Medicament Inhalers

Abstract

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to medicament inhalers. In particular, the invention relates to a device for releasable attachment to a medicament inhaler, which monitors patient usage of the medicament inhaler. The invention may be particularly suitable for use with medicament inhalers used for the treatment of respiratory diseases.

1 . A device for monitoring patient usage of a medicament inhaler, said medicament inhaler being adapted to deliver doses of medicament, and wherein said medicament inhaler includes parts which move during the dispensing of a dose of medicament,
 wherein said device includes:   a) a housing, said housing being releasably attachable to said medicament inhaler,   b) an optical dose counter associated with said housing, said optical dose counter being adapted to determine when a dose of medicament has been dispensed by transmitting optical signals through the medicament inhaler,   c) an electronic control module associated with said housing, said electronic control module including, or being in communication with, said optical dose counter, d) said electronic control module being adapted to monitor and/or store data relating to patient usage of said medicament inhaler,
 the arrangement and construction being such that said device is attachable to said medicament inhaler, and subsequently operable, without any modifications being required to be made to said medicament inhaler. 
   
   
   
       2 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control module further includes processing means to enable the electronic control module to perform operations on said data. 
   
   
       3 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said housing is adapted to fully enclose the medicament inhaler. 
   
   
       4 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said housing is provided with a hinged portion which, when open, allows the medicament inhaler to be placed within the housing, and which, when closed, serves to retain the medicament inhaler within the housing. 
   
   
       5 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said hinged portion is provided with closure and release means, to secure said hinged portion in a closed position, and release said hinged portion from said closed position, respectively. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said optical dose counter utilises infrared light. 
   
   
       8 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said optical dose counter utilises visible spectrum light. 
   
   
       9 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said optical dose counter includes:
 a) at least one light transmitter able to transmit an optical signal,   b) at least one light receiver able to receive an optical signal,   the arrangement and construction being such that the movement of said part(s) within the medicament inhaler during the delivery of a dose of medicament alters the optical signal(s) whereby the optical dose counter is able to determine that said dose has been dispensed.   
   
   
       10 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control module includes, or is in communication with, a dose counter display for viewing by the patient. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said dose counter display is adapted to serve as a non-absolute dose counter. 
   
   
       13 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said dose counter display is adapted to serve as an absolute dose counter. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control module includes, or is in communication with, a wireless transmitter to enable the wireless transmitting of data relating to patient usage of said medicament inhaler. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the wireless transmitter is able to transmit said data in real time. 
   
   
       21 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the wireless transmitter is able to transmit said data at predetermined intervals and/or as a result of a predetermined event(s). 
   
   
       22 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said electronic control module further includes, or is in communication with, a wireless receiver to enable the wireless receipt of data or instructions from a third party. 
   
   
       23 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said optical dose counter includes means to determine deterioration in the inner surfaces of the medicament inhaler, due to changes in the light levels reflected from the inner surfaces of the medicament inhaler over time. 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said medicament inhaler is a pMDI. 
   
   
       27 . A device for monitoring patient usage of the medicament inhaler, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said medicament inhaler is a DPI. 
   
   
       28 . In combination, a medicament inhaler, said medicament inhaler being adapted to deliver doses of medicament to a patient, and wherein said medicament inhaler includes parts which move during the dispensing of a dose of medicament; and
 a device for monitoring patient usage of said medicament inhaler, said device including:   a) a housing, said housing being releasably attachable to said medicament inhaler,   b) an optical dose counter associated with said housing, said optical dose counter being adapted to determine when a dose of medicament has been dispensed by transmitting optical signals through the medicament inhaler, and from a position outside of the medicament inhaler,   c) an electronic control module associated with said housing, said electronic control module including, or being in communication with, said optical dose counter,   d) said electronic control module being adapted to monitor and/or store data relating to patient usage of said medicament inhaler,
 the arrangement and construction being such that said device is attachable to said medicament inhaler, and subsequently operable, without any modifications being required to be made to said medicament inhaler. 
   
   
   
       29 . A method of treating a respiratory disease, said method including the step of utilising said medicament inhaler and said device, as claimed in  claim 28 .