Acoustic inhaler flow measurement

摘要

A dry powder or aerosol inhaler having attached thereto, in a detachable manner, a sound/vibration sensor adapted to sense sound/vibration in the interval of 100-3000 Hz and there from derive a parameter of a flow in a flow path of the inhaler. The sensor does not interfere with the flow path of the inhaler.

主权项

1. An inhaler, comprising:
an external surface; a dispenser configured to dispense an aerosol or a dry powder at a dispensing position; a channel defining a flow path between the dispensing position and a gas outlet; a sensor detachably attached to the external surface, the sensor being adapted to sense vibrations or sound with a frequency in an interval of 100-3000 Hz; a processor adapted to estimate, on the basis of the vibrations/sound sensed in the interval of 100-3000 Hz, at least one parameter of a flow velocity of gas in the flow path; and a casing enclosing the sensor, wherein a front of the sensor is in direct contact with the external surface and a rear side of the sensor is in direct acoustic contact with surroundings of the inhaler via a port in the casing.