Patents by Inventor Winslow K. Duff
Winslow K. Duff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20100186743Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: MICHAEL T. KANE, SUSAN L. BANN, ROCHELLE SIIROLA, WINSLOW K. DUFF, LEONARDO A. BALOA
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Patent number: 7717110Abstract: A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. A characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas is monitored and used to determine a Target Flow for the gas delivered to the patient. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The Target Flow is altered if the patient experiences a sleep disordered breathing event. In a further embodiment, the system determines an apnea detection time (Tapnea) as Tinsp plus a constant, and delivers a machine triggered breath if an amount since the start of inspiration reaches Tapnea. Yet another embodiment monitors the characteristic during an inspiratory phase of a respiratory cycle, and controls the flow of gas during the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle based on a result of this comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Michael T. Kane, Susan L. Bann, Rochelle Siirola, Winslow K. Duff, Leonardo A. Baloa
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Publication number: 20090272380Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.Inventors: MARCEL D. JAFFRE, ZACHARY D. PAUL, WINSLOW K. DUFF, MICHAEL BOBECK, LANCE BUSCH
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Patent number: 7588031Abstract: A pressure support system has a motor, a switching element that supplies power to motor windings, and a blower coupled to the motor. Rotation of the blower elevates a pressure of fluid in a patient circuit coupled to an outlet of the blower. A rotational speed controller maintains the motor at a set rotational speed corresponding to a selected pressure for the fluid in the patient circuit. The rotational speed of the motor is maintained by a switching signal provided by a rotational speed controller to the switching element to control the actuation of the switching element. A fluid parameter monitoring portion monitors a parameter associated with the flow of fluid in the patient circuit, such as the magnitude, direction, or volume, based on a characteristic, such as duty cycle, of the switching signal, or based on a characteristic of a control signal that is used to generate the switching signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Ric Investments, LLCInventors: William A Truschel, Patrick W Truitt, Winslow K Duff
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Patent number: 7574368Abstract: A method of upgrading a medical device having a controller that controls operation of the medical device according to an operating routine executed by the controller. Upgrading the medical device includes communicating an external device, such as a conventional computer, with the controller. An external access key is provided to the external device and compared to an internal access key provided by the medical device. Upgrading of the medical device is enabled if the two access keys match. Upgrading includes modifying or rewriting the operating routine stored in the medical device. A medical device manufacturer, supplier, or seller controls the distribution of the external access keys, thereby providing the ability to track the medical devices being upgraded and the upgrade provided to that device.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: James Pawlikowski, Andrew L. Shissler, Michael T. Kane, Winslow K. Duff
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Patent number: 7568482Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Ric Investments, LLCInventors: Marcel D Jaffre, Zachary D Paul, Winslow K Duff, Michael Bobeck, Lance Busch
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Patent number: 7246619Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting disordered breathing in a patient and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for detecting patient snoring and/or for dynamically determining a snore detection threshold, and to a pressure support system and method of providing pressure support that uses this unique snore detection and/or snore detection dynamic adjustment technique to control the pressure provided to at patient.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: William A Truschel, Winslow K Duff, Robert Wheeler, Andrew Shissler
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Patent number: 7225809Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Kevin Bowen, Daniel Jonczak, Gregory Yurko, Douglas M. Mechlenburg, Winslow K. Duff, Mark D'Angelo
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Patent number: 7168429Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: RIC Investments, LLCInventors: Greg Matthews, Michael T. Kane, Winslow K. Duff, Rochelle Eisert, Daniel Martin
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Patent number: 7044129Abstract: 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 pressure regulator downstream of the pressure generator. The system monitors a characteristic associated with the pressure regulator, the fluid flow downstream of the pressure regulator to the patient, the fluid flow upstream of the pressure regulator, the fluid flow exhausted from the pressure regulator, or any combination thereof. A controller coupled to the pressure generator controls an operating speed of the pressure generator based on the monitored characteristic(s) so that the output of the pressure generator is only kept as high as needed to provide the desired pressure to the patient.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC.Inventors: William A. Truschel, Winslow K. Duff, Michael T. Kane, Andrew L. Shissler
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Patent number: 7011091Abstract: A ventilator supplies a plurality of volumes of fluid to a patient during a like plurality of inhalations by the patient. Each volume of fluid is supplied at an inspiratory positive airway pressure during a corresponding inhalation by the patient. A volume of fluid received by the patient is determined for each of the plurality of inhalations by the patient and an average volume of fluid received by the patient during each of the plurality of inhalations is determined. The average volume of fluid received by the patient during each inhalation is compared to a predetermined target volume and the inspiratory positive airway pressure each volume of fluid is supplied to the patient is adjusted as a function of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC.Inventors: Peter D. Hill, Michael H. Kissel, John Frank, Michael T. Kane, Susan L. Bann, Winslow K. Duff
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Patent number: 6968842Abstract: A pressure support system has a motor, a switching element that supplies power to motor windings, and a blower coupled to the motor. Rotation of the blower elevates a pressure of fluid in a patient circuit coupled to an outlet of the blower. A rotational speed controller maintains the motor at a set rotational speed corresponding to a selected pressure for the fluid in the patient circuit. The rotational speed of the motor is maintained by a switching signal provided by a rotational speed controller to the switching element to control the actuation of the switching element. A fluid parameter monitoring portion monitors a parameter associated with the flow of fluid in the patient circuit, such as the magnitude, direction, or volume, based on a characteristic, such as duty cycle, of the switching signal, or based on a characteristic of a control signal that is used to generate the switching signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: RIC Investments, Inc.Inventors: William A. Truschel, Patrick W. Truitt, Winslow K. Duff
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Patent number: 6851425Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Respironics, Inc.Inventors: Marcel D. Jaffre, Zachary D. Paul, Winslow K. Duff, Michael Bobeck, Lance Busch
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Publication number: 20040187870Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Greg Matthews, Michael T. Kane, Winslow K. Duff, Rochelle Siirola, Daniel Martin, Heather Ressler, Uday Shankar
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Patent number: 6644311Abstract: The present invention pertains to a pressure support system in which a flow or volume of gas is measured without using a dedicated flow element used in a conventional flow meter. Instead, the present invention provides a tortuous gas flow path in which a pressure differential is created between two points in the tortuous path. This pressure differential created by the gas flow path provides the necessary pressure drop for measuring the gas flow and/or gas volume passing through the pressure support system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Respironics, Inc.Inventors: Patrick W. Truitt, Winslow K. Duff
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Publication number: 20030111079Abstract: 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 the skewness of the patient's inspiratory waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Greg Matthews, Michael T. Kane, Winslow K. Duff, Rochelle Eisert, Daniel Martin
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Publication number: 20030066528Abstract: A ventilator supplies a plurality of volumes of fluid to a patient during a like plurality of inhalations by the patient. Each volume of fluid is supplied at an inspiratory positive airway pressure during a corresponding inhalation by the patient. A volume of fluid received by the patient is determined for each of the plurality of inhalations by the patient and an average volume of fluid received by the patient during each of the plurality of inhalations is determined. The average volume of fluid received by the patient during each inhalation is compared to a predetermined target volume and the inspiratory positive airway pressure each volume of fluid is supplied to the patient is adjusted as a function of the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: Respironics, Inc.Inventors: Peter D. Hill, Michael H. Kissel, John Frank, Michael T. Kane, Susan L. Bann, Winslow K. Duff
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Publication number: 20030066529Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting disordered breathing in a patient and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for detecting patient snoring and/or for dynamically determining a snore detection threshold, and to a pressure support system and method of providing pressure support that uses this unique snore detection and/or snore detection dynamic adjustment technique to control the pressure provided to at patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: RIC Investments, Inc.Inventors: William A. Truschel, Winslow K. Duff, Robert Wheeler, Andrew Shissler
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Publication number: 20030005931Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Respironics, Inc.Inventors: Marcel D. Jaffre, Zachary D. Paul, Winslow K. Duff, Michael Bobeck, Lance Busch
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Publication number: 20020077856Abstract: A method of upgrading a medical device having a controller that controls operation of the medical device according to an operating routine executed by the controller. Upgrading the medical device includes communicating an external device, such as a conventional computer, with the controller. An external access key is provided to the external device and compared to an internal access key provided by the medical device. Upgrading of the medical device is enabled if the two access keys match. Upgrading includes modifying or rewriting the operating routine stored in the medical device. A medical device manufacturer, supplier, or seller controls the distribution of the external access keys, thereby providing the ability to track the medical devices being upgraded and the upgrade provided to that device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: Respironics, Inc.Inventors: James Pawlikowski, Andrew L. Shissler, Michael T. Kane, Winslow K. Duff