INHALER AND EVALUATION UNIT THEREFOR

Abstract

An inhaler with an evaluation unit, a housing with a mouthpiece and a chamber with a container unit. Provided between the container unit and a chamber wall is an annular gap, through which air is sucked in and mixes with medium flowing through a discharge. The evaluation unit is mounted on the container unit and is pressed down together with a container of the container unit and detects air sucked through the annular gap. A measuring channel forms part of a first flow path for air flowing into the chamber from a surrounding area and a flow sensor detects the air flowing through the measuring channel. A second flow path is provided for air flowing into the chamber from a surrounding area, the flow resistance of which second path is equal to or lower than that of the first flow path.

Claims

1. An inhaler for dispensing an inhalable medium, with the following features: a. the inhaler has a housing with a mouthpiece and with a chamber for a container unit, which chamber is surrounded by a chamber wall and is open at one end, and b. the inhaler has a container unit arranged in the chamber, and c. the container unit has an outlet connector which is attached to a discharge channel of the housing in a communicating manner, and also a container for storing the medium before discharge, wherein, by moving the container with respect to the outlet connector, an outlet valve of the container unit can be opened, and d. the container of the container unit faces the open end of the chamber so that it can be pressed down in order thereby to open the outlet valve and allow medium to pass through the discharge channel to a discharge opening at the end of the discharge channel, and e. an annular gap is provided between the container and the chamber wall of the chamber, through which annular gap air is sucked in during inhalation and mixes with the medium flowing out through the discharge opening, and f. the inhaler has an evaluation unit which is placed onto that end of the container facing away from the outlet connector and can be pressed down together with the container, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to detect the air sucked in at the mouthpiece, and g. the evaluation unit comprises a measuring channel with a measuring channel inlet and a measuring channel outlet, wherein the measuring channel forms part of a first flow path for air flowing into the open end of the chamber from an environment and, between the measuring channel inlet and the measuring channel outlet, has a flow sensor for detecting the air flowing through the measuring channel, and h. a second flow path is provided for air flowing into the open end of the chamber from an environment, which second flow path does not lead through the measuring channel, and i. the first flow path and the second flow path are matched to each other in such a way that the flow resistance of the first flow path corresponds at least to the flow resistance of the second flow path.

2. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with at least one of the following further features: a. the flow resistance of the first flow path from an environment to the mouthpiece measures at least 1,000,000 N.Math.s/m.sup.5, and/or b. the flow resistance of the second flow path from an environment to the mouthpiece measures a maximum of 1,000,000 N.Math.s/m.sup.5, and/or c. the flow resistance of the first flow path is at least a factor of 10 greater than the flow resistance of the second flow path.

3. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the flow sensor is designed as a thermal flow sensor and has two temperature sensors and, arranged between them, a heating element.

4. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. a measuring channel connector through which the measuring channel extends has a shape that tapers in the direction of an outlet opening of the measuring channel.

5. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the evaluation unit has a head portion and an apron portion extending therefrom in an angular range <360° in the direction of the chamber wall, wherein the apron portion is arranged outside a measuring channel connector through which the measuring channel extends.

6. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the evaluation unit and the chamber wall of the chamber are matched to each other in terms of their shape, in such a way that the evaluation unit can be placed onto the container in a defined rotational position or a defined rotational position range.

7. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. a measuring channel outlet of the measuring channel is arranged in the annular gap at least when the container is pressed down.

8. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the evaluation unit has a flow sensor unit which has a sensor housing with a non-linear sensor channel.

9. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. a housing of the evaluation unit has at least one aperture for air to flow into the measuring channel.

10. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the second flow path runs through an inflow gap, which is formed on the one hand by an upper end of the chamber wall and on the other hand by a head portion of the evaluation unit.

11. An evaluation unit for an inhaler for dispensing an inhalable medium, with the following features: a. the evaluation unit is provided for use with an inhaler which has a housing with a mouthpiece and with a chamber which is surrounded by a chamber wall and has a container unit inserted therein, wherein an annular gap is provided between a container of the container unit and the chamber wall of the chamber, through which annular gap air is sucked in during inhalation and mixes with the medium flowing out of the container through a discharge opening, and b. the evaluation unit has a fastening portion with an insertion region for inserting a bottom of the container in an insertion direction, c. the evaluation unit has a measuring channel connector which extends parallel to the insertion direction and through which a measuring channel extends through which a proportion of the air flowing in during inhalation reaches the annular gap, wherein the measuring channel connector is provided to protrude from above into the annular gap, and d. the measuring channel has a flow sensor for detecting the air flowing through the measuring channel.

12. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the evaluation unit has a control circuit which receives output signals from the flow sensor and is provided to evaluate the output signals.

13. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with at least one of the following further features: a. the evaluation unit has a one-piece inner component which directly delimits an insertion region for fastening to the container and which at least in part defines the measuring channel, and/or b. the evaluation unit has an at least two-part fastening portion which delimits an insertion region, the size of the insertion region being adaptable by moving the two parts, and/or c. the evaluation unit has a receptacle for a battery.

14. The inhaler as claimed in claim 1, with at least one of the following further features: a. the evaluation unit has a sensor for detecting accelerations and/or for detecting a shaking movement, and/or b. the evaluation unit has a sensor for detecting an actuation force, exerted on the evaluation unit from above, relative to the container, and/or c. the evaluation unit has an output device in the form of a display, in the form of at least one signal light and/or an acoustic signal generator, and/or d. the evaluation unit has a communication device for communication with an external communication site.

15. The inhaler as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the evaluation unit has a head portion, and an apron portion extending therefrom in the direction of the chamber wall, wherein the apron portion has an inwardly facing shape that is adapted for form-fit engagement on a non-rotationally symmetrical outer shape of the chamber wall to provide locking against rotation, and/or the annular gap between the container and an inner face of the chamber wall has a non-uniform inside width and is not sufficiently dimensioned circumferentially to accommodate a measuring channel connector through which the measuring channel extends, and/or in the rotational position or the rotational position range in which the evaluation unit can be placed onto the container, the measuring channel is arranged opposite the mouthpiece.

16. The inhaler as claimed in claim 7, wherein the measuring channel outlet of the measuring channel is already arranged in the annular gap when the container is not pressed down.

17. The inhaler as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor channel is bent twice, in each case by 90°.

18. The inhaler as claimed in claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit has a main board for receiving electronic components, which main board is provided orthogonally to the direction of displacement of the container in a head portion of the evaluation unit, wherein the flow sensor unit is fastened directly on the main board, and wherein an inlet of the sensor channel and/or an outlet of the sensor channel point in the direction of the annular gap.

19. The inhaler as claimed in claim 9, wherein: at least one aperture allowing air to flow in is provided on an upper face of a head portion of the evaluation unit, and/or at least one aperture allowing air to flow in is provided on a lateral surface of the evaluation unit.

20. The inhaler as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one aperture is provided on the lateral surface of the evaluation unit in an apron portion extending in the direction of the chamber wall.

21. The inhaler as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the inflow gap surrounds the container at least in an angular range of 180°, and/or the inflow gap has a width between the head portion and the one upper end of the chamber wall of at least 1 mm.

22. The inhaler as claimed in claim 12, wherein: the evaluation unit is designed to use the air flow along the first flow path to calculate the total air flow along the first and second flow paths, wherein the evaluation unit is also designed to calculate the total air flow on the basis of a non-linear relationship between the air flow in the first flow path and the total air flow, and/or the evaluation unit evaluates the detected or calculated air flow with regard to its strength and/or with regard to its timing with the pressing down of the container, and/or the evaluation unit is designed to give a user visual, haptic or acoustic feedback, wherein the evaluation unit can be designed to give the feedback during the inhalation procedure and/or after the inhalation procedure.

23. The inhaler as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a pull-out battery carrier to accommodate the battery, and the battery carrier forms a locking portion with which an inner component and an outer component of the evaluation unit can be locked on to each other.

24. The inhaler as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sensor for detecting the actuation force is in the form of a sensor film that changes its electrical resistance when compressed.

25. The inhaler as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile terminal configured for communication according to a Wi-Fi standard, a Bluetooth standard or a mobile radio standard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become clear from the claims and from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows an inhaler according to the invention, consisting of a generic inhaler and an evaluation unit according to the invention, which is not yet coupled to the generic inhaler.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows the inhaler according to the invention with a coupled evaluation unit.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows the inhaler in a sectional view.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view, from which the individual components of the evaluation unit can be seen.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a flow sensor unit of the evaluation unit.

[0066] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the inhaler in use, in the not yet pressed down and in the pressed down state of the container and the evaluation unit.

[0067] FIGS. 8 and 9 show, in different sections, the flow paths of the air during use of the inhaler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0068] FIG. 1 shows an inhaler 10 according to the invention, which is composed of an essentially generic inhaler and of an evaluation unit 60 designed according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows the inhaler 10 after addition of the evaluation unit 60. FIG. 3 shows a sectional view thereof.

[0069] The essentially generic type of inhaler comprises a housing 20 which, in the manner customary for MDI dispensers, has an approximate L-shape. The housing 20 has in particular a vertical main portion, which forms a chamber 12 for a container unit 50, and also a mouthpiece 22, which is angled relative to the main portion and is shown in FIG. 1 with a protective cap attached.

[0070] The chamber 12 is delimited by a chamber wall 24 and is designed to be open at the top, such that a container unit 50 can be inserted here. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the container unit 50 has a container 52, provided for receiving liquid, and an outlet connector 56. The outlet connector 56 can be displaced in the direction of the container 52 counter to the force of a valve spring of an outlet valve 54, thereby opening the outlet valve 54. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the container unit 50 is accommodated in the chamber 12 in an upside down position. The outlet connector 56 protrudes into a receiving structure of the housing 20 which has a discharge channel 30 and a discharge opening 32 at the end of the discharge channel 30. If the container 52 is pressed down, liquid is discharged through the outlet connector 56 and the discharge channel 30 and the discharge opening 32 in the direction of the mouthpiece 22 and mixes with air that is inhaled by the user at the same time. This air is sucked into the inhaler 10 through an annular gap 14 between the container 52 and the chamber wall 24.

[0071] The evaluation unit 60, not yet attached in FIG. 1, has a head portion 60A, which in the attached state in FIGS. 2 and 3 is located predominantly above the container 52, and also an apron portion 60B protruding laterally therefrom. In a manner that will be seen from the figures that follow, the apron portion 60B is designed to correspond to the chamber wall 24, such that, in the attached state in FIGS. 2 and 3, it prevents the evaluation unit 60 as a whole from being able to rotate about the main axis of the container 52. Even when the evaluation unit 60 is attached, a wide inflow gap 8 remains between the evaluation unit 60 and an upper edge of the chamber wall 24. This distance is of relevance, because it ensures that the user inhales air through the annular gap 14 counter to only a slight flow resistance.

[0072] As can be seen from FIG. 3 and as is explained in more detail in the illustrations that follow, the evaluation unit 60 has a measuring channel connector 76 which has a measuring channel 70 running through it and which protrudes into the annular gap 14 between the chamber wall 24 and the container 52. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 60 has an insertion region 78 which is adapted to the dimensions of the container 52 in such a way that it enters into a clamping connection with the latter and can be released without application of great force.

[0073] FIG. 3 also shows that the evaluation unit 60 is closed off from the outside primarily by an inner component 62 and an outer component 64, which together delimit an inner region with a main board 80 and with a flow sensor unit 90 attached to the latter.

[0074] The individual components of the evaluation unit 60 can be seen in particular from FIG. 4.

[0075] It will be seen in FIG. 4 that, in addition to the inner component 62 and the outer component 64, the evaluation unit 60 comprises in particular a main board 80, which is connected to the outer component 64 in a manner not shown and on its underside has a receiving well for a battery 67 and the battery tray 66 of the latter. When the battery carrier 66 is inserted here, the inner component 62 and the outer component 64 are locked on to each other. Between the board 80 and the outer component 64, an actuation surface 61 is also provided, which interacts with a film 84 for force detection. This can in particular be a film whose electrical resistance undergoes a change when it is pressed together. A processor 82, an acceleration sensor 86 and a miniaturized loudspeaker 88 and a Bluetooth communication device 89 are also attached to the board.

[0076] In the context of the invention, however, the most essential component on the board 80 is a flow sensor unit 90, which is mounted on the underside of the board 80 and is shown in section in FIG. 5 in a position tilted through 180°. This flow sensor unit 90 has a sensor channel 92 which is angled twice by 90° in each case and which is part of the already mentioned measuring channel 70. In this sensor channel 92, a flow sensor 94 is provided which is composed of a plurality of elements, namely of two temperature sensors 96, 98, between which a heating element 97 is arranged. If no air flows through the sensor channel 92, then heating by means of the heating element 97 symmetrically causes identical heating of the air at both temperature sensors. When air flows through the flow sensor unit 90 along the dotted line, the heating takes place asymmetrically. The greater the air flow, the lower the temperature at the temperature sensor 96 and the higher the temperature at the temperature sensor 98.

[0077] FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate the use of the inhaler and the evaluation that takes place. Proceeding from the state of FIG. 6, the user holds the inhaler 10, in the orientation clearly illustrated in the figures, in front of his face and encloses the mouthpiece 22 with his lips. He then inhales air and, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7, presses with a finger on the actuation surface 61, wherein the evaluation unit 60 as a whole, together with the container 52, is pressed down in the direction of arrow 4, and a discharge of atomized liquid through the discharge opening 32 thus takes place.

[0078] The air that has been sucked in in the meantime flows for the most part through the gap 8 into the annular gap 14 between the container 52 and the chamber wall 24. A smaller proportion of the air additionally flows through the apertures 65 in the outer component 64 into the annular gap 14.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that a large part of the air flows in along the flow path 110 shown with dashed lines. Since both the inflow gap 8 and the annular gap 14 cause little flow resistance, the air flowing in on this flow path 110 flows largely unimpeded to the mouthpiece 22. At the same time, however, air also flows along a flow path 100 to the mouthpiece 22. This flow path 100 runs through the apertures 65 and an aperture of the inner component 62 into the measuring channel 70. The most essential part of this measuring channel 70 is the sensor channel 92 in the flow sensor unit 90 shown in FIG. 5. There, the air flow is measured using the flow sensor 94. The air flows onward into that part of the measuring channel 70 that runs through the already described measuring channel connector 76, and it thus reaches the annular gap 14.

[0080] Although a comparatively small proportion of the total air flow of both flow paths 110, 100 is formed here by the air flowing along the flow path 100 and through the measuring channel 70, in the present case about 1% to 2% of the total air flow, it is possible, on account of a defined relationship between the air flows along the flow paths 100, 110, to draw a conclusion regarding the total air flow.

[0081] After the completion of an inhalation procedure that has been detected by means of the force sensor 84, it is thus possible, for example, for the processor 82 of the evaluation unit 60 to calculate whether the inhalation has taken place in the desired manner, in particular whether the user has inhaled sufficiently deeply and whether the inhalation and the triggering of the discharge were correctly timed in relation to each other. If this is the case, the loudspeaker 88 can be used to emit a suitable noise. If the discharge procedure does not take place within the desired parameters, another kind of noise can make this clear to the user.

[0082] In a manner not shown in detail, in addition to immediate notification to the user, data can also be stored or passed on, for example to a cell phone, such that the data can be evaluated at a later point in time by other people involved, for example the prescribing physician. The communication device 89 can be used for this purpose. In particular, this establishes a connection to a smartphone, from which the data can be forwarded. The detected data can also be supplemented with geolocation data by the inhaler itself or by the smartphone.

[0083] The different flow paths 100, 110 have the effect that a precise measurement of the inhaled air flow is possible at the same time, without this having the consequence of making inhalation considerably more difficult for the user.