Why Smart Inhalers?
Smart inhalers are inhalers that integrate connectivity with a mobile app, via Bluetooth, for instance. These devices are built with sensor technology that helps record data about the time and date of use, and the location of the patient at each use.
In order to mitigate the clinical severity of chronic respiratory diseases, patients need to adhere to a strict medication schedule. The dosage and timing are adjusted to achieve control of their symptoms.
Internet connectivity was earlier achieved by wireless (wi-fi) or Bluetooth networks. Now artificial intelligence (AI) is giving rise to new-generation medical devices that deliver smart care.
Benefits of Smart Inhaler
The world’s first smart inhaler to receive approval from the FDA was Teva’s Pro-air Digihaler. This has a use-tracking real-time sensor that syncs it to a mobile app. The sensors may be either an integral part of the inhaler itself or be external devices that are attached to the primary inhaler.
This can be used to set up an automatic reminder for the next dose. These inhalers help remind patients to use them at the right time, and can also alert if they forget to take their devices with them. In addition, the issue of non-compliance could be addressed by these devices.
These records can provide data that predicts asthma attacks, thus allowing the patient to forestall them. This could help reduce the clinical severity and length of each such episode, preventing worsening of lung damage.
The use of smart inhalers allows patients and their doctors to track their condition and monitor the efficacy of treatment in individual patients over time.
The time and location tracking may also help identify trigger factors, share data instantly with the doctor, and accumulate data for research. Some digital inhalers can even track or sense high levels of pollution.
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