Abstract: A system for dispensing medication includes: a medicine canister that contains medicine to be dispensed, an actuator that houses the medicine canister and an adapter assembly that allows for obtaining information. The adapter assembly includes a connector assembly and an electronics module. The connector assembly connects to the medicine canister. The electronics module obtains information related to patient usage of medicine from the medicine canister. In another embodiment, a method for using the same electronics module with first and second medicine dispensing apparatuses, including a first medicine canister and a second medicine canister, is provided. The first medicine canister contains first medicine and the second medicine canister contains second medicine. First information, related to dispensing the first medicine, is stored with the electronics module joined to the first medicine dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A system for collecting patient respiratory information includes a base unit and a removable mouthpiece unit. The mouthpiece unit includes sensors that sense parameters of a patient's breath when the patient blows into the mouthpiece unit. The base unit receives and processes the information from the mouthpiece unit and stores it in chronological fashion for later analysis by a physician. The mouthpiece unit includes a memory for storing identification information for a patient who has been assigned the mouthpiece unit. When the mouthpiece unit is inserted into the base unit, the base unit reads the identification information from the mouthpiece unit and stores all measurement information in association therewith. In this manner, a single base unit can be used to collect information for a plurality of different patients without creating confusion as to which measurement results correspond to which patients.

Abstract: An electronic medication chronolog device adapted for attachment to various shapes and sizes of conventional pressurized inhalant packages. The packages include in common an actuator housing with one end having a mouthpiece and an opposite end having an opening for receiving a vial/canister therein. The vial/canister having a valve stem used for dispensing a prescribed dosage of medication inhalant in an aerosol chamber inside the actuator housing. The aerosol chamber is disposed next to an outlet of the mouthpiece for dispensing the medication therethrough. The chronolog device includes computing and recording equipment with audio and visual display mounted in a chronolog housing. The chronolog housing is adapted for attachment to the actuator housing. A strain gauge sensing arm is attached to the computing equipment and extends through a hole in a side of the actuator housing for engaging a portion of the vial/canister next to the valve stem.

Abstract: An electronic medication chronolog device adapted for attachment to various shapes and sizes of conventional pressurized inhalant packages. The packages include in common an actuator housing with one end having a mouthpiece and an opposite end having an opening for receiving a vial/canister therein. The vial/canister having a valve stem used for dispensing a prescribed dosage of medication inhalant in an aerosol chamber inside the actuator housing. The aerosol chamber is disposed next to an outlet of the mouthpiece for dispensing the medication therethrough. The chronolog device includes computing and recording equipment with audio and visual display mounted in a chronolog housing. The chronolog housing is adapted for attachment to the actuator housing. A strain gauge sensing arm is attached to the computing equipment and extends through a hole in a side of the actuator housing for engaging a portion of the vial/canister next to the valve stem.

Abstract: A portable hand held electronic spirometric device for analyzing the strength of the exhalation of a patient under a doctor's care. The electronic spirometric device is designed to sense and measure exhaled air flow rate and exhaled breath temperature, determine air flow volume, and record and display the respiratory movement of the patient for helping make medication recommendations. The spirometric device includes an electronic package mounted inside a hand held housing for computing and recording the strength, the temperature, and the volume of the exhalation along with the time and date of the exhalation. The device includes a replaceable air flow chamber mounted on the housing. A disposable mouthpiece is releasably attached to the air flow chamber. A hot wire acting as an anemometer is disposed inside the air flow chamber and provides for measuring both air flow rate and temperature.

Abstract: A dry powder inhalant device adapted for mounting on a conventional medication dry powder dispenser having a mouthpiece incorporated in one end of the dispenser. The device designed for monitoring prescribed dosages of dry powder medication received through the mouthpiece, the lips and into the mouth, throat, and respiratory system of a user of the device. The device includes an electronic housing mounted on the dispenser for computing and recording when a proper amount of dry powder is released inside the dispenser, when a proper amount of air flow is inhaled through the dispenser for mixing with the dry powder, and when each dispenser or dry powder container is removed and replaced on the electronic housing. The dispenser, in one embodiment, includes an activation sheath received around and secured to a portion of the dispenser. A lower end of the sheath abuts the electronic housing with the mouthpiece extending upwardly and through an upper end of the sheath.