Asthma is a chronic disease that causes fixed airflow obstruction, swelling and inflammation of the lung airways. This results in shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing [1]. 3.9 million People in South Africa are estimated to suffer from the disease and 1.5% of this total die as a result, annually [2]. The disease is the 3rd most common cause of child hospitalisation in South Africa.
In developing countries, the most common and affordable treatment option for asthma would be the standard metered dosage inhaler (MDI) [3, 4]. MDI’s provide a range of medications (including airway dilators and anti-inflammatories) contained within the aerosol canisters.
A large number of paediatric and geriatric patients suffering from asthma are unable to produce the necessary force required to activate the standard MDI. The study investigated fingertip pinch (action carried out when activating an MDI) strengths to determine the activation force deficit for paediatric patients [5]. In addition, patients using a standard MDI are unable to track the number of dosages remaining in the aerosol canisters [5]. The study presents a solution to the above mentioned patient limitations. A sleeve attachment was developed to reduce the required activation force of a standard MDI and track patient medication adherence. Additional features included height adjustability for varied MDI sizes (55mm to 90mm in length) and paediatric patient aesthetic appeal.
