Aerosol dispensing inhaler training device

Abstract

An aerosol dispensing inhaler training device for determining whether a user is properly operating an aerosol dispensing device. The training device includes an aerosol dispensing device having a container with a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and movable between a closed position and an open position. The container dispenses a portion of the contents within the container when the valve stem is moved to the open position. The aerosol dispensing device includes a housing adapted to support the container reciprocally moveable within the housing along a longitudinal axis from a first position, the housing comprising a well adapted to receive the valve stem and an exhaust port comprising one end in fluid communication with the well and a second end in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, wherein the portion of the contents within the container is dispensed from the first end of the exhaust port to the second end of the exhaust port when the housing moves to an actuation position where the valve stem is actuated so that a portion of the contents within the container is dispensed through the second end of the exhaust port when the valve stem is moved to the open position. An actuation sensor generates a signal that indicates when the housing is moved to the actuation position and the valve stem is actuated. A shake sensor determines whether the contents within the container have been properly agitated for consumption by a user.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An aerosol dispenser comprising: 
 a container comprising an interior;    a shake sensor positioned within an interior of said aerosol dispenser, said shake sensor determining whether the contents of said interior of said container have been properly agitated for consumption by a user.    
     
     
         2 . The aerosol dispenser comprising: 
 a movable vane attached within said interior of said aerosol dispenser.    
     
     
         3 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 2 , comprising a sensor to measure the amount of acceleration of said movable vane.  
     
     
         4 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 2 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         5 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 3 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         6 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein said movable vane comprises a magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         7 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein said magnetic element is adjacent to said sensor at a rest position.  
     
     
         8 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein said magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at a rest position.  
     
     
         9 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 6 , said movable vane comprising a second magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         10 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein said second magnetic element is adjacent to said sensor at a rest position.  
     
     
         11 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein said second magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at said rest position.  
     
     
         12 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein said magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at a rest position.  
     
     
         13 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein said second magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at said rest position.  
     
     
         14 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said shake sensor comprises a contact member and a contact surface, wherein said contact member moves in response to movement of said container.  
     
     
         15 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein said shake sensor detects the number of times said contact member contacts said contact surface.  
     
     
         16 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein said shake sensor comprises a cylindrical tube wherein said contact surface is attached to an end of said cylindrical tube.  
     
     
         17 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein said contact surface is circular and encloses said end of said cyl indrical tube.  
     
     
         18 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein said contact member comprises a spherical ball positioned within said cylindrical tube.  
     
     
         19 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein said contact member comprises a spherical ball positioned within said cylindrical tube.  
     
     
         20 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein said shake sensor comprises a transducer attached to said contact surface.  
     
     
         21 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 16 , wherein said shake sensor comprises a transducer attached to said contact surface.  
     
     
         22 . A method of determining whether the contents of a container have been properly mixed for consumption by a user, said method comprising the steps of: 
 agitating the contents contained within a container;    determining the number of times said contents within said container are agitated; and    comparing the number of times said contents within said container are agitated with a predetermined number representative of an adequate number of times said contents within said container should be agitated for consumption by a user.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising the step of: 
 generating a signal when said number of times said contents within said container are agitated is equal to said predetermined number that indicates that said contents within said container are properly mixed for consumption by a user.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said determining step comprises counting the number of times a movable vane is accelerated beyond a predetermined acceleration value, wherein said movable vane is accelerated in response to said agitating step.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said determining step comprises counting the number of times a contact member attached to said container contacts said contact member, wherein said contact member moves in response to said agitating step.  
     
     
         26 . An aerosol dispenser for dispensing a liquid in aerosol form comprising: 
 a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and movable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing a portion of the contents within said container when said valve stem is moved to the open position;    a housing adapted to support said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along a longitudinal axis, said housing comprising a well adapted to receive said valve stem and an exhaust port comprising one end in fluid communication with said well and a second end in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, wherein said portion of said aerosol is dispensed from said first end of said exhaust port to said second end of said exhaust port such that said portion of said contents within said container is dispensed through said second end of said exhaust port when said valve stem is moved to the open position; and    a flow measurement device comprising a movable vane attached to said housing between said first end and said second end of said exhaust port, wherein said movable vane has a shape that occludes 50% or less of the area of defined by said second opening.    
     
     
         27 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 26 , comprising a sensor to measure the amount of movement of said movable vane.  
     
     
         28 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein said movable vane pivots from a rest position where said movable vane is positioned when none of the contents within said container is flowing through said exhaust port to a second position that is representative of the flowage of said contents within said container when said portion of said contents within said container flow through said exhaust port.  
     
     
         29 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 28 , comprising a sensor to measure said second position.  
     
     
         30 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 27 , wherein said movable vane comprises a magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         31 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 29 , wherein said movable vane comprises a magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         32 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 31 , wherein said magnetic element is adjacent to said sensor at s aid rest position.  
     
     
         33 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 31 , wherein said magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at said rest position.  
     
     
         34 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 30 , said movable vane comprising a second magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         35 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 34 , wherein said second magnetic element is adjacent to said sensor at said rest position.  
     
     
         36 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 35 , wherein said second magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at said rest position.  
     
     
         37 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 34 , wherein said magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at said rest position.  
     
     
         38 . The aerosol dispenser of  claim 37 , wherein said second magnetic element is spaced from said sensor at said rest position.  
     
     
         39 . An aerosol dispensing inhaler training device for determining whether a user is properly operating an aerosol dispensing device, said aerosol dispensing inhaler training device comprising: 
 an aerosol dispensing device comprising: 
 a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and movable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing a portion of the contents within said container when said valve stem is moved to the open position; and  
 a housing adapted to support said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along a longitudinal axis from a first position, said housing comprising a well adapted to receive said valve stem and an exhaust port comprising one end in fluid communication with said well and a second end in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, wherein said portion of said contents within said container is dispensed from said first end of said exhaust port to said second end of said exhaust port when said housing moves to an actuation position  
   where said valve stem is actuated so that said portion of said contents within said container is dispensed through said second end of said exhaust port when said valve stem is moved to the open position;    a flow measurement device comprising a movable vane with a magnetic element, said movable vane is attached to said housing and is located within said housing,    a flow sensor that generates a first signal corresponding to the amount of movement of said movable vane; and    an initiation sensor that generates a second signal that indicates when said housing is moved to said actuation position and said valve stem is actuated.    
     
     
         40 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 39 , comprising a memory that stores an optimum flow rate value for a person inhaling said portion of said aerosol; 
 a microprocessor that receives said first signal and calculates the flow rate of said portion of said contents within said container through said vane; and    a comparator that compares said optimum flow rate value with said calculated flow rate and generates either an acceptance signal if the calculated flow rate is greater or equal to said optimum flow rate value or a failure signal if the calculated flow rate is less than said optimum flow rate value.    
     
     
         41 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 40 , comprising a visual display for displaying said calculated flow rate.  
     
     
         42 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 40 , comprising a speaker for generating a sound that indicates whether or not said calculated flow rate is acceptable.  
     
     
         43 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 39 , wherein said movable vane has a shape that occludes 50% or less of the area defined by said second end.  
     
     
         44 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 39 , wherein said movable vane pivots from a rest position where said movable vane is positioned when none of the contents within said container is flowing through said exhaust port to a second position that is representative of the flowage of said portion of said contents within said container flows through said exhaust port.  
     
     
         45 . An aerosol dispensing inhaler training device for determining whether a user is properly operating an aerosol dispensing device, said aerosol dispensing inhaler training device comprising: 
 an aerosol dispensing device comprising: 
 a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and movable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing a portion of said contents within said container when said valve stem is moved to the open position; and  
 a housing adapted to support said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along a longitudinal axis from a first position, said housing comprising a well adapted to receive said valve stem and an exhaust port comprising one end in fluid communication with said well and a second end in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, wherein said portion of said contents within said container is dispensed from said first end of said exhaust port to said second end of said exhaust port when said housing moves to an actuation position where said valve stem is actuated so that a portion of said contents within said container is dispensed through said second end of said exhaust port when said valve stem is moved to the open position;  
   a flow measurement device comprising a movable vane attached to said housing and located within said housing,    a flow sensor that generates a first signal corresponding to the amount of movement of said movable vane; and    a shake sensor positioned within said interior of said container, said shake sensor determining whether said contents within said container have been properly agitated for consumption by a user.    
     
     
         46 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 45 , comprising a sensor to measure the amount of acceleration of said movable vane.  
     
     
         47 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 46 , wherein said movable vane comprises a magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         48 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 46 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         49 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 47 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         50 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 45 , wherein said shake sensor comprises a contact member and a contact surface, wherein said contact member moves in response to movement of said container.  
     
     
         51 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 50 , wherein said shake sensor detects the number of time s said contact member contacts said contact surface.  
     
     
         52 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 45 , comprising a memory that stores an optimum flow rate value for a person inhaling said portion of said contents within said container; 
 a microprocessor that receives said first signal and calculates the flow rate of said portion of said contents within said container through said vane; and    a comparator that compares said optimum flow rate value with said calculated flow rate and generates either an acceptance signal if the calculated flow rate is greater or equal to said optimum flow rate value or a failure signal if the calculated flow rate is less than said optimum flow rate value.    
     
     
         53 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 52 , comprising a visual display for displaying said calculated flow rate.  
     
     
         54 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 52 , comprising a speaker for generating a sound that indicates whether or not said calculated flow rate is acceptable.  
     
     
         55 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 45 , wherein said movable vane has a shape that occludes 50% or less of the area of defined by said second end.  
     
     
         56 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 45 , wherein said movable vane pivots from a rest position where said movable vane is positioned when none of the contents within said container is flowing through said exhaust port to a second position that is representative of the flowage of said portion of said contents within said container flows through said exhaust port.  
     
     
         57 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 45 , comprising a memory that stores a predetermined number representative of an adequate number of times said contents within said container should be agitated for proper mixing for consumption by a user; 
 a microprocessor that receives signals from said mixing sensor and calculates the number of times that said contents within said container are agitated; and    a comparator that compares said predetermined number with said calculated number of times that said contents within said container are agitated and generates an acceptance signal if the calculated number of times that said contents within said container are agitated is equal to said predetermined number.    
     
     
         58 . An aerosol dispensing inhaler training device for determining whether a user is properly operating an aerosol dispensing device, said aerosol dispensing inhaler training device comprising: 
 an aerosol dispensing device comprising: 
 a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and movable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing a portion of the contents within said container when said valve stem is moved to the open position; and  
 a housing adapted to support said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along a longitudinal axis from a first position, said housing comprising a well adapted to receive said valve stem and an exhaust port comprising one end in fluid communication with said well and a second end in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, wherein said portion of said contents within said container is dispensed from said first end of said exhaust port to said second end of said exhaust port when said housing moves to an actuation position where said valve stem is actuated so that a portion of said contents within said container is dispensed through said second end of said exhaust port when said valve stem is moved to the open position;  
   an actuation sensor that generates a second signal that indicates when said housing is moved to said actuation position and said valve stem is actuated; and    a shake sensor that determines whether said contents within said container have been properly agitated for consumption by a user.    
     
     
         59 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 58  comprising: 
 a movable vane attached to said housing.  
 
     
     
         60 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 59 , comprising a sensor to measure the amount of acceleration of said movable vane.  
     
     
         61 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 60 , wherein said movable vane comprises a magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         62 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 60 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         63 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 61 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         64 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 58 , wherein said shake sensor comprises a contact member and a contact surface, wherein said contact member moves in response to movement of said container.  
     
     
         65 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 64 , wherein said shake sensor detects the number of times said contact member contacts said contact surface.  
     
     
         66 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 58 , comprising a memory that stores a predetermined number representative of an adequate number of times said contents within said container should be agitated for proper consumption by a user; 
 a microprocessor that receives signals from said mixing sensor and calculates the number of times that said contents with said container are agitated; and    a comparator that compares said predetermined number with said calculated number of times that said contents within said container are agitated and generates an acceptance signal if the calculated number of times that said contents within said container are agitated is equal to said predetermined number.    
     
     
         67 . An aerosol dispensing inhaler training device for determining whether a user is properly operating an aerosol dispensing device, said aerosol dispensing inhaler training device comprising: 
 an aerosol dispensing device comprising: 
 a container having a valve stem extending longitudinally therefrom and movable between a closed position and an open position, said container dispensing a portion of the contents within said container when said valve stem is moved to the open position; and  
 a housing adapted to support said container reciprocally moveable within said housing along a longitudinal axis from a first position, said housing comprising a well adapted to receive said valve stem and an exhaust port comprising one end in fluid communication with said well and a second end in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, wherein said portion of said contents within said container is dispensed from said first end of said exhaust port to said second end of said exhaust port when said housing moves to an actuation position where said valve stem is actuated so that said portion of said contents within said container is dispensed through said second end of said exhaust port when said valve stem is moved to the open position;  
   a flow measurement device comprising a movable vane attached to said housing between said first end and said second end of said exhaust port,    a flow sensor that generates a first signal corresponding to the amount of movement of said movable vane;    an actuation sensor that generates a second signal that indicates when said housing is moved to said actuation position and said valve stem is actuated; and    a shake sensor positioned within said interior of said container, said shake sensor determining whether said contents within said container have been properly agitated for consumption by a user.    
     
     
         68 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 67  comprising: 
 a movable vane attached to said housing.  
 
     
     
         69 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 68 , comprising a sensor to measure the amount of acceleration of said movable vane.  
     
     
         70 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 69 , wherein said movable vane comprises a magnetic element that is sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         71 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 69 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         72 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 70 , comprising a mass attached to said movable vane.  
     
     
         73 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 67 , wherein said shake sensor comprises a contact member and a contact surface, wherein said contact member moves in response to movement of said container.  
     
     
         74 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 73 , wherein said shake sensor detects the number of times said contact member contacts said contact surface.  
     
     
         75 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 67 , comprising a memory that stores an optimum flow rate value for a person inhaling said portion of said contents within said container; 
 a microprocessor that receives said first signal and calculates the flow rate of said portion of said portion of said contents within said container through said vane; and    a comparator that compares said optimum flow rate value with said calculated flow rate and generates an acceptance signal if the calculated flow rate is equal to said optimum flow rate value.    
     
     
         76 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 75 , comprising a visual display for displaying said calculated flow rate.  
     
     
         77 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 75 , comprising a speaker for generating a sound that indicates whether or not said calculated flow rate is acceptable.  
     
     
         78 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 75 , wherein said movable vane has a shape that occludes 50% or less of the area of defined by said second end.  
     
     
         79 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 75 , wherein said movable vane pivots from a rest position where said movable vane is positioned when none of the contents within said container is flowing through said exhaust port to a second position that is representative of the flowage of said portion of said contents within said container flows through said exhaust port.  
     
     
         80 . The aerosol dispensing inhaler training device of  claim 75 , comprising a memory that stores a predetermined number representative of an adequate number of times said contents within said container should be agitated for consumption by a user; 
 a microprocessor that receives signals from said mixing sensor and calculates the number of times that said contents within said container are agitated; and    a comparator that compares said predetermined number with said calculated number of times that said contents within said container are agitated and generates either an acceptance signal if the calculated number of times that said contents within said container are agitated is greater or equal to said predetermined number or a failure signal if the calculated number of times that said contents within said container are agitated is less than said predetermined number.    
     
     
         81 . A method of training an individual on how to properly use an aerosol dispensing device by an individual, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) agitating a container;    b) determining whether the contents within said container have been properly agitated during said agitating step a) for consumption by an individual; and    c) repeating steps a) and b) if it is determined during step b) that said contents within said container have not been properly agitated during said step a) for consumption by an individual.    
     
     
         82 . The method of claim  81 , wherein said determining step b) comprises determining the number of times said contents within said container is agitated; and comparing the number of times said contents within said container are agitated with a predetermined number representative of an adequate number of times said contents within said container should be agitated for consumption by a user.  
     
     
         83 . A method of training an individual on how to properly use an aerosol dispensing device by an individual, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) agitating a container;    b) dispensing the contents within said container;    c) determining whether said contents within said container have been properly agitated during said agitating step a) for consumption by an individual; and    d) determining whether said contents within said container have been properly dispensed from said container.    
     
     
         84 . The method of claim  83 , wherein said determining step c) comprises determining the number of times said contents within said container are agitated; and comparing the number of times said contents within said container are agitated with a predetermined number representative of an adequate number of times said contents within said container should be mixed for proper mixing for consumption by a user.  
     
     
         85 . The method of claim  84 , wherein said determining step c) comprises determining the flow rate of said contents within said container dispensed during dispensing step b) and comparing the flow rate with an optimum flow rate for a person inhaling said dispensed contents within said container.  
     
     
         86 . The method of claim  83 , wherein said determining step c) comprises determining when said contents within said container are dispensed in step b).  
     
     
         87 . The method of claim  85 , wherein said determining step c) further comprises determining when said contents within said container are dispensed in step b).