Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1; 1A) for use in connection with mechanical ventilation of a patient (3), provided by a ventilator (5). The system comprises a sensor arrangement (7; 7A; 7B) configured to register at least one signal (SLP; SLP(TA), SLP(CT); Se1-5; Se11-12), herein referred to as LP signal, related to muscular activity of at least one muscle (17, 19) in the laryngopharyngeal region (9) of said patient (3). Furthermore, the system comprises at least one control unit (11; 11A, 11B) configured to control the operation of said ventilator (5) based on said at least one LP signal, and/or to cause display of information related to said at least one LP signal on a display unit (13A, 13B) for monitoring said patient (3) and/or the operation of the ventilator (5).

Abstract: A clinical decision support system (100) for supporting a clinician in decisions relating to a patient (3) is disclosed. The system comprises at least one computer (1A-1G) for performing an event correlation trend analysis based on physiological parameters obtained from the patient. The computer is configured to perform the analysis by: identifying occurrences of a primary physiological event; identifying occurrences of at least one secondary physiological event that is physiologically linked to the primary physiological event, and establishing a trend of correlation between the primary physiological event and the at least one secondary physiological event, and presenting event correlation trend data indicative of the trend on a display (11A-11F) of the clinical decision support system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for detection of leakage or abnormal resistance in a ventilation system (1) comprising a breathing apparatus (2) providing mechanical ventilation to a patient (3). The system comprises a bioelectric sensor arrangement (27) for detecting a bioelectric signal indicative of the patient's effort to breathe, and a control computer (15) configured to receive the bioelectric signal detected by the bioelectric sensor arrangement (27). The control computer (15) is further configured to determine a change in the bioelectric signal, and to establish leakage or abnormal resistance in the ventilation system (1) based on the change in the bioelectric signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1; 1A) for use in connection with mechanical ventilation of a patient (3), provided by a ventilator (5). The system comprises a sensor arrangement (7; 7A; 7B) configured to register at least one signal (SLP; SLP(TA), SLP(CT); Se1-5; Se11-12), herein referred to as LP signal, related to muscular activity of at least one muscle (17, 19) in the laryngopharyngeal region (9) of said patient (3). Furthermore, the system comprises at least one control unit (11; 11A, 11B) configured to control the operation of said ventilator (5) based on said at least one LP signal, and/or to cause display of information related to said at least one LP signal on a display unit (13A, 13B) for monitoring said patient (3) and/or the operation of the ventilator (5).

Abstract: In a method and system for use with a ventilator for mechanical ventilation of a patient, a sensor arrangement registers at least one signal related to muscular activity of at least one muscle in the laryngopharyngeal region of the patient. This signal is provide to a computer, which controls the operation of the ventilator based thereon, and/or causes display of information related to the signal in order monitor the patient and/or operation of the ventilator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a mechanical ventilation system for adjusting a level of ventilatory assist to a patient. A neuro-mechanical efficiency of the patient is determined. A control value is received at the mechanical ventilation system. The level of ventilatory assist to the patient is determined on the basis of the neuro-mechanical efficiency and of the control value. The mechanical ventilation system may be adjusted automatically based on the determined level of ventilatory assist to the patient. Alternatively, the determined level of ventilatory assist to the patient may be displayed for the benefit of an operator and a manual command may be received for adjusting the mechanical ventilation system.

Abstract: In a method and system for use with a ventilator for mechanical ventilation of a patient, a sensor arrangement registers at least one signal related to muscular activity of at least one muscle in the laryngopharyngeal region of the patient. This signal is provide to a computer, which controls the operation of the ventilator based thereon, and/or causes display of information related to the signal in order monitor the patient and/or operation of the ventilator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a mechanical ventilation system for adjusting a level of ventilatory assist to a patient. A neuro-mechanical efficiency of the patient is determined. A control value is received at the mechanical ventilation system. The level of ventilatory assist to the patient is determined on the basis of the neuro-mechanical efficiency and of the control value. The mechanical ventilation system may be adjusted automatically based on the determined level of ventilatory assist to the patient. Alternatively, the determined level of ventilatory assist to the patient may be displayed for the benefit of an operator and a manual command may be received for adjusting the mechanical ventilation system.

Abstract: A ventilator intended to be connected to a patient for breathing therapy has a control unit having an input for receiving EMG signals from an EMG detector and an output for an EMG based control signal and a pneumatic unit for generating breathing gas flows dependent on the EMG based control signal is described. The ventilator has a detector for determining a parameter related to breathing dynamics for the patient, this detector being connected to the control unit and control unit controlling the pneumatic unit dependent on the parameter related to breathing dynamics in the case of loss of EMG signals at the input.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for determining the position of an esophageal catheter that is inserted into the esophagus of a patient, the catheter having a number of electrodes, muscular activity of the diaphragm is stimulated by applying a stimulus signal that produces a myoelectrical signal in the diaphragm having a well-defined peak at a specific point in time. The myoelectrical signal is detected by respective pairs of electrodes of said catheter, and the electrode pair or pairs that detected the signal having the highest amplitude at the specific point in time is identified. If this electrode pair or these electrode pairs that detected the signal with highest amplitude are not located approximately at the middle of the catheter, an indication is emitted that the position of the catheter should be adjusted.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling a ventilator that provides EMG controlled ventilation to a patient receives EMG signals from an esophageal catheter inserted into the patient and selects, dependent on the EMG signal, at least one signal for controlling the ventilator. A user interface unit operates by the control unit indicates the position of the catheter relative to the patient's diaphragm based on the selected signal. The position information may be presented in relation to signal curves representing the catheter signal or as an elongate vertical shape representing the catheter, the display unit being operated to indicate on the elongate vertical shape the position of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A ventilator intended to be connected to a patient for breathing therapy has a control unit having an input for receiving EMG signals from an EMG detector and an output for an EMG based control signal and a pneumatic unit for generating breathing gas flows dependent on the EMG based control signal is described. The ventilator has a detector for determining a parameter related to breathing dynamics for the patient, this detector being connected to the control unit and control unit controlling the pneumatic unit dependent on the parameter related to breathing dynamics in the case of loss of EMG signals at the input.

Abstract: A control unit for a ventilator is arranged to receive, from each of a number of electrode pairs on an esophageal catheter a bioelectric signal having an ECG component. The control unit has a calculating unit that determines the ECG component of each of the bioelectric signals and a position unit that determines the position of the catheter in relation to the patient's diaphragm based on a comparison the amplitudes of ECG components of the bioelectric signals.

Abstract: In a method and device for positioning a linear array of electrodes mounted on a distal end section of an elongated flexible member in a patient's respiratory airways at the level of the patient's diaphragm, a length of the elongated flexible member pre-determined to position the linear array of electrodes at the level of the patient's diaphragm is inserted through the patient's respiratory airways. Signals representative of an electrical activity of the patient's diaphragm (EAdi) are detected through the electrodes of the linear array, a presence or absence of ECG signal components is detected in the EAdi signals, and the position of the linear array of electrodes in the patient's respiratory airways is detected in response to the presence or absence of the ECG signal components in the EAdi signals.

Abstract: A ventilator intended to be connected to a patient for breathing therapy has a control unit having an input for receiving EMG signals from an EMG detector and an output for an EMG based control signal and a pneumatic unit for generating breathing gas flows dependent on the EMG based control signal is described. The ventilator has a detector for determining a parameter related to breathing dynamics for the patient, this detector being connected to the control unit and control unit controlling the pneumatic unit dependent on the parameter related to breathing dynamics in the case of loss of EMG signals at the input.

Abstract: Function testing of a ventilator using an EMG or other bioelectric signal representative of the breathing of the patient to control ventilation is enabled by a simulating device for use with a breathing related device for monitoring and/or controlling a patient's breathing, the simulating device including a signal generator for providing a simulated bioelectric compound signal related to the patient's breathing function, and a contact for outputting the simulated bioelectric compound signal. The simulating device can also be used for training purposes and in the development of new ventilators.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an indication of the position of an esophageal catheter inserted into a patient includes the steps of obtaining an electrical signal from the esophageal catheter, determining an ECG component of the electrical signal, determining the widths and/or rate of a number of periods in which the ECG component exceeds a threshold value, using the rate or widths of the periods to determine the presence of a P-wave in the ECG component, and concluding that the catheter is in a good position for obtaining a correct EMG signal if a P-wave is determined to be present. If not, the position may be corrected. The method may be performed by a control unit in a ventilator or a monitoring device.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for determining the position of an esophageal catheter that is inserted into the esophagus of a patient, the catheter having a number of electrodes, muscular activity of the diaphragm is stimulated by applying a stimulus signal that produces a myoelectrical signal in the diaphragm having a well-defined peak at a specific point in time. The myoelectrical signal is detected by respective pairs of electrodes of said catheter, and the electrode pair or pairs that detected the signal having the highest amplitude at the specific point in time is identified. If this electrode pair or these electrode pairs that detected the signal with highest amplitude are not located approximately at the middle of the catheter, an indication is emitted that the position of the catheter should be adjusted.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling a ventilator that provides EMG controlled ventilation to a patient receives EMG signals from an esophageal catheter inserted into the patient and selects, dependent on the EMG signal, at least one signal for controlling the ventilator. A user interface unit operates by the control unit indicates the position of the catheter relative to the patient's diaphragm based on the selected signal. The position information may be presented in relation to signal curves representing the catheter signal or as an elongate vertical shape representing the catheter, the display unit being operated to indicate on the elongate vertical shape the position of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an indication of the position of an esophageal catheter inserted into a patient includes the steps of obtaining an electrical signal from the esophageal catheter, determining an ECG component of the electrical signal, determining the widths and/or rate of a number of periods in which the ECG component exceeds a threshold value, using the rate or widths of the periods to determine the presence of a P-wave in the ECG component, and concluding that the catheter is in a good position for obtaining a correct EMG signal if a P-wave is determined to be present. If not, the position may be corrected. The method may be performed by a control unit in a ventilator or a monitoring device.