Means For Supplying Respiratory Gas Under Positive Pressure Patents (Class 128/204.18)
  • Patent number: 8997741
    Abstract: A respiration system feeds an anesthetic gas having, a density ?gas, with a Y-piece for connection to a patient, with a respiration circuit having an inspiration branch and an expiration branch, which extend away from the Y-piece. A first supply line from a branch in the expiration branch leads to an anesthetic gas discharge valve and a second supply line from the branch leads to a reservoir. A too high pressure, opposing expiration, cannot build up in the expiration branch and losses of anesthetic gas are kept to a minimum. A prestressing device exerts a prestressing force onto the valve body of the anesthetic gas discharge valve against the effect of gravity. The mass mvalve and the prestressing force determine a threshold pressure in the anesthetic gas discharge line that results in an opening of the anesthetic gas discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Heesch, Henryk Schnaars
  • Publication number: 20150090265
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a leak flow in a breathing assistance system including a ventilation device connected to a patient are provided. Data of a flow waveform indicating the flow of gas between the ventilation device and the patient is accessed. A specific portion of the flow waveform is identified, and a linear regression of the identified portion of the flow waveform is performed to determine an estimated leak flow in the breathing assistance system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Cedric Jourdain, Olivier Bernadet
  • Patent number: 8991392
    Abstract: A positive airway pressure apparatus is automatically adjusting. Pressure increases in response to apnea events when the apparatus is in one or more responsive states. Pressure does not increase in response to apnea events when the apparatus is in a non-responsive state. The apparatus switches between responsive and nonresponsive states depending upon any of a number of different criteria that help differentiate between open airway apnea events and closed airway apnea events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: David Robin Whiting, Andrew Gordon Gerred, Fiona Elizabeth Cresswell
  • Patent number: 8992672
    Abstract: A housing for a substance removing an undesired component of a respiratory gas is disclosed herein. The housing includes a first space for the substance and a first wall surrounding part of the first space. The housing also includes a first end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a first opening for the gas communication with the first space, and a second end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a second opening for the gas communication with the first space. The housing further includes a first channel between the first and the second end for the gas flow, the first channel comprising a first orifice at the first end and a second orifice at the second end. The first orifice, the first opening, the second orifice and the second opening are in flow communication with outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Carefusion Corporation
    Inventors: Erkki Heinonen, Janne Ranta, Mikael Alanen
  • Publication number: 20150083131
    Abstract: A delivery conduit (6A,6A?,6B,6C) for delivering a flow of gas in a respiratory therapy system (2) includes an elongated wall member (22,34) made of a textile material, and a support member (24, 36, 36?, 36?, 42, 50, 58, 64, 70) extending along at least a portion of the length of the wall member. The support member engages either the inner surface or the outer surface of the wall member, and engages less than the entirety of the inner surface or the outer surface of the wall member such that a plurality of portions of the wall member are not engaged by the support member and at the plurality of portions the wall member is the only barrier to the gas within the delivery conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Susan Marie Mals
  • Publication number: 20150083121
    Abstract: A portable life support apparatus (1102) and particularly a respiratory support apparatus adapted to be easily mounted to a stretcher is disclosed. Prior devices that attach onto a stretcher are heavy and cumbersome and obstruct access to the patient. Accordingly, there is a great need for a portable emergency support device that overcomes the weight, size, positioning, and other portability disadvantages. One aspect relates to a portable life support device including at least one ambient gas inlet (14); a conditioned gas outlet (30); an oxygen concentrator (26,28) fluidly connected between the at least one gas inlet and the gas outlet, and a ventilator (44) fluidly connected downstream from the oxygen concentrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Fisher, Bryan Kowalchuk, Bryan Drew Miller, Kevin Ramkhelawan, Kevin Kowalchuk, Cliff Ansel, David Dunn, Ludwik Fredorko
  • Publication number: 20150083132
    Abstract: A seal is provided for a chassis assembly of a flow generator configured to provide a flow of breathable gas. The chassis assembly includes an upper chassis and a lower chassis. The seal includes a blower receptacle sealing portion configured to seal a blower receptacle of the chassis assembly configured to receive a blower configured to generate the flow of breathable gas; a flow sensor sealing portion configured to seal a flow sensor provided in the chassis assembly and configured to measure the flow of breathable gas; a blower mount configured to receive a portion of the blower and mount the blower to the seal; and a blower mount suspension configured to connect the blower mount to the blower receptacle sealing portion, wherein in an assembled condition the seal and the chassis assembly define a flow path from an inlet of the chassis assembly to the blower receptacle of the chassis assembly to an outlet of the chassis assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Llewelyn JONES, Saad NASR, Joern LANGE, Ernie Wei-Chih TSAI, Barton John KENYON, Geoffrey CRUMBLIN
  • Publication number: 20150083125
    Abstract: A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheostomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Craig Karl White, Jason Peter Van Beurden, Kevin Peter O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 8985109
    Abstract: A CPAP apparatus has a variable rise time (iii) from a base level of positive air pressure during expiration (EPAP) to a higher level during inspiration (IPAP). The rise time is adjusted in order to reduce obstruction, resistance or instability in the upper airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: Peter Edward Bateman
  • Patent number: 8985098
    Abstract: A method for regulating gas flows into and out of a patient includes repetitively forcing respiratory gases out of the lungs. Respiratory gases are prevented from entering back into the lungs during a time between when respiratory gases are forced out of the lungs. Periodically, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Lurie, Anja Metzger, Jim Homuth
  • Patent number: 8986426
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a plant (100) for on-site production of medical gas, such as air or oxygen, comprising a main gas line (10) comprising, in series, a first vessel (A) for storing gas and a second vessel (B) for storing purified gas, and a secondary line (20) fluidically connected to the main line (10), downstream of the first vessel (A) for storing gas, and comprising a third vessel (C) for storing gas, the main gas line (10) and the secondary line (20) each supplying at least one gas consumer site (30), in particular a network of pipes in a hospital.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Vincent Sommier, Peter Neu, Hartmut Franken, Karsten Bongers, Kais Maamar
  • Patent number: 8985111
    Abstract: An oscillating positive expiratory pressure apparatus having a housing defining a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, a deformable restrictor member positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, and an oscillation member disposed within the chamber. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member are moveable between an engaged position, where the oscillation member is in contact with the deformable restrictor member and an disengaged position, where the oscillation member is not in contact with the deformable restrictor member. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member move from the engaged position to the disengaged position in response to a first exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet, and move from the disengaged position to an engaged position in response to a second exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Trudell Medical International
    Inventors: Jerry Grychowski, Martin Foley
  • Patent number: 8985104
    Abstract: A circulation system for use in a rebreathe system includes a base and a fan assembly coupled to the base. The base includes a motor and a rotatable drive shaft coupled to the motor. The fan assembly includes a housing with an inlet and outlet. The fan assembly further includes a fan coupled to the drive shaft to rotate therewith and is fluidly isolated from the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: CareFusion 207, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl Valentine
  • Patent number: 8985100
    Abstract: For use in premature babies and infants, in particular for administering surfactant to the lungs, the inhalation therapy device described herein comprises an aerosol generating device 1, a respiratory air flow generating means 3 and a nebulising chamber 5 into which the generated liquid droplets 2 and the respiratory air flow 4 are supplied. The nebulising chamber 5 comprises a tapering area 52 which ends in a tubular intubation means 6. The intubation means 6 is designed such that the intubation end 6b can be positioned in such a manner that the liquid droplet/respiratory air mixture conveyed via the intubation means is released behind those areas of the respiratory tract that filter out to a great extent the liquid droplets from the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: PARI GmbH Spezialisten für effektive Inhalation
    Inventors: Stefan Minocchieri, Thomas Gallem, Martina Vogelmann
  • Patent number: 8985113
    Abstract: A nozzle apparatus for dispensing an adjustable combination of gas, having a nozzle outlet adjustably combined with a delivery component. The nozzle outlet may have a groove for receiving a roll pin; and an inner lumen comprising a cylindrical shaft having a diameter between 5/1000ths and 20/1000ths of an inch. The delivery component configured to receive air from the nozzle outlet, may have a first circular ambient air hole having a diameter, and a second circular ambient air hole having the same diameter as the first ambient air hole, and a removable plugging device covering the second circular ambient air hole. The delivery component may be adjustable in orientation with respect to the nozzle outlet, and may be adjustable to vary a concentration of therapeutic gas delivered to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Mark W. Aldana
  • Publication number: 20150075529
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to an airflow shaping system (10) configured to deliver a shaped, pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of a subject (12). In some embodiments, the system comprises a pressure generator (14), a subject interface (16), a flow shaper (18), one or more sensors (20), one or more processors (22), electronic storage (24), a user interface (26), and/or other components. Respiratory therapy delivered to a patient's lungs may be enhanced with a shaped flow. A turbulent flow of gas delivered to a patient's lungs is inefficient in the amount of energy required to deliver the gas and because it requires more gas energy to reach the lower airways due to resistance from the airway walls. The system may be used for respiratory therapy applications including pressure support therapy, inexsufflation therapy, airway medication delivery, and/or other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Romano
  • Publication number: 20150075528
    Abstract: The tangle-free, kink-free oxygen supply extensible tubing uses a helical accordion support structure on which the oxygen supply tubing is attached. The helical accordion backbone has some tendency to spring back, but this is not relied upon to extend and return the oxygen supply tubing it carries. The carrier structure keeps the oxygen tubing from getting tangle or kinked. A centrally located retractable line, which is located within the center of the helical accordion structure, acts as the retracting mechanism, as it tends to allow the accordion structure to be pulled into an extended position, while upon rewinding the central cord, the helical accordion support structure can be pushed toward a collapsed position without the oxygen supply line tubing becoming tanked, kinked, and thereby blocked. As a safety feature , so the oxygen line does not encounter and strain between it and the patient, a chest-harness has attachment to the helical accordion support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Susan Leeds Kudo
  • Patent number: 8978652
    Abstract: An anesthetic breathing apparatus has a first gas analyzer arranged to provide gas measurement data related to a first sample point to a control unit that is arranged in a servo or feedback control system configured to adjust delivery of a vaporized anesthetic agent from an anesthetic vaporizer to a delivery point in an inspiratory branch of a breathing circuit of the anesthetic breathing apparatus, The first sampling point is arranged in the breathing circuit downstream and close to the delivery point. A second gas analyzer arranged to be operated in a first mode of operation to provide gas measurement data for patient monitoring, and arranged to be operated in a second mode of operation to provide gas measurement data to the control unit. A switch over unit is fluidly connected to the second gas analyzer, and arranged to switch fluid communication of said second gas analyzer between the first sample point for the second mode of operation and a second sample point for the first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventors: Christer Ahlmén, Marlo Loncar
  • Patent number: 8978688
    Abstract: In various embodiments, two or more electronic flow selectors of an electronic fluid flow control system may be used to control the flow rates of multiple fluids. In a total flow control mode, a first electronic flow selector may be used to select a total flow rate of two or more fluids. A second electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate or ratio of a flow rate of one fluid to the total flow rate of the two or more fluids. In a direct flow control mode, each electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate of a unique fluid. One of the fluids may be oxygen, and the other fluid, a balance gas, may be selected as either nitrous oxide or air using an electronic balance gas selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter B. Schon, Christine M. Manfredo, Li Xinsheng, Huang Chenghua, Zhu Guanyu
  • Patent number: 8978648
    Abstract: An air delivery conduit includes a tube including a plurality of corrugations. The corrugations vary along a length of the tube to change flexibility and/or stretch characteristics of the tube in one or more specific zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Justin John Formica, James Morrison
  • Patent number: 8978649
    Abstract: A breathing assistance device, capable of operating according to several respiratory modes forming a list of possible modes. The device is equipped with a mechanism for selecting a desired mode from a group of modes that can be selected. The device also includes a mechanism for realizing a configuration diagnostic of the device, a mechanism for associating with authorization level with each possible mode, according to the results of the diagnostic, with the lowest authorization level corresponding to unauthorized modes, a mechanism for authorizing only the selection of authorized modes, in such a way that selecting unauthorized modes is impossible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Paris SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Auguste Chalvignac
  • Publication number: 20150068518
    Abstract: A method of producing breathing air includes receiving intake air from an ambient air source, collecting the intake air in one or more collection pots of a distribution system, and distributing the intake air from the one or more collection pots to one or more breathing hoses. The method further includes continuously monitoring the intake air communicated to the one or more collection pots for one or more parameters and periodically recording readings of the continuous monitoring communicated wirelessly in the distributed system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Rick Roberts
  • Patent number: 8973574
    Abstract: A portable resuscitation system is provided. The system includes a housing for enclosing a ventilation device and a vital signs tracking device. The housing is anatomically designed for use as a neck support for opening an airway of a subject in a supine position and optionally includes mechanism for modifying the height or angle of the neck support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Inovytec Medical Solutions Ltd
    Inventors: Dror Matalon, Ehud Kantor
  • Patent number: 8973580
    Abstract: A portable, compact closed circuit ventilation device for manual ventilation of a patient undergoing a surgical or medical procedure that requires sedation as well as emergency management of respiratory failure. One example embodiment includes a closed breathing circuit having a manually squeezable bag, a carbon dioxide absorption canister, a plurality of valves, a gas port and a plurality of sensors for measuring Tidal Volume (TV), Peak Airway Pressure (PAP) and End Tidal CO2 (ETCO2). Another example embodiment includes an open breathing circuit having a bag, valves and sensors. A monitor displays the sensor measurements during the respiratory phases. In a spontaneously breathing patient the device may be used to assess the adequacy of patient's respiratory efforts. During manual or assisted ventilation, the monitor assures safe and efficacious ventilation by the closed breathing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Osborne Williams
  • Patent number: 8973578
    Abstract: Apparatus for respiratory support and non-invasive detection of alveolar recruitment/derecruitment provides air supply to a patient at a base pressure and an additional pressure which can be varied at a frequency of from 5 to 10 Hz and transducers applied to the conduits supplying air to the patient to send electric signals to a computer to obtain a variable positive end-expiratory pressure and a to obtain an end expiratory resistance at varying values of positive end expiratory pressure and defining the state of pulmonary recruitment as the value of the positive end-expiratory pressure which corresponds to a point of maximum expiratory resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Politecnico di Milano
    Inventors: Raffaele Dellaca′, Antonio Pedotti, Emanuela Zannin
  • Patent number: 8973576
    Abstract: A blower includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, a stationary component provided to the housing, an impeller positioned between the inlet of the housing and the stationary component, and a motor adapted to drive the impeller. The housing and the stationary component cooperate to define a volute that directs air towards the outlet. The housing includes a separating wall constructed and arranged to divide the volute into a high speed airpath region and a low speed airpath region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Motor Technologies Inc
    Inventors: Barton John Kenyon, David Brent Sears, Aleksandr S. Nagorny, Michael Bruce Moir
  • Patent number: 8973579
    Abstract: An apparatus for deploying oxygen masks that includes a pre-packaged modular system that does not require manual repacking of oxygen masks by aircraft technicians. The cartridge is for use with a manifold having a passageway in fluid communication with a source of breathable gas. The cartridge includes an end wall, a sidewall extending from the end wall and terminating at a distal end adjacent to an opening. A flexible member defines a chamber inside the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the passageway when the cartridge is coupled to the manifold. The flexible member has an outlet. A mask assembly is disposed inside the cartridge. The mask assembly has a hose coupled to the outlet of the flexible member. A cover is removably attached to the distal end of the at least one side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Avox Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Contino, Danko A. Kobziar, Robert L. Schaeffer, Jr., Duard Charles Bennett
  • Publication number: 20150059758
    Abstract: An exhaust port assembly (10) for use in a system for delivering a flow of gas from a pressure generating device (4) to the airway of a patient includes a first member structured to be in communication with the flow of gas and a second member moveably coupled to the first member. The first member and the second member define a cross-sectional area of an exhaust port which is structured to allow the passage therethrough of exhaust gases (12) from the flow of gas. The second member is moveable among a first position in which the exhaust port has a first cross-sectional area and a second position in which the exhaust port has a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Jerome Matila, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150059755
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for treating a respiratory disorder, configured to compute a measure of typical recent ventilation such that a rate of adjustment of the measure of typical recent ventilation is reduced as a measure of recent uncompensated leak increases. Also disclosed is an apparatus for treating a respiratory disorder, configured to compute a target ventilation from a product of a measure of typical recent ventilation and a target fraction, wherein the target fraction is dependent on the recent pressure support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: David John Bassin
  • Publication number: 20150059749
    Abstract: A pump unit 10 includes: a housing 13 provided with an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 for a fluid; and a pump group composed of micro pumps 15 arranged in the housing 13, for allowing a fluid entering through the inlet 11 to exit from the outlet 12. The pump group includes: the micro pump 15 positioned in the most upstream (m1); the micro pump 15 positioned in the most downstream (m4); and the micro pumps 15 positioned in the middle (m2 to m3). The housing 13 includes: an inlet direct-connecting flow passage 41 directly connecting a suction port 31A of the micro pump 15 positioned in the most upstream with the inlet 11; an outlet direct-connecting flow passage 42 directly connecting a discharge port 31B of the micro pump 15 positioned in the most downstream with the outlet 12; and a flow passage forming mechanism switchable between a state in which the micro pumps 15 are connected in series and a state in which the micro pumps 15 are connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Metran Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazufuku Nitta
  • Patent number: 8967142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for providing emergency oxygen and therapeutic oxygen in an aircraft, said system having an oxygen source, an oxygen conduction system comprising a second oxygen outlet, a device for providing emergency oxygen comprising a second oxygen inlet, a device for providing therapeutic oxygen, having a first oxygen inlet and a first oxygen outlet. According to the invention, the second oxygen outlet can be coupled to the first oxygen inlet, the first oxygen outlet can be coupled to the second oxygen inlet and the second oxygen outlet can be coupled to the second oxygen inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Vogt, Andreas Westphal, Detlev Degenhardt
  • Patent number: 8967144
    Abstract: Medical techniques include systems and methods for administering a positive pressure ventilation, a positive end expiratory pressure, and a vacuum to a person. Approaches also include treating a person with an intrathoracic pressure regulator so as to modulate or upregulate the autonomic system of the person, and treating a person with a combination of an intrathoracic pressure regulation treatment and an intra-aortic balloon pump treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Lurie, Anja Metzger, Kurt Krueger, Greg Voss
  • Patent number: 8967143
    Abstract: Acoustic pressure inducers and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea are disclosed. In one embodiment, an acoustic pressure inducer includes an actuator housing having an orifice, a tube having a first end and a second end, and a nasal cannula fluidly coupled to the second end of the tube. The first end of the tube is fluidly coupled to the orifice of the actuator housing such that a gap is present between the first end of the tube and the orifice. The nasal cannula is configured to be positioned proximate to nostrils of a user. The acoustic pressure inducer further includes a vibrating element within the actuator housing and a signal generator. The signal generator component is electrically coupled to the vibrating element and configured to provide an electronic signal to the vibrating element to cause the vibrating element to oscillate within the actuator housing and produce an acoustic jet of air that exits the orifice and enters a nasal passageway of the user through the nasal cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Ephraim Gutmark, Siddarth Khosia, Liran Oren
  • Patent number: 8967139
    Abstract: A respiratory connector for connecting an inspiratory tube and an expiratory tube to a coupling point of a medical apparatus is disclosed here. The respiratory connector includes a base element and two channels inside the base element, one of the channels is for an inspiratory flow and another is for an expiratory flow. The respiratory connector also includes a first sealable zone for sealing the base element with the coupling point and a second sealable zone at a distance from the first sealable zone for sealing with the coupling point. Both channels at least partly extend inside the base element between the first sealable zone and the second sealable zone. An arrangement for connecting an inspiratory tube and an expiratory tube to a medical apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Carefusion Corporation
    Inventors: Anu Varis, Janne Ranta
  • Publication number: 20150053209
    Abstract: A respiratory treatment device includes a housing enclosing a chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive a flow of air into the chamber, a first chamber outlet configured to permit the flow of air to exit the chamber, and a second chamber outlet configured to permit the flow of air to exit the chamber. A vane mounted within the chamber is configured to rotate between a first position where the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the first chamber outlet, and a second position where the flow of air is directed to exit the chamber through the second chamber outlet. A blocking member disposed on the vane is moveable relative to the chamber inlet between a closed position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is restricted, and an open position where the flow of air through the chamber inlet is less restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Adam Meyer, Dan Engelbreth
  • Patent number: 8960193
    Abstract: A ventilatory system for providing ventilatory support to a patient without the need for an external source of pressurized drive gas. The ventilatory system comprises a drive pump and a controller such that the drive pump collects ambient air and may pressurize it to a pressure determined by the controller. The controller may signal to the drive pump to pressurize the collected ambient air to a first pressure for delivering ventilatory support to a patient and a second pressure for providing PEEP support to a patient. The controller may signal to the drive pump to deliver a targeted flow and/or volume of collected ambient air to the bellows to provide volumetric ventilatory support during inhalation and a PEEP support during exhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Phillip J. Kollmeyer, Stefan I. Kutko, Robert Tham, Norman Rick, Jonathan L. Woods
  • Patent number: 8960192
    Abstract: The lung compliance of a subject that is at least partially self-ventilating is determined. The quantification of lung compliance may be an estimation, a measurement, and/or an approximate measurement. The quantification of lung compliance may be enhanced over conventional techniques and/or systems for quantifying lung compliance of self-ventilating subjects in the lung compliance may be quantified relatively accurately without an effort belt or other external sensing device that directly measures diaphragmatic muscle pressure, and without requiring the subject to manually control diaphragmatic muscle pressure. Quantification of lung compliance may be a useful tool in evaluating the health of the subject, including detection of fluid retention associated with developing acute congestive heart failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Leonardo Alberto Baloa Welzien, Nathan Francis O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8960194
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a ventilator system that can be manufactured quickly with minimal skill requirements and rapidly deployed in response to epidemic respiratory disease conditions. In one embodiment, the ventilator, having a minimal number of controls, is used to give ventilation or mechanical breathing to a patient suffering ARDS. The mechanical ventilation is based on pressure control and has variable pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation. Preferably, the ventilator is rapidly deployable, easy and intuitive to operate, and capable of sustaining at least 75% of epidemic respiratory distress victims who require assisted ventilation until resuming normal breathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Spacelabs Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Richard Henry Cooke, Nicholas Ong, Roy Hays, David Kevin Hinton, Theodore Scott Hergert, Jeffrey Jay Gilham
  • Patent number: 8955513
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing continuous positive airway pressure for treating sleep apnea. The method comprises the steps of providing a breathing gas flow to a subject, measuring a respiratory characteristic of the subject, determining or estimating a preferable breathing gas flow for the subject based on wavelet analysis utilizing in part the respiratory characteristic of the subject, and preferably adjusting the breathing gas flow if the determined or estimated preferable breathing gas flow is different. This method and apparatus can be used in a number of applications including both clinical and home use in the form of CPAP for the treatment of sleep apnea or less preferably as a ventilator to assist in patient breathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cleveland Medical Devices Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Kayyali, Brian M. Kolkowski
  • Patent number: 8955510
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of therapeutically conditioned air to a patient may include a hollow flexible tube and at least one clamp attached to the tube. A shape retention wire may be engaged with the tube. The apparatus may be configured to direct the therapeutically conditioned air to a region near the patient's nose and mouth without being attached to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: JSL Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Youngblood
  • Publication number: 20150040908
    Abstract: Devices and components related to positive air pressure (PAP) systems, including portable PAP systems, are provided. A portable hose for a PAP system can comprise a flexible conduit at least partially surrounded by a fluid expandable support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. GOFF, Nathaniel L. BOWDITCH, Kirby CHIANG
  • Patent number: 8950398
    Abstract: A system for managing a supplemental gas supply in a breathing assistance system configured to provide breathing assistance to a patient includes a temperature sensor and a control system. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature associated with a breathing assistance system configured to deliver a first gas and a supplemental gas toward a patient. The control system is configured to automatically control the flow of the supplemental gas based at least on the monitored temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Claude Andrieux, Cedric Jourdain
  • Patent number: 8950399
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatically controlling a ventilation or breathing system with a ventilation unit (7), which is controlled by a control unit (5), in order to deliver an assist pressure preset by the control unit, wherein the current values of the tidal volume flow Flow(t) and those of the volume V(t) are detected in the control unit. The control unit (5) may carry out a proportionally assisting ventilation method (PAV: Proportional Assist Ventilation) by a factor for a degree of compensation (PPSp) being selected by the control unit and by the parameters for the volume assist (VA) and the flow assist (FA) being determined by: VA=PPSp·?E FA=PPSp·?R, wherein ?E is the deviation of a measured or assumed elastance (Emeasured) of the patient from an ideal elastance (Eideal) and ?R is the deviation of a measured or assumed resistance (Rmeasured) of the patient from an ideal resistance (Rideal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Handzsuj, Ernst Schubert, Frank Ralfs, Marcus Eger
  • Patent number: 8950401
    Abstract: A breathing apparatus is operable in self-contained and filtered modes of operation. In the self-contained mode of operation, a breathable gas is delivered to a user from a self-contained source of breathing gas. In a second, filtered mode of operation, a suction source draws ambient air through a filter removing contaminants and delivers filtered ambient air to the user. A method of delivering air to a subject is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Teetzel, Gary M. Lemire, Daniel A. Desrosiers, Mark A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8944049
    Abstract: Various systems and devices for generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the device includes a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a porous solid matrix positioned with the body. The porous solid matrix is coated with an aqueous solution of an antioxidant, wherein the inlet is configured to receive a gas flow and fluidly communicate the gas flow to the outlet through the solid matrix to convert nitrogen dioxide in the gas flow into nitric oxide. The porous solid matrix allows the device to be used in any orientation. Additionally, the porous solid matrix provides a rigid structure suitable to withstand vibrations and abuse without compromising device functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GENO LLC
    Inventors: David H. Fine, Bryan Johnson, Gregory Vasquez
  • Patent number: 8944096
    Abstract: A method for controlling the pressure and/or the flow rate of a fluid includes withdrawing flow energy from a fluid flowing through a pipeline (15). This energy is converted at least partially into electrical energy and used for the electrical control (65) of the flow rate and/or the pressure of a fluid. The device for controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a fluid in a pipeline (20) has at least one electric generator (35), which is developed for the withdrawal of flow energy from a flowing fluid and for converting this energy at least partially into electrical energy. The device has a control mechanism (65) for controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a fluid in a pipeline (20) with an electric driving mechanism supplied by the generator (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ruediger Conrad, Heiko Marz
  • Patent number: 8944051
    Abstract: Described are methods for safer nitric oxide delivery, as well as apparatuses for performing these methods. The methods may include detecting the presence or absence of a nasal cannula, and stopping the delivery of nitric oxide or providing an alert if the cannula is disconnected. The methods may also include purging the nasal cannula if it is reconnected after a disconnection or if it is replaced by a new cannula. Other methods pertain to automatic purging of the delivery conduit if the elapsed time between successive deliveries of therapeutic gas exceeds a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: INO Therapeutics LLC
    Inventors: Jaron Acker, Tom Kohlmann
  • Patent number: 8944057
    Abstract: A user interface for respiratory apparatus comprises a combination of a menu display (302), push buttons (304, 308, 310) and a rotary control dial (306). The user interface may include a menu control for detecting at least one parameter from the user's operation of the controls to navigate the menu and applying this to subsequent operation of the user interface controls. The user parameter may be a direction of operation of the rotary control dial which the user associates with a particular direction of navigation within the menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Phoebe Katherine Hill, Mark Bertinetti, Rohan Neil Primrose, Heike Thiele, Alexander Virr, Andrew Mikael Price, Sandra Robyn Curtis, Andrew Roderick Bath
  • Patent number: 8939147
    Abstract: Components of a CPAP or other patient ventilation apparatus have a remotely-readable identification tag encoded with component identification data. The flow generator controller is programmed to receive data derived from the identification tag from a tag reader, and to adapt functions of the flow controller to coordinate with the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Resmed Limited
    Inventors: Robert Edward Henry, Karthikeyan Selvarajan, Philip Rodney Kwok, Philip John Gunning, John David Oates
  • Patent number: 8939150
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a leak flow in a breathing assistance system including a ventilation device connected to a patient are provided. Data of a flow waveform indicating the flow of gas between the ventilation device and the patient is accessed. A specific portion of the flow waveform is identified, and a linear regression of the identified portion of the flow waveform is performed to determine an estimated leak flow in the breathing assistance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Cedric Jourdain, Olivier Bernadet