Method and Apparatus for Measuring Manual Device Actuation

Abstract

An assembly that provides operational information about operation of a device, such as a nasal spray pump or metered dose inhaler. A linkage adapted to extend between a mounting assembly, connected to a stationary part of the device, and an adapter assembly, connected to a movable part of the device, is in operational relationship with a transducer to enable the transducer to indicate a mechanical relationship between the movable and stationary parts of the device corresponding to the operation of the device. A data collection and processing system may be connected to the transducer for determining information that may be used to program an automated actuation system.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an adapter assembly configured to be coupled to a movable part of a device;   a mounting assembly configured to be coupled to a stationary part of the device;   one or more transducers coupled to the mounting assembly or the adapter assembly and operable to indicate a mechanical relationship between the movable part and the stationary part of the device corresponding to operation of the device.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one transducer is a position sensor. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the position sensor is a potentiometer. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  further including a linkage, adapted to connect the mounting assembly and the adapter assembly, in operational relationship with the transducer. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the linkage is a spring loaded wire integrally associated with the potentiometer. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one transducer is a force transducer. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the transducers include at least one position sensor and at least one force transducer. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the device is a spring or other mechanically resistive element. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further including a data processing system coupled to the transducers that captures indications of the mechanical relationship between the movable part and the stationary part. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the data processing system includes program instructions that automatically calculate parameters in position, velocity, force, and/or acceleration corresponding to operation of the device. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the instructions include a routine that calculates velocity or acceleration data from position measurements. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the parameters include at least one of the following: maximum position displacement, hold time, maximum actuation velocity, maximum return velocity, maximum actuation acceleration, maximum return acceleration, and maximum force. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the data processing system includes a signal conditioner, data sampler, and amplifier, wherein the signal conditioner conditions a signal effected by one or more transducers prior to the data sampler and amplifier operating on the signal. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus comprising:
 an adapter assembly configured to be coupled to a movable part of a spray device;   a mounting assembly configured to be coupled to a stationary part of the device;   a position sensor, a force transducer, or both a position sensor and force transducer, coupled to the mounting assembly or the adapter assembly and operable to indicate a mechanical relationship between the movable part and the stationary part of the device corresponding to operation of the spray device.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the spray device is any one of a nasal spray bottle; a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), a pharmaceutical spray pump assembly, a glue/caulking gun, a household spray pump, a pressurized spray can, a pharmaceutical nasal syringe, an industrial nozzle, and or a cosmetic spray pump. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  further including a data processing system coupled to the transducer that captures indications of the mechanical relationship between the movable part and the stationary part. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the data processing system includes program instructions that automatically calculate parameters in position, velocity, force, and/or acceleration corresponding to operation of the device. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the instructions include a routine that calculates velocity or acceleration data from position measurements. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the parameters include at least one of the following: maximum position displacement, hold time, maximum actuation velocity, maximum return velocity, maximum actuation acceleration, maximum return acceleration, and maximum force. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the data processing system includes a signal conditioner, data sampler, and amplifier, wherein the signal conditioner conditions a signal effected by one or more transducers prior to the data sampler and amplifier operating on the signal.