Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus for respiratory assistance of a patient is disclosed. There is a blower having an output connectible to a ventilation mask wearable by the patient. A first pressure sensor measures blower pressure at the output of the blower, and a second pressure sensor that is connectible to the ventilation mask measures mask pressure therein. A pressure controller is connected to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, and a patient inspiratory phase and a patient expiratory phase is be detectable by the pressure controller to regulate therapeutic airflow delivered to the patient based upon pressure differentials between the mask pressure and the blower pressure.

Abstract: Mouth-breathing can be detected in early phase expiration during respiratory treatments involving a pressure support device. In accordance with some embodiments, an output signal is received from a sensor that conveys information relating to one or more parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas as it is delivered to an air-way of a subject. Transitions are estimated between inspiratory phases and expiratory phases of respiration by the subject based on the one or more determined parameters. A local extreme is identified in a level of a first parameter during a given expiratory phase of respiration by the subject. The level of the first parameter is analyzed as a function of time within a sampling window to determine whether the subject is breathing by mouth during the given expiratory phase. The sampling window begins at or proximate to the identified local extreme in the level of the first parameter.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, user therapy adherence may be facilitated via virtual environment group interactions that are based on similar therapeutic device usage. In some embodiments, a virtual world may be provided to enable users to interact with one another in the virtual world. Usage information associated with the users may be obtained from physical therapeutic devices (e.g., in an autonomous and/or periodic manner), where the usage information associated with a given user includes information indicating how a respective physical therapeutic device is used by the given user. A virtual world group for the virtual world may be generated based on the usage information associated with the users. In some embodiments, a physical therapeutics device of at least one of the group users may present an indication of the placement in the virtual world group to facilitate interaction of the group users in the virtual world.

Abstract: Methods and systems to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) and/or central sleep apnea (CSA) include monitoring retrograde breathing and detecting respiratory events. Based on the occurrences of certain respiratory events, a target volume of rebreathing is adjusted to reduce arousals as well as CSR/CSA.

Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus for respiratory assistance of a patient is disclosed. There is a blower having an output connectible to a ventilation mask wearable by the patient. A first pressure sensor measures blower pressure at the output of the blower, and a second pressure sensor that is connectible to the ventilation mask measures mask pressure therein. A pressure controller is connected to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, and a patient inspiratory phase and a patient expiratory phase is be detectable by the pressure controller to regulate therapeutic airflow delivered to the patient based upon pressure differentials between the mask pressure and the blower pressure.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance device is disclosed. There is a patient interface for coupling to a patient respiratory passageway, and a selectively regulated therapeutic gas flow source in pneumatic communication with the patient over the patient interface. A controller is connected to the therapeutic gas flow source and is receptive to inputs of a prescription pressure level and an initial delay duration. After the patient dons the patient interface, therapeutic gas flow is restricted for the initial delay duration following receipt of a treatment initiation command. Upon the expiry of the initial delay duration, the controller increases therapeutic gas flow to the prescription pressure level.

Abstract: A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus for respiratory assistance of a pattern is disclosed. There is a blower having an output connectible to a ventilation mask wearable by the patient. A first pressure sensor measures blower pressure at the output of the blower, and a second pressure sensor that is connectible to the ventilation mask measures mask pressure therein. A pressure controller is connected to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, and a patient inspiratory phase and a patient expiratory phase is be detectable by the pressure controller to regulate therapeutic pressure at the patient mask, based upon pressure differentials between the mask pressure and the blower pressure.

Abstract: A comfort signature that naturally adapts delivered pressure to patient breathing by measuring comfort directly from the source is disclosed. Pressure is measured at the patient interface and is used to provide a comfortable and suitable target pressure adjustment that is synchronized with patient respiration.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided is provided a tubing arrangement and associated connectors, including a delivery adaptor and a Y-connector, which may be used to facilitate the operative interface of a patient interface to a ventilator within a ventilation system. The delivery adaptor is connected between the outlet connector of the flow generator and the main delivery tube (i.e., the quad-lumen tube) in the ventilation system. The delivery adaptor functions to retain the pneumatic isolation of a sense line of the ventilation system from certain other lumens of the quad-lumen tube, and further connects one of the small lumens of the quad-lumen tube to an external oxygen source or an external humidification source. The oxygen or humidification is delivered to such lumen through the adaptor. The oxygen or humidification is then bled into the air stream at the outlet of such lumen which is at the Y-connector.

Abstract: A patient ventilation system including a ventilation interface and a ventilation source pneumatically coupled to a patient over the ventilation interface is disclosed. There is a controller that regulates airflow delivery from the ventilation source to the patient according to one or more predefined treatment configuration settings. The controller has an inactive ventilation state, a ventilation initiation state, a treatment state, a treatment suspension state, and a ventilation deactivation state. A display interface is coupled to the controller and configured to generate, exclusively, a device activation user element with the pressure controller in the inactive ventilation state, a fitment feedback indicator and a treatment screen in a ventilation initiation state, the fitment feedback indicator and a treatment status screen in the treatment state, a treatment suspension screen in the treatment suspension state, and a treatment conclusion screen in the ventilation deactivation state.

Abstract: A patient ventilator secretion management system is disclosed. The system has a valve with an input in pneumatic communication with a therapeutic breathing gas source. The valve has variable positions, each of which corresponds to a specific flow rate of gas being output therefrom. A patient ventilation interface is in pneumatic communication with the valve over a gas delivery circuit. A controller in communication with the valve regulates the position thereof. The controller sequentially switches the valve from one of the variable positions to another to output a first range of fluctuating flow rates of gas for delivery to the patient ventilation interface during at least a selected one of patient expiratory and inspiratory phases.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a patient disconnecting from a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy device are disclosed. A cyclical pressure difference signal is derived based upon measurements from a patient interface pressure sensor and from a source pressure sensor. The pressure difference signal is integrated to generate a resultant integral signal for each respiratory cycle, which is comprised of at least one inspiratory phase and at least one expiratory phase as represented by the corresponding portions of the pressure difference signal. A pressure source of the CPAP therapy device is deactivated in response to a disconnect condition being evaluated from the integral signal. In one embodiment, the disconnect condition is the integral signal exceeding a predefined disconnect threshold. In other, it is a slope value corresponding to a rate of increase of the integral signal exceeding a predefined threshold for a predefined duration.

Abstract: A method for detecting sleep for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is disclosed. Discrete values of a control signal generated by a pressure controller to regulate delivered pressure at the patient are measured over a predefined time window encompassing one or more respiratory cycles. A baseline control signal value is generated from a weighted average of the measured discrete values of the control signal. Estimates of a respiratory cycle period, an inspiration control time, and an expiration control time are then generated. Estimates of one or more secondary control signal properties for each of the respective inspiration control time and expiration control time are generated. Pressure to the patient is increased in response to an evaluation of the estimates of the one or more secondary control signal properties being indicative of the patient reaching a sleep state.

Abstract: A single respiratory cycle flow limitation detection method is disclosed. A patient gas delivery signal is received from one or more sensors in pneumatic communication with a ventilation source and a patient ventilation interface to a patient airway. The patient gas delivery signal is representative of a measure of therapeutic gas being delivered to the patient airway at a given time instant, and spans the single patient respiratory cycle. A second derivative of the patient gas delivery signal is generated and a total number of zero crossings therein are counted. These zero crossings are representative of an inflection change in the patient gas delivery signal. A flow limitation indication corresponding to the identified flow limitation is generated when there are at least two zero crossings in the second derivative of the patient gas delivery signal. An angle of deformation representing early, late, or mid-cycle obstruction onsets is generated.

Abstract: A wake-to-sleep transition for a subject is detected based on responsiveness to breathing cues provided to the subject. A pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of subject having one or more gas parameters that are adjusted to provide breathing cues to the subject. Based on a detected conformance of the respiration of the subject to the breathing cues, a determination is made as to whether the subject is awake or asleep.

Abstract: The identification of obstructed breathing, including an apnea condition and a hypopnea condition, is disclosed. A signal representative of a flow rate of therapeutic gas being delivered to the patient is received. A peak flow value and a minimum flow value over a predetermined time window encompassing a plurality of respiration cycles is derived. A polynomial difference equation from the peak flow values and the minimum flow values is generated, and a respiration index from a minimum of the polynomial difference equation is derived. The apnea and/or hypopnea condition is indicated based upon a comparison of the respiration index to a predefined obstruction threshold over a predefined obstruction time period.

Abstract: Adapting a patient to an airway pressure support therapy is disclosed. An initial prescription pressure level is derived from a respiratory disturbance index diagnosis. A pressure ramping slope is generated from the initial prescription pressure level and a received initial pressure level. Increasing levels of pressure are delivered to the patient as defined by the pressure ramping slope. The pressure ramping slope is adjusted based upon derived usage duration trends, and the prescription pressure level is adjusted based upon measured apnea/hypopnea index variations resulting from the delivered increasing levels of pressure to the patient.

Abstract: A respiratory assistance device is disclosed. There is a variable speed blower with an output, and a patient ventilation interface configured for fitment on a patient respiratory passageway. A gas passage conduit couples the output of the blower to the patient ventilation interface. A pilot line from the gas passage conduit is coupled to a piloted exhalation valve of the patient ventilation interface. A pressure sensor measures a mask pressure in the patient ventilation interface, and a blower speed sensor measures a speed of the blower. A pressure controller in communication with the pressure sensor and the blower speed sensor detects a patient inspiratory phase and a patient expiratory phase from at least one of the measured speed of the blower and a set speed of the blower. The pressure controller adjusts an operating speed of the blower and actuates the piloted exhalation valve based upon the measured mask pressure.

Abstract: Respiratory assistance is provided to a subject in the form of a pressurized flow of breathable gas. The pressure of the gas is eased during expiration and increased during inspiration. Changes in pressure are triggered and/or cycled based on the monitoring of tidal volume. Volume thresholds that cause triggering and/or cycling are adjusted based on an observed or measured breath rate.

Abstract: A personal alarm system that only wakes up the intended user includes an appliance worn near the eye. The personal alarm system emits radiation of a particular wavelength onto the eye or eyelid of the intended user and a predetermined moment to wake up the intended user.