FR3036036A1 - DEVICE FOR ANALYZING A SUCCESSION OF MOVEMENTS OF A PATIENT IN RELATION TO THE PROTOCOL USING AN INHALER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for analyzing a succession of movements of a patient with respect to the protocol for using an inhaler, said analysis device being arranged partially on an inhaler (2) and on the patient ( 3), typically according to the invention the device comprises: - at least one locating means (6) disposed on the patient (3), - at least one locating means (7) disposed on the inhaler (2). an actuation detector (10) of said inhaler (2), recording means (4) of the locating means (6; 7) and the actuation detector (10) disposed on the inhaler, - Analysis means (5) for comparing the relative movements of the inhaler (2) and the patient (3) relative to the protocol data recorded in storage means (11).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for analyzing a succession of movements of a patient with respect to the protocol for using an inhaler.

The analysis device and the associated method make it possible to verify the proper monitoring of the use protocol and to facilitate the learning of the inhalation technique. A first possible use of this device is learning in either movements learned in the practitioner, the device can be associated with an empty inhaler or with neutral compounds. The device can also be used in the practitioner to verify with the latter the effectiveness of the inhalation technique and to understand any errors or imperfections in the art. The analysis device is preferably used both during the training until the acquisition of the right movements and also afterwards, the inhalation technique can be forgotten if the patient does not regularly use his inhaler. This use as an apprenticeship is however not limitative, the analysis device can also be set up on an inhaler with drug compounds, especially to fight against asthma, in order to check, control and / or or to record the actual intake of drug compounds especially in children. PRIOR ART Inhalers make it possible to directly deliver a drug or pharmaceutical compound into the bronchi. Inhalers have long been used, particularly in the treatment of asthma to dilate the bronchi and relieve the patient during his attacks. In order for the inhaler to be effective, it is essential to carry out a series of operations in order, in particular, to synchronize the actuation of the inhaler with the breathing of the patient. This sequence of operations or protocol is not intuitive and therefore must be learned and requires some training otherwise the amount of powdered medicine or spray 3036036 2 reaching the bronchi or preserved in the bronchi is insufficient to act effectively . Among the problems encountered during inhalation, it is common for the patient to press the inhaler too early for inspiration or still not maintain sufficient apnea after inhalation. Until now learning is done either at the practitioner, or directly from the record of the inhaler. Practitioner learning is usually done with a scorecard, the practitioner makes the right moves, gives explanations and then asks the patient to test and correct their mistakes. The practitioner, ie the doctor or the pharmacist, then gives the patient an evaluation sheet allowing the patient to recall the good movements and the points to be improved. This learning is effective in that the practitioner can explain and verify the execution of the protocol, however, if the learning is not completely mastered or forgotten, it is in practice difficult to go each time the practitioner to start learning again. Finally, the learning time of a practitioner is sometimes insufficient to avoid handling errors and especially in certain categories of patients and for example in children. It is also understood that theoretical learning on the basis of a simple notice is unsatisfactory. To date, no device or method allows the patient to evaluate without the aid of a specialist the succession of movements to be performed according to the protocol of use of an inhaler.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to solve all or part of the technical problems related to the aforementioned prior art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a motion analysis device 30 which can be easily implemented by a non-specialist and allow a reliable evaluation of its inhalation technique. It is another object of the present invention to provide a motion analysis device that can be used both for inhalation training and for real inhalation. Another object of the present invention is to provide an analysis device 5 for evaluating its movements from a computer equipped with a camera or a smartphone. Another object of the present invention is to provide an analysis device for reliably providing information on patient errors and / or patches to bring to its inhalation technique. Another object of the present invention is to provide an analysis device enabling the patient's movements to be evaluated for any type of inhaler and in particular in the form of a powder or a spray of the conventional or metered aerosol type SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for analyzing a succession of movements of a patient with respect to a protocol for using an inhaler, said analysis device being arranged partially on an inhaler and on the patient, said device for analysis according to the invention comprising: at least one "patient" locating means disposed on the patient, at least one "inhaler" locating means disposed on the inhaler, an operating sensor of said inhaler, means for continuously recording the locating means and the actuation detector disposed on the inhaler; analysis means making it possible to compare the relative displacements of the inhaler and the patient; relative to the protocol data written in storage means.

DEFINITIONS The term "inhaler" defines, within the meaning of the present invention, a conventional inhaler or aerosol metering powder or spray and all other inhalation device also known and especially those distributed under the following trademarks: autohaler® , beclojet®, diskus®, tubuhaler®, aerohaler® or easyhaler®, novolizer® or clickhaler®.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The present invention will be better understood on reading a detailed example of embodiment with reference to the appended figures, given by way of non-limiting example, among which: FIG. 1 represents a schematic exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 represents in diagrammatic form the various steps of the analysis device, FIG. 4 represents in diagrammatic form the various steps of the analysis device, FIG. exemplary embodiment of a display for the patient to control compliance with the protocol. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims at protecting an analysis device 1 from a succession of movements of a patient with respect to a protocol for using an inhaler. Referring to FIG. 1, representing an exemplary embodiment of the analysis device 1, the various elements of the analysis device 1 are shown, the latter being placed partially on an inhaler 2 and on the patient 3 and also comprise In this regard, the recording means 4 and analysis 5 can be integrated in a smartphone or "smartphone" or in a personal computer equipped with a computer. a webcam. Advantageously, the analysis means 5 are partially or totally located on a remote server, the smartphone or the computer providing data transfer via a network on the one hand and data display on the other hand from the remote analysis means 5. However, in another embodiment, the analysis means 5 will be wholly or partly integrated in the analysis device 1 locally.

In another embodiment, the recording means 4 and analysis 5 are housed in a device for producing a completely autonomous device 1. Referring to the figure, it can be seen that the analysis device 1 comprises several locating means, namely at least one "patient" marking means 6 placed on the patient, and at least one "inhaler" locating means 7 arranged on the inhaler. Advantageously, these locating means 6 and 7 consist of color targets 8 bonded to the patient 3 and to the inhaler 2. The locating means 6, 7 are more precisely made with targets 8 of lengths 20 and over. different waves corresponding to wavelength filters provided at the level of the analysis means 5 of the analysis device 1. The number and positioning of the targets 8 is variable, preferably there will be a target 8 on the inhaler 2 and three targets 8 on the patient 3, namely one target 8 near the sternum and two additional targets on the patient's face 3. To facilitate the placement of the two targets 8 at the level of the face, it will be possible to have at least a portion of these targets 8 on a support 9. By way of example, the analysis device 1 will comprise a pair of neutral glasses on which these two targets 8 will be positioned.

The different targets 8 can be made from repositionable adhesive stickers.

The analysis device 1 further comprises an actuation sensor 10 of the inhaler 2. This actuation detector 10 makes it possible to transmit a signal lords the support on the trigger of the inhaler 2. Preferably this operation detector 10 is illuminated to allow analysis of the succession of motions only from a video recording. In other embodiments, it will also be possible to envisage a sound actuation detector. In the preferred embodiment of the appended figures, this actuation detector 10 comprises a light-emitting diode.

The analysis device 1 comprises, as indicated above, the recording means 4 making it possible, once the patient has been positioned and the analysis device 1 activated, to record continuously or in a discrete manner at a given frequency, the targets 8 and the actuation sensor 10 disposed on the inhaler 2.

It is the recording of these elements, both targets 8 and actuation detector 10, over time that will allow to reconstitute the movements operated by the patient 3. This recording will thus be used to check whether the different The steps of the protocol are actually followed by the patient 3, these steps being illustrated in FIG. 2 which represents an example of a conventional protocol in the form of a diagram. The analysis device 1 comprises analysis means 5 which will make it possible to use the data received through the recording to determine whether the patient 3 performs in the following order: at least one round-trip movement of the inhaler 2 to prepare the ejection of the drug product; - expiration, - inverted positioning of the inhaler, - long inhalation associated with delayed triggering of the inhaler and, - apnea. These steps of the protocol are provided for a conventional metered dose inhaler, some inhalers do not require stirring the pharmaceutical product and therefore to perform a round trip movement and in this case the protocol will not include this step which will therefore not not verified by the means of analysis 5. Moreover, the duration of the long inspiration, the delay between the inhalation and the triggering of the inhaler or the duration of the apnea are parameters that can be fixed or vary according to characteristics relating to the patient, the type of inhaler or the condition to be treated. In the preferred embodiment, these protocol data are set and the assay means allow the relative displacements of the inhaler 2 and patient 3 to be compared against the protocol data that is written to storage means. 11. Referring now to FIG. 3, the analysis steps performed by the analysis means 5 from the recordings of the displacements of the targets and of the state of the actuating detector 10 are shown schematically. These analysis steps consist in collecting for each step of the protocol the values of the corresponding targets 8 or the detector 10. To collect these values, the analysis means 5 comprise means for filtering the records of the color targets 8 as a function of Their wavelength so that the displacement of each target 8 can be quantified over time. Preferably, the analysis means 5 make it possible to analyze also the brightness of an area of the image making it possible to determine whether or not the operation detector 10 is on. The analysis means 5 thus make it possible to calculate the displacement of the different targets 8 making it possible to calculate for each registering means 6.7 a series of values. This series of values will be used in another step of analysis according to the step of the protocol that one seeks to verify. For example, for the step of the protocol relating to the agitation of the inhaler 2 or round-trip provided for in the protocol, an analysis of the target 8 corresponding to the "inhaler" registration point 7 will be carried out.

In the analysis of the stages of the expiration of inspiration and apnea, the analysis will be performed from the lists of values of the three means of tracking "patient" 6 and the actuation detector 10. In the analysis of the inversion step, the analysis will be carried out from the "patient" and "inhaler" identification means. Each target 8 and detector 10 are tracked over time to form lists of values for each of these elements. The analysis steps then consist in verifying whether the lists of collected values are exploitable and in particular if they contain enough values, the exploitable lists are called valid lists. The analysis steps then consist in selecting from among different lists of valid values the list to be kept. To do this, the analysis means 5 select the list of highest score values. The valid list scoring criteria for determining the highest list of values depends in the preferred embodiment of several parameters varying according to the protocol step to be checked. The scoring criteria may in particular be the target 8 considered, some targets being more representative or reliable than others or the number of values in the list of each target 8 or the variation in the 20 values of the lists of each target 8 Finally, the analysis steps consist in reconstituting the chronology of the patient's movements by associating the selected lists of values of each target 8 or detector 10 in time, and then comparing this reconstitution for each protocol data thus enabling validation or validation. not the execution by the patient of this step of the protocol. For this purpose, the analysis means 5 further comprise means for comparing the selected values with the stored data. In summary, and as represented in FIG. 3, the analysis means 5 comprise calculation means for validating the list of values, selection means for determining the list of values to be selected, means for reconstituting the movements. from the selected lists and comparison means between the lists of selected values and the stored data of the protocol for evaluating the recorded movements. According to a particularly interesting aspect of the invention, the analysis device 1 comprises an interface 12 with display means 13 for giving the results of the analysis and / or the corrections to be performed by the patient 3. Referring to Figure 4 there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the interface with a possible message here of success. Interface is preferably provided with short and clear messages with a first part indicating the success or failure of the steps of the protocol. It is also preferably provided a second party giving advice for making the necessary patches for the next inhalation. These messages may for example be of the type: - "Your gesture was not done correctly Step XXX must last 15 at least 3 seconds" - "Your gesture was not done correctly, you forgot to realize the 'Step XXX' - 'Bravo, your gesture has been perfectly made! Do not forget to reassess yourself in a month. "

According to one advantageous aspect, the storage means 11 make it possible to create a user profile corresponding to a patient so as to record all the useful information and in particular a history of the inhalation tests or real inhalations as well as the errors or the progress made. in the art. Consequently, the patient 3 can easily progress in his control of the gestures and, once these actions have been mastered, perform effective inhalations thus increasing the efficacy of his treatment. The invention as described above can be easily implemented by a patient using autonomously the complete analysis device 1 in particular in his practitioner.

Another way of using the invention is to obtain an assembly comprising the locating means 6.7 an inhaler 2 equipped with an actuating detector 10 and using the conventional recording means such as the 3036036 10 of the computer and to connect to a server integrating the means of analysis 5. The analysis device 5 as described thus makes it possible to ensure a good learning of the inhalation technique and a follow-up of errors and errors. progress 5 of each patient. Of course, other features of the invention could also have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below. By way of example in an alternative embodiment, the registering means arranged at the level of the patient are virtual and correspond to specific locations recognized by an object recognition device coupled to the analysis means 5. This arrangement makes it possible to to avoid a step of positioning the targets 8 of the patient 3.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS: 1. Device for analyzing a succession of movements of a patient with respect to the protocol for using an inhaler, said analysis device being arranged partially on an inhaler (2) and on the patient (3 ), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one locating means (6) disposed on the patient (3), - at least one locating means (7) disposed on the inhaler (2), a detector of actuating (10) said inhaler (2), recording means (4) locating means (6; 7) and actuating detector (10) disposed on the inhaler, analyzing means (5); ) for comparing the relative displacements of the inhaler (2) and the patient (3) relative to the protocol data recorded in storage means (11). 2. Apparatus for analyzing a succession of movements according to claim 1, wherein the analysis means (5) comprise means for calculating the displacement of the different locating means (6; 7) making it possible to calculate for each means of locating a list of values. 3. Device for analyzing a succession of movements according to claim 2, in which the analysis means comprise calculation means for validating the list of values, selection means for determining the list of values to be selected, means for reconstituting movements from the selected lists and comparing means between the lists of selected values and the stored data of the protocol for evaluating the recorded movements. 4. Device for analyzing a succession of movements according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the locating means (6; 7) are made with color targets (8) with wavelengths. different corresponding to wavelength filters provided at the level of the analysis means (5). 5 5. Device for analyzing a succession of movements according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least a portion of the tracking means (6) of the patient is disposed on a support (9) glasses type. 10 6. Apparatus for analyzing a succession of movements according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tracking means (6) arranged at the patient (3) are virtual and correspond to specific locations recognized by a device of object recognition coupled to the analysis means. 15 7. A motion succession analysis apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuation sensor (10) is illuminated to allow analysis of the succession of motions only from a video recording. . 8. Analysis device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the analysis means compare the selected lists and the protocol data enabling the following steps of movement to be analyzed in order: at least one movement of the inhaler back and forth an exhalation, inverted positioning of the inhalation inhaler associated with delayed triggering of the inhaler, apnea. 3036036 13 9. Apparatus for analyzing a succession of movements according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the analysis device comprises an interface 12 and display means 13 of the interface for giving the analysis results. and / or the corrections to be made to the patient.