Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, apparatus, and products, including a method for operating a respiratory care device that includes collecting at a respiratory care device data representative of operation of the respiratory care device, and communicating to a computing-based device external to the respiratory care device at least some of the collected data to control the operability of the respiratory care device. In some embodiments, the method may further include communicating to the respiratory care device data to controllably change one or more operation parameters of the respiratory care device to cause a change in the operation of the respiratory care device, changing the operation parameters of the respiratory care device according to the communicated data, and communicating to the external computing-based device resultant data representative of operation of the respiratory care device resulting from the controllable change to the one or more operation parameters.

Abstract: A method of controlling bolus delivery in a pulse flow oxygen concentration system for a patient includes providing a pulse flow oxygen concentration system that delivers concentrated oxygen gas to the patient in boluses having a pulse bolus duration, the pulse flow oxygen concentration system including an open control for controlling the pulse bolus duration of the boluses; determining one or more respiratory conditions of the patient; and adjusting the open control to adjust the pulse bolus duration of the boluses in accordance with the determined one or more respiratory conditions of the patient.

Abstract: A method of titration using a combination continuous flow and pulse flow portable oxygen concentration system (system) with a patient includes: a) providing the system in a continuous flow mode and titrating the patient to a predetermined blood oxygen saturation using the system at one or more predetermined conditions in the continuous flow mode; b) providing the system in a pulse flow mode and titrating the patient to the same predetermined blood oxygen saturation as step a using the system at the same one or more predetermined conditions as in step a in the pulse flow mode; c) determining an Individualized Pulse Dose Equivalent (IPDE) correlation based on data obtained from steps a and b; d) providing the system with the IPDE correlation; and e) using the IPDE correlation to operate the concentrator in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, apparatus, and products, including a method for operating a respiratory care device that includes collecting at a respiratory care device data representative of operation of the respiratory care device, and communicating to a computing-based device external to the respiratory care device at least some of the collected data to control the operability of the respiratory care device. In some embodiments, the method may further include communicating to the respiratory care device data to controllably change one or more operation parameters of the respiratory care device to cause a change in the operation of the respiratory care device, changing the operation parameters of the respiratory care device according to the communicated data, and communicating to the external computing-based device resultant data representative of operation of the respiratory care device resulting from the controllable change to the one or more operation parameters.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a method and an apparatus for delivering a gas to a subject in need thereof, for instance, for the treatment of an unhealthy condition, such as sleep apnea. The method may include sensing the onset of a subject's inhalation and delivering a gas, such as a pulse of gas, in response to the subject's inhalation. For instance, the method may include providing the subject with a gas delivery device configured for delivering a quantity of gas to the subject, such as in response to the subject's need, and instructing the subject to use the device. The device may include a mechanism for generating and delivering the quantity of gas to the subject, as well as a sensor for sensing the subject's need for the gas. A controller for controlling the delivery of the gas to the subject in response to the subject's sensed need for the gas may also be included. The device may further include a cannula to facilitate delivery of the gas to the subject.

Abstract: A medical ventilator system that allows the use of pulse flow of oxygen to gain higher FIO2 values and/or conserve oxygen is described. In one embodiment, the ventilator system includes an oxygen concentrator, a medical ventilator and a breathing circuit between the ventilator and a patient. In one embodiment, the oxygen concentrator includes a controller module that is configured to generate a trigger signal to initiate the distribution of one or more pulses of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator to the patient circuit at the onset of a ventilator supplied breath. A small flow of oxygen can be added in between pulses to aid in gaining higher FIO2.

Abstract: A method of controlling bolus delivery in a pulse flow oxygen concentration system for a patient includes providing a pulse flow oxygen concentration system that delivers concentrated oxygen gas to the patient in boluses having a pulse bolus duration, the pulse flow oxygen concentration system including an open control for controlling the pulse bolus duration of the boluses; determining one or more respiratory conditions of the patient; and adjusting the open control to adjust the pulse bolus duration of the boluses in accordance with the determined one or more respiratory conditions of the patient.

Abstract: A method of titration using a combination continuous flow and pulse flow portable oxygen concentration system (system) with a patient includes: a) providing the system in a continuous flow mode and titrating the patient to a predetermined blood oxygen saturation using the system at one or more predetermined conditions in the continuous flow mode; b) providing the system in a pulse flow mode and titrating the patient to the same predetermined blood oxygen saturation as step a using the system at the same one or more predetermined conditions as in step a in the pulse flow mode; c) determining an Individualized Pulse Dose Equivalent (IPDE) correlation based on data obtained from steps a and b; d) providing the system with the IPDE correlation; and e) using the IPDE correlation to operate the concentrator in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator system weighing 4-20 pounds that is adapted to be readily transported by a user and deliver oxygen to the user includes a rechargeable energy source; a concentrator powered by said energy source and adapted to convert ambient air into concentrated oxygen gas for the user; an inspiration sensor that senses respiratory activity of the user, and produces a signal in response thereto; and a control unit that receives the signal in response to sensed respiratory activity, determines a breath rate based in part on the received signal in response to sensed respiratory activity and controls the portable oxygen concentrator system to deliver oxygen flow sufficient to meet oxygen demand of the user based at least in part on the determined breath rate.