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 sensor operable to determine a pressure; and
a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to:
receive a signal associated with the sensor that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor;
receive a signal associated with the sensor from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, 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.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , 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.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a light source located within the flow path.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a detector operable to detect light.
6. An apparatus comprising:
a sensor operable to determine a pressure;
a light source located within a flow path; and
a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to:
receive a signal associated with the sensor that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into the flow path;
calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor;
receive a signal associated with the sensor from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, 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.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a detector operable to detect light.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , 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.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.
10. An apparatus comprising:
a sensor operable to determine a pressure; and
a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to:
receive a signal associated with the sensor that is associated with a first therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
calculate a volume of the first therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, the calculation based on the signal representing the sensor;
receive a signal associated with the sensor from a second therapeutic agent introduced into a flow path;
calculate a volume of the second therapeutic agent when the processor receives a signal associated with the sensor, 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.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a light source located within the flow path.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a detector operable to detect light.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , 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.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the output signal comprising information for metering a third therapeutic agent.