Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying breath variability events from patient respiratory data obtained during the operation of a mechanical ventilator. The ventilator monitors and saves patient respiratory data during operation. The method includes extracting treatment parameters from a ventilation prescription, and using the treatment parameters to determine an Epoch size and a frequency band for analysis. An input signal (flow or pressure) is extracted from the patient data and from the input signal at least one parameter is extracted and analyzed. A Spectral Energy (Es) of the input signal is determined based on the signal parameter, an Epoch size and a frequency band and a Spectral Entropy (SE) is determined based on the Spectral Energy (Es). The Spectral Entropy may then be displayed in graphical form to identify breath variability events over the Epoch size. The method may further classify the type and degree of the events.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically controlling operation of a mechanical ventilator for automatic targeting of a monitored parameter. A ventilator prescription includes an initial ventilator configuration, a prescribed target biometric value, comparator formulae for comparing a current condition value to the prescribed target biometric value, and modification formulae for generating modification parameters to modify the current configuration of the system. The ventilator system operates according to the initial configuration, continuously monitors patient biometric sensors and system biomarker calculators, periodically determines a current condition value, and compares the current condition value to the target biometric value.

Abstract: A system is provided for dynamically controlling operation of a ventilator for automatic adjustment of one or more operational settings based on patient biometric data. A ventilator prescription includes initial operational settings, minimum and maximum operational boundaries for each operational setting, a health score formulae for determining a current health score based on patient biometrics, an interval for evaluating current operational settings, and a selected optimization protocol for systematically trialing one of the operational settings to optimize the current health score. The ventilator starts with the initial configuration, monitors patient biometrics, periodically determines a current health score, systematically trials new operational settings and for each trialed setting that improves the Health Score resets the current configuration to the trialed confirmation (hill climbing methodology).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically controlling the operation of a mechanical ventilator. A saved prescription includes a base or therapeutic ventilation configuration, intervention logic for identifying an intervention entrance condition, and an intervention configuration. The ventilator system initially operates in the base configuration, continuously monitors readings from patient biometric sensors, continuously determines, according to the intervention logic and the monitored readings, if an intervention entrance condition is present. If the entrance condition is present, the system dynamically reconfigures into the intervention configuration.

Abstract: A mucus clearance system and method for automatically adjusting various parameters of a ventilator, including Fall Time, Rise Time, and Inspiratory Time, within a prescribed pressure, which are adjusted and based on sensor input data to achieve a targeted Flow Bias difference or ratio.

Abstract: A ventilator that is small, lightweight, and portable, yet capable of being quickly adapted to operate in a plurality of different modes and configurations to deliver a variety of therapies to a patent. A porting system having a plurality of sensors structured to monitor a number of parameters with respect to the flow of gas, and a number of porting blocks is used to reconfigure the ventilator so that it operates as a single-limb or dual limb ventilator. In the single-limb configuration, an active or passive exhaust assembly can be provided proximate to the patient. The ventilator is capable of operate in a volume or pressure support mode, even in a single-limb configuration. In addition, a power control mechanism controls the supply of power to the ventilator from an AC power source, a lead acid battery, an internal rechargeable battery pack, and a detachable battery pack.

Abstract: A ventilator that is small, lightweight, and portable, yet capable of being quickly adapted to operate in a plurality of different modes and configurations to deliver a variety of therapies to a patient. A porting system having a plurality of sensors structured to monitor a number of parameters with respect to the flow of gas, and a number of porting blocks is used to reconfigure the ventilator so that it operates as a single-limb or dual limb ventilator. In the single-limb configuration, an active or passive exhaust assembly can be provided proximate to the patient. The ventilator is capable of operate in a volume or pressure support mode, even in a single-limb configuration. In addition, a power control mechanism controls the supply of power to the ventilator from an AC power source, a lead acid battery, an internal rechargeable battery pack, and a detachable battery pack.

Abstract: A method of estimating the upper airway resistance of a patient using a gas delivery system includes delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient through the patient circuit of the gas delivery system, superimposing an oscillatory pressure on the flow of breathing gas during an expiratory phase of the patient, determining a first amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas pressure provided to the patient at an end of the expiratory phase, determining a second amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas flow provided to the patient at the end of the expiratory phase, determining a first resistance value based on the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude, and determining an upper airway resistance value based on the first resistance value.

Abstract: Sleep apnea can be treated using positive airway pressure. Methods and systems for determining a level of airway obstruction allow beneficial adjustments to the level of expiratory positive airway pressure used to treat a subject.

Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regimen. The therapy regimen calls for maintenance of an average tidal volume. The therapy ensures that the subject breaths at a therapeutic breath rate. The breath rate may be determined dynamically based on breathing of the subject early on in a therapy session and/or based on a detected wakefulness of the subject. Inspiration for spontaneous and non-spontaneous breaths may be supported at different levels. The therapy regimen further maintains a beneficial positive end expiratory pressure, to reduce respiratory obstructions and/or for other purposes.

Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regimen. One or more fluid parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas are adjusted based on the therapy regimen. The therapy regimen dictates that such adjustments be made based on the respiratory state of the subject. Transitions in respiratory state are identified without relying on measurement or estimation of flow at or near the airway of subject. Transitions in respiratory state are identified based on changes in the first time derivative of flow at or near the airway of the subject. In one embodiment, an effort parameter is determined that approximates the second time derivative of flow. Based on comparisons of the effort parameter to a dynamic threshold, transitions in respiratory state are identified.

Abstract: The disclosed concept maintains that Qp=Qc?Qleak, where, Qp is the estimated patient flow, Qleak is the estimated leak and Qc is the measured total circuit flow. Qleak is given by a transfer function ?(?) where x is a set of independent measured or fixed variables. The transfer function is thus Qleak=?(?). The transfer function (?(?) is adjusted given the constraint that, Qp shall be zero. The transfer function converges over time to accurately estimate the leak because over an extended time the mean patient flow will always be zero. In one example, ?(?)=gorfP? and the coefficient gorf is adapted until Qp is zero.

Abstract: A ventilator that is small, lightweight, and portable, yet capable of being quickly adapted to operate in a plurality of different modes and configurations to deliver a variety of therapies to a patent. A porting system having a plurality of sensors structured to monitor a number of parameters with respect to the flow of gas, and a number of porting blocks is used to reconfigure the ventilator so that it operates as a single-limb or dual limb ventilator. In the single-limb configuration, an active or passive exhaust assembly can be provided proximate to the patient. The ventilator is capable of operate in a volume or pressure support mode, even in a single-limb configuration. In addition, a power control mechanism controls the supply of power to the ventilator from an AC power source, a lead acid battery, an internal rechargeable battery pack, and a detachable battery pack.

Abstract: A method of estimating the upper airway resistance of a patient using a gas delivery system includes delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient through the patient circuit of the gas delivery system, superimposing an oscillatory pressure on the flow of breathing gas during an expiratory phase of the patient, determining a first amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas pressure provided to the patient at an end of the expiratory phase, determining a second amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas flow provided to the patient at the end of the expiratory phase, determining a first resistance value based on the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude, and determining an upper airway resistance value based on the first resistance value.

Abstract: A method of operating a ventilator that includes steps of (a) providing a specified ventilation therapy to a patient through a ventilator according to a specification; (b) determining and storing a backup parameter relating to the operation of the ventilator or the breathing of the patient during the step of providing the specified ventilation therapy; (c) determining that an alarm condition exists that indicates a problem with the ventilator that would prevent the ventilator from providing the specified ventilation therapy to the patient according to the specification; and (d) responsive to determining that the alarm condition exists, providing backup ventilation therapy to the patient through the ventilator that is based at least partially on the stored backup parameter. Also, a ventilator that is adapted to perform the method just described.

Abstract: Sleep apnea can be treated using positive airway pressure. Methods and systems for determining a level of airway obstruction allow beneficial adjustments to the level of expiratory positive airway pressure used to treat a subject.

Abstract: A pressure generating system and method for generating a flow of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The system includes a pressure generator and a valve that controls the pressure/flow of gas delivered to the patient. The system monitors energy provided to the valve, a characteristics associated with movement of the valve, a position of the valve, or any combination thereof. In addition, the controller controls an operating speed of the pressure generator such that the valve operates over a majority of the range of positions during use of the pressure support system.

Abstract: A gas delivery system including a pressure generator, a pressure sensor, a control valve, and a processor. The pressure generator pressurizes breathable gas for delivery to a patient. The pressure sensor measures a pressure difference between the pressurized breathable gas and atmospheric pressure. The control valve is disposed downstream from the pressure generator and is constructed and arranged to control a flow rate of the pressurized breathable gas. The processor controls the control valve to bring the flow rate of the pressurized breathable gas to substantially zero while the pressure generator is operating and, when the flow rate is substantially zero, determines at least one of atmospheric pressure, an atmospheric air density, or a density correction factor based at least in part on the pressure difference between the pressurized breathable gas and the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regimen. One or more fluid parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas are adjusted based on the therapy regimen. The therapy regimen dictates that such adjustments be made based on the respiratory state of the subject. Transitions in respiratory state are identified without relying on measurement or estimation of flow at or near the airway of subject. Transitions in respiratory state are identified based on changes in the first time derivative of flow at or near the airway of the subject. In one embodiment, an effort parameter is determined that approximates the second time derivative of flow. Based on comparisons of the effort parameter to a dynamic threshold, transitions in respiratory state are identified.

Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regimen. The therapy regimen calls for maintenance of an average tidal volume. The therapy ensures that the subject breaths at a therapeutic breath rate. The breath rate may be determined dynamically based on breathing of the subject early on in a therapy session and/or based on a detected wakefulness of the subject. Inspiration for spontaneous and non-spontaneous breaths may be supported at different levels. The therapy regimen further maintains a beneficial positive end expiratory pressure, to reduce respiratory obstructions and/or for other purposes.