CN109793969B - Medicament dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A medicament dispenser comprises a base shell and a circuit device arranged in the base shell, wherein the base shell is provided with an air suction hole and an air inlet hole for a patient to inhale, the circuit device comprises a sensor and a processor, the sensor is adjacent to the air inlet hole, the sensor is used for sensing whether the air inlet hole is shielded, when the sensor senses that the air inlet hole is shielded, a sensing signal can be generated, and the processor can generate a corresponding output signal after receiving the sensing signal so as to be used for follow-up reminding.

Description

Medicament dispenser

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament, and in particular to a medicament dispenser for dispensing medicament and for inhalation by a patient.

Background

The medicament dispenser is primarily used to dispense medicament and for the patient to take it so that the patient can take it in the correct manner and time. The existing medicament dispenser comprises a sheet-shaped medicament slide, a poking piece is poked to drive the medicament slide to rotate through a transmission mechanism, so that one of the capsules on the medicament slide is aligned to a suction nozzle, and therefore a patient can suck the powdery medicament in the capsule through the suction nozzle. However, in the process of sucking the medicine dispenser held by a patient, the fingers may shield the air inlet hole of the medicine dispenser and further affect the smoothness of the air inflow during the sucking, and even a sufficient amount of the medicine cannot be completely sucked.

Disclosure of Invention

An objective of the present invention is to provide a dispenser capable of sensing whether an air inlet is covered, so as to remind a patient in the future.

The object of the present invention and the technical problem to be solved by the present invention are achieved by the following technical solutions, wherein the medicine dispenser according to the present invention comprises a base housing and a circuit device disposed in the base housing, the base housing is formed with an inhalation hole and an air inlet hole for a patient to inhale, the circuit device comprises a sensor adjacent to the air inlet hole and a processor, the sensor is configured to sense whether the air inlet hole is shielded, when the sensor senses that the air inlet hole is shielded, a sensing signal is generated, and the processor receives the sensing signal and then generates a corresponding output signal for subsequent reminding.

In some implementations, the base housing includes an inner surface, and the sensor is a capacitive sensor disposed on the inner surface.

In some embodiments, the sensor surrounds the periphery of the air inlet and is formed with a through hole communicated with the air inlet.

In some embodiments, the base housing further forms an opening adjacent to the air inlet, and the sensor is a light sensor corresponding to the opening, and the sensor receives light from the environment outside the base housing through the opening.

In some embodiments, the medicament dispenser further comprises a manifold disposed within the base housing and in communication between the air intake aperture and the air intake aperture, the manifold including an end wall opposite the air intake aperture, the sensor being adjacent the end wall.

In some embodiments, the medicament dispenser further comprises a manifold disposed in the base housing and in communication between the air inlet and the air suction port, the manifold including two spaced apart sidewalls, the sensor being adjacent to one of the sidewalls.

In some embodiments, the medicament dispenser further comprises a manifold disposed in the base housing and communicating between the air inlet and the air suction port, the manifold includes two spaced apart sidewalls, and the sensor is a pressure sensor disposed on one of the sidewalls.

In some embodiments, one of the sidewalls has an inner wall surface, an outer wall surface opposite to the inner wall surface, and a through hole extending between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface, the sensor is disposed in the through hole and has a sensing surface, and the sensing surface is coplanar with the inner wall surface or located in the through hole and spaced apart from the inner wall surface.

In some embodiments, the circuit device further includes a circuit board, a battery, and a switch, the base housing further forms a through hole, the switch is a light-sensitive switch corresponding to the through hole, the switch receives light from an environment outside the base housing through the through hole, the switch is in a closed state when the switch does not receive the light, the battery cannot supply power to the circuit board, and the switch automatically switches to an open state when the switch receives the light, so that the battery supplies power to the circuit board.

In some embodiments, the circuit device further includes a circuit board, a battery, and a switch, where the switch is a reed switch, and when the switch is affected by a magnetic field, the switch is in an off state, and the battery cannot supply power to the circuit board, and when the switch is not affected by the magnetic field, the switch automatically switches to an on state, so that the battery supplies power to the circuit board.

In some embodiments, the processor is disposed on the circuit board, the switch is disposed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the battery through a first circuit, the circuit board is connected to the battery through a second circuit, the second circuit is in a non-conducting state, and when the switch is switched to the on state, the processor is driven to operate to drive the second circuit to be switched to a conducting state, so that the battery supplies power to the circuit board through the second circuit.

In some implementation aspects, the circuit device further includes a circuit board, a battery, and an insulating sheet, the battery has a conductive pin electrically connected to the circuit board, the insulating sheet can be set between the circuit board and the conductive pin and exposed outside the base shell, and when the insulating sheet is pulled away, the conductive pin can be electrically connected to the circuit board.

In some embodiments, the medicament dispenser further comprises a manifold disposed within the base housing and in communication between the air intake aperture and the air aspiration aperture, the manifold including an end wall opposite the air aspiration aperture, the circuit arrangement further including a pressure sensor adjacent the end wall.

The invention has the beneficial effects that: by means of the design of the sensor, whether the air inlet is shielded or not can be sensed, so that a patient can be reminded subsequently.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a medicament dispenser of the present invention connected to an electronic device via a communications network;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment, illustrating an outer cover in a covering position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first embodiment, illustrating the cover in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line S1-S1 of FIG. 3, illustrating the connection between a manifold and a base housing;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front view of the first embodiment illustrating the construction of a medication dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inlet body of the manifold taken along line S2-S2 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of an outlet body, illustrating the positional relationship between the manifold and the two sachets in the position to be sucked;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the manifold, a first housing and a sensor taken along line S3-S3 of FIG. 5 illustrating the direction of air flow as it is drawn by the patient;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front view of the first embodiment, illustrating the position of a circuit board;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the first housing of the first embodiment, illustrating a sensor disposed on an inner surface of the first housing;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front view of the first embodiment, illustrating the sensor electrically connected to a lead of the circuit board by a wire;

fig. 11 is a fragmentary front view of an aspect of the second embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention, illustrating the sensor adjacent a center of a first end wall of the manifold;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front view of another aspect of the second embodiment, illustrating the sensor adjacent to one of the two side walls of the manifold;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a medicament dispenser of the invention illustrating the sensor disposed in the side wall of the manifold;

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the third embodiment illustrating the sensor being disposed in the sidewall of the manifold;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary front view of a fourth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention illustrating a pressure sensor mounted on the circuit board;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment illustrating the location of the pressure sensor;

FIG. 17 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention, illustrating a switch disposed on the circuit board and corresponding to a through hole of the first housing;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the fifth embodiment contained within a package illustrating the switch in a closed position;

FIG. 19 is a side view similar to FIG. 18, illustrating a cover flap opened and the switch receiving light and automatically switching to an open position;

FIG. 20 is a circuit block diagram of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a front view of the fifth embodiment, illustrating a black sticker covering the through-hole;

figure 22 is a front elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention illustrating the switch disposed on the circuit board;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the sixth embodiment received within the package illustrating the switch adjacent a magnet and in the closed state;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the switch and the magnet of the sixth embodiment, illustrating the switch in the off state under the influence of the magnetic field of the magnet;

FIG. 25 is a side exploded view of the sixth embodiment and the package illustrating the flap torn away from a housing, the medicament dispenser removed from the housing, and the switch moved away from the magnet and automatically switched to the open position;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the switch and the magnet of the sixth embodiment, illustrating that the switch is automatically switched to the on state without being affected by the magnetic field of the magnet;

FIG. 27 is a circuit block diagram of the sixth embodiment;

figure 28 is a fragmentary front view of a seventh embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention illustrating the positioning of an insulating sheet;

fig. 29 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment, illustrating the insulating sheet abutting between a conductive portion of the circuit board and a conductive terminal, and the insulating sheet being sandwiched by the first and second housings and exposed outside the base housing; and

fig. 30 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to fig. 29, illustrating the insulating sheet being pulled away from the conductive terminal and the connecting portion so that the conductive terminal abuts against the connecting portion.

Detailed Description

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures and examples:

before the present invention is described in detail, it is noted that like elements are represented by like reference numerals throughout the following description.

Referring to fig. 1, which is a first embodiment of the medicament dispenser of the present invention, the medicament dispenser 10 can be connected to an electronic device 12 through a communication network 11 for data transmission, so that a patient can conveniently and clearly know the operation mode and the current medication status of the medicament dispenser 10 through the electronic device 12. The electronic device 12 is an example of a smart phone, but may also be an example of a smart watch or a notebook computer.

Referring to fig. 2, 3 and 4, the dispenser 10 includes a base housing 2, a manifold 3, a medicament dispensing device 4 (shown in fig. 5), and a cover 5. The base housing 2 includes a first housing 21, a second housing 22, and a nozzle 23. The first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are combined and define a receiving space 24. The first housing 21 has an outer surface 211 and an inner surface 212, and the first housing 21 is formed with a plurality of air inlet holes 213 extending between the outer surface 211 and the inner surface 212, and the air inlet holes 213 are spaced from each other and are aligned together. The suction nozzle 23 is coupled to one end of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 and is adjacent to the air inlet hole 213, the suction nozzle 23 is used for sucking the lips of the patient and is formed with a suction hole 231, and the suction hole 231 is used for the patient to inhale.

Referring to fig. 4, 5 and 6, the manifold 3 is disposed between a carrying frame 25 located in the accommodating space 24 of the base housing 2 and the first housing 21 and is connected to the suction nozzle 23. The manifold 3 includes an inlet pipe body 31 and an outlet pipe body 32. The intake pipe 31 has a first end wall 311 far from the suction hole 231, a second end wall 312 spaced apart from the first end wall 311 and adjacent to the suction hole 231, and two side walls 313, wherein the two side walls 313 are connected to opposite sides of the first end wall 311 and the second end wall 312. The first end wall 311, the second end wall 312 and the two side walls 313 define an inlet 314 corresponding to the position of the air inlet hole 213. The first end wall 311 has two inclined wall portions 315, and each inclined wall portion 315 is formed with an outlet 316. The outlet body 32 is formed on the side of the inlet body 31 opposite to the inlet 314, and the outlet body 32 is formed on the lower side of the inlet body 31 in the perspective view of fig. 4. The outlet tube 32 has an end wall 321 and a tube wall 322. The end wall 321 extends from the first end wall 311 and has the same shape as the first end wall 311, and the end wall 321 also has two inclined wall portions 323, each of which 323 defines an inlet 324. The tube wall 322 extends from the end wall 321 toward the suction hole 231 and is connected to the second end wall 312 and the two side walls 313 of the air inlet tube 31, and the tube wall 322 forms an outlet 325 communicating with the suction hole 231.

The medicament dispensing device 4 is disposed between the carrier frame 25 and the first housing 21 and includes two spaced apart medicament dispensing assemblies 40. Each medicament dispensing assembly 40 includes a medicament strip 41, an indexing wheel 42, an abutment 43, a medicament slide take-up wheel 44, and a cover sheet take-up wheel 45. The medicament belt 41 is coiled and has a medicament carrier 411 and a cover plate 412. The drug carrier 411 is in the shape of a long belt, and one end thereof is inserted and fastened to the drug carrier take-up wheel 44. The medicament carrier 411 is wound around the index wheel 42 and has a plurality of pockets 413 spaced apart from each other, each pocket 413 being configured to receive a powdered medicament 414. The cover plate 412 has the same shape as the medicament slide 411, and the cover plate 412 is in a long belt shape, one part of which is sealed on the medicament slide 411 and the other part of which is separated from the medicament slide 411 and wound on the cover plate winding wheel 45. The indexing wheel 42 is rotatably pivoted to the carrying frame 25, a plurality of grooves 421 arranged at equal angles and intervals are concavely formed on the outer peripheral surface of the indexing wheel 42, and each groove 421 is used for accommodating a corresponding one of the medicine sacs 413. The propping element 43 is disposed on the carrying frame 25 and between the index wheel 42 and the cover sheet rolling wheel 45, and the propping element 43 has a protrusion 431 for propping the cover sheet 412, so that the medicine slide sheet 411 and the cover sheet 412 can be separated in a peeling manner near the propping element 43. The medicament carrier winding wheel 44 is rotatably pivoted to the carrying frame 25 for winding the medicament carrier 411 passing through the index wheel 42. The cover sheet rolling wheel 45 is rotatably pivoted to the carrying frame 25 for rolling up the cover sheet 412 passing through the abutting member 43.

Referring to fig. 2, 3, 5 and 7, the cover 5 is rotatably pivoted to the first casing 21 and the second casing 22, and the cover 5 can rotate relative to the first casing 21 and the second casing 22 between a covering position (shown in fig. 2) covering the suction nozzle 23 and the air inlet hole 213 and an opening position (shown in fig. 3) uncovering the suction nozzle 23 and the air inlet hole 213 to be exposed. The cover 5 is connected to the indexing wheel 42, the slide take-up wheel 44 and the patch take-up wheel 45 of the two medicament dispensing assemblies 40 by a one-way transmission mechanism (not shown).

When a patient wants to use the medicament dispenser 10 to suck the medicament 414, first, the patient can hold the first shell 21 and the second shell 22 of the base shell 2 with one finger, and then hold the outer lid 5 with the other hand and push the outer lid 5 along a first rotation direction R1, so that the outer lid 5 rotates from the covering position to the opening position. Since the outer lid 5 is connected to the index wheel 42, the drug slide rolling wheel 44 and the lid plate rolling wheel 45 of the two drug dispensing assemblies 40 through the unidirectional transmission mechanism, the index wheel 42, the drug slide rolling wheel 44 and the lid plate rolling wheel 45 are simultaneously driven to rotate by a proper angle through the unidirectional transmission mechanism when the outer lid 5 rotates from the covering position to the opening position. Thereby, the indexing wheel 42 of each dispensing assembly 40 is caused to rotate the opened capsule 413 located in one of the recesses 421 to a position for inhalation (shown in fig. 7) aligned with both the outlet 316 and the inlet 324.

Referring to fig. 4, 6 and 7, the patient rotates the dispenser 10 (shown in fig. 2) to a horizontal position and brings the mouthpiece 23 of the dispenser 10 close to the lips. Subsequently, the suction nozzle 23 performs a suction operation. During inhalation, the patient generates negative pressure in the outlet tube 32, so that air outside the base housing 2 flows into the inlet tube 31 through the inlet holes 213 of the first housing 21 and the inlet 314 of the inlet tube 31. The air inlet pipe 31 then guides the air to the two outlets 316, so that the air is divided into two air flows and flows into the two medicine bags 413 through the two outlets 316. The two air flows entrain the medicament 414 during the flow in the two sachets 413 and flow into the outlet tube 32 through the two inlets 324, respectively, and the two air flows converge together in the outlet tube 32 to mix the entrained medicament 414. Finally, the merged air flow entrains the mixed medicine 414 to flow out through the outlet 325 and the inhalation holes 231, so that the patient can inhale the mixed medicine 414 through the mouthpiece 23.

Referring to fig. 2, 3 and 5, after the patient sucks the mixed medicine 414, the cover 5 is pushed in a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1 to return the cover 5 to the covering position, so that the sucking operation of the medicine 414 is completed. It should be noted that, since the outer lid 5 is connected to the index wheel 42, the drug slide rolling wheel 44 and the cover plate rolling wheel 45 through the unidirectional transmission mechanism, the index wheel 42, the drug slide rolling wheel 44 and the cover plate rolling wheel 45 are not driven to rotate by the unidirectional transmission mechanism when the outer lid 5 rotates from the open position to the covering position.

Referring to fig. 8, 9 and 10, the dispenser 10 further includes a circuit device 6 disposed in the accommodating space 24. The circuit device 6 includes a circuit board 61, a sensor 62, a processor 63, and a battery 64. The circuit board 61 is disposed on the carrier plate 26 of the base housing 2 located in the accommodating space 24 and located between the carrier frame 25 and the first housing 21. The sensor 62 is adjacent to the air inlet hole 213 for sensing whether the air inlet hole 213 is shielded. In the present embodiment, the sensor 62 is a Capacitive sensor (Capacitive sensor) disposed on the inner surface 212 of the first housing 21. The sensor 62 may be affixed to the inner surface 212 by, for example, adhesive. Alternatively, the first housing 21 may be fixedly coupled to the sensor 62 by Over-molding. Specifically, the sensor 62 of the present embodiment surrounds the outer periphery of all the air inlet holes 213, and the sensor 62 is formed with a plurality of through holes 621 respectively communicating with the air inlet holes 213. Therefore, during the process of sucking the medicine 414 (as shown in fig. 7) by the patient, the air in the external environment of the base housing 2 flows into the air inlet pipe 31 (as shown in fig. 5) through the air inlet holes 213 of the first housing 21 and the through hole 621 communicated with the same. The sensor 62 is soldered to a conductive portion 611 of the circuit board 61 by a wire 622, so that the sensor 62 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 61 by the wire 622 and the conductive portion 611.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, by the design of the sensor 62 surrounding the outer peripheries of all the air inlet holes 213, the area range which can be sensed by the sensor 62 is large. Therefore, no matter the fingers of the patient cover all the air inlet holes 213, or part of a single air inlet hole 213, the sensor 62 can accurately sense the finger covering condition.

Referring to fig. 1 and 8, the processor 63 is disposed on the circuit board 61, in the present embodiment, the processor 63 is a Low power consumption Bluetooth System single Chip (BLE SoC). The communication network 11 between the processor 63 and the electronic device 12 is a bluetooth wireless transmission method.

Referring to fig. 1, 4 and 8, when a finger of the patient approaches and covers the air inlet hole 213 during the process of sucking the medicine 414 (as shown in fig. 7), the capacitance of the sensor 62 changes to generate a sensing signal. The processor 63 receives the sensing signal through the circuit board 61 and then generates a corresponding output signal for subsequent reminding. In the embodiment, the output signal is used for subsequent reminding by transmitting the output signal to the electronic device 12 through the communication network 11, and the electronic device 12 reminds the patient that the air inlet hole 213 is shielded in the form of sound, pattern or text through the application program after receiving the output signal, so that the patient can quickly obtain the information and adjust the finger position to move away from the air inlet hole 213 in real time. Therefore, air can smoothly flow into the medicine dispenser 10 through the air inlet hole 213 during the suction process of the patient, so that the patient can completely suck a sufficient amount of the medicine.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the output signal is used for subsequent reminding by directly driving a speaker (not shown) on the circuit board 61 to emit a reminding sound or a light emitting element (not shown) to emit a reminding light to remind the patient that the air inlet 213 is blocked. Of course, the reminding manner is not limited to the above manner, and other reminding manners may be used.

Referring to fig. 2, 3 and 8, when the cover 5 is in the covering position, the circuit device 6 puts the medicament dispenser 10 into a sleep state through a first switch (not shown). At this time, the processor 63 on the circuit board 61 and the sensor 62 (shown in fig. 9) electrically connected to the circuit board 61 are both in a state of stopping operation. When the cover 5 is in the open position, the circuit device 6 turns on the power supplied from the battery 64 to the circuit board 61 through a second switch (not shown), so that the medicament dispenser 10 is put into a use state. At this time, the processor 63 on the circuit board 61 and the sensor 62 electrically connected to the circuit board 61 are in an operating state. Therefore, the sensor 62 can sense whether the air intake hole 213 is shielded when the medicine dispenser 10 is in the use state.

In particular, although the medicine dispensing device 4 of the present embodiment is described as having two medicine dispensing assemblies 40, the medicine dispenser 10 may be a medicine dispenser that uses a single medicine dispensing assembly, such as a medicine dispenser manufactured by glaxosmithkline (gsk) and having the model number ADVAIR DISKUS, or may be a medicine dispenser that uses a single medicine dispensing assembly in another form.

Referring to fig. 11, a second embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention is shown, which is generally the same in overall construction as the first embodiment, except for the form of the sensor 62.

In the present embodiment, the first housing 21 of the base housing 2 is formed with an opening 214 adjacent to the air inlet hole 213, and the sensor 62 is an optical sensor disposed on the circuit board 61 and corresponding to the opening 214. The sensor 62 receives light from the environment outside the base housing 2 through the opening 214. When the air inlet hole 213 and the sensor 62 are shielded to cause the brightness of the light received by the sensor 62 to change, the sensor 62 generates a sensing signal. The processor 63 receives the sensing signal and then generates a corresponding output signal to transmit to the electronic device 12, or directly drives the speaker on the circuit board 61 to emit a warning sound.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11, the sensor 62 is located adjacent to the center of the first end wall 311 of the manifold 3. In the embodiment shown in fig. 12, the sensor 62 is adjacent to one of the two sidewalls 313 of the manifold 3.

Referring to fig. 13 and 14, a third embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention is shown, which is substantially the same in overall construction as the first embodiment, except for the form of the sensor 62.

In the present embodiment, the sensor 62 is a pressure sensor disposed on one of the two sidewalls 313 of the manifold 3 for sensing the pressure change of the air flowing into the intake pipe 31 through the intake hole 213. When the fingers of the patient block the air inlet hole 213 and the air in the external environment is blocked by the fingers, the pressure of the air flowing into the air inlet tube 31 through the air inlet hole 213 changes, and the sensor 62 senses the pressure change and generates a sensing signal. After receiving the sensing signal generated by the sensor 62, the processor 63 (as shown in fig. 8) generates a corresponding output signal and transmits the output signal to the electronic device 12 (as shown in fig. 1) or directly drives the speaker on the circuit board 61 to generate a warning sound, and accordingly determines whether the patient has enough inspiratory force to ensure that the patient can successfully inhale the medicament 414 (as shown in fig. 7).

Specifically, the sidewall 313 for the sensor 62 has an inner wall 317, an outer wall 318 opposite the inner wall 317, and a through hole 319 extending between the inner wall 317 and the outer wall 318. The sensor 62 is disposed through the through hole 319 and has a sensing surface 622, and the sensing surface 622 is coplanar with the inner wall 317 or is located in the through hole 319 and spaced apart from the inner wall 317 by a distance, in this embodiment, the sensing surface 622 is coplanar with the inner wall 317. Therefore, the sensor 62 can be prevented from protruding out of the inner wall surface 317 to influence the smoothness of the gas flow. In addition, the sensor 62 is disposed on a flexible printed circuit 65, and the flexible printed circuit 65 is electrically connected to the circuit board 61 through a wire (not shown).

It should be noted that the sensor 62 of the present embodiment can also be used to simply sense the pressure change of the airflow flowing into the air inlet tube 31 through the air inlet hole 213 during the suction process of the patient, so that the processor 63 can determine whether the patient's inspiratory effort is sufficient, and does not need to be combined with the purpose of sensing whether the finger of the patient covers the air inlet hole 213. Further, the dispenser 10 of the present embodiment may be a dispenser such as the one manufactured by glaxosmithkline (gsk) under the model number ADVAIR DISKUS.

Referring to fig. 15 and 16, a fourth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention is shown, which has a substantially same overall structure as the first embodiment, except that the circuit device 6 further includes a pressure sensor 66.

The pressure sensor 66 is disposed on a surface of the circuit board 61 facing the carrier plate 26, and the carrier plate 26 is formed with a receiving hole 261 for receiving the pressure sensor 66. The pressure sensor 66 is adjacent one of the outlets 316 of the first end wall 311. During the process of sucking the medicament 414 by the patient, the gas in the carrying frame 25 will also flow in the direction of the arrow toward the inlet 324, so that the pressure sensor 66 can sense the pressure change of the gas flow flowing to the inlet 324. When the patient exhales against the inhalation orifice 231 of the dispenser 10, the pressure sensor 66 can sense the opposite airflow pressure change at the inlet 324. The dispenser 10 of the present embodiment may be, for example, a dispenser available from glaxosmithkline (gsk) as ADVAIR DISKUS.

Referring to fig. 17, 18 and 19, a fifth embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention is substantially the same as the first embodiment, except that the battery 64 is driven to supply power to the circuit board 61, and the circuit device 6 further includes a switch 67 for controlling the power supply of the battery 64 to the circuit board 61.

To ensure that the medicament dispenser 10 is received within a pack 13 without draining the batteries 64, the switch 67 is in a closed position when the medicament dispenser 10 is received within the pack 13, in which the batteries 64 are unable to supply power to the circuit board 61, thereby preventing the batteries 64 from draining. In addition, to improve convenience of use, when the patient opens the packing box 13, the switch 67 is automatically switched to an open state, so that the battery 64 supplies power to the circuit board 61.

In this embodiment, the first housing 21 of the base housing 2 is further formed with a through hole 215, and the through hole 215 is disposed at a position where the first housing 21 cannot be shielded when the outer cover 5 is in the covering position. The switch 67 is a light-sensing switch disposed on the circuit board 61 and corresponding to the through hole 215, and the switch 67 receives light from the external environment of the base housing 2 through the through hole 215. The packing box 13 includes a box body 131 and a cover 132. The case 131 defines a space 133 for accommodating the medicine dispenser 10. The cover 132 is hermetically connected to the case 131 and encloses the space 133. When the dispenser 10 is accommodated in the space 133 of the packing box 13, the switch 67 cannot receive light due to the shielding of the cover 132, and the switch 67 is in the off state. When the patient lifts the cover 132 to the position shown in fig. 19 and the switch 67 receives light, the switch 67 is automatically switched to the on state.

Referring to fig. 18, 19 and 20, in particular, the switch 67 is electrically connected to the battery 64 through a first circuit T1, and the battery 64 provides a small amount of power to the switch 67 through the first circuit T1 to maintain the operating state. The circuit board 61 is connected to the battery 64 through a second circuit T2. When the medicine dispenser 10 is accommodated in the space 133 of the packing box 13, the second circuit T2 is in a non-conductive state, and thus the battery 64 cannot supply power to the circuit board 61 through the second circuit T2. When the switch 67 receives light and automatically switches to the on state, the switch 67 drives the processor 63 to actuate to drive the second circuit T2 to switch to a conducting state, so that the battery 64 supplies power to the circuit board 61 through the second circuit T2. By means of the aforementioned circuit connection, even when the switch 67 is switched back to the off state due to the switch 67 being unable to receive light when the medicament dispenser 10 is moved to the dark, the battery 64 can still continuously supply power to the circuit board 61 through the second circuit T2 without being affected by the switch 67 being switched back to the off state. Further, the dispenser 10 of the present embodiment may be, for example, a dispenser manufactured by glaxosmithkline (gsk) and having a product type of advaiir DISKUS.

It should be noted that, during the manufacturing process in the factory, when the medicine dispenser 10 is not placed in the packing box 13, the through hole 215 (as shown in fig. 21) can be shielded by attaching a black sticker 7 with a light shielding function to the first housing 21 to prevent the switch 67 from receiving light. When the dispenser 10 is placed in the box 131 of the packing box 13, the black sticker 7 is torn away from the first casing 21, and then the cover 132 is sealed on the box 131 to prevent light from irradiating into the box 131. Alternatively, the processor 63 may be programmed to disable operation for a predetermined period of time before the dispenser 10 is placed in the package 13. Thereby, it is ensured that the battery 64 will not supply power to the circuit board 61 during the predetermined time period before the medicine dispenser 10 is placed in the packing box 13. In addition, the dispenser 10 of the present embodiment may be, for example, an Auto-Injector (Auto-Injector) for injecting medicine into muscle or other types of dispensers equipped with batteries, and the aforementioned power saving mechanism can achieve the effect of saving battery power.

Referring to fig. 22, a sixth embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention is shown, which is substantially the same in overall structure as the fifth embodiment, except for the form of a switch 67.

Referring to fig. 22, 23 and 25, the package 13 includes a magnet 134 disposed on the cover 132. Magnet 134 may be affixed to the inside surface of flap 132 by, for example, adhesive tape. The switch 67 is a Reed switch (Reed switch). When the dispenser 10 is accommodated in the space 133 of the packing box 13 and the switch 67 is affected by the magnetic field of the magnet 134, the switch 67 is in the off state, and at this time, the battery 64 cannot supply power to the circuit board 61. When the patient turns the packing box 13 on and the switch 67 is not affected by the magnetic field of the magnet 134, the switch 67 is automatically switched to the on state, so that the battery 64 supplies power to the circuit board 61.

Referring to fig. 23, 24 and 27, specifically, the switch 67 has a glass tube 671, a first magnetic spring plate 672, and a second magnetic spring plate 673. The glass tube 671 is filled with an inert gas. The first magnetic spring 672 is disposed through one end of the glass tube 671 and partially exposed out of the glass tube 671, and the first magnetic spring 672 is electrically connected to the circuit board 61. The second magnetic reed 673 is inserted into the other end of the glass tube 671 and partially exposed out of the glass tube 671, and the second magnetic reed 673 is connected to the first circuit T1. When the medicine dispenser 10 is accommodated in the space 133 of the packing box 13, the switch 67 is close to the magnet 134, and the first magnetic spring piece 672 and the second magnetic spring piece 673 are slightly bent and deformed under the influence of the magnetic field of the magnet 134, so that a first contact end 674 of the first magnetic spring piece 672 and a second contact end 675 of the second magnetic spring piece 673 are separated by a gap. At this time, the switch 67 is in the off state of the open circuit, and the second circuit T2 is in the non-conductive state, so that the battery 64 cannot supply power to the circuit board 61 through the second circuit T2.

Referring to fig. 25, 26 and 27, when the patient tears the cover 132 off the case 131 or opens the cover to the position shown in fig. 19, the switch 67 is away from the magnet 134, and the first and second spring pieces 672 and 673 are not affected by the magnetic field of the magnet 134. At this time, the first magnetic spring piece 672 and the second magnetic spring piece 673 are reset by the reset elastic force accumulated at the time of deformation, the first contact end 674 and the second contact end 675 are brought into contact with each other, and the switch 67 is automatically switched to the open state of the passage. The switch 67 drives the processor 63 to switch the second circuit T2 to the conducting state, so that the battery 64 is powered to the circuit board 61 through the second circuit T2. By means of the aforementioned circuit connection, even when the medicine dispenser 10 moves to a place where the magnet is present, so that the switch 67 is switched back to the off state by the magnetic field of the magnet, the battery 64 can be continuously supplied with power to the circuit board 61 through the second circuit T2 without being affected by the switch 67 being switched back to the off state.

Referring to fig. 28, 29 and 30, a seventh embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention is shown, which is substantially the same as the fifth embodiment in terms of overall structure, except for the manner in which the battery 64 saves power.

The circuit board 61 has a conductive portion 612. The battery 64 has a ground terminal 641 contacting the circuit board 61 and a conductive terminal 642 electrically connected to the connecting portion 612 of the circuit board 61. The insulating sheet 68 is made of an insulating material such as PET, PVC or PC, the insulating sheet 68 can be detachably abutted between the connecting portion 612 of the circuit board 61 and the conductive terminal 642, and the insulating sheet 68 is sandwiched by the first casing 21 and the second casing 22 and is exposed outside the base casing 2. Since the insulating sheet 68 is blocked between the conductive terminals 642 and the connecting portion 612, the battery 64 cannot supply power to the circuit board 61. This ensures that the medicament dispenser 10 does not consume power from the battery 64 when housed in the package 13 (as shown in fig. 18). When the patient tears the cover 132 off the case 131 or lifts the cover to the position shown in fig. 19, the insulation sheet 68 is pulled away from the conductive terminal 642 and the connecting portion 612 and the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 along the arrow direction, and at this time, the conductive terminal 642 is restored by its own elasticity and abuts against the connecting portion 612, so that the battery 64 can supply power to the circuit board 61.

In summary, the sensor 62 can sense whether the air inlet hole 213 is shielded or not and remind the patient through the electronic device 12, so that the patient can quickly obtain the information to adjust the finger position to move away from the air inlet hole 213. Therefore, air can smoothly flow into the medicine dispenser 10 through the air inlet hole 213 during the suction process of the patient, so that the patient can completely suck a sufficient amount of the medicine. Further, when the medicine dispenser 10 is accommodated in the package case 13, the switch 67 is in the closed state, and thus the battery 64 can be prevented from consuming power. Moreover, when the packing box 13 is opened, the switch 67 is used for automatically switching to the opening state to supply power to the circuit board by the battery 64, so that the convenience in use can be improved, and the purpose of the invention can be really achieved.

Claims (5)

1. A medicament dispenser; the method is characterized in that:

the medicine dispenser comprises a base shell and a circuit device arranged in the base shell, wherein the base shell is provided with an air suction hole and an air inlet hole for a patient to suck air, the circuit device comprises a sensor and a processor which are adjacent to the air inlet hole, the sensor is used for sensing whether the air inlet hole is shielded or not, when the sensor senses that the air inlet hole is shielded, a sensing signal is generated, the processor receives the sensing signal and then generates a corresponding output signal for subsequent reminding, the circuit device further comprises a circuit board, a battery and a switch, the base shell is further provided with a through hole, the switch is a light-sensing switch corresponding to the through hole, the switch receives light of the external environment of the base shell through the through hole, and when the switch does not receive the light, the switch is in a closed state, the battery can not supply power to the circuit board, and when the switch receives the light, the switch is automatically switched to an on state to enable the battery to supply power to the circuit board.

2. A medicament dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: the processor is arranged on the circuit board, the switch is arranged on the circuit board and is electrically connected to the battery through a first circuit, the circuit board is connected to the battery through a second circuit, the second circuit is in a non-conducting state, and when the switch is switched to the on state, the processor is driven to actuate to drive the second circuit to be switched to the conducting state, so that the battery is powered to the circuit board through the second circuit.

3. A medicament dispenser; the method is characterized in that:

the medicament dispenser comprises a base shell and a circuit device arranged in the base shell, the base shell is provided with an air suction hole and an air inlet hole for a patient to inhale, the circuit device comprises a sensor and a processor, wherein the sensor is adjacent to the air inlet hole and used for sensing whether the air inlet hole is shielded or not, when the sensor senses that the air inlet is shielded, the sensor generates a sensing signal, the processor generates a corresponding output signal after receiving the sensing signal so as to be used for follow-up reminding, the circuit device also comprises a circuit board, a battery and a switch, wherein the switch is a magnetic reed switch, when the switch is affected by the magnetic field, the switch is in a closed state, the battery cannot supply power to the circuit board, when the switch is not affected by the magnetic field, the switch is automatically switched to an on state to enable the battery to supply power to the circuit board.

4. A medicament dispenser according to claim 3, wherein: the processor is arranged on the circuit board, the switch is arranged on the circuit board and is electrically connected to the battery through a first circuit, the circuit board is connected to the battery through a second circuit, the second circuit is in a non-conducting state, and when the switch is switched to the on state, the processor is driven to actuate to drive the second circuit to be switched to the conducting state, so that the battery is powered to the circuit board through the second circuit.

5. A medicament dispenser; the method is characterized in that:

the medicament dispenser comprises a base shell and a circuit device arranged in the base shell, the base shell is provided with an air suction hole and an air inlet hole for a patient to inhale, the circuit device comprises a sensor and a processor, wherein the sensor is adjacent to the air inlet hole and used for sensing whether the air inlet hole is shielded or not, when the sensor senses that the air inlet is shielded, the sensor generates a sensing signal, the processor generates a corresponding output signal after receiving the sensing signal so as to be used for follow-up reminding, the circuit device also comprises a circuit board, a battery and an insulating sheet, wherein the battery is provided with a conductive pin which can be electrically connected with the circuit board, the insulating piece can be taken out set up in the circuit board with just expose between the electrically conductive pin outside the basic shell, when the insulating piece is taken out, electrically conductive pin can with the circuit board electricity is connected.

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