Clement Clarke In-Check M User manual

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Clinically
Effective
Flow Rate
30-60 L/Min
Fig 1. How to use the In-Check M
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Instructions for Use
Consult ‘Instructions for Use’.
Introduction
The In-Check M is an inhalation airow meter that can help educate
and assess patients who use inhaler devices.
Pressurised inhaler devices are designed to deliver medication to the
respiratory tract, and the speed of inhalation through them (the
inspiratory ow) can have a signicant effect on the quantity of drug
delivered and the clinical efcacy of the product.
The In-Check M is designed to simulate the “internal resistance”
of pressurised inhaler devices, and measure inspiratory ow. These
measurements enable the healthcare professional to encourage
patients to modify their inspiratory technique (by inhaling correctly,
i.e. not too fast), in order to achieve a ow rate consistent with clinical
efcacy. The green zone shows the clinically effective ow ranges for
pMDI inhaler devices.
Patients that cannot achieve the suggested inspiratory ow for their
inhaler may not gain maximum benet from their prescribed
medication. Healthcare professionals may wish to take this factor
into account when selecting the device that is the most suitable with
the patient.
Inspiratory Flow and Clinically Effective Flow Range
The inspiratory ow through an inhaler is one of the factors that will
inuence the clinical effect of the drug delivery from that device. The
most effective delivery occurs when the patient achieves a ow within
the clinically effective ow range. Flow rates outside this range, may
result in a diminished deposition and clinical efcacy.
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Pressurised Metered Dose Inhalers (pMDIs)
With most pMDIs, the aerosol is delivered under pressure at high speed
(often over 90 kilometres per hour). The inhalation should be timed with
actuation of the device and should be slow and steady. Inhaling too
fast may cause a greater proportion of the aerosol to impact at the
back of the throat and be subsequently swallowed, thus reducing the
benecial clinical effect and increasing the potential for local and
systemic side effects.
pMDIs with Holding Chamber/Spacer
It is recognised that the optimum inhalation technique for using a pMDI
with a holding chamber/spacer is a slow inhalation (30 to 60 l/min).
As the resistances of most chamber/spacer devices are low, the
In-Check M can be used to provide an approximate resistance for
inspiratory ow measurements to be made.
In-Check M
The In-Check M is a low-range inspiratory ow meter (15 to 120 l/min)
that has an inbuilt resistance, it is calibrated to enable the measurement
of airow as if the patient was using a pMDI.
IMPORTANT
As with any inhalation device, it is important to check for loose foreign
objects before the device is used. The transparent material used in
the construction of the In-Check M enables the user to make a visual
check before inhalation. Patients should be prevented from exhaling
through the device prior to use.