The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 31, 2017
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2012
Michael Hosemann, Cambridge, GB;
Desmond Phillips, Cambridge, GB;
David Ramble, Cambridge, GB;
Sean Reynolds, West Sussex, GB;
Edward Vernon-harcourt, West Sussex, GB;
Michael Hosemann, Cambridge, GB;
Desmond Phillips, Cambridge, GB;
David Ramble, Cambridge, GB;
Sean Reynolds, West Sussex, GB;
Edward Vernon-Harcourt, West Sussex, GB;
Novartis AG, Basel, CH;
Abstract
The invention relates to an inhaler () comprising a capsule housing () for containing a medicament capsule (). The inhaler includes an airflow path () through which air flows during an airflow event from at least one air inlet () to an outlet (), the airflow path passing through the capsule housing. There is a first sensor (), a processor () and a power source () for powering the processor. The capsule housing is defined by at least one wall () and configured such that when a capsule is located in the capsule housing and sufficient air flows along the airflow path through the capsule housing, the capsule moves within the capsule housing. The first sensor is arranged on the inhaler so that it is able to detect the movement of the capsule within the capsule housing and generate a first signal indicative of said movement. The processor receives the first signal from the first sensor and uses said first signal to determine whether the first signal is indicative of the presence, or absence, of a capsule in the capsule housing during an airflow event and generate a capsule signal indicative thereof.