Patents by Inventor Jeff Kepler
Jeff Kepler 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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Publication number: 20110036352Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system includes a gas flow generator and a patient interface. The system delivers a flow of gas to the patient using the gas flow generator and the patient interface. The system determines that the patient is experiencing an apnea and, in response, performs a pressure change maneuver. This maneuver includes increasing a pressure of the flow of gas for a period of time, and decreasing the pressure of the flow of gas after the pressure increase. The system then monitors the change in flow rate for the flow of gas resulting from the pressure change maneuver, if any, and determines whether the airway of the patient is open or closed based on the monitored change in the flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: RIC INVESTMENTS, LLCInventors: Mark C. Estes, John Fiore, Douglas M. Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Patent number: 7810496Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Mark C. Estes, John Fiore, Douglas M. Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Publication number: 20080053443Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Mark Estes, John Fiore, Douglas Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Publication number: 20080053442Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Mark Estes, John Fiore, Douglas Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Publication number: 20080053444Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Mark Estes, John Fiore, Douglas Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Patent number: 7296573Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Mark C. Estes, John Fiore, Douglas M. Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Publication number: 20050247315Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Applicant: RIC Investments, Inc.Inventors: Mark Estes, John Fiore, Douglas Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Patent number: 6932084Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: RIC Investments, Inc.Inventors: Mark C. Estes, John Fiore, Douglas M. Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler
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Publication number: 20030121519Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying a gain to flow rate of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and/or expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure treatments, such as CPAP or bi-level positive airway pressure equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Mark C. Estes, John Fiore, Douglas M. Mechlenburg, Heather Ressler, Jeff Kepler