- the number of doses remaining in their medication canister and
- the number of hours that have elapsed since they last used the medication.
People with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, who need inhalation-delivered medications, often find that it is (a) difficult to know how much medication remains in an aerosol canister, putting them at risk of running out when medication is needed, and (b) difficult to remember how much time has passed since the last dose.
- The Dose Monitor has been designed and priced specifically for sale through pharmaceutical manufacturers who are marketing Metered Dose Inhalers.
- The Dose Monitor is received by the consumer ready to use. It is designed to fit the common 22 mm diameter canisters, and the standard factory dose-count setting is 200. However, it can be factory-set to any dose count from 8 to 400, and even made to fit larger diameter canisters, if ordered in sufficient quantity.
- Activation is accomplished through one, reliable, snap-action dome switch within the device.
- The Dose Monitor displays its readings on an LCD, in simple analog fashion. The number of doses remaining in the medication canister and the number of hours that have elapsed since the medication was last used are displayed. The resulting bar-graphs are easy for anyone at any age to understand.
Important to Note: The Dose Monitor continuously displays the number of hours since the inhaler was last used. An asthmatic who uses an inhaler on an as-needed basis cannot always remember how many hours have elapsed since the last use of medication. Too frequent use of the medication is dangerous. The Dose Monitor provides the patient with a before-use visual warning if too little time has elapsed between doses.
- The small Dose Monitor, attached to the medication canister, is comfortable and convenient to carry in pocket or purse.
- When the user actuates the dispenser, the Dose Monitor discretely flashes its display for the user to visually confirm that a dose has been subtracted from the total.
- The Dose Monitor is an excellent addition to Asthma Management Programs, in that it allows patients to report medication usage far more accurately and timely than the "frequency of prescription refills" indicates.
(c)2001 Hcl, Inc., Lancaster, PA 17603
