A fluid dynamic valve passively allows fluid flow out of a moving stream in one flow direction and not in the reverse. This allows the collection of fluid from a single direction of an AC fluid flow. The siphoned portion of the flow has a flow rate proportional to the mainstream flow. This device can collect exhaled breath or selective entrenchment during inhale. In one orientation, it can meter aerosolized particles into an inhale breath stream for pulmonary delivery, without complicated breath timing or drug loss due to drug adsorption to the back of the throat. Alternatively, a user can breathe through the device and a proportional amount, relative to the volumetric flow rate, of each exhale can flow into an auxiliary chamber for analysis. In addition, the device has a low respiratory burden and is comfortable to use.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring and patient interaction. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate a patient's adherence to a medication schedule and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the patient's adherence to the medication schedule. In one embodiment, a medical accessory such as a cap is provided that can be configured to attach to existing medication dispensers, such as asthma inhalers, or to be integrated into a custom-made medication dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to the patient when medication is due. The accessory can be configured to detect usage of the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide data regarding dispensing of the medication to an external device. The data can be analyzed and provided for visualization on a user interface.

An example aerosol delivery device includes a mouthpiece having an airflow outlet, and an airflow passage extending between an airflow inlet and the airflow outlet. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a housing configured to receive a cartridge that includes an aerosolizable substance and a vapor element configured to heat the aerosolizable substance, and an internal power source configured to provide electrical power. The example aerosol delivery device further includes a controller coupled to the internal power source to receive a portion of the electrical power and configured to, when the cartridge is installed at the housing, cause the vapor element of the cartridge to heat the aerosolizable substance to release an aerosol into the airflow passage during an inhalation through the airflow outlet, and a connector configured to receive power from an external source to recharge the internal power source.

Deformable valves and atomizer designs for a vaporizer (e.g., electronic cigarette). The vaporizer may be used for vaporization of liquid and/or organic material. The vaporizer may enable enhanced flow control of fluid and may generate high quality and quantity of vapor efficiently. In some instances, flow path of the vaporizer may allow bulk fluid flow, e.g., in contrast to capillary flow, to deliver fluid to a vicinity of the vaporizer. In some instances, the vaporizer may utilize improved atomizer designs for vaporizing devices, where said designs can be configured optionally, with various embodiments of a breath-modulating deformable valve.

A device for delivering a predetermined volume a substance within a body cavity. The device includes: at least one predefined volume sized and shaped to contain a predetermined volume the substance; a delivery end in fluid communication with a container; and at least one valve mechanically connected to the container and configurable between an active configuration in which the valve enables delivery of a volume of the substance and an inactive configuration, in which the valve prevents delivery.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring and patient interaction. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate a patient's adherence to a medication schedule and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the patient's adherence to the medication schedule. In one embodiment, a medical accessory such as a cap is provided that can be configured to attach to existing medication dispensers, such as asthma inhalers, or to be integrated into a custom-made medication dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to the patient when medication is due. The accessory can be configured to detect usage of the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide data regarding dispensing of the medication to an external device. The data can be analyzed and provided for visualization on a user interface.

An inhaler comprising an elongate housing containing a reservoir of inhalable composition. An outlet for the composition and suction port are provided at one end of the housing. A diaphragm is mounted in the housing defining a suction chamber such that suction on the suction port reduces the size of the suction chamber. An elongate leaf spring is mounted at one end to the housing at the end of the suction chamber opposite to the suction port, and is pivotally mounted at an intermediate portion about a pivot point. A valve element is at the end of the leaf spring opposite to the one end and is biased closed. Suction on the suction port deflects the diaphragm and hence the leaf spring between the one end and the pivot point causing the opposite end of the leaf spring to pivot about the pivot point thereby causing the valve element to open.

Deformable valves and atomizer designs for a vaporizer (e.g., electronic cigarette). The vaporizer may be used for vaporization of liquid and/or organic material. The vaporizer may enable enhanced flow control of fluid and may generate high quality and quantity of vapor efficiently. In some instances, flow path of the vaporizer may allow bulk fluid flow, e.g., in contrast to capillary flow, to deliver fluid to a vicinity of the vaporizer. In some instances, the vaporizer may utilize improved atomizer designs for vaporizing devices, where said designs can be configured optionally, with various embodiments of a breath-modulating deformable valve.

A device for delivering a predetermined volume a substance within a body cavity. The device includes: at least one predefined volume sized and shaped to contain a predetermined volume the substance; a delivery end in fluid communication with a container; and at least one valve mechanically connected to the container and configurable between an active configuration in which the valve enables delivery of a volume of the substance and an inactive configuration, in which the valve prevents delivery.

Drug delivery devices that include a microphone and processing circuitry that can detect operating events, such as peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and Breath Actuated Mechanism (BAM) in dry powder inhalers can be used to improve clinical trials by providing information about the way in which the inhalers under test are being used.