Electric Control Means Patents (Class 128/204.21)
  • Patent number: 10076617
    Abstract: A flow generator for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a processor coupled with operation sensors and a user interface. The processor is programmed to generate at least one of time-based or event-based messages relating to at least one of flow generator operation, flow generator service, flow generator use, patient health, peripheral devices and services, patient treatment, and reminders. Time-based messages are generated at predetermined time intervals based on either time of use or elapsed time. The event-based messages are generated based on signals from the operation sensors. The user interface is configured to deliver the messages to at least one of a display, a flow generator service provider, the patient and a physician. By this system, operation of the flow generator is facilitated and enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: John David Oates, Mark David Buckley, Philip Rodney Kwok, Mark Alexander Abourizk, Thomas Evan Miller, Simone Marie Jeha, Mark John Payne, Muditha Pradeep Dantanarayana
  • Patent number: 10065007
    Abstract: In a method and breathing apparatus for providing support ventilation to a spontaneously breathing patient a pressure and/or a flow is monitored based on pressure and/or flow measurements, and efforts to inhale or exhale by the patient are detected based on changes in the monitored pressure and/or flow. When a change in the monitored pressure and/or flow indicating an effort to inhale or exhale is detected, the rate of that change is determined and used to calculate a suitable rate of change of pressure applied to the airways of the patient. By changing the applied pressure in accordance with the so determined suitable rate of change, the pressure rise time during inspiration and/or the pressure fall time during expiration can be adjusted to the needs of the patient to ensure efficient and comfortable ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventors: Carl-Erik Troili, Mia Sköld
  • Patent number: 10058664
    Abstract: A device for providing a high frequency ventilation to a patient that includes a pressure generating system that delivers a flow of breathing gas to the patient, where the flow has a first and second positive pressure levels that alternate with one another in a plurality of cycles in the flow so as to have a frequency and an amplitude. The flow generates a mean airway pressure. A controller, coupled to the pressure generating system, is configured to make a determination, as to a spontaneous breathing, or an attempt, by the patient, or a change in a user settings by a user, and in response adjusts the mean airway pressure, modulates the frequency and a duty cycle of the flow, or modulates a level of the flow and the amplitude of the flow, or two or more flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gardner Kimm, Smita Garde, Mabini Arcilla
  • Patent number: 10046129
    Abstract: A system for ventilating lungs of a subject is disclosed herein. The system includes a control unit configured to control operation of the system. The system also includes a machine ventilator circuit configured to assist the breathing functions of the subject, the machine ventilator circuit includes an inspiration delivery unit, and an expiration circuit. The system also includes a manual ventilation circuit comprising a manual bag guiding a gas from the manual bag wherein a gas flow is guided out from the manual bag to assist an inspiration phase, a gas flow is received to fill the manual bag during an expiration phase, and wherein the gas flow received to fill the manual bag during the expiration phase at least partially comprises the gas flow guided to assist the inspiration phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tom Jakob Haggblom, Erkki Paavo Heinonen
  • Patent number: 10046127
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: RedMed Limited
    Inventor: Michael Berthon-Jones
  • Patent number: 10029057
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing novel back-up ventilation that allows the patient to trigger or initiate the delivery of breath. Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods for triggering ventilation when base flow is unknown or undeterminable by the ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mehdi M. Jafari, Rhomere S. Jimenez, Jeffrey K. Aviano
  • Patent number: 10018537
    Abstract: A portable device for collecting particles and microorganisms is provided. The device includes a cyclone enclosure for centrifuging air, external air inlet for admitting air into the enclosure, and air outlet connected by a coupling to an air inlet filter of an individual motorized respiratory protection appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Bertin Technologies
    Inventors: Amandine Verdier, Daniel Trouchet, Julien Charpentier, Bruno Vallayer
  • Patent number: 10004861
    Abstract: An alarming method for a ventilator and a ventilator alarm system are provided. The method includes the following. First, a plurality of ventilation parameters are received and detected. If a peak airway pressure of the ventilation parameters conforms to a first condition, whether a plateau pressure conforms to a second condition is determined, wherein the first condition is Y(k+1), Ppeak>Yk, mean,Ppeak+3*Yk,sd,Ppeak, and the second condition is Y(k+1), Pplateau<Yk, mean, Pplateau+3*Yk, sd, Pplateau. If the plateau pressure does not conform to the second condition, an airway static obstruction alarm is activated. If the plateau pressure conforms to the second condition and a third condition, an airway dynamic obstruction alarm is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: Landseed Hospital, National Central University
    Inventors: Chin-Pyng Wu, Shih-Hsing Yang, Kuo-Kai Shyu, Chung-Chih Huang, Chun-Ming Peng, Yuh-Chin Huang
  • Patent number: 10004862
    Abstract: In a respiratory apparatus for treatment of sleep apnea and other disorders associated with an obstruction of a patient's airway and which uses an airflow signal, an obstruction index is generated which detects the flattening of the inspiratory portion of the airflow. The flattening index serves as an obstruction index used to differentiate normal and obstructed breathing. The obstruction index is based upon comparison of values of airflow in different sectors of the inspiratory peak of the wave function and is particularly suitable for distinguishing M shaped or square shaped respiratory patters indicative of partially obstructed airways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Peter Armitstead, Chinmayee Somaiya
  • Patent number: 9999386
    Abstract: Methods and system to diagnose central sleep apnea of a patient employ a relatively short test, combining few breathing parameters. The test is short in comparison to commonly used time-consuming and complex multi-parameter sleep studies. The patient uses a positive airway pressure device, and follows breathing cues. The occurrence of a central apnea during the delivery of breathing cues may support a diagnosis of central sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Manuel Laura Lapoint, Sara Marie Sibenaller, Lauren Elizabeth Hueser
  • Patent number: 9987444
    Abstract: Methods and system of respiratory therapy treat sleep apnea by particular elevated pressure levels during the end of exhalation phases. Inhalation pressure levels may thus be significantly reduced and be, on average, lower than the exhalation pressure levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Michael Edward Colbaugh
  • Patent number: 9987445
    Abstract: A comfort signature that naturally adapts delivered pressure to patient breathing by measuring comfort directly from the source is disclosed. Pressure is measured at the patient interface and is used to provide a comfortable and suitable target pressure adjustment that is synchronized with patient respiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir S. Ahmad, Dongbing Wei, Mark Peilemeier, Leonardo Alberto Baloa-Welzien
  • Patent number: 9987447
    Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus includes an inner volumetric member pressurizable from a first pressure to a second pressure and an outer volumetric member surrounding at least a portion of the inner expandable volumetric member. The inner volumetric member pressurizes the outer volumetric member as the inner volumetric member is pressurized from the first pressure to the second pressure. In another embodiment, a breathing assistance apparatus includes exhalation and inhalation chambers with respective biasing members providing for the exhalation chamber to apply a pressure to the inhalation chamber and thereby provide assisted inhalation. Methods for assisting breathing are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TRUDELL MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Robitaille, Stephen Costella, Jennifer Pevler, James Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9981097
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for compensating long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors used in systems for delivering therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) gas to a patient by compensating for drift that may be specific to the sensors atypical use in systems for delivering therapeutic nitric oxide gas to a patient. The long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors may be addressed using calibration schedules, which can factor in the absolute change in set dose of NO being delivered to the patient that can drive one or more baseline calibrations. The calibration schedules can be used to reduce the amount of times the sensor goes offline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Hospital Products IP Limited
    Inventors: Craig R. Tolmie, Jeff Milsap, Jaron M. Acker
  • Patent number: 9974911
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: Michael Berthon-Jones
  • Patent number: 9974910
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for compensating long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors used in systems for delivering therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) gas to a patient by compensating for drift that may be specific to the sensors atypical use in systems for delivering therapeutic nitric oxide gas to a patient. The long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors may be addressed using calibration schedules, which can factor in the absolute change in set dose of NO being delivered to the patient that can drive one or more baseline calibrations. The calibration schedules can be used to reduce the amount of times the sensor goes offline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Hospital Products IP Limited
    Inventors: Craig R. Tolmie, Jeff Milsap, Jaron M. Acker
  • Patent number: 9950197
    Abstract: A blower filter device (50) for a respirator system (1) has a filter unit (31) receiving an air filter (30) and a blower unit (65) drawing in the filtered air and generating discharged air. The blower unit has a blower (53) and a driving motor (54). An improved respirator system is provided with the blower filter device having a pressure sensor (55) arranged in the discharged air measuring the pressure of the discharged air, a mass flow sensor (56) arranged in the discharged air measuring the mass flow of the discharged air, or a parameter-determining unit (59, 60) determining an operating parameter of the motor. A control unit (51, 52) determines the volume flow of the discharged air via the measured pressure, the measured mass flow or based on the operating parameter determined and sets the motor as a function of the volume flow determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Achim Volmer, Olaf Balke, Björn Ehler
  • Patent number: 9950134
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for resuscitating a patient suffering from cardiac arrest or another condition in which normal circulation has been interrupted. A ventilator is used for delivering a gas mixture to the patient. The ventilator is configured to adjust the partial pressure of CO2 to one or more partial pressures high enough to slow expiration of CO2 from the patient's lungs and thereby maintain a reduced pH in the patient's tissues for a period of time following return of spontaneous circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 9937308
    Abstract: A pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of a subject in accordance with a therapy regimen. The therapy regimen may be designed to maintain oxygenation of the subject. The therapy regimen dictates levels of fraction of inspired oxygen and/or positive end expiratory pressure to maintain a therapeutically beneficial level of oxygenation in a feedback manner. Within the therapy regimen, changes made to fraction of inspired oxygen and/or positive end expiratory pressure automatically and dynamically are constrained by user configured constraints such as the maximum incremental change, amount of time between adjustments, or the maximum rate of change This may provide a level of customization of the automated control of the therapy regime for individual subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Smita Garde, Samir Ahmad, Michael Edward Madison
  • Patent number: 9931483
    Abstract: An improvement to a breathing therapy machine to detect and rate occurrences of periodic breathing and to alter the therapy delivered to a user of the device based on the rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: DEVILBISS HEALTCARE LLC
    Inventors: Michael Knepper, Robert Joseph Thomas, Wim Martens
  • Patent number: 9913954
    Abstract: A method of providing pressure support to a patient that includes determining a measure associated with an inspiratory time of the patient during therapy, delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient at an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) level during at least a portion of an inspiratory phase of the patient, delivering the flow of breathing gas to the patient at an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) level that is less than the IPAP level during at least a portion of an expiratory phase of the patient, and automatically setting a rise time associated with a transition from the EPAP level to the IPAP level based on the measure associated with the inspiratory time of the patient. Also provided is a pressure support system adapted to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Winslow Kevin Duff, Peter D. Hill
  • Patent number: 9901703
    Abstract: An air delivery system includes an air flow generator to provide a pressurized flow of air, a patient interface to provide a seal with the patient's face in use, an air delivery conduit to interconnect the air flow generator and the patient interface, and a controllable vent valve to control venting from the patient interface. The vent valve is controlled to maintain a substantially constant air flow in the air delivery conduit and the air flow generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Barnes, John David Oates, Barton John Kenyon, Benriah Goeldi
  • Patent number: 9857948
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method, an apparatus and a computer-readable storage means for adjusting at least one parameter, which can be used for enhancing the user experience of adjusting parameters, especially of adjusting parameters in common audio software through a system of assignable rotary encoders with capacitive-sensing knob caps and a parameter type aware software. In particular, the present invention ensures that parameters of (audio) software can be adjusted quickly, without diverting a user's attention from actual tasks. For this purpose, a method is proposed, where at least one touch sensitive input element is provided, for at least one of the input elements at least one of a time between subsequent sensed contacts and a time of the presence of the contact is determined, based on the determined time it is decided, whether the contact is a tap gesture, and a parameter is adjusted depending from the tap gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Native Instruments GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Hlatky, Dinos Vallianatos, Christian Wachsmuth
  • Patent number: 9827388
    Abstract: Devices and systems provide methods of detecting a severity change in respiratory insufficiency (RI) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) condition of a patient. In an example embodiment, a detection monitoring device determines one or more severity change indicators based on a measure of supplied pressure or other representative measure determined by the device. The supplied pressure may optionally be determined during pressure treatment that satisfies a target ventilation. The supplied pressure or representative data may be compared to one or more thresholds that are selected to represent a change in the condition of the RI or COPD patient such as an exacerbation of a prior condition. Results of the comparisons may trigger one or more warnings or messages to notify a patient or physician of a pending change to the patient's RI or COPD condition so that the patient may more immediately seek medical attention to treat the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Klaus Henry Schindhelm, David John Bassin, Glenn Richards
  • Patent number: 9814850
    Abstract: A tool for use in conjunction with a pressure support system that is structured to provide therapy to a patient to treat a condition of the patient by delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient. The tool may be implemented on a portable electronic device or a PC and is configured to, among other things, provide customized/personalized education and feedback to the patient based, at least in part, on data that is measured by the pressure support system during the provision of therapy to the patient. The tool utilizes certain patient/therapy metrics, wherein each patient/therapy metric comprises raw data that was measured by the pressure support system and that has been processed (e.g., summarized and/or otherwise manipulated) to form the patient/therapy metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Zachary Dean Paul
  • Patent number: 9808655
    Abstract: A method for determining a characteristic such as partial pressure or percentage of a gaseous constituent in a first gas mixture flow in a flow chamber in which there is alternating flow in opposite directions between the first gas mixture flow and a second gas mixture flow. The steps may include a) introducing the first gas mixture flow into a sensing chamber when the first gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, b) preventing introduction of gas from the flow chamber into the sensing chamber at least when the second gas mixture flow flows in the flow chamber, c) sensing the characteristic of the first gas mixture flow in the sensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventor: Matthieu Fromage
  • Patent number: 9802016
    Abstract: Respiration system for non-invasive positive-pressure respiration, with a pressure source providing respiratory gas, with a control and evaluation unit connected to sensors detecting a leakage volume, spontaneous respiration frequency, tidal volume and the inspiration time. The control and evaluation unit I) checks the leakage volume and reduces the inspiratory pressure assistance proceeding to ii) or triggers an alarm and returns to I), ii) checks the frequency and triggers an alarm and returns to I) or reduces or increases the inspiratory pressure and returns to I) or proceeds to step iii), iii) checks the volume and reduces or increases the inspiratory pressure and returns to I) or leaves the pressure assistance unchanged proceeding to step iv), iv) adjusts the time period of the pressure assistance, depending on the inspiration time, the time period being left unchanged if the inspiration time lies in the predefined inspiration time interval, and returns to I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Stefan Mersmann, Thomas Katschewitz, Andreas Neumann, Philippe Jolliet
  • Patent number: 9778079
    Abstract: A physiological monitor gauge panel defines parameters to display on a physiological monitor via corresponding gauges. Gauge faces depict a range of parameter values for each of the parameters. An indicator designates a position on each gauge face corresponding to the current parameter value within the range of parameter values. The indicated position on each of the gauges is at the mid-point of each of the gauge faces when each of the parameters is at a nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Bilal Muhsin, Keith Indorf, Massi Joe E. Kiani
  • Patent number: 9775558
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: William A. Truschel, Anandi Mahadevan, Christopher Anthony Procyk, Mark Christopher McDermott
  • Patent number: 9753616
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method, an apparatus and a computer-readable storage means for adjusting at least one parameter, which can be used for enhancing the user experience of adjusting parameters, especially of adjusting parameters in common audio software through a system of assignable rotary encoders with capacitive-sensing knob caps and a parameter type aware software. The invention especially enables a quick adjustment of several parameters by use of rotary encoders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Native Instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hlatky, Dinos Vallianatos, Christian Wachsmuth
  • Patent number: 9731089
    Abstract: A method for detecting sleep for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is disclosed. Discrete values of a control signal generated by a pressure controller to regulate delivered pressure at the patient are measured over a predefined time window encompassing one or more respiratory cycles. A baseline control signal value is generated from a weighted average of the measured discrete values of the control signal. Estimates of a respiratory cycle period, an inspiration control time, and an expiration control time are then generated. Estimates of one or more secondary control signal properties for each of the respective inspiration control time and expiration control time are generated. Pressure to the patient is increased in response to an evaluation of the estimates of the one or more secondary control signal properties being indicative of the patient reaching a sleep state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir S. Ahmad, Leonardo Alberto Baloa Welzien
  • Patent number: 9730632
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated sleep diagnosis and treatment device, and more particularly to an integrated apnea diagnosis and treatment device. The present invention additionally relates to methods of sleep diagnosis and treatment. The sleep disorder treatment system of the present invention can use a diagnosis device to perform various forms of analysis to determine or diagnose a subject's sleeping disorder or symptoms of a subject's sleep disorder, and using this analysis or diagnosis can with or in some embodiments without human intervention treat the subject either physically or chemically to improve the sleeping disorder or the symptoms of the sleeping disorder. The diagnostic part of the system can use many different types of sensors and methods for diagnosing the severity of the symptoms of or the sleep disorder itself. The treatment part of the system can use a device to physically or chemically treat the subject's symptoms or sleep disorder itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Cleveland Medical Devices Inc
    Inventors: Hani Kayyali, Dan Bishop, Brian M. Kolkowski
  • Patent number: 9724017
    Abstract: A single respiratory cycle flow limitation detection method is disclosed. A patient gas delivery signal is received from one or more sensors in pneumatic communication with a ventilation source and a patient ventilation interface to a patient airway. The patient gas delivery signal is representative of a measure of therapeutic gas being delivered to the patient airway at a given time instant, and spans the single patient respiratory cycle. A second derivative of the patient gas delivery signal is generated and a total number of zero crossings therein are counted. These zero crossings are representative of an inflection change in the patient gas delivery signal. A flow limitation indication corresponding to the identified flow limitation is generated when there are at least two zero crossings in the second derivative of the patient gas delivery signal. An angle of deformation representing early, late, or mid-cycle obstruction onsets is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonardo Alberto Baloa Welzien, Samir S. Ahmad
  • Patent number: 9717868
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: William A. Truschel, Christopher Anthony Procyk, Mark Christopher McDermott, Anandi Mahadevan
  • Patent number: 9715327
    Abstract: A portable medical device is operated in an active mode in which the device receives a user input at an input interlace and provides the received user input to a processor of the device. The active mode is terminated and the device is operated in a safe mode, in which the received user input is not provided to the processor and/or one or more device function is disabled, in response to determining that the received user input was received in an out of bounds region of the input interface. The safe mode is terminated in response to receiving a predetermined user input comprising an activation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rosinko, Geoff Kruse, Thomas Ulrich, Erik Verhoef
  • Patent number: 9707361
    Abstract: CPAP treatment apparatus (10), as one form of positive pressure ventilatory assistance, is disclosed. A turbine/blower (14), operated by a mechanically coupled electrical motor (16), receives air or breathable gas at an inlet (18) thereof, and supplies the breathable gas at a delivery pressure to a delivery tube/hose (20) having connection at the other end thereof with a nose mask (12). A microcontroller (38) has an operational “Mask-Fit” mode. An initial constant pressure level is applied by the blower (14) to the mask (12). If the functional mode is a Manual mode, then the mask-fit test pressure is the current ‘set’ pressure. If the functional mode is the Automatic Titration mode, the mask-fit test pressure is the 95th percentile pressure of the previous session, otherwise it is the base treatment pressure, e.g. 10-12 cm H2O. This constant pressure is applied for a period of time, typically 1-3 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Gregory Newton Brewer, Gregory Alan Colla, Steven Paul Farrugia, Chinmayee Somaiya
  • Patent number: 9699528
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating biofeedback to a user through a wearable device that includes collecting physiological data of at least one physiological property of a user; processing the physiological data into at least one biosignal; monitoring the at least one biosignal for a feedback activation condition; and upon satisfying a feedback activation condition, delivering haptic feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Zenso, Inc.
    Inventor: Rohan Dixit
  • Patent number: 9694152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying gas to a patient, in particular a patient breathing spontaneously. The device includes a) a metering device (A) which is used to meter the gas to be inhaled by the patient (P) into the gas tank (B), b) a gas tank (B) which is used to store the gas to be inhaled by the patient (P), c) a demand valve (D) which regulates the volume flow of the gas inhaled by the patient (P), d) a reservoir (F) which is used to hold the gas exhaled by the patient (P), e) a carbon dioxide separating unit (G) which is used to separate carbon dioxide from the exhaled gas, f) a pump (H) which is used to return the exhaled gas purified of carbon dioxide into the gas tank (B), and g) an analysis/control unit (J) which analyzes the gas returned to the gas tank (B) and controls the metering device (A) according to the composition of said gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Muellner, Christian Romako, Christian Koehle
  • Patent number: 9687618
    Abstract: A method for generating a ventilation harm index. The method includes accessing data from a plurality of ventilators in operation, analyzing an aggregate of the data, and generating the ventilation harm index based on the analyzed aggregated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 207, INC.
    Inventors: Tom Steinhauer, Timothy Riddle, Thomas George, Mark Rogers, Glen Gee
  • Patent number: 9687624
    Abstract: A pressure support system configured to deliver a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of a subject is further configured to provide information to a user position, fit or seal between the subject and the patient interface through which the pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered. Such information may include, for example, a location on the patient interface at which the integrity of the seal is compromised, adjustments that could be made by the subject to enhance the interface between the patient interface and the subject, different types and/or sizes of patient interfaces that could be used to enhance the fit and seal between the system and the subject, and/or other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Michael W. Haas
  • Patent number: 9682235
    Abstract: A system and method are presented that electrically stimulates the phrenic nerve whereby said stimulation results in muscle activation of the diaphragm as observed by a measurement of work or power of breathing associated with the inspiratory portion of a stimulated breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Stimdia Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John O'Mahony, Patrick J. Wethington
  • Patent number: 9675749
    Abstract: A medical fluid injector device injecting a patient with a mixed medical fluid and capable of simply setting injection conditions for the mixed medical fluid. A medical fluid injector includes an injector head injecting a diluted contrast medium into a patient and a controller unit. The controller unit receives an input relating to an injection rate of the diluted medical fluid receives an input relating to a mixture ratio by an operator, calculates an injection rate of a contrast medium based on the mixture ratio, and calculates an injection rate of physiological saline based on the mixture ratio. The injector head injects the contrast medium and the physiological saline at the calculated injection rate of the contrast medium and the calculated injection rate of the physiological saline, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 9656034
    Abstract: A pressure support system that comprises a patient circuit, a docking assembly, and a tank. The patient circuit delivers a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient. The docking assembly has an inlet and an outlet that is adapted to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas, and is also adapted to be connected with the patient circuit. The tank is constructed and arranged to be removably connected with the docking assembly, and enables the pressurized flow of breathable gas to pass therethrough. The tank is also adapted to contain a liquid such that a humidity level of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is elevated as the pressurized flow of breathable gas passes therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: RIC INVESTMETNS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kepler, Michael E. Mort, Richard A. Seman, Mark William DiMatteo, Christopher J. McCracken, James S. Vreelan, Steven B. Radney, Michael Bobeck, Allen Cameron, David P. Chastain, Patrick F. McDermott, William J. Palm, Roy A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9643019
    Abstract: A system for providing alerts of neurological events occurring in a human subject is provided. The system includes: a monitoring module adapted to detect and sample a neurological signal; an event detection module coupled to the monitoring module for detecting one or more types of predetermined reportable events based on the detected neurological signal; and an alert module coupled to the event detection module, wherein upon the detection of a reportable event by the event detection module, said alert module selects a first alert contact from a plurality of contacts contained in a contact list, and generates a first alert communication to the first alert contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason A. Higgins, Michael Bland, Kent W. Leyde, W. Douglas Sheffield, John F. Harris, David M. Himes
  • Patent number: 9629971
    Abstract: The systems and methods include controlling pressure and/or flow during exhalation. The systems and methods include novel exhalation for ventilating a patient. The systems and methods decrease the amount of time it takes the patient to passively expire an inspired volume of gas. For example, the systems and method may determine one or more pressure profiles based on one or more criterion and may select and utilize the pressure profile that provides for the fastest rate of lung emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Milenko Masic, Peter Doyle, Gardner Kimm
  • Patent number: 9616192
    Abstract: A breathable gas inlet control device permits flow regulation at the inlet of a flow generator for a respiratory treatment apparatus such as a ventilator or continuous positive airway pressure device. The device may implement a variable inlet aperture size based on flow conditions. In one embodiment, an inlet flow seal opens or closes the inlet to a blower in accordance with changes in pressure within a seal activation chamber near the seal. The seal may be formed by a flexible membrane. A controller selectively changes the pressure of the seal activation chamber by controlling a set of one or more flow control valves to selectively stop forward flow, prevent back flow or lock open the seal to permit either back flow or forward flow. The controller may set the flow control valves as a function of detected respiratory conditions based on data from pressure and/or flow sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ResMed Paris SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Auguste Chalvignac, Arthur Kin-Wai Yee, David Creusot, Enrico Brambilla
  • Patent number: 9606644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manually operable input device (1) having a sensor system (15) that comprises at least one rotary control knob (4) for detecting at least one movement characteristic variable. By predefining various movement patterns at the rotary control knob (4), various control commands can be generated. For this purpose, the input device (1) according to the invention comprises an evaluation unit (8) that compares the signal (13, 14) generated by the sensor system (15) with predefined rotational movement codes (C1-C16) and generates a code-dependent control command (16) if the predefined movement pattern or the corresponding signal (13, 14) matches a predefined rotational movement code (C1-C16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GOMTECH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Gombert, Friedemann Seebass
  • Patent number: 9590624
    Abstract: An input apparatus capable of preventing a user's unintentional input by notifying the user of a change in a pressure load is provided. The input apparatus has a touch face configured to receive a touch operation, a load detection unit configured to detect a pressure load of the touch operation to the touch panel, a vibration unit configured to vibrate the touch face, and a control unit, when the load detection unit detects a pressure load satisfying a standard load to receive an input, configured to perform a control to receive the input by the touch operation. When the load detection unit detects a pressure load satisfying a standard load, lower than the standard load to receive an input, the control unit controls the vibration unit to vibrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Ujii, Megumi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9550037
    Abstract: A ventilator (10) that pressurizes gas from a body of gas to provide a flow of gas to an airway of a subject (14) such that the gas flow mechanically facilitates the respiration of the subject (14). In order to enhance the comfort of the subject (14) during ventilation by the ventilator (10), the ventilator (10) enables the subject (14) to make unsupervised adjustments to one or more of the properties of the gas flow, within predetermined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Adam Seiver, Samir Ahmad, Peter R. Doyle
  • Patent number: 9533114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated sleep diagnosis and treatment device, and more particularly to an integrated apnea diagnosis and treatment device. The present invention additionally relates to methods of sleep diagnosis and treatment. The sleep disorder treatment system of the present invention can use a diagnosis device to perform various forms of analysis to determine or diagnose a subject's sleeping disorder or symptoms of a subject's sleep disorder, and using this analysis or diagnosis can with or in some embodiments without human intervention treat the subject either physically or chemically to improve the sleeping disorder or the symptoms of the sleeping disorder. The diagnostic part of the system can use many different types of sensors and methods for diagnosing the severity of the symptoms of or the sleep disorder itself. The treatment part of the system can use a device to physically or chemically treat the subject's symptoms or sleep disorder itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cleveland Medical Devices Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Kayyali, Daniel Bishop, Brian M Kolkowski