GPS-ENABLED ASTHMA INHALER

Michael Alexander | Samantha Bergh | Mollie Lange | Peter Ma

BME 400
October 19, 2007
PROJECT SUPPORTERS
Client: David Van Sickle
• PhD, Medical Anthropology
• Specific interest in asthma and allergy
• Epidemic Intelligence Service officer for
Centers for Disease Control
• Special projects with National Asthma
Control Program
• Currently at UW as a Health and Society
Scholar
Advisor: Professor Mitch Tyler
• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
• UW-CREATe
 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
STATEMENT

All information provided by individuals or

Design Project Groups during this, or
subsequent presentations, is the property of
the researchers presenting this information.
CONTENT
Problem Statement
Background
Motivation
Design Constraints
Design Solution
Current Progress
Future Work
References
PROBLEM STATEMENT
• Create a device capable of:
– Tracking the usage of asthma inhalers
– Transferring between medication dispensers
– Noting time, date, and location of
exacerbations
– Wireless transmission of subject data to
database

• Fall 2007-Spring 2008

– Improve upon previous design
– Create 4-5 prototypes
– Gain approval to begin clinical trials
BACKGROUND
• Asthma
– Chronic respiratory disease in which airways
are blocked due to allergy or inflammation
– Over 20 million Americans currently suffer from
asthma

• Global Positioning System (GPS)

– First developed for military
– Widely used in communication, recreation, and
safety
– Uses signal transmission time to triangulate
position
MOTIVATION
• Tracking of allergy/asthma symptoms
– Local population health dynamics
– Notification at time that symptoms occur
– Currently no product on market

• Implications
– Baseline expectations for certain areas
– Outbreak control
– Pollution and allergen warning system
DESIGN SOLUTION
• Must meet FDA/IRB approval for use
• Secure attachment for peripherals
• Transferable between inhalers
• Wireless
• Battery powered
• GPS accurate to 15ft
• Low incidence of false positives
 DESIGN SOLUTION

Button
Chip powers
pushed
on and runs
program

Program
Microchip
obtains GPS
snoozes
coordinates

Server formats Send HTTP

coordinates and request to web
displays them on server
map

ernet Explorer Browser.lnk

CURRENT PROGRESS: SPRING
2007
• Proof of concept prototype and Google Maps-
based web implementation
• Problems:
– No Python interpreter
– Laptop sent commands
– Not wireless – battery/power regulation issues
Custom mapping software with SQL database
search function, with much thanks to the UW
Cartography Lab.
CURRENT PROGRESS: FALL 2007
– Python programming
• Programs written
• Python interpreter in chip is unreliable
• Solution: External microcontroller
– Wireless implementation
• Power system built:
– Lithium ion battery, capacitor, and protection Zener
diode
– Circuit board schematic created for printing
PCB board
– Purchased waterproof housing for encasing
device
• Currently, seeking smaller alternatives
– Smaller tactile push button
ESTIMATED COSTS
• Estimated cost of solution
– GM862-GPS $183.95
– Microcontroller $9.95
– SIM card and service $39.95
– Circuit Boards $29.95
– Momentary button $19.95
– Battery $14.95
– Housing $14.95
TOTAL $312.65

Actual prototype cost more than this, but buying

in bulk may eventually cut that price
dramatically.
FUTURE WORK
• Use external microcontroller
• Study power and current requirements
• Test battery life
• Research rechargeable battery circuits
• Housing & button options
• Circuit board printing
• Creation of 4-5 additional prototypes
• Clinical Testing
REFERENCES
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
http://www.aafa.org

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and

Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org

How Stuff Works: GPS

http://www.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm
QUESTIONS?

Thank you for your time!

Any questions?
TESTING PROTOCOLS

1. Basic Function Analysis

2. Accuracy of Coordinate Retrieval
3. Accuracy of Dosage Detection
4. Program Execution
5. Power Regulation Over Time
6. Durability
7. Ease of Use
8. Multiple Coordinate Acceptance of Website
9. Patient Safety Analysis