Abstract: A patient interface includes a shell with a central opening configured to receive the pressurized flow of air, a foam cushion, and an elastomeric support portion that is attached to the shell, supports the foam cushion, and forms at least part of a chamber together with the shell and the foam cushion. The elastomeric support portion includes a side wall that forms a continuous perimeter around the chamber and a resiliently flexible lip that supports the foam cushion and extends from the side wall toward an interior of the chamber. The resiliently flexible lip has an outer perimeter that is anchored to the side wall and an unsupported inner perimeter. The foam cushion overhangs the inner perimeter of the resiliently flexible lip, and the shell is more rigid than the elastomeric support portion. In addition, the foam cushion is configured to directly contact and engage a portion of the patient's skin in use.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a shell with a central opening configured to receive the pressurized flow of air, a foam cushion, and an elastomeric support portion that is attached to the shell, supports the foam cushion, and forms at least part of a chamber together with the shell and the foam cushion. The elastomeric support portion includes a side wall that forms a continuous perimeter around the chamber and a resiliently flexible lip that supports the foam cushion and extends from the side wall toward an interior of the chamber. The resiliently flexible lip has an outer perimeter that is anchored to the side wall and an unsupported inner perimeter. The foam cushion overhangs the inner perimeter of the resiliently flexible lip, and the shell is more rigid than the elastomeric support portion. In addition, the foam cushion is configured to directly contact and engage a portion of the patient's skin in use.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes a cushion and frame assembly with a cushion portion and a frame portion that together form a breathing chamber. The frame portion includes an anterior aperture configured to receive the flow of breathable gas. Headgear includes a back portion, a pair of upper headgear straps extending from the back portion, and a pair of lower headgear straps. The patient interface assembly also includes a shroud in the form of a contoured plate. The shroud is removably mounted on the frame portion by way of a snap-fit connection and includes a pair of lower headgear connectors. The patient interface assembly also includes a forehead support extending from the shroud and having a free end with an upper headgear connector. The forehead support has a first curvature that curves in a first direction around an axis that is offset from the patient interface assembly and extends along a length of the forehead support.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes a cushion and frame assembly with a cushion portion and a frame portion that together form a breathing chamber. The frame portion includes an anterior aperture configured to receive the flow of breathable gas. Headgear includes a back portion, a pair of upper headgear straps extending from the back portion, and a pair of lower headgear straps. The patient interface assembly also includes a shroud in the form of a contoured plate. The shroud is removably mounted on the frame portion by way of a snap-fit connection and includes a pair of lower headgear connectors. The patient interface assembly also includes a forehead support extending from the shroud and having a free end with an upper headgear connector. The forehead support has a first curvature that curves in a first direction around an axis that is offset from the patient interface assembly and extends along a length of the forehead support.

Abstract: A comfortable low-leak mask assembly for use with Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) is provided to improve patient compliance and/or treatment. The mask system may include headgear having straps that are substantially inextensible and/or micro-adjustable; and/or a mask and/or cushion that includes various structures to allow enhanced/tailored sealing and/or fit at selected locations on the patient's face.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing the condition of and treating patients for heart failure by the delivery of continuous positive airway pressure are disclosed. Treatment of obstruction due to reflex vocal cord closure often experienced by heart failure patients is distinguished from treatment of upper airway obstruction typically associated with Obstructive Sleep Disorder. Treatment may also be implemented by delivering synchronized cardiac pressure oscillations superimposed on a respiratory pressure level to provide assistance for the heart. Heart treatment pressure dose indicator may be calculated for prescribing and monitoring the delivery of treatment. The apparatus may also generate data to track heart failure condition that may be indicative of the degree of severity of heart failure based upon breathing patterns to assist in the diagnosis and management of heart failure patients.

Abstract: An apparatus to generate pressure support ventilation and a method to control pressure support ventilation. The apparatus comprises: at least one sensor adapted to measure at least one respiratory parameter; a flow generator adapted for coupling with a patient respiratory interface; and a controller, coupled to the at least one sensor and the flow generator. The flow generator is configured to provide a flow of breathable gas for pressure support ventilation to the patient respiratory interface. The controller is configured to control the pressure support ventilation with the flow generator. The controller is further configured with a rest mode and an exercise mode. The rest mode comprises a first value set of control parameters for the pressure support ventilation and the exercise mode comprises a second value set of control parameters for the pressure support ventilation.

Abstract: An apparatus to generate pressure support ventilation and a method to control pressure support ventilation. The apparatus comprises: at least one sensor adapted to measure at least one respiratory parameter; a flow generator adapted for coupling with a patient respiratory interface; and a controller, coupled to the at least one sensor and the flow generator. The flow generator is configured to provide a flow of breathable gas for pressure support ventilation to the patient respiratory interface. The controller is configured to control the pressure support ventilation with the flow generator. The controller is further configured with a rest mode and an exercise mode. The rest mode comprises a first value set of control parameters for the pressure support ventilation and the exercise mode comprises a second value set of control parameters for the pressure support ventilation.

Abstract: A comfortable low-leak mask assembly for use with Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) is provided to improve patient compliance and/or treatment. The mask system may include headgear having straps that are substantially inextensible and/or micro-adjustable; and/or a mask and/or cushion that includes various structures to allow enhanced/tailored sealing and/or fit at selected locations on the patient's face.

Abstract: A methodology and apparatus for determining ventilator settings including an end expiratory pressure setting, pressure swing, resistive unloading and target ventilation for delivering ventilatory support based upon generalized patient ventilation characteristics and/or disease classifications. An apparatus may be programmed with the instructions to accomplish the methodology interactively by prompting the user/physician during setup and calculating settings based upon measurements or input responses. Pre-assigned values associated with ventilation characteristics or disease classifications may be combined with a base pressure value or measured values to provide patient customized settings or adjustments to determine pressure levels for the delivery of ventilatory support.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for the determination of the instantaneous phase in the respiratory cycle, subject's average respiration rate and the provision of ventilatory assistance. A microprocessor (16) receives an airflow signal from a pressure transducer (18) coupled to a port (17) at a mask (11). The microprocessor (16) controls a servo (19), that in turn controls the fan motor (20) and thus the pressure of air delivered by the blower (10). The blower (10) is coupled to a subject's mask (ii) by a conduit (12). The invention seeks to address the following goals: while the subject is awake and making substantial efforts the delivered assistance should be closely matched in phase with the subject's efforts; the machine should automatically adjust the degree of assistance to maintain at least a specified minimum ventilation without relying on the integrity of the subject's chemoreflexes; and it should continue to work correctly in the presence of large leaks.

Abstract: The present technology relates to methods and apparatus to provide ventilation to patients. In particular, the present technology relates to changing ventilator parameters to match changing patient metabolic demand.

Abstract: A headgear for a respiratory mask of a ventilator or CPAP device is provided. The headgear includes a strap portion formed of a substantially inextensible material. The strap portion has formed on one end thereof a connecting structure configured to connect to a mask of the ventilator or CPAP device. One advantage is that the mask will not or at least will be less inclined to lift off the face as mask pressure is increased.

Abstract: A headgear for a respiratory mask of a ventilator or CPAP device is provided. The headgear includes a strap portion formed of a substantially inextensible material. The strap portion has formed on one end thereof a connecting structure configured to connect to a mask of the ventilator or CPAP device. One advantage is that the mask will not or at least will be less inclined to lift off the face as mask pressure is increased.

Abstract: The present technology relates to methods and apparatus to provide ventilation to patients. In particular, the present technology relates to changing ventilator parameters to match changing patient metabolic demand.

Abstract: A mask assembly includes a mask with an inflatable bladder. The internal pressure of the inflatable bladder can be set to be higher than the delivered therapeutic pressure. The pressure offset may be constant, or it may vary over the range of therapeutic pressures. Thus, the force necessary to maintain a contact seal between the mask and the patient can be reduced, thereby providing a system that is more comfortable to the patient, which increases patient compliance.

Abstract: CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed having a controllable flow generator (34, 38, 40) operable to produce breathable gas at a treatment pressure elevated above atmosphere to a patient by a delivery tube (32) coupled to a mask (30) having connection with a patient's airway. A sensor (44, 50, 56, 58) generates a signal representative of patient respiratory flow, that is provided to a controller (54, 62, 64). The controller (54, 62, 64) is operable to determine the occurrence of an apnea from a reduction in respiratory airflow below a threshold, and if an apnea has occurred, to determine the duration of the apnea and to cause the flow generator (34, 38) to increase the treatment pressure. In one preferred form the increase in pressure is zero if the treatment pressure before the apnea exceeds a pressure threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining suitable settings for a servo-ventilator to be used during a treatment period. Respiratory characteristics of a patient are measured during a learning period preceding the treatment period. With these measured characteristics, a target ventilation setting may be calculated by alternative methods. The calculated setting may then be used for enforcing a minimum ventilation during the treatment period where ventilatory support is provided with a servo-controlled ventilator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing the condition of and treating patients for heart failure by the delivery of continuous positive airway pressure are disclosed. Treatment of obstruction due to reflex vocal cord closure often experienced by heart failure patients is distinguished from treatment of upper airway obstruction typically associated with Obstructive Sleep Disorder. Treatment may also be implemented by delivering synchronized cardiac pressure oscillations superimposed on a respiratory pressure level to provide assistance for the heart. Heart treatment pressure dose indicator may be calculated for prescribing and monitoring the delivery of treatment. The apparatus may also generate data to track heart failure condition that may be indicative of the degree of severity of heart failure based upon breathing patterns to assist in the diagnosis and management of heart failure patients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing the condition of and treating patients for heart failure by the delivery of continuous positive airway pressure are disclosed. Treatment of obstruction due to reflex vocal cord closure often experienced by heart failure patients is distinguished from treatment of upper airway obstruction typically associated with Obstructive Sleep Disorder. Treatment may also be implemented by delivering synchronized cardiac pressure oscillations superimposed on a respiratory pressure level to provide assistance for the heart. Heart treatment pressure dose indicator may be calculated for prescribing and monitoring the delivery of treatment. The apparatus may also generate data to track heart failure condition that may be indicative of the degree of severity of heart failure based upon breathing patterns to assist in the diagnosis and management of heart failure patients.