputting and transmitting a measured value such as a body temperature, and returns a message indicating whether there is an abnormality or a message.
[0006]
In order to operate such a medical system, an electronic medical record that electronically records a medical record (medical record) of each user and a medical database that stores data of the electronic medical record and various measured values are required. However, various proposals have been made for the electronic medical record and the medical database.
[0007]
In particular, electronic medical records are effective in preventing medical errors and medication errors, which are currently a problem, and satisfy the patient's "right to know" by making their contents available to patients and their families. There is great interest.
[0008]
In addition, among the diabetic patients who are increasing at present, insulin-dependent diabetic patients called type I do not secrete insulin from the pancreas, so it is necessary to administer insulin regularly. Since the administration of insulin is currently performed by subcutaneous injection, the physical and mental burden on the user is large.
[0009]
In order to reduce the burden on users, pen-type syringes with a thin needle and less pain have been developed, but patients with type I diabetes need to administer insulin regularly. In many cases, patients work in the same manner as healthy persons, and therefore, it is difficult to administer the drug at an appropriate time because even a pen-type patient is mentally resistant to injecting in public.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, a device capable of administering a drug without causing pain to a patient, and further performing a drug administration appropriate to a patient based on data such as a prescription provided by a doctor has been developed. Since it is not necessary to use a medical device such as a syringe at the time of administration of a medical solution as in the related art, it is possible to easily operate the apparatus without any specialized knowledge and also to reduce pain for the user due to the injection needle.
[0011]
This is a device configured to be carried and carried by a user and ejecting and inhaling a medicine as fine droplets, and also has a role as a portable terminal utilizing the above data.
[0012]
Such a medicine ejection device characterized in that the user can carry the medicine can always perform stable medicine ejection regardless of the use environment, that is, in order to take measures against abnormal operation of the medicine ejection unit, Improvement is desired.
[0013]
Such an abnormal operation of the liquid ejection unit is often caused by the fact that the ejection cannot be performed due to clogging of the nozzle, such as a drug sticking near the ejection port. Furthermore, in order to obtain an effect equivalent to administering insulin to a human body by injection by injecting a medicine from a medicine ejection device, droplet ejection of 10 μm or less is necessary, and the ejection outlet is inevitably provided by a conventional ejection port. Must be smaller than the device. Therefore, there are many technical problems for the drug prescription and clogging prevention, and as a result, the reliability of the drug ejection device is lowered.
[0014]
Furthermore, in the case where the above-described drug ejection device is used as a terminal used in a conventionally proposed medical system, the above-described ejection error causes the drug ejection history to be erroneously managed. This not only hinders the effective use of the original database, but also has a problem that it is not possible to cope with a situation where the user's symptoms worsen or the condition suddenly changes.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable inhaler capable of performing appropriate liquid ejection control for individual users.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an inhaler according to the present invention is an inhaler for ejecting a liquid as liquid droplets and inhaling the liquid to a user, wherein the device comprises an ejector for ejecting the liquid. And a driving unit for discharging droplets from the discharging unit, and the driving unit discharges at least the user for inhalation, and discharges a small amount of a smaller amount than the discharge for inhaling. The operation is performed.
[0017]
The device may further include a control unit that controls a discharge operation of the driving unit.
[0018]
Further, it is preferable to include a detection unit for confirming the ejection of the droplet during the small-volume ejection operation.
[0019]
It is preferable that the small-volume ejection operation is performed periodically.
[0020]
It is preferable that the small-volume ejection operation be performed in sequence according to the operation state at the time of starting up, operating, and ending the apparatus.
[0021]
If it is determined that the small-volume discharge operation is not discharged by the detecting means, a notification is issued directly to the user, or the user is notified of the corresponding measures through an information management organization connected by a predetermined line using the inhaler as a terminal. It is preferable to have means.
[0022]
Preferably, the detection means is a semiconductor sensor and directly monitors the discharge of the chemical solution.
[0023]
Alternatively, the detection means may be a temperature or humidity sensor, and the temperature and humidity rise in the inhaler may be monitored by discharging the chemical.
[0024]
The above-described discharge operation, small-volume discharge operation, and detection means are sequentially stored in the memory in the operation sequence of the inhaler and stored in the memory. It is preferable to update the chart information and the like.
[0025]
Further, the above-mentioned inhaler is configured to be carried and carried, and as a portable terminal, updates a user's electronic medical record information or the like through an information management organization or the like connected by a predetermined line. Is preferred.
[0026]
Further, it is preferable that the control means discharges the liquid in accordance with the profile of the user's inhalation.
[0027]
Further, for example, when a user is suffering from a chronic disease or the like and needs to administer a medicine regularly, administration and management of the medicine is left to the reliability of the medicine ejection device and appropriate operation of the user. It is desirable to have a function of recognizing the user in some form of abnormal operation of the device including the chemical solution discharge unit or physical mounting error of the consumable.
[0028]
Further, there is provided a method of controlling an inhaler for ejecting a liquid as liquid droplets and inhaling the liquid by a user, the method comprising the steps of performing an ejection for putting the liquid on an airflow of the user's inhalation; Discharging).
[0029]
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the apparatus and method which concern on this invention, the highly reliable inhalation apparatus which dealt with abnormal discharge operation can be provided.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0031]
The inhaler according to the present invention is characterized in that at least a discharging operation for causing the user to inhale and a small-volume discharging operation of a smaller amount than the discharging for inhaling are performed.
[0032]
The operation for inhaling is an ejection operation performed in response to a user's inhalation operation, or an ejection operation performed in response to a user's inhalation request operation.
[0033]
It is preferable to have control means for controlling the operation.
[0034]
The small-volume discharge operation according to the present invention is used for a small preliminary discharge operation for improving or maintaining the state of the discharge port in a state different from the state where the user is inhaling by the inhaler. Can be
[0035]
Such a small-volume ejection operation includes, for example, (1) an operation that is performed regularly regardless of whether the user uses the device or not (2) an operation that is performed in accordance with an operation such as start-up, operation, or termination of the apparatus. Discharge operation other than the purpose of causing the user to inhale, such as the operation performed by the user.
[0036]
Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the inhalation device according to the present invention, a configuration of a medicine ejection device that ejects a liquid (medicine solution) containing a medicine and an ejection control method thereof will be described in detail.
[0037]
Here, as an embodiment of the medicine ejection device of the present invention, an example in which a thermal inkjet head unit is used as a medicine ejection unit will be described, but an inkjet head unit using a piezo element is also applicable.
[0038]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the medical drug ejection device of the present embodiment.
[0039]
As shown in the figure, the present embodiment is configured to cover one thermal inkjet head unit and two holders, which are holding members thereof, with three cartridge cases.
[0040]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a mouthpiece for facilitating suction and introduction of a medicine.
[0041]
The mouthpiece is preferably shaped so that the user can easily suck it. The inside of the device may be sealed by opening and closing the opening of the mouthpiece.
[0042]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control unit of the inkjet head unit, which is driven by a power supplied from the operation power supply unit 6. The control unit controls the actual use operation and the small-volume ejection operation described above.
[0043]
The operation power supply unit is a detachable rechargeable battery, and the control unit 5 also monitors the power supply voltage 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a medicine ejection button, which is used to eject a prescribed amount of medicine when the user information and the electronic medical record information stored in the control unit 5 match. Reference numeral 8 denotes a display for displaying information about sequential use to a user of the present drug ejection device.
[0044]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the medical drug ejection device of the present embodiment. Reference numeral 11 denotes a flexible substrate that achieves electrical connection with the thermal inkjet head shown in FIG. It may be a printed board that is not flexible according to the form of the head, or a board of the TAB form. This board achieves electrical connection with the connection board 13 arranged in the cartridge case 3 and is wired to the control circuit section 14.
The control circuit unit includes, in addition to the function of controlling the operation of the thermal inkjet head unit, a memory circuit for storing the operation history of the apparatus and a circuit for achieving the function as a terminal device. Reference numeral 12 denotes a cartridge filled with a medicine. The holders 12 and 2 may be detachable. Alternatively, the medicine and the head unit can be integrally formed so that they cannot be separated. Further, the thermal ink jet head section constituted by 1, 2, and 12 may be a consumable part together with the medicine. In this case, by monitoring the status of use of this unit, an appropriate replacement is made by the user. The cartridge case of No. 3 has a guide (not shown) for introduction so that the head part can be securely mounted. After mounting, the control unit of No. 5 detects the mounting and is in a usable state. It has a function to notify the user of this.
[0045]
In the present medicine ejection device, the cap 3 has the function of holding the medicine to be ejected in a small amount in the device. As described above, the cap 3 may also serve as a user's inhalation introduction section, or may be configured to be removable. It is desirable that the ejection port of the thermal inkjet head unit is not directly exposed to the atmosphere to prevent the aggregation of the medicine. Only when there is a user's request for ejection of the medicine, the cap 3 is opened. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a configuration such as a shutter 15 that separates the thermal inkjet head from the atmosphere, or a cap (not shown) that further covers the cap 4 may be provided. When the shutter 15 is opened, a switch or the like for monitoring the state of the switch 16 or detecting a member that covers the cap 4 may be provided. The cap opening switch is electrically monitored by 14 control circuits, and the medicine is not ejected even if the medicine ejection button 7 is pressed unless the cap switch is in the open state.
[0046]
[Second embodiment]
In connection with the above description, by providing the medicine ejection detection unit shown in FIG. 2, a more reliable medicine ejection device can be provided. In the first embodiment, control is performed so as to eliminate abnormal ejection by periodically performing a small amount of ejection, but in the second embodiment, it is possible to promptly notify the user of the situation by performing ejection detection. It is possible.
[0047]
The user can take this information and take measures that can be used normally. Alternatively, it is also possible to obtain an appropriate countermeasure by a communication line using the medicine ejection device as a terminal. Although not shown, it is also possible to return to a state where normal use is possible by another mechanism for recovering one thermal inkjet head unit. The confirmation at this time can also utilize the medicine ejection detection unit. Reference numeral 9 in FIG. 2 denotes a light projecting unit using a semiconductor light projecting element. It is desirable to use LEDs or LDs (laser diodes). Numeral 10 denotes a light receiving unit using a semiconductor light receiving element. A configuration using a phototransistor or the like is desirable. This detection technique is to increase the detection level by amplifying the detection level when passing between the light emitting and receiving elements by discharging the medicine.
[0048]
In addition, a method of detecting a temperature change at the time of medicine ejection with an infrared sensor, or a method of detecting impedance and capacity changes in a medicine atmosphere with a humidity sensor can be applied. In any case, the reliability of the medicine ejection device can be improved by detecting the ejection state.
[0049]
Further, since the device is configured to discharge the medicine as a mist into the device, the discharge is performed in a state where the inside of the holder is sealed with a cap, and the abnormality of the discharge is detected by detecting the humidity in the environment where the mist is present. Can be checked.
[0050]
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the medicine ejection device according to the first and second embodiments is formed in a shape that is more excellent in portability.
[0051]
This embodiment also has a function as a portable terminal similarly to the above embodiment, and it is possible to prompt the medicine ejection at an appropriate timing by communicating the information of the electronic medical record as a database and communicating with the medicine ejection device carried by the user. It is possible. The medicine ejection information from these communications is registered as a history, and updates the electronic medical record.
[0052]
Since the management of the medicine ejection can be instructed from a remote place, the user can be optimally treated.
[0053]
FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing the appearance of a medicine ejection device to which the present invention can be applied. Each component is described with the same number as in the above-described embodiment. Reference numeral 16 denotes a switch lever for opening and closing a shutter 15 for preventing the communication of the thermal ink jet head with the atmosphere. The control is electrically monitored by a connection board / control circuit unit 13 and 14, which will be described later. Is controlled in accordance with the following.
[0054]
The display 8 provides some information to inform the user of the control status of the medicine ejection device. For example, various displays such as a battery remaining amount display of the six operation power supply units, a medicine remaining amount, a warning, a timer count, and the like are possible. The display mode can be selected with two buttons arranged on both sides of the ejection button 7. Using a total of three buttons, two-way communication with display information is also possible. The function is displayed in the information area above the button, and you can answer by pressing the corresponding button, which makes the interface excellent. Voice guidance and the like can be handled according to the user's condition. In addition, the configuration is such that the state of communication radio wave intensity as a portable terminal can be monitored.
[0055]
FIG. 3B is a schematic structural view showing the configuration of the cap unit and the fitting of the thermal inkjet unit. The 15 shutters are closed and opened in conjunction with the up and down movement of the 16 switch levers. When the thermal inkjet unit is inserted into the cap unit 4, a state in which the atmosphere and the head discharge unit do not communicate with each other is established unless the shutter 15 is opened, so that drying of the head discharge unit can be suppressed as much as possible. The structure may be such that the thermal inkjet head unit cannot be inserted unless the shutter is closed in terms of structure.
[0056]
FIG. 3C illustrates a state in which the cap unit and the head unit in FIG. 3B are connected to the control unit (grip unit) 5 and a connection to the operation power supply unit 6. FIG. The control circuit boards denoted by reference numerals 13 and 14 are configured to enable electrical connection to terminals of the head unit, cap switch terminals, and terminals of the operation power supply unit on the same plane substrate. The configuration of the connector portion may be a leaf spring type contact or a normal connector connection. It is preferable that the operation power supply unit 6 is a rechargeable battery. The charging method may be a dedicated battery charger or a form that allows direct AC charging to the main body.
[0057]
There is also a method using a car battery adapter or the like. In a flowchart described later, a sequence is set up in which a drop in the power supply voltage is detected with a sufficient margin so as to prevent an accident or the like due to a dead battery, and the information is transmitted to the user. It is desirable that the user carry a spare operation power supply unit when carrying the medicine ejection device. The medicine ejection device of the present invention provides a configuration that sufficiently considers not only operability but also an accident or the like in order to increase the degree of freedom in use by a user. As described in the second embodiment, a mechanism for detecting the ejection of a medicine can be added to the present apparatus to improve the reliability. Since the present invention has a configuration for performing small-volume ejection and ejection detection, it goes without saying that a suitable medicine ejection device that is highly reliable for the user can be provided.
[0058]
[Main Block Diagrams and Flowcharts of First, Second, and Third Embodiments]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of the medicine ejection device to which the first and third embodiments are applied. The first embodiment is characterized by a sequence in which a small amount of discharge equal to or less than the normal discharge amount is periodically repeated. The defined processing of the flowchart is largely divided into an initial check (S102) and a normal standby state processing (S107). The processing result of the normal standby state is determined (S108), and it is determined whether to loop or end. . Further, the remaining amount of the chemical solution or the specified amount is checked (S103), and when the remaining amount of the chemical solution becomes equal to or less than the specified amount, a warning is issued to prompt the exchange of the medicine (S105).
[0059]
By issuing a warning of the replacement timing of the medicine set in accordance with information such as the electronic medical record before the normal standby state, it is devised that an optimal medicine ejection and replacement instruction suited to the user can be performed. The function of each process is shown in FIGS.
[0060]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the initial check processing which is a subroutine of FIG. When the medicine ejection device power supply (S101) of this configuration is turned on, a display indicating that an initial check is being performed is displayed on the display 8 (S201). Due to the configuration of the medicine ejection device, re-turning on the power indicates the possibility of running out of the battery last time. Therefore, the history is recorded (updated) in the memory in the drive control circuit as device information (S202). Thereafter, in order to normally eject the medicine that has not been ejected for a long time, a small amount ejection at startup is executed (S203). This small-discharge driving is performed for a time necessary for recovery of the thermal inkjet head unit and discharge driving conditions are selected, and is often performed for a longer time than the small-discharge in the standby state described later. Similarly, the ejection driving condition may be larger than the small ejection energy in the standby state. Since the ejection openings of the thermal inkjet head unit are very small, if left for a long period of time, the medicine may aggregate and block the ejection openings. Therefore, the ejection energy larger than the normal ejection condition is applied to remove the stuck medicine.
[0061]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the normal standby state processing (S106) which is a subroutine of FIG. During this process, the power supply voltage level is checked to see if sufficient ejection energy required for small-quantity ejection or the like can be obtained (S301). If the voltage at this time is lower than the specified level, a warning is displayed on the display 8 (S302), and the user is prompted to replace the battery. Thereafter, a warning is issued by a beep sound or the like (S303), the history is stored in the memory (S304), and the power is turned off (S305).
[0062]
If the power supply voltage is normal, the cap switch is monitored next (S306). At this time, if the cap is open, a warning is displayed on the display 8 (S307).
[0063]
When this switch instructs to open, it means that either the user has issued a request for ejecting the medicine or the cap has been left open. However, if the cap is left open, there is a possibility that the medicine will adhere. Therefore, an N-second timer is set (308) and the user waits for a request (S309). Here, if it is confirmed that the medicine ejection button 7 has not been pressed even after N seconds have elapsed (S310), a warning to open the cap is displayed again on the display 8 (S311), and a warning beep sounds (S312). When the user closes the cap (S313), it is determined that the state of the cap switch has been closed (S314), and the warning beep is released (S315). If the user does not close the cap, it is determined that the user has been left unattended, and the operation ends abnormally and the power is turned off (S316). In this state transition, the sticking of the medicine is predicted, so that the processing shifts to the above-described initial check processing (S102).
[0064]
When the medicine ejection button 7 is pressed while the cap is open, the medicine is ejected together with the suction of the user according to the electronic medical record information and the like (S318). After the ejection of the medicine, the history is recorded (updated) in the memory in the drive control circuit (S319) (S319), and the subroutine is terminated as normal termination. While the medicine is being ejected, an indication that the medicine is being ejected is displayed on the display 8 (S315). If the cap switch is not open, the sequence shifts to a sequence for performing a small amount discharge, which is the most characteristic operation of the present invention. When the device is capped, the device is basically in a standby state, and the medicine ejection device ejects a small amount within a time range where the medicine does not stick (S322). The time during which the drug does not stick is T seconds, and the time is managed by driving a timer (S320). The time of the T-second count timer is determined in advance by the prescription of the medicine, and is managed as memory data in the 14 drive control circuits. After the ejection of a small amount of the medicine, the history is recorded (updated) in the memory in the drive control circuit (S323) (S323), and this subroutine is terminated as normal termination. While the small amount of medicine is being ejected, an indication that the small amount is being ejected is displayed on the display 8 (S321).
[0065]
When the subroutine of the normal standby process ends, it is determined based on the returned value whether to execute the normal standby process loop in the main sequence or to terminate abnormally. To end, the power has already been turned off. The present medicine ejection device always executes a normal standby state process in a loop, and stands by so as to always respond to a user's medicine ejection request. By executing this process, a highly reliable medicine ejection device can be provided.
[0066]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of the medicine ejection device to which the second embodiment is applied. The second embodiment is characterized by a sequence in which a small amount discharge and a discharge detection are performed following the first example in which the small amount discharge is periodically repeated. If an abnormality is detected in the ejection detection, the user is warned, the thermal ink jet head unit is replaced, or the recovery drive is urged. The defined processing of the flowchart is largely divided into an initial check (S402) and a normal standby state processing (S408) as in the first embodiment, and the processing result in the normal standby state is determined, and whether to loop or end is determined. To determine. Also in this case, by performing processing for setting the timing of replacing the medicine in accordance with information such as an electronic medical record before the normal standby state, it is devised that an optimal medicine ejection and replacement instruction according to the user can be performed. . The function of each process is shown in FIGS.
[0067]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the initial check processing (402) which is a subroutine of FIG. When the power of the medicine ejection device having this configuration is turned on, the small amount ejection at startup is executed as in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (S503). The ejection of the small amount is detected (S504), and it is checked whether or not the medicine is ejected normally. If the ejection can be normally detected, this sequence informs the next subroutine that the process has been completed normally and shifts to the next subroutine (S505). If an ejection failure is detected, the history is stored in a memory (S506), and the process shifts to ejection failure termination drive (S507). In the main sequence, the operation temporarily shifts to a power-off operation, and prompts replacement of the head unit or drive for recovery.
[0068]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the normal standby state processing which is a subroutine of FIG. The process up to all the ejection drives (S601 to S618 and S621 to 623) in this process is common to the flowchart in FIG. When the medicine ejection button 7 is pressed with the cap open, the medicine is ejected together with the suction of the user according to the electronic medical record information and the like (S618). This ejection state is detected, and it is checked whether the medicine ejection is performed normally (S619). If the ejection can be normally detected, this sequence informs the next subroutine that the process has been completed normally and shifts to the next subroutine. This state is a sequence in which the above driving is repeatedly performed as a standby state. If an ejection failure is detected, the history is stored in the memory (S620), and the process proceeds to the ejection failure termination drive. In the main sequence, the process temporarily shifts to a power-off operation, and prompts replacement of the head unit or recovery driving. This driving flow is the same in the case of the small-volume ejection driving described in the case where the cap switch is not opened.
[0069]
When the subroutine of the normal standby processing is completed, it is determined based on the return value whether to execute the normal standby processing loop in the main sequence, abnormally terminate, or abnormally terminate the ejection detection. To end, the power has already been turned off. The present medicine ejection device always executes a normal standby state process in a loop, and stands by so as to always respond to a user's medicine ejection request. By executing this process, a highly reliable medicine ejection device can be provided.
[0070]
[Explanation of environment related to database to which the present invention is applied]
In the embodiment of the present drug ejection device, basic data including an address, name, date of birth, contact information, occupation, work place, and the like, and IDs (numbers are assigned to all citizens) If there is no such number, if there is no such thing, the number written on the insurance card etc.), alphanumeric characters such as password, password, fingerprint, voiceprint, palmprint, face, iris, retinal blood vessel pattern Identification data including biometric data, health insurance data including numbers, types, usage records, etc., and electronic data for each individual including medical records, prescriptions, medication data, hospitalization records, medical histories and family medical histories, etc. It deals with the data of medical treatments and prescriptions (electronic medical records) and the data of measured values obtained in health examinations and the like. In addition, data of the designated medical institution as emergency contact information, and inhaler setting data described later are also handled as personal data.
[0071]
In addition, as medical data, data on medical institutions including registration numbers, locations, contact information, registered physicians, equipment, etc., data on pharmaceutical companies including registration numbers, locations, contact information, drugs handled, scale, etc., and registration numbers , Address, contact information, medicines handled, pharmacist name, etc., and medicine data including medicine names, indications, precautions, etc.
[0072]
All of these data are stored in a database of a specific institution, while data relating to individuals is also stored in the memory of the drug ejection device of the user. It may be stored in the form of a removable memory card.
[0073]
The database is, for example, a medical database server that is provided for each certain range such as an administrative district and stores data and medical data relating to individuals living in the area. The location of the database may be a dedicated facility in the administrative area or a designated specific hospital. The databases are connected to each other, and are configured so that residents can access necessary data when receiving medical treatment or moving in an area other than the place of residence.
[0074]
The medical institution terminal is installed in each medical institution and is connected to the database, and can access the memory of the medicine ejection device also serving as the user terminal. At the time of medical examination, a doctor or nurse working at a medical institution inserts the medicine ejection device brought by the user into the terminal of the medical institution, and reads out data relating to the individual patient who visited the medical treatment for reference of the medical examination. At this time, the usage history of the medicine ejection device described in the above-described sequence flow is also read as user information. It is possible to update the database data and the electronic medical record data in the medicine ejection device memory of the user based on the examination result.
[0075]
The prescription data recorded at this time also includes an expiration date, and the user receives a medical examination again within the expiration date, so that the expiration date is reset as necessary. Based on this information, an appropriate amount of medicine used according to the user in the sequence flow of the medicine ejection device described above is set. The setting is made in accordance with the type of the ink jet head unit that can store the medicine ejection device, and defines whether the medicine ejection device can be used up once or how many times it can be used.
[0076]
At the time of the consultation, the physician refers to the drug data in addition to the data on the individual patient, and when the patient has a complex disease (for example, when a visceral disease and a circulatory system disease occur simultaneously), the content of the This will be used as a reference when making a decision. In such a case, information may be transmitted to the patient (informed consent) and the patient may preferentially give a desired prescription.
[0077]
Furthermore, if the analysis results of the patient's DNA are recorded in the patient's memory, the memory of the drug ejection device, or the database, instead of the conventional average / statistical method, a method called gene diagnosis and gene therapy is adopted. Prescriptions can also be determined.
[0078]
Pharmaceutical company terminals are installed in each pharmaceutical company and connected to the database. Persons working for pharmaceutical companies access the database from this terminal, check the inventory data of medicines at medical institutions and drug dealers, update the delivery data of delivered medicines, and based on these data Process production management data.
[0079]
The store terminal is installed in each drug store and is connected to a database, and includes a device that can update the memory of the medicine ejection device, which is a user terminal, or a slot for inserting a card. These processes may be performed using a communication line. The person who works at the store communicates with the memory of the medicine ejection device brought when the user comes to the store and reads the prescription data of the customer. In addition, the medicine ejection device accesses the database, reads out and compares the prescription data of the visiting customer, confirms that both data match, and sells the medicine. Then, for the sold medicine, the database and the medication data in the user's medicine ejection device memory are updated.
[0080]
In this case, if the ID and biometric information of a person acting as an agent are registered in the database in advance, a family member or a caregiver other than the patient can also receive the medicine as an agent.
[0081]
Furthermore, if the user has a contract with a financial institution or a credit card company that has an account for electronic commerce (EC), the user can use the drug ejection device without actually paying for it on the spot. Payment may be made when purchasing medicines via the Internet. The same is true for the consultation fee and drug fee paid to medical institutions.
[0082]
The medicine ejection device is small and lightweight so that the user can always carry and carry the medicine ejection device, and is associated with a specific individual, and has a memory for storing data relating to the individual user as described above. I do. A removable memory card may be used. It is also effective to have a configuration having a wireless communication function and an input / output device for supporting the user's health management and appropriately connecting to a database by wireless communication as needed.
[0083]
[Embodiment utilizing communication function with database of the present invention]
The medicine ejection device according to the present embodiment stores a controller including a CPU that controls the whole, a medicine ejection unit as an input / output device that supports user health management, a communication unit that supports wireless communication, a control program, and various data. A key switch including various switches such as an internal memory, a memory card for storing data relating to an individual as a separate memory, an I / O interface, a function control of a user by a user and an emergency call (emergency) switch; A display / voice input / output unit such as a liquid crystal display, a microphone, and a speaker, a sensor for biometric authentication, and a rechargeable battery such as a secondary battery as a power supply are provided.
[0084]
The medicine ejection unit is composed of a thermal inkjet head unit and the like, and has a tank containing a predetermined amount of liquid medicine, a cartridge having an ejection head for ejecting the medicine supplied from the tank as minute droplets, and drive control of the cartridge. And a sensor for reading a code given to the cartridge or the tank or detecting a user's inhalation state (negative pressure). Drugs are administered into the body from the lungs.
[0085]
The communication unit is configured so that a call according to an appropriate communication method and data communication with a database can be performed by radio using a key switch and a display / voice output unit.
[0086]
Although there is no particular description of a wireless communication method, a method used in mobile communication (mobile phone, PHS, car phone, etc.) currently in practical use, a method via a satellite, or a method using Bluetooth It may be.
[0087]
The internal memory may be a read-only medium such as a ROM, or may be a rewritable storage medium such that a program can be updated or changed via a communication unit.
[0088]
The detachable memory card is a storage medium that is at least additionally recordable and removable, such as a semiconductor storage medium or a small hard disk card, or a small magnetic disk.
[0089]
In addition, the I / O interface is used when the user measures blood pressure, pulse, blood sugar level, body temperature, urine protein, etc., or prints its own measurement data, if necessary. It is configured so that external input / output devices can be selectively connected.
[0090]
The medicine ejection device of the present embodiment is configured in consideration of portability, but may be detachably configured as one of external input / output devices similarly to other medicine administration devices and the above-described measurement sensors. Good.
[0091]
The authentication sensor is a sensor that performs biometric authentication of a user by using any of a fingerprint, a voiceprint, a palmprint, a face, an iris, and a retinal blood vessel pattern so that only a registered person can use the medicine ejection device.
[0092]
Further, although not shown, the current position is detected using the intensity of radio waves received from a GPS or a base station of a wireless telephone network, and the route to the nearest medical institution or drug store is indicated using map information. It has a navigation function.
[0093]
[Security Measures]
The medicine ejection device according to the present embodiment is configured to be fail-safe at the time of driving in order to sufficiently protect the data to be handled because the data to be handled is related to privacy and important medical data, and to prevent medical errors and operation errors. There is a need to.
[0094]
For example, the data stored in the database is preferably only capable of additional writing (additional writing), but data that has become somewhat old may be overwritten after being backed up to another storage medium by a specific administrator. . Further, the memory card of the medicine ejection device may be configured to overwrite data having passed a predetermined number of years so that the required capacity is not excessively increased.
[0095]
The database sets an access right for each data item to each terminal of the medical institution terminal, the pharmaceutical company terminal, the store terminal, and the drug ejection device to be connected.
[0096]
Specifically, from a medical institution terminal, all data in the database can be accessed, but writing is possible only for some data related to the medical institution, data of the health insurance use record of the visited patient, Only the data of the electronic medical record and the data of the measured values obtained in the health examination and the like. The retailer terminal can access the personal prescription data and medication data when the ID is verified by inserting the memory of the customer's drug ejection device or the memory card, but usually the data on the drug and the data of the pharmaceutical company can be accessed. Access only to The pharmaceutical company terminal can access only the data on the medicine and the data on the stock status of the medical institution and the drug dealer.
[0097]
When operating these terminals, it is necessary to input an ID, a password, a password, and the like. Further, biometric authentication using a sensor similar to the user terminal may be used together.
[0098]
Since the connection between the database and the medicine ejection device is made wirelessly, it is necessary to take particularly strict security measures. The data that can be accessed from the medicine ejection device is only the data relating to the individual who uses the medicine, and the data that can be written from the user terminal is only the use record of the medicine and the data measured by the individual user. When accessing the database from the medicine ejection device, biometric authentication is performed by an authentication sensor in addition to alphanumeric characters such as an ID, a password, and a password. When communicating data, it is preferable to prevent leakage and eavesdropping (eavesdropping) by using an encryption technique.
[0099]
In the present embodiment, security measures are taken for medicines prescribed by the user to prevent misuse, medication errors, and erroneous operations.
[0100]
The medicine ejection device replaces either the cartridge or the tank every single or multiple ejection administrations. Accordingly, the cartridges or tanks are individually wrapped so that they can be easily opened / unopened. Whichever may be changed for each use depending on the medicine to be used and the ejection method, but in the following, the tank is replaced for simplicity of explanation. This is a portion corresponding to 12 in FIG.
[0101]
When only the tank is replaced each time, the ejection head is used a plurality of times, but in order to guarantee the ejection performance, if the number of times the cartridge has been used since the cartridge was mounted has reached a predetermined number or After a predetermined period has elapsed, a warning is given by a display or a sound so as to prompt replacement with a new cartridge, and, for example, a heater for generating heat energy is configured to be disconnected so that actual suction drive cannot be performed. It is preferable to do so. Then, when a new cartridge is mounted, the user is confirmed again by inputting an ID and a password.
[0102]
In order to prevent erroneous administration of medicines, an optically or electrically readable code is attached to the tank, and the medicines described in the electronic medical record stored in the memory when attached to the medicine ejection device The data is compared with the information in the code, and if a tank containing a drug different from the data in the electronic medical record is installed, or if the patient attempts to administer the dose beyond the If the interval is not kept, it is preferable to give a warning by display or sound and to make it impossible to perform actual suction drive.
[0103]
Giving a similar code to a cartridge is also effective in preventing incorrect mounting of the cartridge. Further, since the cartridge is provided with an electric terminal for connection with the control unit, the type may be identified by using this terminal.
[0104]
Injecting (refilling) the drug into the used tank again and reusing the drug may lower the purity of the drug solution or cause contamination by bacteria. For this reason, it is also effective to make the outer wall of the tank impossible to inject as a material such as metal, or to overwrite or rewrite the code so that the code cannot be read after the chemical is used. Prescribe different colors for tanks and medicines for each prescription so that users can easily identify them, and when using different medicines, replace the entire cap part to prevent mixing of medicines. Is also conceivable.
[0105]
Further, it is preferable to notify the user of the timing of drug administration by display, sound, vibration, or the like so that drug administration is performed at appropriate intervals based on a prescription.
[0106]
When the inhaler is actually driven, the user is asked to enter the ID and password to reconfirm the user, and when a malfunction of the device due to an erroneous operation during the drive is detected, a display or sound It is desirable to give a warning and stop the drive immediately to act on the safe side.
[0107]
In the case of a battery drive in the medicine ejection device of the present embodiment, in order to prevent the battery from running out during the inhalation drive, the remaining power of the battery is checked and if the remaining amount is such that one inhalation drive cannot be performed. It is necessary to disable suction drive and to notify in advance that the battery will run out a few more times. Further, when the remaining battery power becomes low, for example, it is also possible to switch to a power saving mode that consumes less power than normal discharge, for example, by increasing the discharge time.
[0108]
Further, in order to protect the ejection surface (nozzle) of the ejection head and maintain the ejection performance from the viewpoint of hygiene, the nozzle surface and the atmosphere are not opened so that the medicine remaining on the surface is dried, fixed, and unnecessary. Prevents drug leakage.
[0109]
[Emergency call]
In the medicine ejection device of the present embodiment, when the state of the patient suddenly changes or an abnormal situation occurs, the emergency release (emergency) switch provided as a key switch of the medicine ejection device is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more. And enter emergency call mode.
[0110]
When the medicine ejection device enters the emergency notification mode, a menu screen is displayed. If the user does not perform any operation for a predetermined time or more after the menu screen is displayed, it is determined that the situation is serious and an emergency report is issued. In this emergency report, it is set so that an ambulance is automatically requested to be dispatched immediately, and a preset contact information such as a family is automatically notified.
[0111]
The items on the menu screen of the emergency notification include contacting a designated doctor, notification of additional medical contents, instruction of emergency treatment contents, navigation, emergency call, and the like.
[0112]
The emergency call is for contacting an emergency facility to report a symptom or to contact a doctor or family when the user is in a state where the user can talk.
[0113]
Further, the navigation is a function of indicating a route to a nearest medical institution or a medicine store where the medicine used by the patient can be supplied as described above based on the medical data stored in the database.
[0114]
[Cartridge and tank]
The ejection head unit according to the present embodiment ejects a liquid drug as fine droplets based on an ink-jet method using heat. This is basically the same as the so-called bubble jet (R) method which is put to practical use in a recording device such as a printer. However, in order to use the device for medical use, the ejection head and the tank are the same as the recording device. Has several different features.
[0115]
For example, a material plated with gold, ceramic, glass, or the like is used as a constituent material of the ejection head. In addition, the arrangement and shape of the ejection ports (nozzles) are different depending on the type of medicine to be ejected and the method of administration (whether or not it is necessary to reach the lungs, etc.).
[0116]
It is conceivable that the medicine stored in the tank may be colored so that the remaining amount can be visually confirmed, or saccharides or polysaccharides which are easily burnt may be mixed in advance so that the properties of the medicine do not change by heating. . Furthermore, the volume of the medicine to be contained is also added to the amount required for a single administration, when the ejection has failed in the middle or the amount necessary for the recovery process after inhalation is added, and when the ejection is performed correctly. It is preferable that a certain amount remains.
[0117]
The tank of the present embodiment has a double structure, and is integrally formed of an outer wall made of metal or the like and an inner wall made of a flexible member whose shape changes according to the volume of the stored medicine. Unlike an ink tank used in a normal ink jet system, there is no porous absorber inside, and no air communication port is provided.
[0118]
In addition, the tank is supplied in a package, for example, in a predetermined number of units. At this time, it is preferable to include a tool and a jig for performing maintenance of the ejection head and the cap such as a dropper and a sterile gauze. .
[0119]
Replaced cartridges and tanks are effectively recycled as follows.
[0120]
Cartridges and tanks are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and supplied to patients at pharmacies of medical institutions or drug stores in Ichii according to prescriptions of electronic medical records described by doctors. When the patient obtains the cartridge or the tank as described above, the memory-information or the memory card of the medicine ejection device is inserted into a medical institution terminal or a store terminal, and the prescription data stored in the memory and the prescription in the database are stored. The data is matched. In addition, since the medication data also includes data on the medicines used in the past, it is easy to determine whether the patient has already used the same cartridge or tank.
[0121]
Therefore, if the same cartridge or tank is already used, bring the used cartridge or tank and replace it with a new one. In this case, if the cartridge or the tank is collected or not, and the medicine use record is recorded in the medication data, the collection can be more reliably performed.
[0122]
Cartridges and tanks are collected by pharmaceutical companies via medical institutions or retailers, inspected for appearance and function, and those that can still be used are washed, sterilized and disinfected, refilled with drugs, and code information is rewritten. Be reused.
[0123]
[Drug inhalation drive]
Next, a procedure for determining the actual inhalation drive using the medicine ejection device of the present embodiment will be briefly described. This is usually done concurrently with a doctor's consultation.
[0124]
First, make adjustments regarding the administration of the drug to be used. Adjustment drive is an initial setting for registering data such as a single dose of a drug, a dosing interval, etc., a test inhalation that measures the amount and profile of air inhalation of each user and determines ejection conditions, and a result of the test inhalation. It consists of determining whether the adjustment has been correctly completed.
[0125]
The measured amount and profile of air suction and the determined ejection conditions are stored in both the database and the medicine ejection device as medicine ejection device setting data.
[0126]
Next, the cartridge and / or the tank are mounted on the medicine ejection device in order to perform the actual suction drive. Then, the user is authenticated based on a combination of any of an ID number, a personal identification number, or a password and a biometric authentication unit such as a fingerprint so that driving can be performed.
[0127]
Before performing actual suction driving, suction / recovery processing is performed using equipment such as a suction jig. Depending on the type of drug, some can be used as they are after opening. Thereafter, the user executes the suction drive. The ejection of the medicine is started by detecting the inhalation of the user by a negative pressure sensor or the like, and the medicine ejection device may be configured to generate a signal sound or the like while the ejection is being performed. A method may be used in which the inhalation is repeated several times and a predetermined amount of the medicine is ejected to terminate the inhalation. At this time, it is preferable that the end of the inhalation is notified by a signal sound or display.
[0128]
[Discharge drive control]
In the present embodiment, a liquid medicine is ejected as fine droplets based on an ink-jet method using heat. This method is suitable for applications in which the amount of ejected droplets is controlled accurately by controlling the number of ejected droplets by the number of pulses by making the drive waveform pulse-shaped. In the present embodiment, since a small amount of ejection is performed for reliable ejection, the number of droplets is also managed as a history.
[0129]
However, in the present embodiment, ejection control different from that of the printing apparatus is performed for use in medical use. That is, the recording apparatus performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium such as paper from above, but the inhaler according to the present embodiment ejects the medicine in a mist or aerosol form and ejects the medicine together with the user's inhaled air. Must reach the lungs.
[0130]
For this reason, it is necessary to control the size of the droplets to be much smaller than that of an ordinary recording apparatus, and to surely discharge an appropriate amount of such small-sized droplets. On the other hand, when the size of the droplet is small, the kinetic energy of the discharged droplet is small. Therefore, the discharge direction does not need to be substantially one direction as in a recording apparatus, and the droplet discharged in various directions is not required. The flying or the droplets may collide with each other. The inhaler of the present embodiment preferably has a configuration in which a droplet diameter of 0.1 μm to 10 μm is discharged.
[0131]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drive parameters are changed according to the profile (pattern) of the air intake. For example, at the time of air inhalation, the amount of inhaled air per unit time is large at the start time and small immediately before the end. Therefore, when performing a plurality of ejections within the suction time (1 to 2 seconds), the ejection speed, the driving frequency, and the like are changed between the first ejection and the last ejection. It is also conceivable to change the ejection method or change the ratio of the main droplet / sub-droplet.
[0132]
Furthermore, since the profile of air inhalation varies depending on the age, gender, physique, etc., it is necessary to fine-tune (tune) the user even if the prescription is the same. This is done in the part described above for the consultation with the doctor.
[0133]
[Drug flow]
Here, the flow of the medicine (cartridge and tank) in the present embodiment will be described.
[0134]
Drugs manufactured by pharmaceutical companies are delivered to medical institutions and retailers, respectively. Then, if the user (patient) needs to administer the medicine according to the result of the examination by the doctor, for example, at the time of the first examination, the medicine is received for a predetermined number of days at the pharmacy of the examined medical institution.
[0135]
If a medical examination is performed after the second time, the medicine is received at the pharmacy of the medical institution in the same manner as described above. At this time, the medicine is exchanged with the medicine which has been received and used last time, and the data of the medicine newly given is written in the medication data of the electronic medical record.
[0136]
If no consultation is needed, one can go to a drug dealer to receive the drug. In this case as well, the medicine is exchanged with the medicine which has been received and used last time, and the data of the medicine newly transferred is written in the medication data of the electronic medical record at the store terminal.
[0137]
Used medication received from patients is collected from medical institutions and drug dealers to pharmaceutical companies and recycled as described above.
[0138]
[Data flow]
The outline of the data flow in the present embodiment is shown below.
[0139]
Although it is configured around a database that centrally manages data, each terminal also manages necessary information in a distributed manner.
[0140]
The medical institution terminal reads the medicine data from the database. In addition, at the time of medical examination, the patient's personal data is read from the memory of the patient's drug ejection device and checked against the data read from the database, and the health insurance data and electronic medical record data are stored in the database and the patient's drug ejection device memory. Write.
[0141]
The pharmaceutical company terminal reads the drug inventory data of the medical institution or the store from the database, and writes the delivered drug data to the database as delivery data. In addition, when new drugs are developed or new effects are discovered, the drug data is written to the database.
[0142]
The store terminal reads the prescription data and the medication data from the memory of the patient's medicine ejection device when the patient visits, and compares the data with the prescription data read from the database. Then, the patient writes the medication data on the medicine purchased by the patient into the memory and the database.
[0143]
In the memory of the medicine ejection device, measurement data measured using a tester at the patient or at a place other than the medical institution is written. This measurement data is appropriately written into a database via wireless communication or a medical institution terminal. At the request of the patient, the data of the electronic medical record and the navigation data on the nearest medical institution and drug dealer are read from the database.
[0144]
[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, a medical drug ejection device is described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to various other applications.
[0145]
For example, using a medicine ejection device similar to the above and a terminal installed in a sports club or the like, for beauty and health, a system for giving instructions to the user to regularly diet and exercise according to a preset program, It is also conceivable to use the above-described drug ejection device in order to take in vitamins and minerals necessary for the body other than the drug without excess or deficiency.
[0146]
When applied to such non-medical applications, the data stored in the database and each terminal and the function of the medicine ejection device are changed as necessary.
[0147]
Furthermore, as a medical health management system, the above-described drug ejection device is used for inhalation treatment of asthmatic patients, and the drug currently being administered to the body by injection or swallowing is used by using the above drug ejection device. It may be administered to the body.
[0148]
In addition, the configuration of the health management system is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the configuration may be such that a database is included in a medical institution terminal.
[0149]
As described above, the above embodiment has the following effects.
[0150]
(1) By adding a sequence for performing a small amount of ejection to ensure that the medicine ejection device performs ejection of a medicine, regardless of individual differences in the standby time of the medicine ejection device, ejection abnormality due to factors such as agglomeration of the drug solution. Can be eliminated.
(2) A more reliable medicine ejection device can be provided by detecting the ejection of the medicine ejection device by a sensor.
(3) By digitizing various personal data and medical data and storing them in a database, it is possible to expect efficient medical practice and medicine ejection by sharing information.
(4) By setting an access right to the medicine ejection device and performing personal identification, personal data concerning privacy can be protected.
(5) Since the medicine ejection device is provided with a warning and emergency notification mode, it is possible to appropriately and promptly respond to an emergency.
(6) By administering a drug that has been conventionally administered by injection using an inhaler of a user terminal, the patient can easily administer the drug, and the mental and physical burden on the patient is reduced.
(7) At the time of drug administration by the drug ejection device, it is possible to perform appropriate ejection control in accordance with the inspiratory volume and profile of each patient and to administer the drug efficiently.
(8) It is possible to prevent an erroneous medicine from being worn when the patient himself administers the medicine.
(9) The controller of the medicine ejection device can accurately manage the dose and the administration interval of the medicine according to the chart.
(10) Since the supply and administration of the medicine are recorded, the management of the medicine and the stock used by each patient can be performed accurately. Further, it is possible to accurately collect used cartridges and tanks.
(11) Since the prescription data is also stored in the memory of the medicine ejection device, by reading this data, the medicine can be received according to the prescription regardless of the region.
(12) The navigation function of the medicine ejection device facilitates access to the nearest or appropriate medical institution or medicine store.
(13) The present drug ejection device can be applied to other than medical drugs.
[0151]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable inhaler capable of always performing appropriate liquid ejection control for individual users.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine ejection device to which the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a medicine ejection device to which the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a portable medicine ejection device to which the present invention can be applied;
(A) External view
(B) Diagram showing the fitting of the cap unit and the thermal inkjet unit
FIG. 3C is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a state in which the cap unit and the head unit are connected to a control unit (grip unit) in a state in which the cap unit and the head unit are connected together with connection to a drive power supply unit.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of the medicine ejection apparatus to which the first and third embodiments are applied.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an initial check process which is a subroutine of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a normal standby state process which is a subroutine of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of a medicine ejection apparatus to which the second embodiment is applied.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an initial check process which is a subroutine of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a normal standby state process which is a subroutine of FIG. 7;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Thermal inkjet head unit
2 holder
3 Cartridge case
4 caps
5 Head unit control unit case
6 Drive power supply unit
7 Discharge button
8 Display
9 Emitter
10 Light receiving section
11 Printed circuit board
12 Drug cartridge
13 Connection board
14 Control circuit section
15 Shutter
16 Shutter release switch

Claims (15)

An inhaler for discharging a liquid as droplets and inhaling the liquid to a user,
The apparatus includes a discharge unit for discharging the liquid, a driving unit for discharging droplets from the discharge unit,
An inhaler, wherein the driving means performs at least a discharge operation for causing the user to inhale and a small discharge operation for discharging a smaller amount than the discharge for causing the user to inhale. The inhaler according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling a discharge operation of the driving means. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the inhaler is configured to be carried and carried by a user. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the liquid has a drug. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect discharge of the droplet. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the small amount discharge by the driving unit is performed periodically. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the small amount discharge operation performs a sequence operation according to an operation state at the time of starting up, operating, and ending the apparatus. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inhaler has cap means for preventing air from flowing out of the inhaler, and a sequence operation is performed according to a state of the cap means. When the ejection detection means determines that the ejection of the droplet in the small amount ejection operation is not performed normally, a warning is directly given to a user, or information connected by a predetermined line using the inhaler as a terminal. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the user is notified of a corresponding measure through a management organization or the like. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the discharge detecting means is a semiconductor sensor and directly monitors discharge of a chemical solution. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the discharge detector is a temperature or humidity sensor, and monitors a rise in temperature and humidity in the inhaler by discharging a chemical solution. The discharge operation, the small discharge operation, and the detection means are sequentially stored in a memory in an operation sequence of the inhaler, and are used through an information management organization connected to a predetermined line with the inhaler as a terminal. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein electronic medical record information or the like of a person is updated. The inhaler is configured to be carried and carried, and updates a user's electronic medical record information and the like through an information management organization or the like connected by a predetermined line as a portable terminal. Item 13. The inhaler according to any one of Items 1 to 12. 14. The inhaler according to claim 1, wherein the discharging operation for causing the user to inhale is an operation for discharging a liquid according to a characteristic of the user's inhalation. A method of controlling an inhaler for ejecting liquid as droplets and inhaling the liquid by a user, comprising the steps of performing an ejection for putting the air in a user's inhaled air flow, and discharging a small amount of a smaller amount than the ejection. Steps to perform;
A method for controlling a discharge device, comprising:

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