Detection system and method for aerosol delivery
An apparatus comprises a detector, a pressure sensor and a processor. The detector is operable to detect light that is scattered by an aerosol that is associated with a pressure. The pressure sensor is operable to measure the pressure. The processor is coupled to the detector and to the pressure sensor, and is configured to receive at least a signal from the detector and the pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to use the received signals to calculate a volume of the first aerosol, and to output an output signal associated with the calculated volume. The various measurements can be repeated and compared, and the output signal can be a feedback signal for metering subsequent amounts of the aerosol, based on the comparison.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a light source;
a detector operable to detect light;
a sensor operable to determine a pressure; and
a processor coupled to the detector and the sensor, the processor configured to
receive a signal associated with the detector that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
receive a signal from the sensor; and
calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
receive a signal from the sensor;
calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and
output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal is received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.
5. A therapeutic agent delivery device comprising:
a housing having an orifice for delivery of the therapeutic agent to the user;
and
a processor configured to
receive a signal associated with a sensor, the signal associated with a volume of a first therapeutic agent delivered to the user;
receive a signal associated with the sensor, the signal associated with a volume of a second therapeutic agent delivered to the user;
calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent delivered and the second therapeutic agent delivered;
compare the calculated volumes; and
adjust the target volume of a subsequent delivery of the therapeutic agent.
6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a detector operable to detect light.
7. The device of claim 5 further comprising a pressure sensor.
8. The device of claim 7 , further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
receive a signal from the pressure sensor;
calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and
output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.
9. The device of claim 8 , further comprising a dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal is received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.
10. The device of claims 9 wherein the device is configured to deliver a predetermined volume of the therapeutic agent.
11. A therapeutic agent device comprising:
a volume transducer, the volume transducer sends a signal associated with a volume of a therapeutic agent in a flow path; and
a processor, the processor configured to
receive signals from the volume transducer and calculate the volume of the therapeutic agent, and
adjust a target volume of the therapeutic agent.
12. The device of claim 11 further comprising a pressure sensor.
13. The device of claim 11 further comprising a detector operable to detect light.
14. The device of claim 13 further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive a signal associated with the detector that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into the flow path;
receive a signal from a pressure sensor; and
calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor.
15. The device of claim 14 , further comprising wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive a signal associated with the detector from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
receive a signal from the sensor;
calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the detector, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor; and
output a signal associated with a comparison of the volume of the first therapeutic agent and the volume of the second therapeutic agent.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising dose-selection means coupled to the processor, and wherein the output signal is received by the dose-selection means, and wherein the output signal includes information useful for metering a third therapeutic agent.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.