104548Development of a non-bluetooth smart inhaler.ClosedCollaborative R&DISCFPeople with respiratory diseases, including asthma and COPD are usually treated with inhaler medication. This medication is designed for two purposes - preventing the disease symptoms day to day and treating incidences of worsening symptoms known as exacerbations. If a patient fails to take the preventer inhaler regularly or it is taken incorrectly, this can lead to an increase in exacerbations. As well as being a potentially life threatening situation - this can be a significant burden on healthcare services, quality of life and the economy as a whole. The project we are proposing addresses the widely recognised problems of poor inhaler technique and medication adherence. Respiratory disease is common and it is believed that more than 5 million patients in the UK are affected by issues of sub-optimal inhaler use. The problem is compounded by the multiplicity and complexity of inhaler devices. Often patients prescribed multiple different types of inhaler and inhaler education is delivered in a non-systematic way at periodic review. The economic and social burden caused by poor inhaler technique affects the young and the old. The proposed project involves developing a system that is low-cost and effective. It can be applied to existing inhaler medications to provide continuous on-device coaching and smartphone app feedback. The development project is based on significant proof of principle work already undertaken in the UK that establish; 1. A simple, low cost, on-inhaler addition can generate an acoustic guidance signal, 2. The add on device can be designed to avoid impacting medication delivery characteristics of the inhaler device, 3. Patients may receive guidance on every use - reinforcing learning, 4. Detection of their use through a smartphone App and visual representation of their technique and adherence to the treatment as prescribed, 5. Visual feedback of the App can provide learning which may consolidate the patient's practice, 6. Information may then be shared with their carer/physician to further optimise their treatment. Good inhaler technique and good adherence with a treatment regime are the cornerstones of good respiratory disease control. In turn, this imposes a lower economic burden on society and enables patients to live a better quality of life. This development can put UK innovation and manufacturing at the forefront of solving one of the major global problems associated with respiratory care.