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: Methods and apparatus provide automated controls for a respiratory pressure therapy device, such as a servo-ventilator. For example, a controller of a respiratory pressure therapy device may control application of pressure support ventilation therapy to an airway of a patient. The controller may control the respiratory pressure therapy device to auto-titrate an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) of a pressure support ventilation therapy so as to maintain airway patency of the patient. The EPAP may be bounded below by a floor pressure limit. The controller may control the respiratory pressure therapy device to repeatedly adjust the floor pressure limit depending on events of interest during the auto-titration of the EPAP. Such methodologies may improve treatment for patients such as those suffering from sleep disordered breathing-comorbid hyperarousal disorders.

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: 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: Methods and apparatus provide automated controls for a respiratory pressure therapy device, such as a servo-ventilator. For example, a controller of a respiratory pressure therapy device may control application of pressure support ventilation therapy to an airway of a patient. The controller may control the respiratory pressure therapy device to auto-titrate an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) of a pressure support ventilation therapy so as to maintain airway patency of the patient. The EPAP may be bounded below by a floor pressure limit. The controller may control the respiratory pressure therapy device to repeatedly adjust the floor pressure limit depending on events of interest during the auto-titration of the EPAP. Such methodologies may improve treatment for patients such as those suffering from sleep disordered breathing-comorbid hyperarousal disorders.

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 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 permits detection of obstruction such as within a patient interface, mask or respiratory conduit 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: 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: 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: 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: A mask assembly for delivering pressurized gas to a patient comprising a mask having an inspiratory port and an expiratory port located on generally opposite sides, wherein said ports are sized, oriented, positioned, and/or spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow a cross-flow of pressurized gas to flow through the mask assembly; an outlet limb connected to the expiratory port and having an aperture in pneumatic communication with the breathing chamber; the aperture size being variable between a first, open configuration and at least one second configuration that is different from the first. A ventilation system for delivering pressurized gas to a patient comprising a seal formed with the patient's airways and in pneumatic communication with a plenum chamber; an exchanger positioned at least partially within the plenum chamber, and in pneumatic communication with inspiratory and expiratory flow paths, to recover heat and/or moisture from gas exhaled by the patient.

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 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: A mask assembly for delivering pressurized gas to a patient comprising a mask having an inspiratory port and an expiratory port located on generally opposite sides, wherein said ports are sized, oriented, positioned, and/or spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow a cross-flow of pressurized gas to flow through the mask assembly; an outlet limb connected to the expiratory port and having an aperture in pneumatic communication with the breathing chamber; the aperture size being variable between a first, open configuration and at least one second configuration that is different from the first. A ventilation system for delivering pressurized gas to a patient comprising a seal formed with the patient's airways and in pneumatic communication with a plenum chamber; an exchanger positioned at least partially within the plenum chamber, and in pneumatic communication with inspiratory and expiratory flow paths, to recover heat and/or moisture from gas exhaled by the patient.

Abstract: 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 configured to determine a measure of patient effort during a treatment period and provide a patient effort signal for input to control operation of the flow generator.

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: A mask assembly for delivering pressurized gas to a patient comprising a mask having an inspiratory port and an expiratory port located on generally opposite sides, wherein said ports are sized, oriented, positioned, and/or spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow a cross-flow of pressurized gas to flow through the mask assembly; an outlet limb connected to the expiratory port and having an aperture in pneumatic communication with the breathing chamber; the aperture size being variable between a first, open configuration and at least one second configuration that is different from the first. A ventilation system for delivering pressurized gas to a patient comprising a seal formed with the patient's airways and in pneumatic communication with a plenum chamber; an exchanger positioned at least partially within the plenum chamber, and in pneumatic communication with inspiratory and expiratory flow paths, to recover heat and/or moisture from gas exhaled by the patient.

Abstract: A method of using CPAP equipment to sense cardiogenic oscillations in a patient's airflow, and to monitor and treat the patient's cardiac condition. The apparatus diagnoses cardiac morbidity conditions, such as the existence of arrhythmias or other cardiac abnormalities, and influences and optimizes cardiac stroke volume. The apparatus further monitors pulse-transit time, changes in the heart pre-ejection period, and the duration of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: 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 configured to determine a measure of patient effort during a treatment period and provide a patient effort signal for input to control operation of the flow generator.

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.