Watchhaler™ - turning inhalation into child's play
(This information does not apply to the US)
Watchhaler™ is a reservoir system, or ‘spacer’, controlling the inhalation flow rate and volume to target the aerosol specifically to the lung region, where the drug is needed. This system is particularly tailored to the needs of child patients using asthma medication. The child friendly Watchhaler™ spacer is designed for use with standard metered dose inhalers (MDIs) of the kind often used for inhaled medication.
In Europe, an estimated 4.4 million children under the age of five suffer from asthma and yet up to now they have been poorly served by inhalation technologies designed mainly for adults. The use of a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) is the prevalent method of asthma drug delivery and to make these suitable for children, asthma experts advocate the use of a holding chamber known as a spacer, into which the aerosol spray is released before it is inhaled by the child.
Watchhaler™ is a spacer developed especially to suit the requirements of children and supervising adults and addresses four key concerns:
- Child-centric design: Young children can be intimidated by the typically ‘cold’ and functional designs of spacers. Watchhaler™ therefore has a more childlike and welcoming look, using vivid colors and a shape like a toy animal.
- Reduced electrostatic charge: Many spacers have an inherent problem in that handling of them can introduce a static charge that attracts the drug to the walls of the surface and reduce the time available for inhalation. Watchhaler™ has a protective outer chamber around the aerosol balloon so that the balloon cannot be touched. Only limited static charge is introduced and the drug can now remain airborne within the balloon for up to two minutes.
- Controlled efficient delivery: The face masks currently used with spacers offer no adequate control of either flow rate or volume. With Watchhaler™ the inspiration flow rate is mechanically controlled via a patented valve at the air inlet and the inhalation volume is limited by a balloon inside the device. This reduces inhalation velocity to allow a slow, controlled delivery of the therapeutic aerosol.
- Supervision of treatment: With standard spacers it is often not possible for the therapist or parent to gauge how completely or successfully the child has inhaled the drug. With the Watchhaler™ the balloon folds up during inhalation, providing parents and therapists with a clear means of identifying that the process has been successful.
The Watchhaler™ is now available through pharmacies in Germany and through an online shop at www.watchhaler.de. Activaero is currently seeking qualified distributors in Europe and North America.
If you would be interested in finding out more contact us here.
This project was made possible by the AiF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen, Berlin) through grants from the BMWi -Programme PRO INNO II.