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 bi-level pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient during inspiration and expiration to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The pressure generating system generates a flow of breathing gas at an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) during inspiration and at an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) during expirations. A controller monitor at least one of the following conditions: (1) snoring, (2) apneas, (3) hypopneas, or (4) a big leak in the pressure support system and adjusts the IPAP and the EPAP based on the occurrence of any one of these conditions.

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 humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.

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: A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.

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 medical device, such as pressure support system, and a method of communicating with such a device using an information storage device. The information storage device, in one embodiment, is adapted to be provided in a slot in the medical device so that information for controlling the operating of the pressure support device can be read from the information storage device, information regarding the usage and/or operation of the pressure support device can be written to the information storage device, or both operations can be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.

Abstract: A bi-level pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient during inspiration and expiration to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The pressure generating system generates a flow of breathing gas at an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) during inspiration and at an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) during expirations. A controller monitor at least one of the following conditions: (1) snoring, (2) apneas, (3) hypopneas, or (4) a big leak in the pressure support system and adjusts the IPAP and the EPAP based on the occurrence of any one of these conditions.

Abstract: A bi-level pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient during inspiration and expiration to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The pressure generating system generates a flow of breathing gas at an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) during inspiration and at an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) during expirations. A controller monitor at least one of the following conditions: (1) snoring, (2) apneas, (3) hypopneas, or (4) a big leak in the pressure support system and adjusts the IPAP and the EPAP based on the occurrence of any one of these conditions.

Abstract: An exhaust port assembly comprising a conduit carries a flow of gas. A vent assembly having a fixed exhaust area is provided on the conduit for venting a flow of exhaust gas from within the conduit to ambient atmosphere. The vent assembly is configured so as to minimize noise associated with the flow of exhaust gas passing to atmosphere, diffuse the flow of exhaust gas passing to ambient atmosphere over a relatively large area, and minimize the area occupied by the venting assembly on the conduit.

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: 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 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 bi-level pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient during inspiration and expiration to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The pressure generating system generates a flow of breathing gas at an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) during inspiration and at an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) during expirations. A controller monitor at least one of the following conditions: (1) snoring, (2) apneas, (3) hypopneas, or (4) a big leak in the pressure support system and adjusts the IPAP and the EPAP independently based on the occurrence of any one of these conditions.

Abstract: A pressure support system and method of treating disordered breathing that optimizes the pressure delivered to the patient to treat the disordered breathing while minimizing the delivered pressure for patient comfort. The controller in the pressure support system operates as a set of prioritized control layers, wherein each control layer competes for control of the pressure generating system to implement a unique pressure control process. The pressure support system also controls the pressure provided to the patient based on the variability of the monitored data and a trend analysis of this data, including an indication of the skewness of the patient's inspiratory waveform.