Surgery – Liquid medicament atomizer or sprayer – Pre-pressurized container holding medicament
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-23
2001-03-20
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Liquid medicament atomizer or sprayer
Pre-pressurized container holding medicament
C128S200160, C128S200190, C128S204230, C128S203120, C128S205230, C128S204210, C128S200140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202642
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to prescribed medication monitoring, and in particular, to an apparatus and method related to a metered dose inhaler which includes an electronics module.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Metered dose inhalers of various configurations are known for dispensing medication into the mouth of a patient. The medication is expelled from an actuator and inhaled by the patient, whereupon, the medication is absorbed in the mouth, throat and lungs. A medicine canister is inserted into the actuator so that the actuator may direct the flow of medication out a mouthpiece. The medicine canister is a small pressurized container with a nozzle. By pressing the nozzle, the contents of the canister are dispensed.
Some actuators have integral electronics which monitor various factors related to the dispensing of medication. The timing of the inhalation with respect to the dispensing of medication is important to assure delivery of the medication. The number of times medication is dispensed is also important to monitor. If the actuator is changed, however, the electronics integral to the actuator cannot be reused.
Actuators are standard components provided by many different manufacturers which have a variety of geometric configurations. For example, medicine canisters of different sizes require unique actuators. Further, some medicine manufacturers use proprietary actuators of unique configurations. Additionally, other factors dictate different configurations of actuators such that there is no standard actuator which can dispense all medications.
Applying a non-dedicated electronics module to a variety of actuators of different configurations is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,997, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application. With the electronics module adaptable to different actuators, this module can be reused, when a different actuator is utilized. In accordance with this previous design, to measure the timing of inhalation and use the non-dedicated electronics module, the actuator needs to be modified. A hole must be formed in the body of the actuator body to allow insertion of an air flow sensor in the path of the patient's inspiration and/or expiration. It would be advantageous to provide a combination of an electronics module and actuator hardware that further facilitates their use and interchangeability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method related to a metered dose inhaler which includes an electronics module is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for dispensing medication includes: a medicine canister that contains medicine to be dispensed, an actuator that houses the medicine canister and an adapter assembly that allows for obtaining information. The adapter assembly includes a connector assembly and an electronics module. The connector assembly connects to the medicine canister. The electronics module obtains information related to patient usage of medicine in the medicine canister.
In another embodiment, a method for using the same electronics module with two different medicine dispensing apparatuses is disclosed. A first medicine dispensing apparatus includes a first medicine canister which contains a first medicine. First information, related to dispensing the first medicine, is stored with an electronics module joined to the first medicine dispensing apparatus. A second medicine dispensing apparatus includes a second medicine canister containing a second medicine. The electronics module is removed from the first medicine dispensing apparatus and joined to the second medicine dispensing apparatus. Second information, related to dispensing the second medicine, is stored with the electronics module.
Based upon the foregoing summary, a number of important advantages of the present invention are readily discerned. A single electronics module may be reused even if the actuator changes. Additionally, no modifications are necessary to modify the actuator in order to connect the electronics module thereto.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5363842 (1994-11-01), Mishelevich et al.
patent: 5404871 (1995-04-01), Goodman et al.
patent: 5520166 (1996-05-01), Ritson et al.
patent: 5809997 (1998-09-01), Wolf
patent: WO 99/35588 (1999-07-01), None
Dickerson Brian E.
McKinnon Robert J.
Taccini Thomas L.
Medtrac Technologies Inc.
Patel Mital
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
Weiss John G.
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