Fujin
Intelligent Metered Dose Inhaler Concept
Intelligent Metered Dose Inhaler Concept
Metered doseinhalers are one of the most widely prescribed devices for treating asthma andother chronic lung disorders. However the development of the inhaler hasfollowed the same form since its inception. Research undertaken prior andduring this project revealed that a large number of patients have greatdifficulty in correctly administering their dose of medication as well asrecording and monitoring their results. It was decided that during this projecta new device would be conceived that would help to make using an inhaler easierfor the people who were forced to use it every day. The project focused on: thehandling and operation of the inhaler, use in public and associated stigmatism,recording and monitoring of results.
The handling and operation ofthe inhaler
Showing different colour options, generally used to indicate different uses.
Many users ofinhalers, especially younger users, identified the fact that they did not liketo use their inhalers in public as they felt that there was a stigmatismassociated with it. The users liked the idea of a discrete device which wouldmake using their inhaler in public easier.
The easiest currentdevices to use are the automated MDI’s however their construction leads to thembeing significantly larger than that of standard and small canister MDI’s andso much more visible. The way that current standard MDI’s are held (in front ofthe face) causes attention to be drawn toward the user. The concept inhalerinstead moves the body of the inhaler below the mouth and its actuation processcovers most of the device making for a more natural gesture and more discreetactuation which is hoped will remove of some of the visible signs of takingmedication.
Many asthmatics areasked to keep a peak/flow diary to monitor their condition especially whendifferent types of medication are being assessed. However most tend not to keepthis diary as regularly as they should and sometimes lose the results. Whilesome do not bother to record them at all. This makes diagnosis and analysis forthe doctor difficult.
The conceptwould incorporate a peak/flow monitoring system which would remind the user tomeasure their peak/flow at set times and would record the resultselectronically. This information could then be sent to a monitoring device(wrist based) using wireless protocols for review by the patient. This devicecould also store information about the canister such as type of medication, ageand amount remaining. All this information could then be synchronised with a PCand the software used to automatically return results to those dealing with thepatients care. This could allow health care professionals to alert patients toany important changes in their condition much sooner than scheduled visits.
The conceptwould incorporate a peak/flow monitoring system which would remind the user tomeasure their peak/flow at set times and would record the resultselectronically. This information could then be sent to a monitoring device(wrist based) using wireless protocols for review by the patient. This devicecould also store information about the canister such as type of medication, ageand amount remaining. All this information could then be synchronised with a PCand the software used to automatically return results to those dealing with thepatients care. This could allow health care professionals to alert patients toany important changes in their condition much sooner than scheduled visits.
