Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regime. Responsive to the subject resuming respiration after a respiratory event, delivery of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is resumed at an inhalation in the therapy regime. As such, the therapy regime is effectively re-synchronized with the respiration of the subject subsequent to a respiratory event.

Abstract: A method of operating a ventilator that includes steps of (a) providing a specified ventilation therapy to a patient through a ventilator according to a specification; (b) determining and storing a backup parameter relating to the operation of the ventilator or the breathing of the patient during the step of providing the specified ventilation therapy; (c) determining that an alarm condition exists that indicates a problem with the ventilator that would prevent the ventilator from providing the specified ventilation therapy to the patient according to the specification; and (d) responsive to determining that the alarm condition exists, providing backup ventilation therapy to the patient through the ventilator that is based at least partially on the stored backup parameter. Also, a ventilator that is adapted to perform the method just described.

Abstract: A pressure generating system and method for generating a flow of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The system includes a pressure generator and a valve that controls the pressure/flow of gas delivered to the patient. The system monitors energy provided to the valve, a characteristics associated with movement of the valve, a position of the valve, or any combination thereof. In addition, the controller controls an operating speed of the pressure generator such that the valve operates over a majority of the range of positions during use of the pressure support system.

Abstract: A gas delivery system including a pressure generator, a pressure sensor, a control valve, and a processor. The pressure generator pressurizes breathable gas for delivery to a patient. The pressure sensor measures a pressure difference between the pressurized breathable gas and atmospheric pressure. The control valve is disposed downstream from the pressure generator and is constructed and arranged to control a flow rate of the pressurized breathable gas. The processor controls the control valve to bring the flow rate of the pressurized breathable gas to substantially zero while the pressure generator is operating and, when the flow rate is substantially zero, determines at least one of atmospheric pressure, an atmospheric air density, or a density correction factor based at least in part on the pressure difference between the pressurized breathable gas and the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regime. Responsive to the subject resuming respiration after a respiratory event, delivery of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is resumed at an inhalation in the therapy regime. As such, the therapy regime is effectively re-synchronized with the respiration of the subject subsequent to a respiratory event.

Abstract: A method of operating a ventilator that includes steps of (a) providing a specified ventilation therapy to a patient through a ventilator according to a specification; (b) determining and storing a backup parameter relating to the operation of the ventilator or the breathing of the patient during the step of providing the specified ventilation therapy; (c) determining that an alarm condition exists that indicates a problem with the ventilator that would prevent the ventilator from providing the specified ventilation therapy to the patient according to the specification; and (d) responsive to determining that the alarm condition exists, providing backup ventilation therapy to the patient through the ventilator that is based at least partially on the stored backup parameter. Also, a ventilator that is adapted to perform the method just described.

Abstract: A medical ventilator that includes a memory device, a controller operatively coupled to the memory device, and an accessory connector provided at or about the exterior of the ventilator housing. The controller is adapted to record ventilation data in the memory device that includes at least one of data relating to the operation of the ventilator and data relating to the breathing of the patient while ventilation therapy is being provided to the patient. The accessory connector is structured to operatively couple the controller to an accessory device and to provide power to the accessory device. The accessory connector also serves as a communication bus for enabling the accessory device to communicate data generated by it to the controller, which in turn is adapted to record the accessory device data in the memory device in a manner wherein the accessory device data is merged.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a medical device having a controller that controls operation of the medical device according to an operating routine executed by the controller. Upgrading the medical device includes communicating an external device, such as a conventional computer, with the controller. An external access key is provided to the external device and compared to an internal access key provided by the medical device. Upgrading of the medical device is enabled if the two access keys match. Upgrading includes modifying or rewriting the operating routine stored in the medical device. A medical device manufacturer, supplier, or seller controls the distribution of the external access keys, thereby providing the ability to track the medical devices being upgraded and the upgrade provided to that device.

Abstract: A pressure generating system and method for generating a flow of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The system includes a pressure generator and a pressure regulator downstream of the pressure generator. The system monitors a characteristic associated with the pressure regulator, the fluid flow downstream of the pressure regulator to the patient, the fluid flow upstream of the pressure regulator, the fluid flow exhausted from the pressure regulator, or any combination thereof. A controller coupled to the pressure generator controls an operating speed of the pressure generator based on the monitored characteristic(s) so that the output of the pressure generator is only kept as high as needed to provide the desired pressure to the patient.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a medical device having a controller that controls operation of the medical device according to an operating routine executed by the controller. Upgrading the medical device includes communicating an external device, such as a conventional computer, with the controller. An external access key is provided to the external device and compared to an internal access key provided by the medical device. Upgrading of the medical device is enabled if the two access keys match. Upgrading includes modifying or rewriting the operating routine stored in the medical device. A medical device manufacturer, supplier, or seller controls the distribution of the external access keys, thereby providing the ability to track the medical devices being upgraded and the upgrade provided to that device.