An Inhalation Device With Inertial Measurement Unit for Monitoring Inhaler Technique

Inhalers are commonly used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Regular and correct usage of inhalers is necessary for effective use. However, approximately 70% of patients do not use their inhalers as directed. This is due to a lack of understanding about the medication and misunderstanding of directions. Assessment of patients’ inhaler techniques are usually conducted in person. However, doctors or pharmacists have no objective information regarding how patients use their inhalers at home. Therefore, monitoring daily inhaler use is necessary for precise medical treatment. This article proposes an inhalation monitoring device using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU is used to measure a patient’s inhalation motion. Incorrect inhalation usage can be determined by comparing the measurement data against data that indicate correct usage. The experimental results show the utility of the proposed device.