Patents by Inventor Colin E. Sullivan
Colin E. Sullivan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6886564Abstract: A mask for supplying gas under pressure to the nasal airway of a human includes a series of flexible stretchable straps formed from an elastomeric material for locating the mask against the human face. The straps are integrally formed or joined to define a perimeter enclosing an aperture adapted to fit around the nasal area of a human. The straps are configured to approximate to the three dimensional shape of the region around the nasal area of the human face as they arm stretched, to form a tight fitting seal. The mask may be used with or without a manifold.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Australian Centre for Advanced Medical Technology Ltd.Inventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Paul Wilkie
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Patent number: 6705315Abstract: A CPAP apparatus including: a variable pressured air source and means to vary the air pressure delivered therefrom; a nose piece for sealed air communication with a patient's respiratory system; an air communication line from the air source to the nose piece; a sound transducer adapted to be in sound communication with the patient's respiratory system; and a feedback system controlling the output pressure of the air source in response to an output from the transducer so as to increase the output air pressure from said air source, in response to detection of sound indicative of snoring, in accordance with a predefined procedure. The sound transducer, in its most general form, comprises a pressure transducer which, in addition to detecting snoring sounds, can detect other respiratory parameters such as the rate of breathing, inhaled air flow volume, and inhaled air flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: ResMed LimitedInventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Christopher Lynch
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Publication number: 20030145857Abstract: A mask (10) for supplying gas under pressure to the nasal airway of a human includes a series of flexible stretchable straps (12, 14, 16) formed from an clastomeric material for locating the mask (10) against the human face. The straps (12, 14, 16) are integrally formed or joined to define a perimeter (18) enclosing an aperture (20) adapted to fit around the nasal area of a human. The straps (12, 14, 16) are configured to approximate to the three dimensional shape of the region around the nasal area of the human face as they arm strethed, to form a tight fitting seal. The mask may be used with or without a manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Paul Wilkie
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Publication number: 20020096173Abstract: The present invention discloses both a method of operating CPAP apparatus, and the apparatus itself in which a breathable gas delivery device, or mask (1), is connected to a gas supply pump (14) via a conduit which includes a restriction to gas flow such as a small bore portion (3). A pressure transducer (11) is used to sense the gas pressure at the patient's nose and the transducer output is used to servo-control the pump (14) to maintian the sensed pressure substantially constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 1995Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: MICHAEL BERTHON-JONES, MICHEL CALLUAUD, CHRISTOPHER E. LYNCH, COLIN E. SULLIVAN
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Patent number: 6398739Abstract: Patient may operate a CPAP system to deliver appropriate airway pressure home. A patient's apnea problem can be diagnosed at home without supervision with a CPAP device which delivers a continuously minimum appropriate pressure for substantially the entire period of therapy.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: ResMed LimitedInventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Christopher Lynch
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Publication number: 20020007127Abstract: A CPAP apparatus including: a variable pressured air source and means to vary the air pressure delivered therefrom; a nose piece for sealed air communication with a patient's respiratory system; an air communication line from the air source to the nose piece; a sound transducer adapted to be in sound communication with the patient's respiratory system; and a feedback system controlling the output pressure of the air source in response to an output from the transducer so as to increase the output air pressure from said air source, in response to detection of sound indicative of snoring, in accordance with a predefined procedure. The sound transducer, in its most general form, comprises a pressure transducer which, in addition to detecting snoring sounds, can detect other respiratory parameters such as the rate of breathing, inhaled air flow volume, and inhaled air flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Christopher Lynch
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Patent number: 6039044Abstract: A mask for use in delivering gas to a user and which accommodates relative movement of a connecting gas supply line. The mask has a face contacting portion (28) which is shaped to define a chamber (29) through which gas is delivered to the respiratory tract of the user and, in a preferred form of the mask, the face contacting portion (28) is formed with a convex end region (30) which is arranged in use of the mask to be depressed by and to accommodate facial features of the user. A gas supply port (27) is formed integrally with a wall portion (35) of the chamber (29) and the port provides for connection of a supply of pressurized gas to the interior of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1997Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: University of SydneyInventor: Colin E. Sullivan
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Patent number: 5817035Abstract: A device and method for monitoring over a period of time a foetus in a pregnant mammalian animal. A piezoelectric synthetic plastics material detector is applied to the abdomen of the pregnant animal and produces an electrical signal as a result of foetal activity such as foetal body movement, breathing movement and heart rate. This signal is received in receiver means and is compared with previously determined signals characteristic of various types of foetal activity. Output means produce an output indicative of the activities of the foetus over the monitored period from which can be gauged foetal development and/or well being.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: The Institute of Respiratory Medicine Ltd.Inventor: Colin E. Sullivan
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Patent number: 5522382Abstract: An air flow device and a method useful for the treatment of upper airway disordered breathing. The invention provides an airflow device having a means for delivering variable pressure levels of breathable air to a patient's respiratory system with a means for controlling the time during which the delivered pressurized air rises from an initial pressure level to a higher operating pressure level. The device increases the pressure level of gas delivered to the patient over a plurality of breaths taken by the patient. This type of device is useful for treating a wide variety of sleeping and breathing disorders.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1995Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: ResCare LimitedInventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Christopher Lynch
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Patent number: 5245995Abstract: A CPAP apparatus including: a variable pressured air source and means to vary the air pressure delivered therefrom; a nose piece for sealed air communication with a patient's respiratory system; an air communication line from the air source to the nose piece; a sound transducer adapted to be in sound communication with the patient's respiratory system; and a feedback system controlling the output pressure of the air source in response to an output from the transducer so as to increase the output air pressure from said air source, in response to detection of sound indicative of snoring, in accordance with a predefined procedure. The sound transducer, in its most general form, comprises a pressure transducer which, in addition to detecting snoring sounds, can detect other respiratory parameters such as the rate of breathing, inhaled air flow volume, and inhaled air flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1992Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Assignee: ResCare LimitedInventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Christopher Lynch
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Patent number: 5243971Abstract: A nasal mask which is suitable for use in a continuous positive airway pressure system. The mask has a face contacting portion mounted to a shell which is sized and shaped to overfit the nose region of an intended wearer, and the face contacting portion is in the form of a distendable membrane which is moulded from an elastic plastics material. The distendable membrane and the shell together define a chamber, and pressurised gas admitted to the chamber causes the membrane to distend outwardly from the shell. When placed in contact with the face of the wearer, the distendable membrane is caused to overlay the covered facial regions and, under the influence of the pressurised gas, to conform three-dimensionally with the contours of the overlayed regions. An orifice is formed within the membrane and is shaped and positioned to admit gas from the chamber to the nasal passages of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1992Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: The University of SydneyInventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Jakob W. Bruderer
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Patent number: 5199424Abstract: A CPAP apparatus including: a variable pressured air source and means to vary the air pressure delivered therefrom; a nose piece for sealed air communication with a patient's respiratory system; an air communication line from the air source to the nose piece; a sound transducer adapted to be in sound communication with the patient's respiratory system; and a feedback system controlling the output pressure of the air source in response to an output from the transducer so as to increase the output air pressure from said air source, in response to detection of sound indicative of snoring, in accordance with a predefined procedure. The sound transducer, in its most general form, comprises a pressure transducer which, in addition to detecting snoring sounds, can detect other respiratory parameters such as the rate of breathing, inhaled air flow volume, and inhaled air flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1991Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Inventors: Colin E. Sullivan, Christopher Lynch
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Patent number: 4944310Abstract: A device which may be used in the treatment of snoring sickness. An air blower supplies high volume air at slightly greater than atmospheric pressure to a flexible tube (2). Such air is communicated via tube (2) through nose piece (3), further through flexible tube (4) and a restrictive air outlet device (9). Communicating with nose piece (3) is a face mask (5) adapted to be sealingly attached to a patient's nose and providing communication between the patient's nostrils and the interior of nose piece (3). By varying the restriction of device (9) the air pressure at the region of nose piece (3) and also the patient's nostrils can be varied.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1988Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Assignee: Somed Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Colin E. Sullivan
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Patent number: D322318Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1989Date of Patent: December 10, 1991Assignee: Baxter Centre For Medical Research Pty. LimitedInventor: Colin E. Sullivan