Abstract: A humidifier (12) of a heated pass-over type for use in a respiratory therapy device (54) comprises a heater plate (70), a water reservoir (62), one or more sensors (86), and a controller (88). The water reservoir (62) houses a volume of water (66) and includes one surface for contacting the heater plate (70). The sensors (86) generate output signals conveying information about an operating status of the humidifier (54) and ambient conditions. The controller (88) controls an evaporation rate of the volume of water housed in the water reservoir (62) with a power control according to a power control algorithm for humidifying the flow of breathable gas (60) received at the breathable gas inlet (72) of the water reservoir (62) into a flow of humidified breathable gas (78) at the humidified breathable gas outlet (74) of the water reservoir (62).

Abstract: A pump arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement includes: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power provided to the solenoid via the switch such that the power is supplied to the solenoid according to a mirror image power profile for each actuation of the solenoid for retracting the armature. The mirror image power profile includes: an initial portion which decreases at a third overall rate, an intermediate portion which decreases at a second overall rate different than the third overall rate, and a final portion which increases at a first overall rate.

Abstract: A pump arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement includes: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power provided to the solenoid via the switch such that the power is supplied to the solenoid according to a power profile for each actuation of the solenoid. The power profile includes: an initial portion which increases at a first overall rate, an intermediate portion which increases at a second overall rate different than the first overall rate, and a final portion which decreases at a third overall rate.

Abstract: A pump arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement includes: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power provided to the solenoid via the switch such that the power is supplied to the solenoid according to a mirror image power profile for each actuation of the solenoid for retracting the armature. The mirror image power profile includes: an initial portion which decreases at a third overall rate, an intermediate portion which decreases at a second overall rate different than the third overall rate, and a final portion which increases at a first overall rate.

Abstract: A conduit for communicating a flow of breathing gas from a pressure generating device to the airway of a patient. The conduit includes a first end which is structured to be coupled to the pressure generating device for receiving the flow of breathing gas and an opposite second end which is structured to be coupled to a patient interface device. The conduit further includes an active control element positioned at or near the second end; a first heating wire connected between the active control element and a first connection terminal positioned at or about the first end; and a second heating wire connected between the active control element and a second connection terminal positioned at or about the first end. Each of the first and second connection terminals are structured to be connected to a tube power supply.

Abstract: An arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement including: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power to the solenoid such that the pump is driven at or near a resonant frequency of the pump.

Abstract: A pressure support system for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient includes a base unit structured to generate the flow of breathing gas and including a heating control unit, a conduit coupled to the base unit and structured to carry the flow of breathing gas, a thermistor disposed in the conduit, and first and second resistive wires extending along the conduit from the base unit to the thermistor. The heating control unit is structured to selectively operate in a first mode to heat the conduit using the first and second resistive wires and a second mode to sense a temperature of airflow in the conduit with the thermistor via the first and second resistive wires.

Abstract: A conduit for communicating a flow of breathing gas from a pressure generating device to the airway of a patient. The conduit includes a first end which is structured to be coupled to the pressure generating device for receiving the flow of breathing gas and an opposite second end which is structured to be coupled to a patient interface device. The conduit further includes an active control element positioned at or near the second end; a first heating wire connected between the active control element and a first connection terminal positioned at or about the first end; and a second heating wire connected between the active control element and a second connection terminal positioned at or about the first end. Each of the first and second connection terminals are structured to be connected to a tube power supply.

Abstract: An arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement including: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power to the solenoid such that the pump is driven at or near a resonant frequency of the pump.

Abstract: A pump arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement includes: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power provided to the solenoid via the switch such that the power is supplied to the solenoid according to a power profile for each actuation of the solenoid. The power profile includes: an initial portion which increases at a first overall rate, an intermediate portion which increases at a second overall rate different than the first overall rate, and a final portion which decreases at a third overall rate.

Abstract: A pressure support system for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient includes a base unit structured to generate the flow of breathing gas and including a heating control unit, a conduit coupled to the base unit and structured to carry the flow of breathing gas, a thermistor disposed in the conduit, and first and second resistive wires extending along the conduit from the base unit to the thermistor. The heating control unit is structured to selectively operate in a first mode to heat the conduit using the first and second resistive wires and a second mode to sense a temperature of airflow in the conduit with the thermistor via the first and second resistive wires.

Abstract: An improvement for existing breathing therapy machines which allows the machine to determine a patient's dominant respiratory phenotype using an auto-titration mode and flow sensor.

Abstract: A feature implemented in a CPAP breathing therapy machine to determine if the patient is suffering from a flow limitation condition and if so, altering the operation of the CPAP machine to attempt to alleviate the condition.

Abstract: A feature implemented in a CPAP breathing therapy machine to determine if the patient is suffering from a flow limitation condition and if so, altering the operation of the CPAP machine to attempt to alleviate the condition.

Abstract: An improvement for existing breathing therapy machines which allows the machine to determine a patient's dominant respiratory phenotype using an auto-titration mode and flow sensor.

Abstract: A device for confirming compliance with usage of a breathing gas delivery system that includes at least one sensor for monitoring operating data disposed within the breathing gas delivery system and a device for encoding the monitored operating data and displaying the encoded operating data for reporting to another location.

Abstract: A method for acclimating a CPAP therapy patient to a prescribed pressure while the patient falls asleep. During an initial startup period, the CPAP apparatus applies a therapeutic IPAP pressure to the patient's airway and a lower initial EPAP pressure to the patient's airway. The EPAP pressure is ramped up to the IPAP pressure over a sufficient time for the patient to fall asleep. In a modified embodiment, both the initial IPAP pressure and the initial EPAP pressure are less than the prescribed therapeutic pressure. The IPAP and EPAP pressures are then independently ramped up to the prescribed therapeutic pressure.

Abstract: A physiological data collection system that includes a recorder box having a memory device. The recorder box is in communication with a plurality of external sensors and a plurality of internal sensors. The physiological data collection system further includes a speaker and a controller, each in communication with the recorder box. The controller is provided for controlling the operation of the recorder box. The physiological data collection system further includes a set of ancillary functions that support and improve data integrity, usability, cost effectiveness and reliability of the system.

Abstract: A device for confirming compliance with usage of a breathing gas delivery system that includes at least one sensor for monitoring operating data disposed within the breathing gas delivery system and a device for encoding the monitored operating data and displaying the encoded operating data for reporting to another location.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) simulator for evaluating an MRI device comprises sections for being selectively coupled to the corresponding portions of the MRI device. Data representative of a previously imaged object is provided to the portions of the MRI device, for processing. The results of the processing are evaluated to determine whether portions of the MRI device are operating properly. Methods of evaluating an MRI device and an MRI device incorporating such a simulator are also disclosed.