Means For Sensing Partial Pressure, Or Amount, Of Component In Gas Mixture Patents (Class 128/204.22)
  • Patent number: 11957451
    Abstract: Breath sensor calibration methods and apparatus are described herein where a breath sensor device may generally comprise a sampling unit having a housing configured to receive a sample breath from a user and a sensor positioned within the housing. A processor in electrical communication with the sensor may be configured to determine a dissipation time when the sensor is exposed to a near-constant concentration level of CO detected from the breath sample down to an ambient level of CO detected. The processor may also be configured to calculate a time constant based on the dissipation time and a reduction from the near-constant concentration level to the ambient level. Furthermore, the processor may also be configured to apply the time constant to a transient response of the sensor to account for drift in calibrating the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Pivot Health Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Jameson, Brian Herold, Eric Tridas
  • Patent number: 11938267
    Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus and method in which a leak is determined by using an averaging window. The window starts at the present time and extends back in time to a point determined according to a current one of progressively detected phase measures of a first respiratory cycle and a corresponding phase measure attributable to a preceding second respiratory cycle. In another aspect, a jamming index indicates whether the leak is rapidly changing. To the extent that jamming is high, the leak estimate used progressively changes from that using sliding breath-window averaging to a more robust and faster responding low-pass filter method, and adjustment of ventilatory support based on measures employing estimated respiratory flow is slowed down or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David John Bassin
  • Patent number: 11883594
    Abstract: Systems and methods can determine respiratory rates of a patient using a respiratory device by performing one or more frequency analyses of a signal from the gases flow. The signal from the gases flow can be one that varies with the patients breathing. The system can include a non-sealed patient interface, such as a nasal cannula in a nasal high flow therapy, or any other patient interfaces. The respiratory system can also detect whether the patient has taken off the patient interface and/or whether the patient connected to the patient interface is talking or eating. Data of the patients use of the respiratory system and the patients respiratory rates can provide therapy compliance and long-term trend of use information and/or progress in the patients respiratory functions and/or other physiological functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Rhys Matthew James Williams, Charles Grady Cantrell, David Martin Russell, Brett James Ryan, Bryn Alan Edwards, Anton Kim Gulley
  • Patent number: 11865259
    Abstract: A device and a method for respiratory therapy. The device is configured with at least two operating modes, which include a first operating mode for providing HFNC support for a patient and a second operating mode for providing NIV support or INV support for the patient; the device includes a memory stored with instructions and a processor, the processor is configured to call and run the instructions stored in the memory to execute operations of: obtaining an ROX index based on first parameters; and triggering mode switching of the device according to the ROX index and a preset triggering strategy for switching the operating mode of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Telesair, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Li, Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 11844900
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for administering medication to conscious or unconscious patients using a device with a tubular chamber. The method involves the use of a device with a tubular chamber, wherein a liquid medication is contained within a capsule. The medication is atomized by activating an atomizer, thereby generating an atomized medication consisting of particles with a maximum diameter of four microns. The atomized medication is then dispensed into the tubular chamber. Using the device, the atomized medication is administered to the patient. In cases of unconsciousness, a resilient air bladder connected to the chamber is partially deflated, allowing air transfer into the chamber. This facilitates the administration of the atomized medication. This method enables effective medication delivery in various emergency scenarios, ensuring appropriate treatment even for unresponsive patients by providing a method of using a device with modular components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventors: Pradeep Albert, Christine Nichols, David J. Condron, Brian Artze, Fadi Saba, Jesse Klein, Vijay Vad
  • Patent number: 11813051
    Abstract: A method of detecting hypoxia. Detecting hypoxia includes detecting, in exhaled breath, at least one indicator for hypoxia. The at least one indicator is selected from the group consisting of pentanal, 2-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 2-cyclopenten-1-one, and 4-butyrolactone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Sean W. Harshman, Brian A. Geier, Claude C. Gigsby, Jeffrey B. Phillips, Darrin K. Ott
  • Patent number: 11771858
    Abstract: A respiratory assistance system can provide high flow therapy to patients. The respiratory assistance system can include a patient interface that can deliver a gas flow to a patient and a gas source that can drive the gas flow towards the patient interface at an operating flow rate. The system can include a controller for controlling the operating flow rate of the gas. The controller can apply multiple test flow rate values in a range as the operating flow rate. For each of the test flow rate values, the controller can measure a patient parameter. The controller can determine a new flow rate value based on the measured patient parameters. Patient parameters can include respiration rate, work of breathing, or any other parameters related to the respiratory circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Jon Payton, Callum James Thomas Spence, Alicia Jerram Hunter Evans, Andreas Schibler, Craig Karl White, Samantha Dale Oldfield
  • Patent number: 11759588
    Abstract: A ventilator system, comprising: an inhalation pathway comprising an ambient air inlet, a bi-directional emergency valve, and a dynamic blower; and an exhalation pathway comprising a bi-directional exhalation valve and an exhalation port; wherein when a blockage occurs in the inhalation pathway, ambient air can be drawn from the exhalation port and through the bi-directional exhalation valve, and during exhalation exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional exhalation valve and the exhalation port; wherein when a blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, inhalant is delivered by the dynamic blower, and during exhalation the dynamic blower lowers its speed or stops and the exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional emergency valve, the dynamic blower, and the ambient air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Jose Isaza
  • Patent number: 11717633
    Abstract: A process (10), with a computer program, a device (30) and a ventilation system (40) detect a leak in a patient gas module, which suctions and analyzes a continuous sample gas stream from a ventilated patient (20), in a ventilation system for ventilating a patient (20). The process includes a determination (12) of a first time curve of a carbon dioxide concentration in a breathing gas mixture of the patient (20) and the determination (14) of a second time curve of a concentration of another gas in the breathing gas mixture, which gas is different from carbon dioxide. The process (10) further includes a determination (16) of a statistical similarity indicator between the first time curve and the second time curve and the detection (18) of the leak based on the similarity indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Gerd Peter, Uwe Schmid, Christoph Osterloh
  • Patent number: 11696725
    Abstract: In certain example embodiments, an air delivery system includes a controllable flow generator operable to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas to be provided to a patient for treatment and a pulse oximeter. In certain example embodiments, the pulse oximeter is configured to determine, for example, a measure of patient effort during a treatment period and provide a patient effort signal for input to control operation of the flow generator. Oximeter plethysmogram data may be used, for example, to determine estimated breath phase; sleep structure information; autonomic improvement in response to therapy; information relating to relative breathing effort, breathing frequency, and/or breathing phase; vasoconstrictive response, etc. Such data may be useful in diagnostic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Dion Charles Chewe Martin, John David Oates
  • Patent number: 11690972
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensation in a respiratory circuit during a delivery of humidifying agent into the respiratory circuit. A first amount of humidification agent to a first volume of gas is delivered to a patient respiratory circuit during a patient inhalation cycle or immediately after a patient exhalation cycle, and the humidification agent or the first volume of gas is heated. Condensation is removed from the respiratory circuit at least in part by providing, during a patient exhalation cycle or immediately after a patient inhalation cycle, a second amount of the humidification agent to a second volume of gas being delivered from the gas source to the patient respiratory circuit, the second amount of the humidification agent being significantly less than the first amount of the humidification agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: VYAIRE MEDICAL CONSUMABLES LLC
    Inventors: Neil Alex Korneff, Paul David Dixon, Christopher M. Varga
  • Patent number: 11679286
    Abstract: A rebreather apparatus includes at least one pressurized container of oxygen, at least one pressurized container of a diluting gas, and at least one valve to supply the oxygen and diluting gas to a rebreathing loop. The valve is controlled by a signal from at least one oxygen sensor, wherein the oxygen and diluting gas combine to form a breathing gas that is circulated by the rebreathing loop. At least one container of calibrating gas stores the calibrating gas at ambient pressure and temperature. At least one valve is connected to the at least one oxygen sensor presenting the calibrating gas to the oxygen sensor during calibration of the oxygen sensor and presenting the breathing gas to the oxygen sensor at all other times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Tesseron Ltd.
    Inventor: Forrest P. Gauthier
  • Patent number: 11666726
    Abstract: The breathing assistance apparatus of the present invention includes a manifold that is provided with or retrofittable to gases supply and humidifying devices. The manifold allows gases from an oxygen concentrator to be combined with the flow through a gases supply and humidifying device, most usually air. The combined output of oxygen and other breathing gases (air) is then humidified. The breathing assistance apparatus and manifold of the present invention provides a safe method to add oxygen to the input air stream of a gases supply and humidifying device and reduces the amount of accumulation of oxygen within the gases supply device, reducing fire risk should sparking occur within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Martin Paul Friedrich Kramer, Kevin Peter O'Donnell, Christopher Simon James Quill, Matthew Jon Payton
  • Patent number: 11617847
    Abstract: Described herein are methods which involve minimizing or eliminating the occurrence of delayed negative effects that may arise from exposure to reduced oxygen partial pressure. An amount of supplemental oxygen, which substantially mimics a target oxygen partial pressure, is administered to an individual that is exposed to a reduced oxygen partial pressure environment, to compensate for the reduced oxygen partial pressure. The target partial pressure may be selected such that the individual experiences substantially no change in the oxygen partial pressure. Individuals receiving the supplemental oxygen may be healthy, have special sensitivities, or have a pre-existing neurological condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: MODEL SOFTWARE CORPORATION
    Inventor: John J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 11607516
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to enhance deep sleep in a subject during positive airway pressure therapy. A pressure generator is configured to generate a pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to an airway of the subject. Sensors are configured to generate output signals conveying information related to breathing of the subject. One or more hardware processors are configured to cause the pressure generator to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas in accordance with a positive airway pressure therapy regime based on the information in the output signals; determine sleep stages of the subject based on the information in the output signals; and responsive to the sleep stages indicating the subject is in deep sleep, cause the pressure generator to adjust the pressurized flow of breathable gas to deliver a stimulus to the subject, the stimulus configured to enhance deep sleep in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jonathan Sayer Grashow, Eugene Nelson Scarberry, Gregory Delano Matthews, Michael Thomas Kane
  • Patent number: 11554241
    Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system, which includes a gas bottle having nitrogen dioxide in air, converts nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide and employs a surface-active material, such as silica gel, coated with an aqueous solution of antioxidant, such as ascorbic acid. A nitric oxide delivery system may be used to generate therapeutic gas including nitric oxide for use in delivering the therapeutic gas to a mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: VERO Biotech Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Rounbehler, David H. Fine
  • Patent number: 11530965
    Abstract: A monitoring device (1) for a system for generating medical compressed air includes a measured air line (3) removing compressed air from a compressed air supply line downstream of a compressed air conditioning unit. A sensor (2) generates a measured signal as a function of a property of the compressed air fed through the measured air line. A humidifier (8) humidifies the compressed air upstream of the sensor. An output unit (12) outputs information about the property of the compressed air to a user on the basis of the measured signal. A tap (4) removes compressed air and an actuator (5) changes a volume flow and/or mass flow of the compressed air, which volume flow and/or mass flow prevails in the measured air line. The actuator is inserted into the tap in a measuring mode and is removed from the tap in a compressed air removal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: DRÄGERWERK AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Reiner Harm, Kjer Martensen, Matthias Losch, Ronny Barten, Stefan Reincke
  • Patent number: 11466882
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring multiple sensors over a distributed sensor network to enhance various monitoring operations. In some implementations, an identification of a sensor located in a property and a token that enables the mobile device to obtain data from the sensor are each received by a mobile device from a server. The mobile device is then determined to be within a communication range with the server that is indicated by the identification from the server. In response, data is obtained from the sensor by the mobile device using the token received from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventor: David James Hutz
  • Patent number: 11452828
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a CPAP device includes a housing, a fan, and a sound absorbing material. The housing has a first air inlet and a first air outlet, and a flow channel guiding air sucked through the first air inlet to the first air outlet. The fan has a second air inlet and a second air outlet, the second air inlet is disposed in the direction intersecting the flow channel, and the second air outlet is disposed in the direction along the flow channel. The sound absorbing material is provided with a recess constituting a part of the flow channel and facing the second air inlet of the fan, the recess having a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the second air inlet of the fan and which is equal to or smaller than the width of the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Nakada, Takatoshi Inoguchi, Yasuhiro Tobinai, Hiroki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11433199
    Abstract: A method of ventilator control that includes receiving machine data from a mechanical ventilator and detecting one or more clinical events in the received machine data. The method further includes evaluating the machine data within the detected one or more clinical events for compliance with lung protective ventilation (LPV) recommendations. The method further includes at least one of producing a visual indication or a graphical display of the evaluated compliance with the LPV recommendations and controlling the mechanical ventilator based on the evaluated compliance with the LPV recommendations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Joseph Hanrahan, Brandon Henak, Guy Vesto, John Page
  • Patent number: 11433203
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus and systems for treating a respiratory disorder in a patient. The apparatus comprises a pressure generator configured to generate a flow of air so as to provide ventilatory support to the patient; a transducer configured to generate a flow signal representing a property of the flow of air; and a controller configured to analyse the flow signal to estimate the inspiratory volume and the expiratory volume of a breath of the patient and servo-control the degree of ventilatory support to adjust an estimated tidal volume toward a target tidal volume. A gain of the servo-control is dependent on a difference between the estimated inspiratory volume and the estimated expiratory volume. The method comprises operating an apparatus or system in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin Matthew Austin, Etienne Veschambre
  • Patent number: 11389604
    Abstract: A gas flow indicator device has a housing defining a chamber. An annular indicator extends over the chamber enabling gas to enter along a bore and is spaced from an inner surface, defining an annular space. A moveable concealment member has an annular skirt receivable into the annular space so one end provides a seal against an annular surface at an end wall while a transverse wall at the other end defines an opening providing resistance to gas flow. The skirt can be held in sealing engagement at the annular surface to conceal the indicator through a window. Increasing gas flow rate overcomes the bias of a biasing member and moves the concealment member to expose the indicator and provide a visual indication of gas flow. A fitting member has an engagement portion operable to constrain the biasing member to preclude vibrations and/or prevent its full compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: VPAS Group Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Matthew Matusik, Mirko Tappero
  • Patent number: 11373500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressurized gas container, having an internal volume for storing gas under pressure comprising a valve for distributing fluid, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the gas and delivering at least one measurement signal, a microprocessor for processing the measurement signal delivered by the pressure sensor and a digital display. The microprocessor converts the measurement signal delivered by the pressure sensor into a measured pressure value, and compares the measured pressure value with at least one preset threshold-pressure value. The digital display displays at least one predefined term reflecting the amount of gas in the container, which is dependent on the comparison performed by the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Sofia Andre Dias, Federica Bellingeri
  • Patent number: 11246506
    Abstract: A respiratory gas analyzer device (10), such as a capnograph device, is disclosed. A gas measurement component (28), such as a carbon dioxide measurement component in the case of a capnograph, is configured to measure at least one respired gas component (e.g. carbon dioxide). A pump (20) is connected to draw respired gas through the gas measurement component. A pressure gauge (30) is connected to measure pressure in an airflow pathway including the gas measurement component and the pump. An electronic pump controller (40) is programmed to start the pump in response to pressure measured by the pressure gauge satisfying a pump turn on criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Bruce Gunneson, John Russell Delfavero
  • Patent number: 11213639
    Abstract: A respiratory system is configured to pressurize and deliver a flow of respiratory gas to a patient's airways. The respiratory system includes a cushion configured to sealingly engage the patient's face and a blower mounted to the cushion and configured to pressurize a flow of respiratory gas. An interface structure is attached to an outlet of the blower and an aperture in the cushion. The interface structure forms a gas flow path between the cushion and the blower. The gas flow path is configured to deliver the pressurized respiratory gas from the blower through the aperture in the cushion. The gas flow path is also configured to vent exhaled gas from the aperture in the cushion to atmosphere. The respiratory system also includes headgear configured to support the cushion and the blower on the patient's face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Adam Francis Barlow, Clementine Le Loc'h, Dmitri Anatolievich Doudkine, Craig Edward Harris, Robert Edward Henry
  • Patent number: 11185650
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for improving the Weight/Duration ratio of Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) by decreasing the amount of fresh breathing gas required from the system by saving exhaled air that is low in carbon dioxide in a reservoir and reusing it at the subsequent inhalation. Electronic control units (“ECUs”) including conventional oxygen sensors and special types of carbon dioxide sensors are used to monitor and predictably regulate the consumption of breathing gas, further contributing to a significantly lower overall system weight for any given duration of the SCBA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Createc LLC
    Inventor: Hans Almqvist
  • Patent number: 11167100
    Abstract: An anesthesia ventilator, for the automated ventilation of a patient, includes an expiratory port and an inspiratory port for connecting a ventilation tube facing the patient for a breathing gas, a breathing gas delivery unit, at least one breathing gas sensor for detecting an anesthetic gas concentration, at least one pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the breathing gas, as well as at least one computer. The computer is configured to actuate the breathing gas delivery unit as a function of the detected pressure of a preset desired pressure value. The computer is further configured to perform an adaptation of the desired pressure value as a function of the detected anesthetic gas concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Wilfried Buschke, Christoph Hörmann, Stefan Mersmann
  • Patent number: 11066139
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for determining the partial pressure of at least one gas in a mixture of gasses contained in a pressure vessel, in particular a pressure vessel in the form of a life support pressure chamber/decompression chamber, or a diving gas storage cylinder. The method comprises the steps of: coupling a gas analysis sensor (14) to a pressure vessel (10); directing a portion of the mixture of gasses in the pressure vessel to the sensor for analysis; reducing the pressure of the portion of the mixture which is to be analysed by the sensor to a level which is below the pressure in the vessel but above local atmospheric pressure; operating the sensor to measure the partial pressure of the at least one gas at the reduced pressure level; and using the partial pressure of the at least one gas, measured at the reduced pressure level, to determine the actual partial pressure of said gas in the mixture contained in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: FATHOM SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Gareth Kerr
  • Patent number: 11065408
    Abstract: A method for controlling the delivery of a breathing gas to a patient. The method comprises: delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient, the breathing gas having a breathing gas flowrate and a fraction of inspired oxygen; measuring an oxygen saturation level of the patient; determining a respiratory rate of the patient; automatically adjusting the fraction of inspired oxygen of the breathing gas based on the measured oxygen saturation level of the patient and a breathing gas flowrate set-point; and automatically adjusting the breathing gas flowrate set-point based on the determined respiratory rate of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL, UNIVERSITÉ DE BRETAGNE OCCIDENTALE, OXY'NOV INC
    Inventors: Francois Lellouche, Erwan L'Her, Benoit Gosselin, Quang-Thang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10967205
    Abstract: In one embodiment of an aircraft emergency oxygen delivery system, power can be generated by the flow of gas over a transducer disposed inside an oxygen delivery tube. A pressure differential gives rise to a temperature difference across the transducer, and the temperature difference can be converted to a voltage. The voltage can be quadratically dependent upon the Mach number M (e.g. flow velocities from 1 to 140 m/s) and proportional to a Seebeck coefficient of the transducer. The power thus generated may be used to operate LED indicators visible from the exterior of the tube, a variety of sensors, and wireless communication with a central control system. Oxygen flow to a mask may be adjusted based on ambient oxygen content and data collected from a passenger wearing the mask, including a blood oxygen saturation level, pulse or respiration rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Elliott, Mrinal Nagrecha
  • Patent number: 10905843
    Abstract: A respiratory assistance system including a humidification apparatus used for delivery of heated and humidified gases to a patient includes a humidification chamber with an associated heater and sensor, an inspiratory conduit with an associated heater and sensor, and an unheated patient interface, such as a face mask. A controller of the humidification apparatus is configured to determine a gas source and change the set point accordingly to maintain patient comfort regardless of the humidity level of the gas source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Daniel John Smith, Anthony James Newland, Po-Yen Liu, Stefan Leo Van Workum, Ivan Chih-Fan Teng
  • Patent number: 10869978
    Abstract: A method for measuring a patient's expired CO2 level in a non-invasive ventilator system while maintaining a positive inspiratory pressure. The method includes the steps of: receiving, by the non-invasive ventilator system, a signal comprising an instruction to obtain a CO2 measurement from a patient; lowering, by the non-invasive ventilator system in response to the signal, the expiratory positive airway pressure from a first, higher level to a second, lower level for a first time period comprising one or more breaths; obtaining, by a CO2 sensor, a CO2 measurement during the first time period; and returning, after the first time period, the expiratory positive airway pressure to the first, higher level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Smita Garde
  • Patent number: 10850056
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling pressure and/or flow during exhalation. The disclosure describes novel exhalation modes for ventilating a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Milenko Masic, Peter Doyle, Gardner Kimm
  • Patent number: 10712221
    Abstract: A differential pressure meter (1) whose body (7) includes an inlet opening (7a), an outlet opening (7z), a channel (70), and a housing (16) defining an operating seat (160) separate from the channel (70) and having first and second passage openings (16p, 16s). A sealing casing (2) in the operating seat (160) defining an inner volume (200). A sensitive element (3) is in the casing (2) to divide the inner volume (200) into first and second chambers (4, 5). A first surface (3d) of the sensitive element (3) directed towards the first chamber (4), a second surface (3s) directed towards the second chamber (5). A first pressure intake (4p) formed on the casing (2), the first passage opening (16p) in communication with the first chamber (4), and a second pressure intake is formed on the casing (2), the second passage opening (16s) in communication with the second chamber (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: FIMCIM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Cimberio, Tiziano Guidetti
  • Patent number: 10685549
    Abstract: A method for creating alarm signals based on time-series signal behavior determined from real-time discrete data obtained from a medical device. In one embodiment the method includes identifying patterns in preceding time-series measurement threshold breaches in clinical readings obtained from said medical device when associated with a particular patient, and initiating an alarm signal to a front-line clinician based on the preceding quantity of threshold breaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: CAPSULE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Zaleski
  • Patent number: 10610654
    Abstract: Systems and methods of control of a mechanical ventilator include receiving machine data from a mechanical ventilator. A surgical event is detected in the received machine data. Clinical events within the surgical event are detected in the machine data. The machine data and the detected plurality of clinical events are evaluated for compliance with lung protective ventilation recommendations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Joseph Hanrahan, Brandon Henak, Guy Vesto, John Page
  • Patent number: 10561810
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the regulation of PEEP and FiO2 of a ventilator for achieving an arterial oxygen partial pressure in the blood of a mechanically ventilated patient. At reading which is representative of the success of the oxygen supply, i.e. the oxygen saturation of the blood is measured with the device, and assigned to one of three regions, which are defined by two characteristic lines. A first control loop is designed to optimise PEEP and FiO2 on assigning a reading to a region which demands a change of the settings, or to retaining the settings with an assignment to the normal region between the characteristic lines. This first control loop carries out such an optimisation at predefined temporal intervals on account of the representative reading (SaO2REP) and a predefined necessary supply intensity. The ventilator is subsequently activated accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON MEDICAL AG
    Inventors: Josef Brunner, Marc Wysocki, Thomas Laubscher
  • Patent number: 10508655
    Abstract: A blower filter system (10) includes a blower filter device (20) with a blower (22), with a filter mount (24) and with a tube port (26) for connecting a respirator device (40) by a tube (42). The filter mount (24) is designed to receive a filter (30), on which a color coding (32) with a color specific to the pneumatic resistance of the filter (30) is arranged, and the blower filter device (20) has an optical sensor device (50) for recognizing different colors of the color coding (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Achim Volmer, Björn Ehler, Stefan Freyher
  • Patent number: 10434270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of delivering gas during ventilation of a patient using a system for breath delivery. The method of gas delivery includes real-time compensation of gas compression losses, in the current breath delivery phase, and gas leakage losses. The present invention further relates to a system for breath delivery. Still further, the present invention relates to a computer implemented method adapted of delivering gas during ventilation of a patient using a system for breath delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Jose Isaza
  • Patent number: 10386357
    Abstract: A method or device for assaying physiological gas levels in a human, comprising: repeatedly measuring a gas in samples of breath or blood, or continuously measuring the gas through the skin or fingernail, while he or she holds his or her breath for a specified time interval (BHt) before each measurement, wherein these time intervals are selected from the group consisting of BHt=0, 4-6, 20-25 and 35-40 seconds, and recording the results to form a series of values including at least one measurement at BHt=35-40 which is treated as representing the average gas level in all the tissues of the body (T) at that time, to determine if the individual is net inhaling, net exhaling or in equilibrium with the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Albert Donnay
  • Patent number: 10314215
    Abstract: A yarn or multi-fiber formed of a plurality of micron diameter stainless steel monofilaments which have been rendered more conductive by one or more coatings of electrolytically-deposited metal or metal alloy materials. The metallized yarn provided by the invention has a very low electrical resistance, with consequent benefit in electrical performance, and is particularly useful as an RFI/EMI shielding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Burke, James E. Haller
  • Patent number: 10252011
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a ventilation therapy system configured to control a pressure or flow generator to apply an intra-pulmonary percussive ventilation therapy regime to a pressurized flow of breathable gas during baseline ventilation therapy. The ventilation therapy system is configured to automatically control the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The system may automatically control an extent of hyperinflation during IPPV in a subject. The system is configured such that therapy set points, alarm settings, and/or other factors are automatically adjusted during the application of IPPV relative to the set points and alarm settings during baseline ventilation therapy. In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more of a pressure or flow generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, one or more processors, a user interface, electronic storage, and/or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Smita Garde, Samir Ahmad, Michael Edward Madison
  • Patent number: 10245608
    Abstract: A method of controlling a flow rate includes selecting an operating condition defined by an operating flow rate and an operating pressure, comparing the operating flow rate to a threshold flow rate, and executing an adaptive calibration routing if the operating flow rate is greater than or equal to the threshold flow rate. The adaptive calibration routine includes measuring the operating pressure, measuring a first flow rate through a first meter, and modifying a pressure-flow table based on the operating pressure and the first flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Dufault, Todd A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10161923
    Abstract: A gas analyzer system for analyzing and monitoring samples of compressed or ambient gas such as breathing air and informing the user as to the results of the sample's gas purity without the gas sample having to be physically transported to an accredited laboratory. The system comprises a gas analysis module situated at a user facility for receiving the contents of a gas sample and detecting gas impurity characteristics, and a server situated at a remote certification and monitoring center and electrically coupled to the gas analysis module via a bi-directional communications link such a computer network connection. The remote server receives and stores the gas purity characteristics in the form of gas impurity data obtained from the analysis module. The module includes a calibration canister containing a known gas. The module executes onboard calibration by analyzing the calibration gas and comparing it to known data stored on the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: LAWRENCE FACTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Robert M. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 10159595
    Abstract: The present invention provides a negative pressure generator comprising a vacuum pump having an intake end and an exhaust end, a soundproofing module having a compartment for accommodating the vacuum pump, the soundproofing module being configured to insulate noise and vibration generated when the vacuum pump is in operation, and a silencing tube module comprising a flexible intake tube having one open end communicating with the intake end of the vacuum pump and a flexible exhaust tube having one open end communicating with the exhaust end of the vacuum pump, the silencing tube module being configured to reduce noise generated at the intake end and/or the exhaust end of the vacuum pump when the vacuum pump is in operation. The negative pressure generator can provide a vacuum source to an oral interface device to favorably create a negative pressure environment in a user's oral cavity so that the patency of the user's upper airway is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yin-Ruei Chen, Tung-Ming Yu, Chen-Ning Huang, Chung-Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 10070804
    Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of samples of exhaled air during normal respiration, comprising a flow generator, an orally insertable exhalation air receiver, and a device for isolating the nasal airways, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a sensor for detecting a change in a parameter representing the change from inhalation to exhalation and to transmit said change as a signal; a control unit adapted to receive said signal and to control said device for isolating the nasal airways; wherein the flow generator is connected to or integrated with the exhalation air receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Circassia AB
    Inventor: Rudiger Eichler
  • Patent number: 9931057
    Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of samples of exhaled air during normal respiration, comprising a flow generator, an orally insertable exhalation air receiver, and a device for isolating the nasal airways, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a sensor for detecting a change in a parameter representing the change from inhalation to exhalation and to transmit said change as a signal; a control unit adapted to receive said signal and to control said device for isolating the nasal airways; wherein the flow generator is connected to or integrated with the exhalation air receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Aerocrine AB
    Inventor: Rudiger Eichler
  • Patent number: 9788923
    Abstract: A device for drying a root canal includes a cannula configured to inject a gas stream into the root canal. The cannula is a conduit having a proximal end in fluidic communication with a distal end. A handpiece is configured to removably hold the proximal end of the cannula at a distal handpiece end. A gas stream source is connectable to a proximal end of a tube. A distal end of the tube is connectable to the proximal handpiece end. A cut-off valve is disposed within the handpiece in fluidic communication in series between the distal handpiece end and the proximal handpiece end. The cut-off valve is configured to cut off the gas stream flowing through the handpiece. A manually-controlled operating element is mechanically coupled to the cut-off valve, where the operating element is configured to be controlled by a dentist or technician holding the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Rainer Tilse
  • Patent number: 9775541
    Abstract: A mask configured to be attached to the face of a subject includes a wall section that defines an internal space and covers at least a portion of a nose and a mouth of the subject, an expired gas introduction section that is disposed in the internal space and introduce the subject's expired gas, and a communication section defining a communication channel through which the subject's expired gas introduced from the expired gas introduction section is introduced into an expired gas concentration detection sensor. The position of the expired gas introduction section in the internal space is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9772273
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and device for monitoring an ambient humidity sensor in a combustion engine, where the monitoring of the ambient humidity sensor is made by comparing the ambient humidity measured by said humidity sensor and an ambient humidity determined from an oxygen measurement of at least another sensor in the engine system, such as a NOX, or Lambda and/or an oxygen sensor. Said comparison is made using an offset of the oxygen signal reading of said at least another sensor, in a fuel cut condition where the drift or offset of said another sensor is related to the variation of the ambient humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: FPT MOTORENFORSCHUNG AG
    Inventors: Theophil Auckenthaler, Werner Zaehner