DE102020212949A1 - Sensor module for an inhaler and method for operating a sensor module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor module (100) for an inhaler (105) for monitoring an active substance application process, the sensor module (100) having at least one sensor (125) for detecting an air volume flowing through the inhaler (105).

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on a sensor module for an inhaler and a method for operating a sensor module according to the species of the independent claims. The subject matter of the present invention is also a computer program.

In the case of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), patients should usually inhale medication several times a day. There are a number of different dispensing principles, device types and manufacturers. A basic distinction is made between the two delivery principles "dosed aerosol", in which the drug is sprayed, and "powder inhaler", in which the drug is in powder form in a reservoir.

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, a sensor module for an inhaler, an inhaler with a sensor module and a method for operating a sensor module, a device that uses this method and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims are presented with the approach presented here. Advantageous developments and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim are possible as a result of the measures listed in the dependent claims.

When carrying out an active substance application procedure with an inhaler, a mouthpiece of the inhaler is surrounded by the lips of a user or patient and, while inhaling as deeply as possible, a spray burst is released, during which an active substance is released. Since a maximum amount of the active substance should reach the user's lungs, the volume flow of air generated by inhalation is an important indicator of whether the active substance application process has been carried out correctly. With the sensor module presented here for an inhaler, the volume of air flowing through the inhaler can advantageously be monitored by sensors. This makes it possible to determine whether the active ingredient application process was carried out correctly or with maximum effectiveness, or whether the entire process or a partial process can be improved in a future application.

A sensor module for an inhaler for monitoring an active ingredient application process is presented, the sensor module having at least one sensor for detecting an air volume flowing through the inhaler. The sensor module can be arranged, for example, on an inhaler housing or on a cartridge that can be arranged in the inhaler housing.

The cartridge of the inhaler may contain an active ingredient for a respiratory disease dissolved in an aerosol and may be pressurized. When the cartridge is pushed down in the inhaler body, some of the active ingredient may escape from the cartridge in the form of small droplets, which may end up in the user's lungs with the breath. During such an active substance application process, the sensor can detect the volume of air flowing through the inhaler, as a result of which the user's tidal volume can be determined. Advantageously, the volume of air can be used to determine whether a sufficient quantity of the active substance contained in the cartridge has been taken up by the user.

According to one embodiment, the sensor can be designed as a differential pressure sensor in order to detect a pressure difference between an ambient pressure existing outside the sensor module and a flow pressure of the air volume existing inside the inhaler. For example, the sensor module can be located in the flow field of the air, which is generated by the active substance application process, which can also be referred to as an inhalation process. The sensor module can, for example, determine the ambient pressure and the pressure in the flow. The pressure difference allows conclusions to be drawn about the flow velocity of the air volume flowing along the sensor module. In this way, the volume flow and the tidal volume can advantageously be determined with the aid of pressure sensors via differential pressure. The use of a differential pressure sensor has the advantage that the air volume can be determined using a sensor system that is already known and tested.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor module can be attached or attachable to a cartridge containing an active substance. In this way, a sensor module that can be flexibly and quickly exchanged or transferred can be provided, with which an air volume flowing through the inhaler can be detected. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor module can be designed to suppress an active substance application process if the air volume sensed by the sensor is smaller than a predefined threshold value. In this way it can be ensured that a sufficient volume of air flows through the inhaler for an efficient application process of the active substance and that the active substance reaches the desired site of action quickly and as completely as possible bring According to a further embodiment, a display can also be provided on which the currently measured air volume is shown graphically. In this way, the user can also be given an indication of how his breathing behavior is currently behaving in relation to, for example, a desired breathing behavior, so that the user can be given an indication of a change in breathing technique in order to optimize the application of the active substance.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor module can have a hose element, wherein the hose element can be connected or can be connected to the differential pressure sensor at one end and is or can be arranged at the other end in an intermediate space between an inhaler housing of the inhaler and a cartridge area for receiving a cartridge in the inhaler housing can be. For example, when the cartridge is inserted, the hose element can protrude as a small tube or hose into the space between the cartridge and the inhaler housing and be connected to the pressure sensor in the sensor module. The hose element can thus couple the pressure in the housing to the sensor module, as a result of which the pressure in the intermediate space can be determined. Advantageously, the measurement of the pressure difference can be optimized in this way. At the same time, the flow cross section in the space in which the tube element runs can be known, since the flow cross section at this point can be calculated from a cross section of the inhaler housing minus the cross section of the cartridge. With these two items of information, the volume flow and thus the tidal volume of a user can be determined very precisely over a specific period of time during an active substance application process.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor can be embodied as a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the air volume flowing through the inhaler, in addition or as an alternative to a heating element for heating air from the air volume flowing through the inhaler. With this thermal measuring principle, for example, a heater or heating element can heat the air flowing around, the temperature of which and/or the temperature of the heating element can be measured by one or more surrounding temperature sensors. The measured temperature can give conclusions about the flow rate and the volume flow can be determined for a given cross-section of the inhaler and the cartridge contained therein. In this way, the volume flow can advantageously be detected using an already known and tried-and-tested procedure.

According to a further embodiment, the temperature sensor can be designed to detect the air volume using a controlled variable that can be used to keep the heating element at a predetermined temperature. For example, the heating element can be heated to a certain temperature. The air flowing past during an active substance application process can cool the heating element depending on the volume of air which flows past the heating element, which is why it can require a certain expenditure of energy for the heating element to maintain a predetermined target temperature. Advantageously, the energy expended for the heating element can serve as an indicator in order to determine the volume of the air flowing past.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor can be designed as an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the flow rate of the air volume flowing through the inhaler. For example, an ultrasonic sensor can be directed from the sensor module onto a flow channel of the air flow of the inhaler. With the help of the Doppler effect, the frequency shift of a transmitted signal due to the flow speed of the particles in the medium or the flowing air volume can be recorded. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that ultrasonic sensors that have already been tested and are less prone to errors can be used.

In addition, the sensor module can be formed so that it can be separated from the inhaler housing. For example, the sensor module can be an independent unit that can be placed on the cartridge that can be arranged in the inhaler housing, regardless of the size and shape of the inhaler housing. Such a connection can be made, for example, by means of a suitable connecting element on a base of the sensor module and additionally or alternatively by means of an adapter. This has the advantage that the sensor module can be combined with different inhalers in different embodiments.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor module can be arranged in and additionally or alternatively on the inhaler housing. In this case, for example, the sensor can be arranged on a wall of the inhaler housing in order to detect the volume of air flowing through the inhaler. Material and costs can advantageously be saved by this embodiment.

According to a further embodiment, the sensor module can be an output device for outputting a sensor signal which is output by the sensor and represents the air volume. For example, the output device can have a display and additionally or alternatively a transmission interface via which the sensor signal can be sent wirelessly to a mobile device, for example a smartphone or tablet. Advantageously, information that is relevant for a user can be called up by a user, for example whether the inhalation was carried out correctly, possibly with information about which sub-process was not carried out correctly, or what could be done better in the next application. Additionally or alternatively, the output device can, for example, emit an acoustic signal and additionally or alternatively comprise a light unit, which can indicate to a user by means of a color signal whether the active substance application process has been carried out correctly. Such an embodiment has the advantage that a user can quickly and directly receive feedback on the inhalation that has been carried out.

In addition, an inhaler with an inhaler housing for accommodating a cartridge and a sensor module according to a variant presented here is presented. For example, the sensor module can be designed so that it can be placed on the cartridge of the inhaler, and the sensors of the sensor module can be matched to the size and shape of the inhaler and the cartridge. Such a combination has the advantage that all the advantages mentioned above can be optimally implemented.

In addition, a method for operating a variant of the sensor module presented here is presented, the method comprising a step of detecting an air volume and a step of outputting a sensor signal representing the air volume. Advantageously, with such a method, the use of an inhaler can be monitored with a sensor module and a user can be given feedback about the correct or incorrect use of the inhaler during an active substance administration process.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.

The approach presented here also creates a device that is designed to carry out, control or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. The object on which the invention is based can also be achieved quickly and efficiently by this embodiment variant of the invention in the form of a device.

For this purpose, the device can have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading in sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting data or control signals to the Have actuator and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data that are embedded in a communication protocol. The arithmetic unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like, with the memory unit being able to be a flash memory, an EEPROM or a magnetic memory unit. The communication interface can be designed to read in or output data wirelessly and/or by wire, wherein a communication interface that can read in or output wire-bound data can, for example, read this data electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line or can output it to a corresponding data transmission line.

In the present case, a device can be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor signals and, depending thereon, outputs control and/or data signals. The device can have an interface that can be configured as hardware and/or software. In the case of a hardware design, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible for the interfaces to be separate integrated circuits or to consist at least partially of discrete components. In the case of a software design, the interfaces can be software modules which are present, for example, on a microcontroller alongside other software modules.

A computer program product or computer program with program code, which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and/or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above, is also advantageous used, especially when the program product or program is run on a computer or device.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Sensormoduls mit einem Inhalator;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Sensormoduls;
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben eines Sensormoduls; und
• 4 ein Blockschaltbild eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Vorrichtung zum Betreiben eines Sensormoduls.

Exemplary embodiments of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a sensor module with an inhaler;
• 2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a sensor module;
• 3 a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a sensor module; and
• 4 a block diagram of an embodiment of a device for operating a sensor module.

In the following description of favorable exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the elements which are shown in the various figures and have a similar effect, with a repeated description of these elements being dispensed with.

If an embodiment includes an "and/or" link between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read in such a way that the embodiment according to one embodiment includes both the first feature and the second feature and according to a further embodiment either only that having the first feature or only the second feature.

1 12 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a sensor module 100 with an inhaler 105. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor module 100 is in the form of a module that is separate from an inhaler housing 110 and is arranged on a cartridge 115. In this exemplary embodiment, the cartridge 115 contains a liquid or a powder mixed with an active substance, which can be taken up as an aerosol by a user via a mouthpiece 120 when the cartridge 115 is pressed down. During an active substance application process, the user encloses the mouthpiece 120 with his lips, presses down the cartridge 115 and with it the sensor module 100 and breathes in at the same time. This creates an air flow 122 which flows along the cartridge 115 within the inhaler 105 in the direction of the mouthpiece 120 . Since the sensor module 100 is arranged on the cartridge 115 in this exemplary embodiment, it is also in the immediate vicinity of the air flow 122 that is generated. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor 125 arranged on the sensor module 100 is designed as a differential pressure sensor. Using the differential pressure sensor, sensor module 100 is designed to determine on the one hand an ambient pressure existing outside of sensor module 100 and on the other hand the pressure in the flow or the flow pressure of the air volume flowing along the sensor module and through inhaler 105. Based on the recorded pressure difference between the ambient pressure and the flow pressure, conclusions can be drawn about the flow speed of the air flow. In order to optimize the measurement accuracy, the sensor module 100 in this exemplary embodiment also includes a tube element 130, which is connected to the sensor module 100 at an upper end and protrudes with a lower end into an intermediate space 135 between the cartridge 115 and the inhaler housing 110, whereby in this exemplary embodiment the flow pressure within the inhaler housing 110 is coupled to the sensor module 100 .

In addition or as an alternative to the differential pressure sensor, the inhaler 105 shown in this figure includes in this exemplary embodiment a heating element 140 arranged on the inhaler housing 110, which is designed to heat the air flowing through the inhaler 105 to a predetermined temperature. A temperature sensor 145, which is also arranged on the inhaler housing 105, is designed, merely by way of example, to record the amount of energy used to keep the heating element 140 at the predetermined temperature. The energy expenditure recorded by the temperature sensor 145 provides information about the flow speed. Due to the known dimensions of the intermediate space 135 through which the air flow 122 flows past the heating element 140, the volume flow can be determined as a result.

In another exemplary embodiment, the sensor module can be designed with only one or more differential pressure sensors and in a further exemplary embodiment only with one or more temperature sensors. These can be located, for example, on the outside or underside of the sensor module 100 or, in a further variant, can be integrated in the tube element 130 .

2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a sensor module 100. This can be the in 1 act described sensor module. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor 125 is designed as an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor 125 is only designed by way of example to, when the sensor module 100 is placed on, as in 1 described sending an ultrasonic signal onto a cartridge of an inhaler along the volume of air flowing through the inhaler. In other words, the ultrasonic sensor from the sensor module 100 “looks” into the flow channel from above. using the Doppler effect the frequency shift of a transmitted signal due to the flow velocity of the particles in the medium is recorded.

In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor module 100 also includes an output device 200 which is designed to receive a sensor signal 205 output by the sensor 125 . In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor signal 205 represents the air volume detected by the sensor 125 or the respiratory volume of the user during an active substance application process. The recorded volume flow is, for example, an important indicator for a correctly or incorrectly carried out active substance application. In this exemplary embodiment, the output device 200 is designed to provide a user with information about the active substance application process that has been carried out using the sensor signal 205 .

3 FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 300 for operating a sensor module. Method 300 includes a step 305 of detecting an air volume and a step 310 of outputting a sensor signal representing the air volume.

4 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a device 400 for operating a sensor module according to a variant presented here. The device comprises a detection unit 405 for triggering a detection of an air volume. In addition, the device 400 includes an output unit 410 for triggering an output of a sensor signal representing the air volume.

Claims (15)

Sensor module (100) for an inhaler (105) for monitoring an active substance application process, the sensor module (100) having at least one sensor (125) for detecting an air volume flowing through the inhaler (105). Sensor module (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor (125) is designed as a differential pressure sensor in order to detect a pressure difference between an ambient pressure outside the sensor module (100) and a flow pressure of the air volume inside the inhaler (105). Sensor module (100) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the sensor module (100) is or can be attached to a cartridge (115) containing an active substance and/or wherein the sensor module (100) is designed to suppress an active substance application process if the air volume sensed by the sensor (125) is less than is a predefined threshold. Sensor module (100) according to claim 2 or 3 , with a hose element (130), wherein the hose element (130) is connected or can be connected at one end to the differential pressure sensor and at the other end in an intermediate space (135) between an inhaler housing (110) of the inhaler (105) and a cartridge area for Accommodating a cartridge (115) in the inhaler housing (110) is arranged or can be arranged. Sensor module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (125) as a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the air volume flowing through the inhaler (105) and/or a heating element (140) for heating air from the air flowing through the inhaler (105 ) flowing air volume is formed. Sensor module (100) according to claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensor is designed to detect the air volume using a controlled variable that can be used to keep the heating element (140) at a predetermined temperature. Sensor module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (125) is designed as an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the flow rate of the air volume flowing through the inhaler (105). Sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor module (100) is formed separably from the inhaler housing (110). Sensor module (100) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the sensor module (100) is arranged in and/or on the inhaler housing (110). Sensor module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, having an output device (200) for outputting a sensor signal (205) representing the air volume output by the sensor (125). Inhaler (105) with an inhaler housing (110) for receiving a cartridge (115) and a sensor module (100) according to one of the preceding claims. Method (300) for operating a sensor module (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (300) comprises the following steps: detecting (305) an air volume; and Outputting (310) a sensor signal representing the air volume. Device (400) which is set up to carry out and/or control the steps (305, 310) of the method (300) according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units (405, 410). Computer program set up to execute and/or control the steps (305, 310) of the method (300) according to one of the preceding claims. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program Claim 14 is saved.

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