Ulllted States Patent [19]
`O’C0nn0r
`
`US006029659A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,029,659
`*Feb. 29, 2000
`
`[54] INHALATION DEVICE WITH COUNTER
`
`5,363,842 11/1994 Mishelevich et a1. ........... .. 128/200.14
`5,392,768
`2/1995 Joharsson et a1.
`128/200.14
`
`Inventor: James AI 0,C0nn0r, Ulster Park,
`
`5,411,173
`
`
`
`Goodman et a1. .. 5/1995 Weinstein . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . . . . .. 222/38
`
`[73] Assignee. Solar Shield Corporation, Ulster Park,
`N'Y
`
`[ * ]
`
`Notice:
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`
`1 '
`
`C mm“
`
`.
`
`8/1996 JeWett et al. ..................... .. 128/200.23
`5,544,647
`5,564,414 10/1996 Walker et al. ................... .. 128/20023
`Primary Examiner—John G. Weiss
`Assist/mt Examiner_J0Seph F Weiss Jr,
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[21] Appl- NO-I 08/423,228
`.
`_
`Apr‘ 17’ 1995
`[22] Flled'
`[51]
`Int. Cl.7 ........................ .. A61M 15/00; A61M 16/10
`[52] US. Cl. .............................. .. 128/203.12; 128/200.23;
`12800315
`[58] Field Of Search ....................... .. 128/200.14, 200.23,
`12800024 20022 20312 20523 20315
`’
`’
`’
`’
`References Cited
`
`[56]
`
`Us‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,296,756 10/1981 Dunning et a1. ...................... .. 128/716
`__ 128/200_23
`__ Egg/20023
`....... .. 222/38
`
`5,020,527
`
`6/1991 Dessertine ...... ..
`
`.
`
`
`
`5,284,133 5,328,597
`
`
`
`2/1994 Burns et a1. 7/1994 Boldt, Jr.. et a1.
`
`An inhalation device in the nature of a metered dose inhaler
`With a counter is disclosed. The device is designed to Work
`With existing respiratory drugs. The device is comprised of
`a L-shaped medication dispenser in Which a counter is
`attached AdOWHWard force applied to the top portion of the
`canister protruding from the top of the L-shaped medication
`dispenser releases a Single dose of the aerosol medication
`and increments the counter. The device contains a visual
`display of the current count and thus an indication of the
`metered doses remaining in the aerosol canister. The counter
`can be electronic, mechanical or electro-mechanical in
`nature. Counting devices for other shaped dispensers such as
`Cylindrical dispensers are also described Other Options Such
`as a Warning alarm, automatic poWer conservation shutdoWn
`of the display, and full computer monitoring functions are
`also disclosed.
`
`_
`
`_
`
`_
`
`_
`
`5,333,106
`5,348,008
`
`.. 364/413.01
`7/1994 Lanpher et a1. .
`9/1994 Bornn et a1. .......................... .. 128/642
`
`9 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`15
`
`RPC-1009
`RPC v Trudell
`Page 1 of 17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 29,2000
`Feb. 29,2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f 10
`Sheet 1 0f 10
`
`6,029,659
`6,029,659
`
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`
`RFC-1009 / Page 2 of 17
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`RPC-1009 / Page 2 of 17
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 29,2000
`
`Sheet 2 0f 10
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`6,029,659
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`RPC-1009 / Page 3 of 17
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`RFC-1009 / Page 4 of 17
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`RPC-1009 / Page 4 of 17
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 29, 2000
`Feb. 29, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f 10
`Sheet 4 0f 10
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`6,029,659
`6,029,659
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`RFC-1009 / Page 5 of 17
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`RPC-1009 / Page 5 of 17
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 29, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 0f 10
`
`6,029,659
`
`
`
`RFC-1009 / Page 6 of 17
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`RPC-1009 / Page 6 of 17
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 29,2000
`
`Sheet 6 0f 10
`
`6,029,659
`
`Fig.6
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`RPC-1009 / Page 7 of 17
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 29, 2000
`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 7 0f 10
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`RPC-1009 / Page 8 of 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29,2000
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`Sheet 8 0f 10
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`6,029,659
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`RPC-1009 / Page 9 of 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 9 0f 10
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`6,029,659
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 10 0f 10
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`6,029,659
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`RPC-1009 / Page 11 of 17
`
`

`

`1
`INHALATION DEVICE WITH COUNTER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The occurrences of asthma continue to rise each year. One
`in ?ve Americans, roughly 50 million people, suffer from an
`allergic disease. Asthma and allergies are the most common
`chronic diseases in this country. There are also many indi
`viduals that suffer from chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
`Many of the individuals afflicted With these ailments use a
`metered dose inhaler (MDI). The MDI is by far the most
`common and effective treatment for most respiratory prob
`lems.
`The most common MDI device currently in use is com
`prised of a L-shaped dispenser and an aerosol canister. The
`aerosol canister contains medication and is capable of deliv
`ering a ?nite number of metered doses of pressuriZed
`medication. The aerosol canister is inserted into the
`L-shaped dispenser With the holloW stem of the canister
`pointing doWnWard.
`The patient self administers the medication. The open end
`at the bottom of the L-shaped dispenser is placed near the
`patient’s mouth before the medication is released. A single
`push on the canister releases a single dose of the medication
`in the form of an inhaled aerosol. The doWnWard pressure is
`placed on the top of the aerosol canister Which protrudes
`from the opening in the L-shaped dispenser in Which the
`canister Was inserted. The doWnWard pressure forces the
`holloW tube of the canister back into the canister Which
`releases a single dose of the medication.
`A signi?cant de?ciency of MDI’s is the inability of the
`patient to precisely determine hoW many metered doses of
`medication remain in the aerosol canister. Apatient Without
`medication that has a serious respiratory problem can ?nd
`themselves in a life threatening situation.
`The consequences of an untreated asthma attack can be
`deadly. A serious asthma attack can result in a combination
`of sWelling of the lungs and muscular constriction of the
`airWays With little or no air movement beyond the obstruc
`tion. The lungs become over in?ated since the patient cannot
`exhale air Within their lungs. The air remains trapped in the
`lungs and the routine exchange of oxygen With carbon
`dioxide cannot occur. Carbon dioxide builds in the blood
`stream. The situation is life threatening.
`Each year in the United States an estimated four thousand
`deaths occur due to asthma alone. A key factor putting the
`patient at risk is failure or inability to comply With the
`medication program suggested by the doctor.
`There is currently no simple procedure to determine the
`number of metered doses of medication remaining in the
`aerosol canister. The recommended procedure to check for
`an empty or nearly empty aerosol medicine canister is to
`remove the canister from the L-shaped delivery device to see
`if the canister ?oats or sinks in a glass of Water. This method
`may be dif?cult to execute When the patient is aWay from
`home. Most patients simply shake the aerosol canister from
`the L-shaped dispenser in an attempt to determine if it is
`empty or nearly empty. This method is highly inaccurate and
`can result in the patient believing that they are continuing to
`receive full doses of medication Well after the canister has
`passed the point of effective delivery. This is true because
`When depressed, the pressuriZed canister Will continue to
`expel some amount of medication Well after the point Where
`it delivers the full metered dose. On the other hand, the
`patient might also believe that there is a good deal of
`medication remaining in the canister and fail to take addi
`tional medication along When leaving home.
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`6,029,659
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`2
`The situation is further complicated When less
`instantaneous, longer acting, preventative medications are
`considered. A patient using a quick acting asthmatic
`medication, such as bronchodialator like albuterol (Proventil
`or Ventolin) can normally determine quite quickly if they are
`getting a proper dose of medication, since the patient expects
`to get relief from the asthma attack almost immediately.
`SloWer acting drugs, such as inhaled steroids or cromolyn
`sodium (Intal) target the in?ammation in the lungs, not the
`constricted muscles of bronchial tubes. Most preventative
`medications require several doses over a period of days to be
`fully effective. It is virtually impossible for a patient to
`determine if they are receiving the proper amount of a
`preventative medication at the time of inhalation by the
`immediate effect on their body.
`Electronic, mechanical, and electro-mechanical counting
`devices have found their Way into many aspects of modern
`society. Mechanical counting devices are comprised of a
`series of moving parts that can calculate information. These
`devices can be as simple as a mechanical hand counter used
`by an usher at a gate to track the number of patrons entering
`an event. Mechanical counting devices are often found With
`analog mechanical displays. These displays can be use to
`indicate information such as a the current time or a value.
`One form of an analog mechanical display is one or more
`moving hands that points to a value that is listed on a
`background display. It is also common to see analog
`mechanical displays in the form of synchroniZed rotating
`Wheels With decimal numbers displayed on the external rim
`of each Wheel in Which only one decimal number per Wheel
`is visible at any one time. Internal gear or other moving parts
`are used to synchroniZe and increment the hand or Wheels of
`the display.
`It is common to ?nd a mechanical reset button associated
`With a mechanical counter that When pushed Will align the
`internal mechanical parts to point to a predetermined starting
`value to reset the counter. It is also common on a Wrist Watch
`to ?nd one or more knobs that can be turned to rapidly
`change the display to some desired value.
`The relatively large number of moving parts typically
`make mechanical counting and computing devices more
`dif?cult to manufacture; especially When a miniature device
`is required. One clear advantage of mechanical calculators is
`the ability to construct them Without the need of a poWer
`supply, such as a battery.
`VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) and loW poWer
`CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductors)
`have made it possible to create extremely small loW poWer
`electronic and electro-mechanical computing devices With a
`Wide range of functions and capabilities. Electronic and
`electro-mechanical devices can take the form of a Wrist
`Watch or a camera. WristWatches can be found that are
`totally electronic With digital readout such as LED (Light
`Emitting Diode) displays or LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays).
`WristWatches can also be found that are a combination of
`electronic counting circuits and mechanical analog displays
`in the form of an hour and minute hand. One clear disad
`vantage of the electronic or partially electronic Watch is the
`need to periodically replace the battery. Fortunately, battery
`replacement may not be necessary for years Which makes it
`an acceptable burden and perhaps easier than Winding a
`WristWatch every feW days.
`Small, more complex electronic devices can also be found
`today. They may take the form of a computer With not just
`counting circuits but a complex set of programmable
`instructions and a time-of-day clock. When connected to
`
`RPC-1009 / Page 12 of 17
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`

`

`6,029,659
`
`3
`peripheral input/output devices, such devices can provide a
`Wealth of functions and handle very complex tasks. One
`place We see this is in small compact cameras and video
`recording equipment.
`Despite a limited life, due to the ?nite poWer provided by
`a battery, electronic and electro-mechanical counting
`devices are normally much easier and less complicated to
`manufacture than mechanical devices. This is certainly true
`When one compares function to the number of moving parts
`and siZe. Electronic and electro-mechanical devices can
`normally be produced in very small compact packages.
`Again, this is primarily due to the advances in VLSI circuit
`design technic and that they can be produced With feW, if any
`moving parts.
`An electronic device offers the ability to add additional
`functions at loW cost. Unlike a mechanical counter, a poWer
`supply normally in the form of a battery is required. The use
`of loW poWer CMOS, a LCD display, and a small cylindrical
`battery can produce a device that can last a very long time
`Without the need to replace the battery. This period of time
`can be extended even further if a timed auto-shutdoWn
`circuit is employed, Which alloWs the display and any
`non-critical circuits, other than the latches holding the count
`to be poWered off, in order to prolong the life of the battery.
`Inexpensive, non-replaceable batteries can be found in some
`applications, especially for disposable devices. This can
`further reduce cost and complexity in manufacturing.
`The counting device can be made as simple or as elaborate
`as desired. Naturally, there is a tradeoff betWeen function
`and cost. Electronic computers and counters have been
`equipped With a circuit that drives a small plastic speaker.
`We ?nd such speakers on WristWatches Where they produce
`an audible alarm. We also ?nd automatic poWer off circuits
`that cut poWer to the display after some timed interval to
`conserve poWer.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to improvements in medi
`cated inhalers.
`It is an objective of the present invention to provide
`patients With a means to more precisely determine the
`amount of medication in an inhalation device. This Will
`reduce the likelihood of a patient inadvertently being With
`out medication or attempting to administer medication from
`an inhaler incapable of delivering a full dose.
`One form of the invention is an inhalation device in the
`nature of a metered dose inhaler With a counter. It is an
`objective of the invention to Work With existing respiratory
`drugs. It is yet another objective of the invention to alloW the
`device to be constructed from a modi?ed version of the
`standard L-shaped medication dispenser With an electronic,
`mechanical, or electro-mechanical counter attached.
`Another objective of the invention is to alloW the counter to
`be automatically incremented When the doWnWard force
`applied to the top portion of the canister protruding from the
`top of the L-shaped dispenser releases a single dose of the
`aerosol medication. Another objective of the invention is to
`provide a visual display of the current count and thus an
`indication of the number of metered doses of medication
`remaining in the aerosol canister.
`One form of the invention is constructed by providing a
`hole in the L-shaped medication dispenser in Which a
`counter is attached. A counter is inserted into this hole and
`fastened to the L-shaped medication dispenser. The counter
`being either electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical
`Would have a push button on the top that aligns With the
`
`4
`direction the aerosol canister moves When depressed. When
`the canister is depressed to release the medication the
`counter is automatically incremented. When the canister is
`depressed to release the medication, the button on the
`counter is also depressed by the movement of the canister
`and thus the counter is automatically incremented displaying
`a count of metered doses administered from the aerosol
`canister.
`I only brie?y describe the operation of mechanical,
`electronic, and electro-mechanical counting devices since
`they are common place in the art. Much of this technology
`has been applied to the portable electronic’s industry Where
`small loW cost mechanical, electronic, and electro
`mechanical counting devices are in use to count, compute,
`track time, and track dates.
`One form of the invention is composed of electronic or a
`combination of electronic and mechanical parts. Another
`objective of the invention is to make the device compact.
`Another objective is to make the device relatively easy to
`manufacture. Despite a limited life, due to the ?nite poWer
`provided by a battery, electronic and electro-mechanical
`counting devices are normally much easier and less com
`plicated to manufacture. They can also normally be pro
`duced in a much more compact package. This form of the
`invention is primarily due to the advances in VLSI circuit
`design technic, since it can be produced With feW if any
`moving parts.
`VLSI circuits make it possible to add additional functions
`to electronic counters at a loW cost. Unlike mechanical
`counters, electronic counters require a poWer supply, nor
`mally in the form of a battery. The combination of loW
`poWer CMOS, a LCD display, and a small cylindrical battery
`make it possible to produce a compact, device that Will
`operate a very long time Without the need to replace the
`battery. This period of time can be extended even further if
`a timed auto-shutdoWn circuit is employed, Which alloWs the
`display and other nonessential portions of the electronic
`circuits, other than the latches holding the count, to be
`poWered-off in order to prolong the life of the battery. Some
`applications also use non replaceable batteries for disposable
`devices in order to further reduce cost and complexity in
`manufacturing.
`Another objective of the invention is to produce a design
`Where special features and functions can be added easily.
`The VLSI circuits of this computing device can be made as
`simple or elaborate as desired. This naturally is a tradeoff of
`function versus cost. Again, VLSI offers the opportunity to
`add additional circuits With little increases in cost.
`Another objective of the invention is to equip the device
`With a circuit to drive a small plastic speaker that could
`produce an audible alarm. The alarm might sound When the
`medication is depleted or nearly depleted. The alarm could
`also be used to Warn the patient that it is time or past time
`to take their medication.
`Another objective is to provide an external interface so
`the device can be connected to other devices to communi
`cate and exchange information. Another objective Would be
`to have the speaker drive the audio interface to a modem to
`establish a communication interface With a remote com
`puter. Information related to the patient could be exchanged
`and the calculating device could be reset or loaded With neW
`information related to the patient. Another objective is to
`provide a physical electrical external interface. This inter
`face might be a small telephone jack that Would alloW the
`device to again communicate With a remote computer
`through a series of electrical signals. There are countless
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`RPC-1009 / Page 13 of 17
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`6,029,659
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`5
`standard protocols and interfaces that could be used for this
`purpose, such as FSK (Frequency Shift Keying).
`Another objective is to provide an optional external DC
`jack as a charger for the battery.
`Other features might include an automatic poWer-off
`circuit that Would cut poWer to the display after some timed
`interval to conserve poWer. A separate button could be
`provided to re-energiZe the display Without incrementing the
`counter or the display could be re-energiZed for some period
`of time after a dose of medication is administered. A single
`multiple contact momentary sWitch could be used to elimi
`nate the need for a second sWitch. Multiple contact momen
`tary’s have multiple contact points. For example; in a tWo
`contact point momentary sWitch, the sWitch is depressed part
`Way and makes contact With the ?rst terminal. When the
`sWitch is further depressed it makes contact With the next set
`of terminals. These sWitches are common in cameras Where
`the ?rst contact activates the light intensity sensor and the
`second contact point takes the picture. In our case, if the
`aerosol canister is partially depressed doWnWard, the visual
`display is re-energiZed displaying the current number of
`doses administered. If the canister is further depressed a
`dose of medication in released and the counter is incre
`mented.
`Another objective is to alloW some Way to reset the
`counter When the aerosol canister is replaced With a neW
`aerosol canister. This could be a separate button or sWitch.
`A multiple contact momentary sWitch could also be used to
`reset the counter. For example; if the sWitch is partially
`depressed to the ?rst contact point for a signi?cant period of
`time it might reset the counter.
`Another objective is to use additional VLSI circuits or an
`on-board computer to make it relatively easy to add addi
`tional functions.
`Acomputer or microprocessor and a stored program could
`be utiliZed to monitor and retrieve a vast amount of patient
`data. This could include the date, time, and amount of
`medication consumed by the patient. The data could peri
`odically be extracted from the device and examined by the
`physician. The data could be extracted by providing some
`type of I/O connection in the form of a data bus and controls.
`A small single jack outlet Would lend itself to miniaturiZa
`tion. The device could also be used in conjunction With a
`modem to dump the data to a remote computer for analysis.
`Another objective Would be to provide a device that could
`keep track of the day and time a patient last took medication.
`This Would alloW a patient to check this data in the event that
`they do not remember When the last dose Was administered.
`The information could be stored over several days alloWing
`the patient or doctor to have a full pro?le of hoW medication
`Was administered over time. This Would require the display
`to be modi?ed to display more than just a count, but date and
`time information as Well.
`Another objective is to provide counting devices for
`medication dispensers of different forms. The invention
`could also be easily adapted for use With less common
`cylindrical dispenser or other dispensers shapes.
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1a is a side perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered
`doses delivery vehicle and aerosol canister.
`FIG. 1b is a rear perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered
`doses delivery vehicle and aerosol canister.
`FIG. 2 is a side plan vieW of a L-shaped metered doses
`delivery vehicle and aerosol canister.
`
`65
`
`6
`FIG. 3 is a graph of the milligrams of medication per
`metered dose versus cumulative doses administered for a
`typical aerosol canister.
`FIG. 4a is a side perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered
`doses delivery vehicle, aerosol canister, and counter.
`FIG. 4b is a rear perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered
`doses delivery vehicle, aerosol canister, and counter.
`FIG. 5 is a side plan vieW of a L-shaped metered doses
`delivery vehicle, aerosol canister, and counter.
`FIG. 6 is a rear-side exploded perspective vieW of a
`L-shaped metered doses delivery vehicle and counter.
`FIG. 7 is a side plan vieW of the counter.
`FIG. 8 is a front-side perspective vieW of the battery,
`connectors, and circuit board, and integrated circuit layout.
`FIG. 9 is a diagram of the counter circuit.
`FIG. 10 is a detailed logic diagram of the BCD counter
`circuit.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a common metered dose
`inhalation device Widely used today by many patients. FIG.
`1a is a side perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered dose
`delivery vehicle and aerosol canister. FIG. 1b is a rear
`perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered dose delivery
`vehicle and aerosol canister. FIG. 2 is a side plan vieW of a
`L-shaped metered dose delivery vehicle and aerosol canister.
`An examination of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 help illustrate hoW a
`metered dose aerosol medication device is used. Aerosol
`canister 11 is inserted in L-shaped medication dispenser 10.
`The patient inhales the medication through opening 12 of the
`L-shaped metered dose inhalation device 10.
`FIG. 2 illustrates hoW a doWnWard pressure applied to 20,
`the top of the metered dose aerosol canister 11, forces the
`holloW stem 21 back into the aerosol canister 11. When the
`holloW stem 21 has moved suf?ciently into canister 11 to
`open an internal valve, a meter dose of the aerosol medica
`tion is released under pressure through the holloW stem 21
`and out through opening 22. The aerosol medication con
`tinues to travel out through opening 12 of the L-shaped
`medication dispenser 10 Where it can be inhaled by the
`patient.
`FIG. 3 is a graph that illustrates the operation of a typical
`aerosol canister. It is a plot of milligrams of medication per
`metered dose versus the cumulative number of doses
`expelled from the aerosol canister. There is a WindoW of
`operation in Which the amount of medication received from
`each dose may vary slightly but is Well Within the acceptable
`range. After some maximum number of doses the canister
`Will still continue to expel medication, but the amount of
`medication Will fall beloW an acceptable amount per dose.
`FIGS. 4 through 9 illustrate the present preferred forms of
`the invention Which includes a counter 40, Which is attached
`to a modi?ed L-shaped aerosol inhaler 10. A standard
`metered dose aerosol canister 11 can be used With the
`invention.
`FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate hoW counter 40 can be made
`useful by automatically counting the cumulative number of
`doses and hoW counter 40 can be attached to L-shaped
`metered dose delivery device 10.
`FIG. 4a is a side perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered
`dose delivery vehicle 10, aerosol canister 11, and counter 40.
`FIG. 4b is a rear perspective vieW of a L-shaped metered
`dose delivery vehicle 10, aerosol canister 11, and counter 40.
`
`RPC-1009 / Page 14 of 17
`
`

`

`6,029,659
`
`7
`The counter display face 41 is illustrated in FIG. 4b. The
`visible display 41 of counter 40 can also be seen in FIG. 4b.
`FIG. 5 provides a side plan vieW of the counter 40
`fastened to L-shaped metered dose delivery device 10. The
`counter 40 is fastened to L-shaped delivery device 10 by
`being inserted into opening 60 in L-shaped delivery device
`10. Push button 50 is depressed into counter 40 and thus
`increments the count. The exterior of the counter is com
`prised of a material that has an elasticity property that alloWs
`top triangular protrusion 51 and bottom triangular protrusion
`54 to deform, alloWing the rear portion of counter 10 to be
`inserted through opening 60 of L-shaped dispenser 10. Once
`triangular protrusions 51 and 54 pass through opening 60
`they return to approximately their original shape as illus
`trated in FIG. 5. Inside top protrusion 51, outside top
`protrusion 52, inside bottom protrusion 54, and outside
`bottom protrusion 53 alloW the counter to be securely
`fastened to L-shaped delivery device 10. Protrusions 51, 52,
`53, and 54 each have a portion of their surface that is
`substantially parallel to portions of surfaces of L-shaped
`container 10, in Which they are substantially in contact. Said
`substantially parallel contacting surfaces of protrusions 51,
`52, 53, and 54 are roughly perpendicular to the surfaces of
`counter 40 from Which they protrude. This con?guration
`protrusions 51, 52, 53, and 54 is the means by Which counter
`40 is attached to L-shaped delivery device 10.
`There are many materials that have an acceptable elas
`ticity property to achieve the protrusion characteristics just
`described. These include some metals, some hard rubbers
`and many plastics; such as high density polyethylene.
`FIG. 5 also illustrates hoW a doWnWard pressure applied
`to 20; the top of the metered dose aerosol canister 11, forces
`the holloW stem 21 back into the aerosol canister 11, and at
`the same time forces push button momentary sWitch 50 to
`contact and increment counter 40, by being depressed and
`pushed into counter 40. When holloW stem 21 has moved
`sufficiently into canister 11, to open an internal valve, a
`meter dose of the aerosol medication is released under
`pressure through the holloW stem 21 and out through open
`ing 22. The aerosol medication continues to travel out
`through opening 12 of the L-shaped dispenser 10, Where is
`can be inhaled by the patient. Visual display 41 displays the
`current count.
`FIG. 6 is a rear-side exploded perspective vieW of counter
`40, positioned to be inserted into L-shaped metered dose
`delivery device 10. Counter 40 becomes fastened to
`L-shaped delivery device 10 by being inserted into opening
`60, in L-shaped delivery device 10. The counter 40 is
`incremented When push button 50 is depressed into counter
`40. This occurs When aerosol canister 11 is depressed to
`release medication. Again, the exterior of the counter is
`comprised of a material that has an elasticity property that
`alloWs top triangular protrusion 51 and bottom triangular
`protrusion 54 to deform, alloWing the rear portion of counter
`10 to be inserted through opening 60 of L-shaped dispenser
`10. Once triangular protrusions 51 and 54 pass through
`opening 60 they return to approximately their original shape
`as illustrated in FIG. 5. Inside top protrusion 51, outside top
`protrusion 52, inside bottom protrusion 54, and outside top
`protrusion 53 are used to securely fasten counter 40 to
`L-shaped delivery device 10. Protrusions 51, 52, 53, and 54
`each have a surface that is substantially parallel to the
`portions of the surfaces of L-shaped inhaler 10, in Which
`they are substantially in contact. Top protrusions 51 and 52
`and bottom protrusions 53 and 54 are slightly curved, to
`match the horiZontal curve of rear Wall 15 of the L-shaped
`delivery vehicle 10.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`FIG. 6 also illustrates right side protrusions 61 and 62 and
`left side protrusions 63 and 64 Which further help attach the
`counter to L-shaped inhaler device 10. Protrusions 62 and 64
`are roughly triangular and protrusions 61 and 63 are roughly
`rectangular. Protrusions 61, 62, 63, and 64 are not curved but
`are straight to match the vertical shape of rear Wall 15 of
`L-shaped delivery vehicle 10.
`In FIG. 6 triangular protrusions 51, 54, 62, and 64 extend
`the full length of the side of the counter from Which they
`protrude. Small tabs that extend along only a small portion
`of the counter sides from Which they attach, Would also
`prove effective at securing counter 40 to L-shaped delivery
`device 10.
`Rear half 67 of counter 40 is shoWn to be slightly smaller
`than the front half 68 of counter 40 in FIG. 6. The rear half
`67 can also be constructed to be about the same siZe as the
`front half 68 of counter 40. The siZes are shoWn to be
`different in FIG. 6 simply to illustrate that this is a design
`choice. If it is desired to have a slightly larger display or to
`add additional functions or features, the additional compo
`nents can be accommodated by making the front half 68 of
`counter 40 larger.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a side plan vieW of counter 40. Visual
`display 41 is held in place at the front of counter 40 by being
`placed against top Wall protrusion 751 of top counter Wall
`750 and bottom Wall protrusion 754 of bottom counter Wall
`753. Semi-rigid member 701 has a dual purpose; it holds the
`top portion of the display against top protrusion 751, and it
`also contains Wires Which alloW the display driving signals
`to propagate from VLSI logic chip 703, through circuit
`board 702 to display 41. The combination of circuit board
`702 and screW 713 exert a force on member 701, Which in
`turn holds the top portion of display 41 substantially against
`top protrusion 751. The bottom of display 41 is ?rst inserted
`betWeen bottom protrusions 754 and 760, of bottom counter
`Wall 753, during the manufacturing process and hold the
`bottom of display 41 substantially in place.
`FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate hoW battery 707 is held
`substantially in place and delivers poWer to the circuits on
`VLSI chip 703 via circuit board 702. Cylindrical b