Medicant dispensers and components thereof

摘要

A medicament dispenser has a valve with an actuator movable between valve closed and valve open positions. Movement of the valve actuator between these positions is monitored by a device having a light generator 24 with a source of power therefore, and means defining a light path from the generator to a sensor 30. A switch 18 coupled to the valve actuator activates the power source each time the actuator is moved to its valve open position to transmit light from the generator 24 along the light path and provoke a signal from the sensor 30. A counter 32 coupled to the sensor 30 maintains a record of the use of the dispenser. Elements of the monitoring device may be mounted in a separate module in which a canister of medicament can be installed. The power source for the light generator 24 may be a piezoelectric device and or a voltaic polymer and the light generator 24 may be a light emitting diode. The light path from the light generator 24 to the sensor 30 includes a window 14 in the dispenser housing 4 which may incorporate a lens.