Digihaler® (TEVA, Tel Aviv, Israel)
The Digihaler includes an imbedded inhalation flow sensor which detects inhaler use, recorded when the cap is opened or a patient inhales. Inspiratory flow rates are measured and categorised as good (>45L/min), fair (30-45L/min), low or no inhalation (<30L/min), assisting identification of poor technique. Patients can receive notifications and reminders from their Digihaler application and data on inhaler use can be shared on the screen during a HCP visit or in the form of a PDF summary (51). It is available for salbutamol (ProAir Digihaler) fluticasone/salmeterol (AirDuo Digihaler) and fluticasone (ArmonAir Digihaler).
In a 12 week, open-label study, use of the ProAir Digihaler highlighted that the strongest predictive factor during the 5 days before an asthma exacerbation was the average number of SABA inhalations per day(52). A number of additional clinical trials to assess its use are currently underway (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04896645 and NCT04997304).