Method and device for monitoring drug intake
Inventors
MIKOSZ, Tomasz • MIKOSZ, Jacek • CZYZ, Michal
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12102750-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for monitoring drug use from a drug dispenser in the form of a dispenser cap, especially an inhaler, comprising a sensor for measuring drug release from the dispenser. As a drug release measurement sensor (2) a piezoelectric transducer (2) is used, while a piezoelectric transducer (2) is connected to a microprocessor. The cap includes the activator (1) of the drug release measurement sensor (2) associated movably connected with the piezoelectric transducer (2), wherein the piezoelectric transducer (2) is located in the cap in such a way that, with the help of the activator (1) of the drug release measurement sensor (2), after using the drug dispenser, the force pressure on the cap as a kinetic force is transmitted from the activator (1) of the drug release measurement sensor (2) directly to the piezoelectric transducer (2), which measures the transferred kinetic force.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for monitoring a drug intake from a dispenser, the device having a form of a dispenser cap. The device includes a measurement sensor for measuring the drug intake from the dispenser, wherein the measurement sensor is a piezoelectric transducer located within the dispenser cap. The device further includes a microprocessor connected with the measurement sensor and an activator contactable with the measurement sensor, such that the force used to press the dispenser cap is transferred as a kinetic force from the activator to the measurement sensor that measures the transferred kinetic force.
In one mechanical arrangement, the activator forms an upper cover of a housing of the dispenser cap and is located above the measurement sensor. The device comprises a reflection spring such that a pressure applied on the upper cover causes a pressure on the reflection spring, and a maximum deflection of the reflection spring causes a contact of the upper cover with the piezoelectric transducer. This causes the force of the pressure to be transferred to the measurement sensor.
The microprocessor compares the measured piezoelectric voltage corresponding to the kinetic force with a programmed threshold value to classify the outcome as correct use or incorrect/attempted dosing, and to register the numerical value. The same piezoelectric transducer can also generate sound signals for communication with a user, where sound propagates outside the dispenser cap via a resonance chamber and an opening, and the microprocessor can be powered by a coin-cell battery to generate sound signals as a result of events programmed in the microprocessor.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover multiple aspects of a dispenser-cap monitoring device and two associated methods. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include a piezoelectric transducer-based measurement sensor housed in a dispenser cap and coupled via an activator to transfer pressing force as kinetic force, microprocessor processing including threshold-based comparison or programmed sound-signal events, and specific mechanical and acoustic structures such as a reflection spring, resonance chamber, opening, and sound propagation beyond the cap.
Piezoelectric transducer in a dispenser cap with kinetic-force transfer by an activator
The measurement sensor is a piezoelectric transducer located within the dispenser cap such that the force used to press the dispenser cap is transferred as a kinetic force from the activator to the measurement sensor that measures the transferred kinetic force.
Reflection spring upper cover force transfer to the piezoelectric transducer
The activator forms an upper cover of a housing of the dispenser cap located above the measurement sensor, and the device further comprises a reflection spring such that a pressure applied on the upper cover causes a pressure on the reflection spring, wherein a maximum deflection of the reflection spring causes a contact of the upper cover with the piezoelectric transducer, thereby causing the force of the pressure to be transferred to the measurement sensor.
Acoustic signal generator as the measurement sensor
An acoustic signal generator that functions as the measurement sensor.
Piezoelectric transducer monitoring with flexible activator bendable into a resonance chamber area
The activator is made of a flexible material that can bend into a resonance chamber area.
Threshold-based kinetic-force numerical value classification as correct dosage or attempt to dose
At the microprocessor, using an algorithm to convert the electric voltage into a numerical value and comparing the numerical value with a programmed numerical value that corresponds to a threshold value of the kinetic force and registering the numerical value; in response to detecting that numerical value of the kinetic force exceeds a minimum threshold, recording this situation as a correct dosage; and in response to detecting that numerical value of the kinetic force does not exceed the minimum threshold, recording this situation as an attempt to dose the drug.
Resonance chamber opening and microprocessor-powered piezoelectric sound generation
The measurement sensor is located in a dispenser cap adjacently to a resonance chamber having an opening that allows sound signals to pass outside the cap, wherein the microprocessor is powered by a coin-cell battery, and generating sound signals by sending an electric pulse to the measurement sensor thereby causing a metal plate of the piezoelectric transducer to move and consequently generate sound waves in air that travel outside the dispenser cap via the resonance chamber with the opening.
Overall, the independent claims define a dispenser-cap device that monitors drug intake by measuring a kinetic force transferred from an activator to a piezoelectric transducer within the cap and processed by a microprocessor. Additional independent claim coverage includes mechanical coupling via a reflection spring and alternative acoustic structures, including resonance-chamber-related sound signal generation with an opening for sound to pass outside the cap.
Stated Advantages
Enables monitoring a drug intake from a dispenser by measuring force transferred as kinetic force using a piezoelectric transducer in a dispenser cap.
Classifies dosing outcomes by comparing a measured kinetic-force-related numerical value with a programmed threshold and registering the numerical value as correct dosage or attempt to dose.
Generates sound signals for communication with a user by producing sound waves that travel outside the dispenser cap via a resonance chamber with an opening.
Supports different events being programmed in the microprocessor for sound signaling.
Allows microprocessor operation for sound-signals using a coin-cell battery.
Documented Applications
Monitoring drug intake from a dispenser using a dispenser-cap device that measures transferred kinetic force with a piezoelectric transducer and uses microprocessor processing for correct dosage or attempt-to-dose recording.
Generating sound signals for communication with a user of a dispenser using a dispenser-cap structure with a resonance chamber and an opening that allows sound signals to pass outside the cap.
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