A Review on Smart Inhalers: A Smart Approach to COPD and Asthma

The development of smart inhalers represents a significant advancement in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These devices integrate digital technology with traditional inhalation systems to monitor medication usage, track adherence, and provide real-time feedback to patients and healthcare providers. Smart inhalers are equipped with sensors that collect data on inhalation patterns, dosage, and environmental factors, enabling personalized treatment strategies and early detection of exacerbations. Digital devices that record inspiratory flows with inhaler use can guide proper inhaler technique and may prove to be a clinically useful lung function measure. Adoption of digital inhalers into practice is still early, and additional research is needed to determine patient and clinician acceptability, the appropriate place of these devices in the therapeutic regimen, and their cost effectiveness.