Abstract: Therapy regimes of a plurality of subjects are remotely monitored and/or managed, wherein the therapy regimes include reception of aerosolized medicament. This enables users such as medical care providers, researchers, clinic administrators, and/or other users to monitor and/or manage the therapy regimes of the plurality of subjects through a centralized access point. This reduces physical requirements of proximity for the users and/or the subjects, alleviates the administrative burden placed on the users to manage and/or monitor individual therapy regimes, and/or provides other enhancements over convention systems.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a housing that is constructed and arranged to be removably attached to a drug delivery device for an inhaled drug. A color detector is operatively associated with the housing and constructed and arranged to detect an identifying color of at least a portion of the drug delivery device when the housing is attached to the drug delivery device and to output color information for use by a processor to, based on the detected color, identify information about the inhaled drug.

Abstract: A nebulizer comprises a head detachably coupled to a body. The head comprises a nebulizer, an air channel and a flow sensor. A nebulized liquid is released in an air channel that ends in a mouth piece through which a user inhales and exhales. The inhaling and exhaling causes a flow in the air channel which is detected with the flow sensor. The nebulizer is controlled by a controller included in the body.

Abstract: A nebulizer (1) comprises one or more removable components (5,7,9,13), for example a mesh assembly (9), mouthpiece, plunger assembly (7) and medication chamber (13), each having an associated data carrier (5a, 7a, 9a). The data carrier (5a, 7a, 9a) can be used to store information indicating the type of removable component (5,7,9,13) that is fitted to the nebulizer (1). A removable component (5,7,9,13) may be from a set of such removable components. For example, a mouthpiece (5) fitted to the nebulizer (1) may be from a set of mouthpieces having different flow rates. The data carrier (5a, 7a, 9a) may also be used to control operation of the nebulizer (1). A data carrier (9a) attached to a mesh (9) may be used to prevent the nebulizer (1) from being used when the mesh (9) has been used a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A respiratory drug delivery apparatus (2) includes a medication storage and delivery device (8) having an outlet (30) and a feedback and compliance device (32) coupled thereto. The feedback and compliance device has an opening, and the outlet of the medication storage and delivery device is received through the opening. The feedback and compliance device includes: (i) one or more sensors (46, 52, 54, 56), each of the one or more sensors being structured to sense a parameter relating to use of the respiratory drug delivery apparatus without modifying or interfering with a flow of medication introduced by actuation of the medication storage and delivery device, (ii) one or more feedback devices (48, 50, 62), and (iii) a processing unit (42) programmed to cause the one or more feedback devices to provide feedback information to a patient (4) regarding use of the respiratory drug delivery apparatus based on an output of at least one of the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method to aid in administering inhaled pharmaceutical aerosol to a patient is configured to maintain a tongue in proper position and offset the patients upper and lower jaws during aerosol delivery. An adjustable member (26) is provided adjacent a mouthpiece and at least partially surrounds and moves with respect to the body of the apparatus. The adjustable member has a step structured (32, 34) to impart a selected amount of mandibular advancement to a patient during aerosol delivery. A tongue depressor (40) which may be integrally formed with the adjustable member configured to prevent a tongue from occluding a flow of aerosol is also provided.

Abstract: A nebulizer comprises a head detachably coupled to a body. The head comprises nebulizing means, an air channel and a flow sensor. A nebulized liquid is released in an air channel that ends in a mouth piece through which a user inhales and exhales. The inhaling and exhaling causes a flow in the air channel which is detected with the flow sensor. The nebulizing means are controlled by control means included in the body.

Abstract: A nebulizer comprises a head detachably coupled to a body. The head comprises the nebulizer, an air channel and a flow sensor. A nebulized liquid is released in an air channel that ends in a mouth piece through which a user inhales and exhales. The inhaling and exhaling causes a flow in the air channel which is detected with the flow sensor. The nebulizer is controlled by controls and sensors included in the body.

Abstract: A drug package comprising a plurality of drug vials containing drugs for delivery to a patient in a drug delivery device; and a data carrier including drug treatment information for use by the drug delivery apparatus.

Abstract: Therapy regimes of a plurality of subjects are remotely monitored and/or managed, wherein the therapy regimes include reception of aerosolized medicament. This enables users such as medical care providers, researchers, clinic administrators, and/or other users to monitor and/or manage the therapy regimes of the plurality of subjects through a centralized access point. This reduces physical requirements of proximity for the users and/or the subjects, alleviates the administrative burden placed on the users to manage and/or monitor individual therapy regimes, and/or provides other enhancements over convention systems.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system (e.g., MDI or nebulizer for delivering aerosolized medication to a patient) includes a temperature sensor (10) in an aerosol output pathway of the system. A controller (600) determines that an aerosol generator of the system has released aerosol when the sensor senses a predetermined temperature change in the pathway. The temperature sensor may also comprise a thermal flow sensor that includes a heater and upstream and downstream temperature sensors. The controller compares the upstream and downstream temperatures to determine the presence, direction, and/or magnitude of fluid flow in the pathway. The controller may use the aerosol detection and/or flow detection to monitor compliance with desired use of the system and/or provide real-time instructions to a user for proper use of the system. The controller may record the aerosolization and flow data for later analysis.

Abstract: A respiratory drug delivery apparatus (2) includes a medication storage and delivery device (8) having an outlet (30) and a feedback and compliance device (32) coupled thereto. The feedback and compliance device has an opening, and the outlet of the medication storage and delivery device is received through the opening. The feedback and compliance device includes: (i) one or more sensors (46, 52, 54, 56), each of the one or more sensors being structured to sense a parameter relating to use of the respiratory drug delivery apparatus without modifying or interfering with a flow of medication introduced by actuation of the medication storage and delivery device, (ii) one or more feedback devices (48, 50, 62), and (iii) a processing unit (42) programmed to cause the one or more feedback devices to provide feedback information to a patient (4) regarding use of the respiratory drug delivery apparatus based on an output of at least one of the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system (e.g., MDI or nebulizer for delivering aerosolized medication to a patient) includes a temperature sensor in an aerosol output pathway of the system. A controller determines that an aerosol generator of the system has released aerosol when the sensor senses a predetermined temperature change in the pathway. The temperature sensor may also comprise a thermal flow sensor that includes a heater and upstream and downstream temperature sensors. The controller compares the upstream and downstream temperatures to determine the presence, direction, and/or magnitude of fluid flow in the pathway. The controller may use the aerosol detection and/or flow detection to monitor compliance with desired use of the system and/or provide real-time instructions to a user for proper use of the system. The controller may record the aerosolization and flow data for later analysis.

Abstract: A nebulizer (10) comprises a head detachably coupled to a body. The head comprises nebulizing means (42, 40, 44), an air channel (50) and a flow sensor (52). A nebulized liquid is released in an air channel (50) that ends in a mouth piece 70 through which a user inhales (5) and exhales (7). The inhaling and exhaling causes a flow in the air channel which is detected with the flow sensor (52). The nebulizing means are controlled by control means (60, 62) included in the body.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system (e.g., MDI or nebulizer for delivering aerosolized medication to a patient) includes a temperature sensor in an aerosol output pathway of the system. A controller determines that an aerosol generator of the system has released aerosol when the sensor senses a predetermined temperature change in the pathway. The temperature sensor may also comprise a thermal flow sensor that includes a heater and upstream and downstream temperature sensors. The controller compares the upstream and downstream temperatures to determine the presence, direction, and/or magnitude of fluid flow in the pathway. The controller may use the aerosol detection and/or flow detection to monitor compliance with desired use of the system and/or provide real-time instructions to a user for proper use of the system. The controller may record the aerosolization and flow data for later analysis.

Abstract: A nebulizer (1) comprises one or more removable components (5,7,9,13), for example a mesh assembly (9), mouthpiece, plunger assembly (7) and medication chamber (13), each having an associated data carrier (5a, 7a, 9a). The data carrier (5a, 7a, 9a) can be used to store information indicating the type of removable component (5,7,9,13) that is fitted to the nebulizer (1). A removable component (5,7,9,13) may be from a set of such removable components. For example, a mouthpiece (5) fitted to the nebulizer (1) may be from a set of mouthpieces having different flow rates. The data carrier (5a, 7a, 9a) may also be used to control operation of the nebulizer (1). A data carrier (9a) attached to a mesh (9) may be used to prevent the nebulizer (1) from being used when the mesh (9) has been used a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method to aid in administering inhaled pharmaceutical aerosol to a patient is configured to maintain a tongue in proper position and offset the patients upper and lower jaws during aerosol delivery. An adjustable member (26) is provided adjacent a mouthpiece and at least partially surrounds and moves with respect to the body of the apparatus. The adjustable member has a step structured (32, 34) to impart a selected amount of mandibular advancement to a patient during aerosol delivery. A tongue depressor (40) which may be integrally formed with the adjustable member configured to prevent a tongue from occluding a flow of aerosol is also provided.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a housing that is constructed and arranged to be removably attached to a drug delivery device for an inhaled drug. A color detector is operatively associated with the housing and constructed and arranged to detect an identifying color of at least a portion of the drug delivery device when the housing is attached to the drug delivery device and to output color information for use by a processor to, based on the detected color, identify information about the inhaled drug.

Abstract: A mask (10) may be used in therapeutic gas delivery to one or more external orifices (e.g., the nostrils and/or mouth) of a subject (12) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mask (10) may include a mask body (14), a seal portion (16), a source connector (18), and an exhaust valve (20). The mask (10) may be configured to be placed against the face (22) of the subject (12) with a sealed interface there between such that a chamber (24) is formed by the mask (10) and the face (22) of the subject (12) that encloses the one or more external orifices of the subject (12). During use, a breathable substance can be provided into the chamber (24) from a source of the breathable substance through the source connector (18).

Abstract: Various embodiments of a valved holding chamber and a mask for a respiratory drug delivery apparatus each having an exhalation valve element having two portions which, based on the movement thereof, encourages proper use of the device. Also, a valved holding chamber having an MDI adapter having a rigid outer portion and a flexible inner portion structured to receive and hold an outlet of an MDI. In addition, a mouthpiece assembly for a valved holding chamber that includes a main body portion and a mouthpiece portion having a plurality of legs for supporting the valved holding chamber in a first orientation and preventing it from freely rolling.