Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: A positive airway pressure (PAP) device for supplying a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas and a humidifier configured to receive and humidify the pressurized flow of breathable gas from the flow generator. The PAP device also includes a power source. The flow generator, humidifier and power source are positioned so that heat generated by at least one of the flow generator and the power source is conveyed to water in the humidifier.

Abstract: A positive airway pressure (PAP) device for supplying a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas and a humidifier configured to receive and humidify the pressurized flow of breathable gas from the flow generator. The PAP device also includes a power source. The flow generator, humidifier and power source are positioned so that heat generated by at least one of the flow generator and the power source is conveyed to water in the humidifier.

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.

Abstract: Systems slow breathing with positive pressure therapy. In embodiments, a current interim breathing rate target is set, and periodically magnitude of a variable pressure waveform scaled to the current interim breathing rate target is increased if breathing rate is greater than the interim rate target to lengthen breath duration. The magnitude of the pressure increase may be a function of the difference between the interim rate target and the breathing rate. The interim rate target may be reduced in response to slowing breathing rate. The waveform cycles, inhalation to exhalation, when airflow decreases to a cycle threshold. Different interim rate targets have different cycle threshold functions that allow easier cycling as the interim rate targets decrease. Similarly, the waveform triggers, exhalation to inhalation, when airflow increases to a trigger threshold. Different interim rate targets have different trigger threshold functions that allow easier triggering as the interim rate targets decrease.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide automated circuit disconnection monitoring such as for a respiratory apparatus or system. Disconnection of a patient circuit, including a patient interface and air delivery circuit, may be detected and a message or alarm activated. In some versions, detecting occurrences of circuit disconnection event(s), such as by a processor, may be based on an instantaneous disconnection parameter as a function of a disconnection setting. The disconnection setting may be determined based on patient circuit type. The instantaneous disconnection parameter may be determined from detected pressure and flow rate, and may be, for example, a conductance value or an impedance value. Disconnection events may be qualified by one or more detected respiratory indicators.

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.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator 100 apparatus and a method thereof implement operations control to efficiently release oxygen enriched gas to reduce potential waste. The control methodology may include generating a profile such as a minimum inhalation flow profile of the user. The profile may be based on a size parameter of the user. The method may determine one or more control parameters characterizing a bolus of oxygen enriched gas based on the generated flow profile. The control methodology may then generate a bolus release control signal, such as for a supply valve, according to the determined one or more control parameters. The oxygen concentrator may then, with the control signal, release and deliver a bolus of oxygen enriched gas for a user such as for reducing waste.

Abstract: Systems slow breathing with positive pressure therapy. In embodiments, a current interim breathing rate target is set, and periodically magnitude of a variable pressure waveform scaled to the current interim breathing rate target is increased if breathing rate is greater than the interim rate target to lengthen breath duration. The magnitude of the pressure increase may be a function of the difference between the interim rate target and the breathing rate. The interim rate target may be reduced in response to slowing breathing rate. The waveform cycles, inhalation to exhalation, when airflow decreases to a cycle threshold. Different interim rate targets have different cycle threshold functions that allow easier cycling as the interim rate targets decrease. Similarly, the waveform triggers, exhalation to inhalation, when airflow increases to a trigger threshold. Different interim rate targets have different trigger threshold functions that allow easier triggering as the interim rate targets decrease.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator (100) apparatus and a method thereof implement operations control to efficiently release oxygen enriched gas to reduce potential waste. The control methodology may include generating a profile such as a minimum inhalation flow profile of the user. The profile may be based on a size parameter of the user. The method may determine one or more control parameters characterizing a bolus of oxygen enriched gas based on the generated flow profile. The control methodology may then generate a bolus release control signal, such as for a supply valve, according to the determined one or more control parameters. The oxygen concentrator may then, with the control signal, release and deliver a bolus of oxygen enriched gas for a user such as for reducing waste.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide control for generation of a flow of air to a patient's airways for different respiratory therapies. The pressure and a flow rate may be simultaneously controlled so as to provide a pressure therapy and a flow therapy. The system may include one or more flow generators, in which the control of the pressure and flow rate may include altering the output of one or more of the flow generators and/or an optional adjustable vent. The pressure and flow rate may each be held at a constant. One or both of the pressure and flow rate may also vary in accordance with a desired therapy. The air may be provided via a patient interface that includes a vent to atmosphere, which may be the adjustable vent. The vent may be actuated by a controller to implement the simultaneous control of pressure and flow rate of the air.

Abstract: Apparatus, such as a respiratory therapy device 4000, may generate a signal representing an estimate of a patient breathing pattern when using a flow therapy device with an un-sealed patient interface. The device may include a blower and may generate a flow of air at a controlled flow rate. The apparatus may include a controller. The generation may involve computing an estimate of the breathing pattern as a function of a device flow rate signal; a device pressure signal; a device conductance; a patient conductance; and a coupling parameter that characterizes a degree of coupling between the interface and the patients nares. An estimate of an exit pressure representative of a pressure of a flow of air generated by the therapy device just outside an orifice of the unsealed interface may also be computed. An estimate of a flushing flow rate from the estimated exit pressure may also be computed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide control for generation of a flow of air to a patient's airways for different respiratory therapies. The pressure and a flow rate may be simultaneously controlled so as to provide a pressure therapy and a flow therapy. The system may include one or more flow generators, in which the control of the pressure and flow rate may include altering the output of one or more of the flow generators and/or an optional adjustable vent. The pressure and flow rate may each be held at a constant. One or both of the pressure and flow rate may also vary in accordance with a desired therapy. The air may be provided via a patient interface that includes a vent to atmosphere, which may be the adjustable vent. The vent may be actuated by a controller to implement the simultaneous control of pressure and flow rate of the air.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide compliance management tools such as for respiratory pressure therapy. In some versions, a respiratory pressure therapy system may include one or more processors, such as of a data server, configured to communicate with a computing device and/or a respiratory pressure therapy device. The respiratory pressure therapy device may be configured to deliver respiratory pressure therapy to a patient for a session. The computing device may be associated with the patient. The processor(s) may be further configured to compute a therapy quality indicator of the session from usage data relating to the session. The therapy quality indicator may be a number derived from contributions of a plurality of usage variables for the session in the usage data. The processor(s) may be further configured to present, such as by transmitting, the therapy quality indicator to the computing device. The therapy quality indicator may promote patient compliance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide operations for a respiratory disorder therapy by generating a flow or pressure therapy with supplementary oxygen. The method may be implemented by one or more processors that may set one or more therapy parameters associated with generating a flow of air to a patient interface via an air circuit. The one or more processors may set one or more supplementary oxygen parameters associated with introducing supplementary oxygen into the flow of air at the air circuit. The method may involve computing an oxygen performance metric associated with characteristic(s) of a patient and the air flow with the supplementary oxygen. The computing may include applying function(s) comprising the therapy parameter(s) and supplementary oxygen parameter(s). Output, such as a display indicator or automated therapy control change(s), may be generated using the computed oxygen performance metric. Changes to therapy parameter(s) may be made to optimise the metric.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve generation of an anti-infection therapy. The method/apparatus may include a controller controlling setting of a respiratory flow therapy device for the therapy. The controller may compute a target flow rate profile for a patient using a margin function, such that the target flow rate profile, according to the margin function, exceeds a minimum inspiratory flow rate profile of the patient's inspiration. The controller may control setting the respiratory flow therapy device to generate a flow of air to a patient interface according to the target flow rate profile, where the generation may be in synchrony with a sensed parameter that is indicative of a breathing cycle of the patient.

Abstract: A blower includes a housing including a proximal opening and a distal opening that are co-axially aligned, a stator component provided to the housing, an impeller positioned between the proximal opening of the housing and the stator component, and a motor adapted to drive the impeller. The impeller includes a plurality of impeller blades. The stator component includes a plurality of air directing grooves along its exterior surface. The leading edge of the air directing grooves extend tangentially outwards from the outer tips of the impeller blades and are configured to collect the air exiting the impeller blades and direct it from a generally tangential direction to a generally radial direction by dividing the air from the impeller and directing the air along a curved path towards the distal opening so that airflow becomes substantially laminar.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide acoustic detection for automated devices such as respiratory treatment apparatus. In some embodiments of the technology, acoustic analysis of noise or sound pulses, such as a cepstrum analysis, based on signals of a sound sensor (104) permits detection of obstruction (O) such as within a patient interface, mask or respiratory conduit (108) or within patient respiratory system. Some embodiments further permit detection of accessories such as an identification thereof or a condition of use thereof, such as a leak. Still further embodiments of the technology permit the detection of a patient or user who is intended to use the automated device.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator (100) apparatus and a method thereof implement operations control to efficiently release oxygen enriched gas to reduce potential waste. The control methodology may include generating a profile such as a minimum inhalation flow profile of the user. The profile may be based on a size parameter of the user. The method may determine one or more control parameters characterizing a bolus of oxygen enriched gas based on the generated flow profile. The control methodology may then generate a bolus release control signal, such as for a supply valve, according to the determined one or more control parameters. The oxygen concentrator may then, with the control signal, release and deliver a bolus of oxygen enriched gas for a user such as for reducing waste.