Inhaler
US9555200B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04C2270/041
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to an inhaler (1) comprising a capsule housing (2) for containing a medicament capsule (4). The inhaler includes an airflow path (6) through which air flows during an airflow event from at least one air inlet (8) to an outlet (10), the airflow path passing through the capsule housing. There is a first sensor (16), a processor (18) and a power source (20) for powering the processor. The capsule housing is defined by at least one wall (22) and configured such that when a capsule is located in the capsule housing and sufficient air flows along the airflow path through the capsule housing, the capsule moves within the capsule housing. The first sensor is arranged on the inhaler so that it is able to detect the movement of the capsule within the capsule housing and generate a first signal indicative of said movement. The processor receives the first signal from the first sensor and uses said first signal to determine whether the first signal is indicative of the presence, or absence, of a capsule in the capsule housing during an airflow event and generate a capsule signal indicative thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.