Abstract: The present invention detects how much air is inhaled through the inhaler with what time course (including such derived measurements as how much volume is inspired within the bounds of a given flow range) as well as certain events such as the triggering of the release of aerosol. The system can be set up to compare the resultant time course to either (a) a standard target envelope (e.g., one or more of flow, volume, and time) for that patient programmed into the intelligent inhalation device by a healthcare professional. Based on the comparison, the success or failure of effective inhaler actuation and aerosol inspiration can be signaled to the patient (e.g., visually or through sound) and may be recorded with a time and date stamp for later decoding and evaluation of the invention, the device would also possess the ability to signal the patient to continue post-inspiratory breath holding for use in interpreting the success of medication delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus for interactive training of a patient in the use of an aerosol inhaler includes a feedback display based upon air flow versus volume data in order to train patients to use a proper sequence of inhalation steps to insure maximum delivery of an aerosol pharmaceutical to target sites in the lungs. Flow and volume data are displayed to provide the patient and physician with a real-time, interactive representation of the inhalation process. Visual feedback to the patient includes a portrayal of the lungs which may be either three dimensional or an outline form in addition to or instead of an X-Y display. An important element of visual feedback is the portrayal of the distribution of representative droplets of aerosol medication in various stages of inhalation and breath holding. Thus, the patient is provided with meaningful feedback representative of the actual distribution of aerosol medication.