Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Weitzel

Douglas E. Weitzel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11944425
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for an inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being configured to be pneumatically coupled to a flow channel of said inhaler through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive data from a sensing element of the pressure sensor; receive data from a mode sensor configured to detect when the inhaler changes from an inactive mode to an active mode; and based on said data from said pressure sensor sensing element and said data from said mode sensor, compile a compliance report; and a transmitter configured to issue said compliance report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Publication number: 20230277779
    Abstract: An injecting device includes a reservoir for containing a medicament, a needle in communication with the reservoir and configured to deliver the medicament to a patient’s body, at least two electrodes spaced apart from one another and disposed on opposing sides of the needle, and a capacitance-to-digital converter circuit configured to generate a signal and measure capacitance between the at least two electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
    Inventors: Douglas E. Weitzel, Steven Carl Persak, Jeffrey C. Givand, Christopher Granelli
  • Patent number: 11660408
    Abstract: An inhaler includes a mouthpiece cover, a pressure sensor, a first indicator and a second indicator. The first indicator may be configured to indicate based on a state of the cover, and the second indicator may be configured to indicate based on an output of the pressure sensor. For example, when the mouthpiece cover opens, the first indicator may illuminate and a dose of medication may be transferred from a reservoir to a dosing cup. The second indicator may illuminate if an amount of inhaled medication reaches a predetermined threshold for successful inhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck, Frederic Scott Fleming, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20220168515
    Abstract: An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Norton (waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Milton-Edwards, Henry Chrystyn, Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20210402111
    Abstract: An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Milton-Edwards, Henry Chrystyn, Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 11141547
    Abstract: An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Milton-Edwards, Henry Chrystyn, Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20210138167
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for a breath-actuated inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive a signal originating from a dosing mechanism of the inhaler indicating that medication has been released; receive data from a sensing element of the sensor; and based on said signal from said dosing mechanism and said data from said sensing element, make a determination that inhalation of a breath containing medication through said flow channel complies with one or more predetermined requirements for successful dosing; and a transmitter configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a dosing report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Publication number: 20210128018
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for an inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being configured to be pneumatically coupled to a flow channel of said inhaler through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive data from a sensing element of the pressure sensor; receive data from a mode sensor configured to detect when the inhaler changes from an inactive mode to an active mode; and based on said data from said pressure sensor sensing element and said data from said mode sensor, compile a compliance report; and a transmitter configured to issue said compliance report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Patent number: 10918816
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for a breath-actuated inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive a signal originating from a dosing mechanism of the inhaler indicating that medication has been released; receive data from a sensing element of the sensor; and based on said signal from said dosing mechanism and said data from said sensing element, make a determination that inhalation of a breath containing medication through said flow channel complies with one or more predetermined requirements for successful dosing; and a transmitter configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a dosing report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Patent number: 10905356
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for an inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being configured to be pneumatically coupled to a flow channel of said inhaler through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive data from a sensing element of the pressure sensor; receive data from a mode sensor configured to detect when the inhaler changes from an inactive mode to an active mode; and based on said data from said pressure sensor sensing element and said data from said mode sensor, compile a compliance report; and a transmitter configured to issue said compliance report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Patent number: 10744283
    Abstract: A tidal dry powder inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to process data received from a sensing element of the sensor to make a determination that inhalation of a spontaneous breath through said flow channel is in progress; a controller configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a start dosing signal; and a dosing mechanism configured to release dry powder medicament into the flow channel during inhalation of said spontaneous breath in response to receiving said signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 10569034
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for a breath-actuated inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive a signal originating from a dosing mechanism of the inhaler indicating that medication has been released; receive data from a sensing element of the sensor; and based on said signal from said dosing mechanism and said data from said sensing element, make a determination that inhalation of a breath containing medication through said flow channel complies with one or more predetermined requirements for successful dosing; and a transmitter configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a dosing report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Publication number: 20200030553
    Abstract: An inhalation device for delivering medication to a user may include a mouthpiece, a dosing chamber, and a flow channel connecting the mouthpiece to the dosing chamber. The dosing chamber may be configured to deliver the medication to the user via the mouthpiece. The inhalation device may include an electronically driven vibratory element, a sensor system configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of air flow through the flow channel, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive the pressure signal from the sensor system (e.g., a micro-electrical mechanical (MEMS) pressure sensor). The controller may be configured to perform an inhalation detection procedure to determine a plurality of successful inhalations. For example, the controller may be configured to generate a trigger signal to control timing of operation of the electronically driven vibratory element to release medication into the dosing chamber based on the plurality of successful inhalations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Keip, Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20200009335
    Abstract: An inhaler includes a mouthpiece cover, a pressure sensor, a first indicator and a second indicator. The first indicator may be configured to indicate based on a state of the cover, and the second indicator may be configured to indicate based on an output of the pressure sensor. For example, when the mouthpiece cover opens, the first indicator may illuminate and a dose of medication may be transferred from a reservoir to a dosing cup. The second indicator may illuminate if an amount of inhaled medication reaches a predetermined threshold for successful inhalation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck, Frederic Scott Fleming, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 10463816
    Abstract: An inhaler includes a mouthpiece cover, a pressure sensor, a first indicator and a second indicator. The first indicator may be configured to indicate based on a state of the cover, and the second indicator may be configured to indicate based on an output of the pressure sensor. For example, when the mouthpiece cover opens, the first indicator may illuminate and a dose of medication may be transferred from a reservoir to a dosing cup. The second indicator may illuminate if an amount of inhaled medication reaches a predetermined threshold for successful inhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck, Frederic Scott Fleming, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20190030267
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for a breath-actuated inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive a signal originating from a dosing mechanism of the inhaler indicating that medication has been released; receive data from a sensing element of the sensor; and based on said signal from said dosing mechanism and said data from said sensing element, make a determination that inhalation of a breath containing medication through said flow channel complies with one or more predetermined requirements for successful dosing; and a transmitter configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a dosing report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Publication number: 20180289903
    Abstract: An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Milton-Edwards, Henry Chrystyn, Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 10058661
    Abstract: An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Milton-Edwards, Henry Chrystyn, Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20170340844
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for a breath-actuated inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being pneumatically coupled to a flow channel through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive a signal originating from a dosing mechanism of the inhaler indicating that medication has been released; receive data from a sensing element of the sensor; and based on said signal from said dosing mechanism and said data from said sensing element, make a determination that inhalation of a breath containing medication through said flow channel complies with one or more predetermined requirements for successful dosing; and a transmitter configured to, responsive to said determination, issue a dosing report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicants: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc., Norton (Waterford ) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck
  • Publication number: 20170290527
    Abstract: A compliance monitoring module for an inhaler comprising: a miniature pressure sensor, a sensor port of said sensor being configured to be pneumatically coupled to a flow channel of said inhaler through which a user can inhale; a processor configured to: receive data from a sensing element of the pressure sensor; receive data from a mode sensor configured to detect when the inhaler changes from an inactive mode to an active mode; and based on said data from said pressure sensor sensing element and said data from said mode sensor, compile a compliance report; and a transmitter configured to issue said compliance report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicants: MicroDose Therapeutx, Inc., Norton (Waterford) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Steven Morrison, Douglas E. Weitzel, Enrique Calderon Oliveras, Daniel Buck