Abstract: A system may include a mobile application residing on an external device and an inhalation device. The inhalation device may include a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece cover, medicament, and an electronics module comprising a processor. The inhalation device may be configured to both prepare a dose of medicament for delivery to a user and cause the processor to transition between power states when the mouthpiece cover is moved from a closed position to an open position to expose the mouthpiece. The electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to generate usage events based on usage of the inhalation device by the user. The electronics module may also include a pressure sensor, and the electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to determine whether a usage event is a good inhalation event, a fair inhalation event, or a no inhalation event based on feedback from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: An inhaler may include a housing that comprises a mouthpiece, a medication canister, and an airflow channel formed between an air inlet and the mouthpiece. The inhaler may also include a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure (e.g., or alternatively, an acoustic sensor to measure acoustic sound waves). The pressure sensor may be attached to the medicament canister of the inhaler. The pressure sensor may be configured to be in a first position relative to the airflow channel when the medication canister is not actuated, and in a second position relative to the airflow channel when the medication canister is in an actuated position. The inhaler may also include a processor that is configured to receive pressure measurements from the pressure sensor, and detect whether an inhalation occurs prior the medication canister being depressed to release medication based on the pressure measurements (e.g., only the pressure measurements).

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.

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.

Abstract: A system may include an external device and an inhaler. The external device may include a processor, a communication circuit, and memory. The inhaler may include a mouthpiece, medicament, a mechanical dose counter, and an electronics module comprising a processor and a communication circuit. The electronics module may record a dosing event when the inhaler is actuated, such as when the mouthpiece cover is opened, and send a signal indicating the dosing event to the external device. The external device may receive a mechanical dose reading of the mechanical dose counter, determine an electronic dose reading based on the signal indicating the dosing event, determine that a discrepancy between the mechanical dose reading and the electronic dose reading exceeds a threshold, and notify the user of the discrepancy, for example, by providing a notification to the user by way of a mobile application residing on the external device.

Abstract: A system may include an external device and an inhaler. The external device may include a processor, a communication circuit, and memory. The inhaler may include a mouthpiece, medicament, a mechanical dose counter, and an electronics module comprising a processor and a communication circuit. The electronics module may record a dosing event when the inhaler is actuated, such as when the mouthpiece cover is opened, and send a signal indicating the dosing event to the external device. The external device may receive a mechanical dose reading of the mechanical dose counter, determine an electronic dose reading based on the signal indicating the dosing event, determine that a discrepancy between the mechanical dose reading and the electronic dose reading exceeds a threshold, and notify the user of the discrepancy, for example, by providing a notification to the user by way of a mobile application residing on the external device.

Abstract: A device for delivering medication to a user may include a main body, an electronics module, and a slider. The main body may include a mouthpiece, a medication reservoir, and a mouthpiece cover, where the mouthpiece cover may be hinged to the main body. The electronics module may include a communication circuit, a pressure sensor, and a switch. The slider may be configured to engage the switch when the mouthpiece cover moves from a closed position to an open position. The switch may be configured to switch the electronics module from an off state or a sleep state to an active state. The electronics module may be configured to never return to the off state after the mouthpiece cover is moved to expose the mouthpiece for the first time by the user.

Abstract: A system may include a mobile application residing on an external device and an inhalation device. The inhalation device may include a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece cover, medicament, and an electronics module comprising a processor. The inhalation device may be configured to both prepare a dose of medicament for delivery to a user and cause the processor to transition between power states when the mouthpiece cover is moved from a closed position to an open position to expose the mouthpiece. The electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to generate usage events based on usage of the inhalation device by the user. The electronics module may also include a pressure sensor, and the electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to determine whether a usage event is a good inhalation event, a fair inhalation event, or a no inhalation event based on feedback from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: An electronic module for a medical device such as an inhaler is disclosed, the electronic module comprising a printed circuit board, and a damper configured to dampen energy transfer to and/or from a battery when a battery is connected to the electronic module and the electronic module is exposed to mechanical shock.

Abstract: A system may include a mobile application residing on an external device and an inhalation device. The inhalation device may include a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece cover, medicament, and an electronics module comprising a processor. The inhalation device may be configured to both prepare a dose of medicament for delivery to a user and cause the processor to transition between power states when the mouthpiece cover is moved from a closed position to an open position to expose the mouthpiece. The electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to generate usage events based on usage of the inhalation device by the user. The electronics module may also include a pressure sensor, and the electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to determine whether a usage event is a good inhalation event, a fair inhalation event, or a no inhalation event based on feedback from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A device for delivering medication to a user may include a main body, an electronics module, and a slider. The main body may include a mouthpiece, a medication reservoir, and a mouthpiece cover, where the mouthpiece cover may be hinged to the main body. The electronics module may include a communication circuit, a pressure sensor, and a switch. The slider may be configured to engage the switch when the mouthpiece cover moves from a closed position to an open position. The switch may be configured to switch the electronics module from an off state or a sleep state to an active state. The electronics module may be configured to never return to the off state after the mouthpiece cover is moved to expose the mouthpiece for the first time by the user.

Abstract: A device for delivering medication to a user may include a main body, an electronics module, and a slider. The main body may include a mouthpiece, a medication reservoir, and a mouthpiece cover, where the mouthpiece cover may be hinged to the main body. The electronics module may include a communication circuit, a pressure sensor, and a switch. The slider may be configured to engage the switch when the mouthpiece cover moves from a closed position to an open position. The switch may be configured to switch the electronics module from an off state or a sleep state to an active state. The electronics module may be configured to never return to the off state after the mouthpiece cover is moved to expose the mouthpiece for the first time by the user.

Abstract: A system may limit the number of times an inhalation device transmits inhalation data to a single time to reduce the battery usage of the inhalation device. The system may include an inhalation device that has medicament and an electronics module. The system may limit the number of times the inhalation device transmits new inhalation data to any mobile device to a single time by causing the server to receive the new inhalation data from one of the mobile devices and causing the server to transmit the new inhalation data to other of the mobile devices prior to the other mobile devices transmitting a request for the new inhalation data to the inhalation device. The inhalation device may include a Quick Response (QR) code, and a mobile application may determine at least one of a medication type or a number of doses of the inhalation device from the QR code.

Abstract: A system may limit the number of times an inhalation device transmits inhalation data to a single time to reduce the battery usage of the inhalation device. The system may include an inhalation device that has medicament and an electronics module. The system may limit the number of times the inhalation device transmits new inhalation data to any mobile device to a single time by causing the server to receive the new inhalation data from one of the mobile devices and causing the server to transmit the new inhalation data to other of the mobile devices prior to the other mobile devices transmitting a request for the new inhalation data to the inhalation device. The inhalation device may include a Quick Response (QR) code, and a mobile application may determine at least one of a medication type or a number of doses of the inhalation device from the QR code.

Abstract: The introduction of electronics into a drug delivery device may introduce certain technical challenges, such as durability, electro-mechanical integration, and drug delivery performance. The present disclosure provides solutions for inclusion of an electronics module with an inhaler. For example, heat stakes may be used to secure a printed circuit board (PCB) to an electronics module's housing. Also for example, a slider may be used to transfer vertical movement of an inhaler's yoke to an electronics module's switch. Also for example, certain seals may be used when interfacing the electronics module to other portions of the device's housing to achieve a desired performance.

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.

Abstract: The introduction of electronics into a drug delivery device may introduce certain technical challenges, such as durability, electro-mechanical integration, and drug delivery performance. The present disclosure provides solutions for inclusion of an electronics module with an inhaler. For example, heat stakes may be used to secure a printed circuit board (PCB) to an electronics module's housing. Also for example, a slider may be used to transfer vertical movement of an inhaler's yoke to an electronics module's switch. Also for example, certain seals may be used when interfacing the electronics module to other portions of the device's housing to achieve a desired performance.

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.

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.

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.