Means For Sensing Partial Pressure, Or Amount, Of Component In Gas Mixture Patents (Class 128/204.22)
  • Patent number: 9649333
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for resuscitation of an infant which maintains healthy blood oxygen saturation values in the infant by titration of supplemental oxygen concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Yacov Rabi
  • Patent number: 9616194
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask of the present invention includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. Additionally, the valve can be implemented with a diaphragm or with a flapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Allum, Joseph Cipollone, George A. Kassanis
  • Patent number: 9604021
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a ventilator to automatically adjust ventilation assistance to an active or passive subject. The method includes determining volume and flow rate of gas to the patient during inspiration on an ongoing basis, and generating control signals in proportion to the volume and flow rate of gas to the patient wherein proportionality factors, and support levels for the elastic and resistive components of pressure are automatically adjusted by the ventilator. The ongoing pressure applied by the ventilator is a sum of elastic and resistive pressures that are automatically controlled by the system. When the patient breathes spontaneously, the support levels are automatically adjusted based on the patient's requirements. If the patient does not breathe spontaneously, the ventilator provides ventilation at an optimal level and rate. The method may be used in weaning or in a management phase of ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Fleur Taher Tehrani
  • Patent number: 9478961
    Abstract: The present invention related to an iron bus bar coated with copper and a method of manufacturing the same. The present invention provides an iron bus bar including an iron core and a copper layer applied on the iron core, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, an iron bus bar having high strength and durability as well as excellent electrical conductivity can be manufactured at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Young Sik Song
  • Patent number: 9446210
    Abstract: Sidestream sampling of gas to determine information related to the composition of gas at or near the airway of a subject is implemented. From such information one or more breathing parameters of subject 12 (e.g., respiratory rate, end-tidal CO2, etc.) are determined, respiratory events (e.g., obstructions, apneas, etc.) are identified, equipment malfunction and/or misuse is identified, and/or functions are performed. To improve the accuracy of one or more of these determinations, information related to pressure at or near the airway of subject is implemented. This information may include detection of pressure at or near a sidestream sampling cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Orr, Michael Brian Jaffe
  • Patent number: 9344083
    Abstract: A reliable and secure activation of an access based on a detection of movement in a remote access system by providing a secure method for opening/closing of an access in hands-free access mode. The detection of movement relates to the displacement of a lower member of a user by a remote access system, this access system including at least two elements of detection which each emit a signal whose variations (31, 33, 35) are analyzed. The detection of a movement of a lower member is validated by the application of a double verification step according to parameters (dAsA, dAsB) of a criterion for identification (tA, tB; dAsA, dAsB) of a form of variation (F2; A, B) of each signal (31, 33, 35) with a model form of the movement, and according to a criterion for simultaneity of detection of the forms of variation (F2) identified on the two signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Olivier Elie, Maxime Cordier, Mickael Guibbert
  • Patent number: 9320863
    Abstract: A system for controlling machine-induced expiratory airflow of a subject, the subject having an airway, the system comprising: a pressure generator (140) configured to generate a pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to the airway of the subject; and one or more processors (110) configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising: a control module (170) configured to control the pressure generator a metric determination module (154) configured to determine a value of a flow metric during expiration by the subject, a flow analysis module (156) configured to compare the determined value of the flow metric with a target level of the flow metric; and an adjustment module (160) configured to adjust one or more of exsufflation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Norbert Hans Balko, Seung Hyun Lee, Peter Douglas Hill, Christopher Wayne McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9285254
    Abstract: A flowmeter for liquids has a measuring housing, which encloses and rotatably mounts an impeller, said measuring housing comprising a one-piece supply pipe and discharge pipe, wherein the impeller is eccentrically arranged in the discharge pipe after a nozzle-forming constriction. A sensor encoder is associated with the impeller and a sensor which responds to the sensor encoder is provided on the measuring housing for determining the amount of liquid flowing through the measuring housing on the basis of the revolutions of the impeller. The outer diameter corresponding to the impeller is smaller than the nominal inner diameter of the discharge pipe, enabling it to be pushed into the one-piece pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: DIGMESA AG
    Inventors: Stefan Lauber, Stefan Schneider, Martin Sigrist, Christoph Rusch, Jean-Claude Frely
  • Patent number: 9220856
    Abstract: An air delivery system includes a controllable flow generator operable to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas to be provided to a patient for treatment and a pulse oximeter configured to determine a measure of patient effort during a treatment period and provide a patient effort signal for input to control operation of the flow generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: RESMED LIMITED
    Inventors: Dion Charles Chewe Martin, John David Oates
  • Publication number: 20150136134
    Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to inexsufflate a subject and provide cough-by-cough feedback during treatment and/or therapy of the subject. Through sensors that are included in the systems, various gas and/or respiratory parameters maybe measured and/or determined in real-time, such as, for example, peak cough flow and/or inspiratory tidal volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Howard Kissel, April Stewart Nathan, Winslow Kevin Duff, Bernard F. Hete
  • Patent number: 9022029
    Abstract: A carbon-dioxide sampling system for accurately monitoring carbon dioxide in exhaled breath. The system includes a ventilator. The ventilator is configured to ventilate a patient with respiratory gases. The ventilator includes a carbon-dioxide sampling control unit and a carbon-dioxide analyzer. The carbon-dioxide sampling control unit is configured to control the timing of sampling of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath of a patient, and to control the timing of the analysis of exhaled gases by the carbon-dioxide analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: CareFusion 207, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M Varga, Stephen J. Birch, Brian W. Pierro
  • Patent number: 9022028
    Abstract: An oxygen supply device, preferably a pilot oxygen supply device, has an oxygen source and at least one oxygen mask. A breathing regulator is arranged between the oxygen source and the oxygen mask. An oxygen sensor is arranged downstream of this breathing regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rittner, Rüdiger Meckes
  • Publication number: 20150107593
    Abstract: Systems and methods to estimate, on a breath-by-breath basis, the fraction of inhaled oxygen during ventilation of a subject. The fraction of inhaled oxygen may be based on exhaled tidal volume, a volume of dead space within the subject interface, leaked exhalation volume, and subsequently inhaled tidal volume and leaked inhalation volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: William Anthony Truschel
  • Patent number: 9010327
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solution for controlling the pressure/flow of breathing gas to a mechanical ventilator (4) by using an energy of breathing analysis and further to provide a pressure relief during exhalation and a trigger determination when to start the pressure relief using energy content of breathing in analysis for determining a pressure curve form during at least a portion of the expiration phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Breas Medical AB
    Inventor: Mikael Tiedje
  • Patent number: 8991393
    Abstract: The present invention is a breathing improvement monitor that continuously measures involuntary breathing. The monitor is a sensor apparatus that is attached to a patient's mask which is connected to the monitoring apparatus. The sensor may be reusable and attachable and detachable to a mask or it may be an integral part of a breathing mask. The sensor technology may be any type sufficient in the art, including but not limited to solid state sensors, transducers, electromagnetic microturbines and the like. Since the mask does not have to be removed and the sensor provides constant signal to the monitoring apparatus, a real time status of a patient's involuntary breathing capability may be determined for a doctor's consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Steven D Jensen
  • Patent number: 8978651
    Abstract: An anesthesia system is disclosed herein. The anesthesia system includes a sensor configured to measure an anesthetic agent concentration, and a processor connected to the sensor. The processor is configured to generate an exponential agent model based on the measured anesthetic agent concentration. The exponential agent model represents a plurality of future anesthetic agent concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joanne Lynn Messerges
  • Patent number: 8978652
    Abstract: An anesthetic breathing apparatus has a first gas analyzer arranged to provide gas measurement data related to a first sample point to a control unit that is arranged in a servo or feedback control system configured to adjust delivery of a vaporized anesthetic agent from an anesthetic vaporizer to a delivery point in an inspiratory branch of a breathing circuit of the anesthetic breathing apparatus, The first sampling point is arranged in the breathing circuit downstream and close to the delivery point. A second gas analyzer arranged to be operated in a first mode of operation to provide gas measurement data for patient monitoring, and arranged to be operated in a second mode of operation to provide gas measurement data to the control unit. A switch over unit is fluidly connected to the second gas analyzer, and arranged to switch fluid communication of said second gas analyzer between the first sample point for the second mode of operation and a second sample point for the first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventors: Christer Ahlmén, Marlo Loncar
  • Publication number: 20150068526
    Abstract: A ventilator for use by a clinician in supporting a patient presenting pulmonary distress. A controller with a touch-screen display operates a positive or negative pressure gas source that communicates with the intubated or negative pressure configured patient through valved supply and exhaust ports. A variety of peripheral, central, and/or supply/exhaust port positioned sensors may be included to measure pressure, volumetric flow rate, gas concentration, transducer, and chest wall breathing work. Innovative modules and routines are incorporated into the controller module enabling hybrid, self-adjusting ventilation protocols and models that are compatible with nearly every conceivable known, contemplated, and prospective technique, and which establish rigorous controls configured to rapidly adapt to even small patient responses with great precision so as to maximize ventilation and recruitment while minimizing risks of injury, atelectasis, and prolonged ventilator days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: INTENSIVE CARE ONLINE NETWORK, INC.
    Inventor: Nader Habashi
  • Patent number: 8973575
    Abstract: Anaesthesia machine arrangement and a method in connection with an anaesthesia machine arrangement comprising a gas dispenser of an anaesthesia machine connected to a patient circuit that comprises a monitor device, a control device and an interface unit. The gas dispenser is configured to deliver a desired concentration of fresh gas to the patient circuit, the desired concentration being set by using the interface unit. The monitor device is configured by using a sample line to monitor gas concentration in the patient circuit and the control device is configured to control the gas dispenser from the basis of the data received from the monitor device to keep the desired fresh gas concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Carefusion Corporation
    Inventor: Erik Wilhelm Severin Tigerstedt
  • Publication number: 20150047638
    Abstract: A breathing apparatus includes a source of compressed air and a lung demand valve that receives compressed air from the source. A pneumatic valve assembly is connected between the source and the lung demand valve. The pneumatic valve assembly is moveable between a first closed position that prevents a flow of compressed air to the lung demand valve and a second open position that provides a path for compressed air to flow to the lung demand valve. A mask receives the lung demand valve therein. The mask provides the compressed air to a user and having a first operational mode providing filtered ambient air to the user and a second operational mode providing compressed air to the user. A control device is coupled to the pneumatic valve assembly. The control device detects a condition in the air surrounding the apparatus and controlling the pneumatic valve assembly to move between the first closed and second open position and the mask to operate in a respective one of the first and second operational modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Eric J. Robey
  • Publication number: 20150040903
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing respiratory therapy to a subject respond and/or adapt to the detection of an occurrence of a respiratory event. For example, the pressure level of a pressurized flow of breathable gas may be increased responsive to the occurrence of one or more apneas. Based on usage information spanning more than one therapy session, such as the tracked pressure levels, a starting pressure level for a pressurized flow of breathable gas for a subsequent therapy session is determined. The starting level at the beginning of the subsequent therapy session(s) may be the 90% pressure level as determined during the preceding period during which usage information has been gathered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Delano Matthews, Benjamin Irwin Shelly, Heather Dawn Ressler, Michael Thomas Kane, Mark Dominic D'Angelo, Zachary Dean Paul
  • Publication number: 20150000655
    Abstract: A flow sensor comprises a flow restriction disposed within a passage such that a fluid passing through the passage must pass through the flow restriction. The flow sensor also has an upstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage at a point upstream of the flow restriction and configured to measure and provide an upstream pressure of the fluid within the passage, a downstream pressure sensor coupled to the passage at a point downstream of the flow restriction and configured to measure and provide a downstream pressure of the fluid within the passage, and a temperature sensor coupled to the passage and configured to measure and provide a temperature of the fluid within the passage. The flow sensor also includes a flow sensor processor coupled to the upstream and downstream pressure sensors and the temperature sensor and configured to accept measurements therefrom and calculate a compensated flow rate based at least in part on the measured pressures and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Adrian D. DESILVA, Huy Thanh VU, Richard LE, Jeffrey Harold MILLER, Hector GONZALEZ, Raul VALDEZ, Chiun WANG
  • Patent number: 8919340
    Abstract: An oxygen generating apparatus that includes a container containing potassium super oxide, an inhale valve, and an inhale valve filter between the potassium super oxide and the inhale valve. The filter is configured to prevent particles having a diameter of 10 ?m from passing through the filter, and to neutralize KOH and KO2 particles having a diameter of less than 10 ?m that contact the filter into a food grade compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Mel Blum
  • Publication number: 20140373844
    Abstract: A system and method are configured to utilize patient effort to increase cough flow of a subject by limiting airway collapse by causing a series of exsufflation events over an individual exhalation of the subject. A single exhalation of the subject is segmented into a series of exsufflation events by a processor configured to toggle a pressure regulator between a first airway closed mode and a second airway open mode. The processor is configured such that the transitions between the closed and open modes are initiated based on predetermined timing or based on output signals generated by sensors monitoring one or more gas parameters (for example, pressure) in the airway of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Maarten Leonardus Christian Brand, Wei Zhou, Humin Chen
  • Patent number: 8915249
    Abstract: A system and method for conserving oxygen in a breathing assistance device are disclosed. A method may include delivering breathable gas with a first average oxygen concentration during a first portion of an inhalation phase for a patient. The method may also include delivering breathable gas with a second average oxygen concentration during a second portion of an inhalation phase for a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Porges, Joseph Douglas Vandine
  • Publication number: 20140364758
    Abstract: An apparatus assesses a condition of a patient. The apparatus may contain a patient interface for communicating a treatment generated by a respiratory treatment apparatus to the respiratory system of a patient. The apparatus may also include a sensing module containing one or more electrochemical sensors to sense chemicals in exhaled breath in real time, or over an extended period of time. The apparatus may also include one or more collectors to accumulate a breath condensate over an extended period of time. The sample collectors may contain an absorbent material, and may also be adapted for replacement within a sensing module. The absorbent material may also include a preservative for preserving a chemical component of the breath, such as an analyte of the exhaled breath. The technology may provide treatment recommendations based on the detected condition of the breath condensate or the chemical components thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus Henry Schindhelm, Steven Paul Farrugia, Michael Aleksander Pani, Paul Anthony Green
  • Patent number: 8905019
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide sensor for use in a respiratory therapy system. The carbon dioxide sensor determines whether a patient interface is fluidly coupled to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Carefusion 207, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Dixon, Terry Lee Blansfield
  • Patent number: 8905024
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for application of a transitory corrective modification to a hot-wire anemometer flow voltage and/or calculated flow rate to compensate for transient thermal response of the anemometer during a change in mixture of a mixed gas being measured. According to one embodiment a method of applying the transitory corrective modification is provided. An output signal of an exhalation flow sensor of a medical ventilator is received. The flow sensor includes a hot-wire anemometer. The output signal is indicative of a rate of flow of expired gas by a patient. Transient thermal response of the hot-wire anemometer is compensated for by applying a corrective modification to the output signal or a value based thereon. The corrective modification is based at least in part on a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) being supplied by the medical ventilator to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mehdi M. Jafari, Rhomere S. Jimenez, Edward R. McCoy, Jeffrey K. Aviano
  • Patent number: 8900353
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator system includes a portable unit and a base unit. The portable unit includes an air separation device. The base unit includes a vacuum pump. The portable unit is moveable with respect to the base unit between a connected position, in which the vacuum pump of the base unit is connected to the air separation device of the portable unit for applying vacuum pressure at the air separation device of the portable unit, and a disconnected position, in which the vacuum pump is not connected to the air separation device of the portable unit. The air separation device operates using a vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) cycle when the portable unit is in the connected position. The air separation device operates using a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycle when the portable unit is in the disconnected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Oxus America, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren M. Thompson, Gary C. Abusamra, Andrew M. Voto
  • Patent number: 8893716
    Abstract: A disposable breathing assistance device with manometer for monitoring the pressure within the device is capable of providing CPAP and in some embodiments includes a deflection face to prevent injected jets of supplementary respirable gas from directly striking the patient's mucosa. The breathing assistance device further optionally includes a safety pressure relief valve as an additional safety against overpressure within the device. A specialized supplementary respirable gas inlet provides improved pressure characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mercury Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bruce Ratner
  • Patent number: 8875707
    Abstract: A trans-fill method and system comprising obtaining therapeutic gas from a therapeutic gas source, compressing the therapeutic gas from the therapeutic gas source in at least two stages to create an intermediate therapeutic gas stream and a high pressure therapeutic gas stream, supplying therapeutic gas to a patient from the intermediate therapeutic gas stream, and filling a cylinder with the therapeutic gas from the high pressure therapeutic gas stream substantially simultaneously with supplying therapeutic gas to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alonzo C. Aylsworth, Kevin G. McCulloh
  • Patent number: 8870784
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the ventilatory anaesthesia of a patient by administration of a gas containing gaseous xenon that comprises a main gas circuit (CP) and a means for determining the xenon content (S6, M1) adapted for and capable of determining the gaseous xenon content in the main circuit (CP), and comprising at least one hot wire sensor (S6-E) including at least one electrically conducting wire (FC1) in direct contact with at least a portion of the xenon-containing gaseous flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Richard Blandin, Bernard Cariou, Christian Daviet, Sophie Dussud, Noureddine Kissi
  • Publication number: 20140311491
    Abstract: A processor obtains input of a logistically attainable end tidal partial pressure of gas X (PetX[i]T) for one or more respective breaths [i] and input of a prospective computation of an amount of gas X required to be inspired by the subject in an inspired gas to target the PetX[i]T for a respective breath [i] using inputs required to utilize a mass balance relationship, wherein one or more values required to control the amount of gas X in a volume of gas delivered to the subject is output from an expression of the mass balance relationship. The mass balance relationship is expressed in a form which takes into account (prospectively), for a respective breath [i], the amount of gas X in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli and the amount of gas X in the alveoli, optionally based on a model of the lung which accounts for those sub-volumes of gas in the lung which substantially affect the alveolar gas X concentration affecting mass transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael KLEIN, Joseph FISHER, James DUFFIN, Marat SLESSAREV, Cathie KESSLER, Shoji ITO
  • Publication number: 20140305435
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a patient support unit having an enclosed patient environment, a heating module, a skin temperature sensor module, an environmental sensor module and a control system. The control system is configured to selectively operate the system in a pre-programmed weaning mode configured to gradually wean the patient from the warmed patient environment according to a series of stepped air temperature decreases performed over a series of stepped time durations to achieve a goal air temperature while maintaining a goal skin temperature within a weaning abort deviation. Related apparatus, systems, methods and/or articles are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicants: Drager Medical GmbH, Draeger Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf Timme, Harald Kneuer, Philip Moehring
  • Patent number: 8844525
    Abstract: Devices and systems provide methods of detecting a heart failure condition of a patient that may be based on one or more respiratory parameters of a patient. In an example embodiment, a monitoring device determines one or more heart failure condition indicators based on a measure of the patient respiratory airflow and/or a measure of treatment pressure. Respiratory parameters such as respiration rate, hypopneas, apneas, Cheyne-Stokes breathing patterns or apnea-hypopnea counts may be compared to thresholds that are selected to represent a change in the condition of a heart failure patient such as an onset of a decompensation event. Results of the comparisons may trigger a pressure treatment change and/or one or more warnings or messages to notify a patient or physician of a pending change to the patient's heart failure condition so that the patient may more immediately seek medical attention to treat the heart failure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Klaus Henry Schindhelm, Ian Wilcox, Rachel Ann Coxon
  • Publication number: 20140283833
    Abstract: Automatically adjusting the trigger sensitivity of a respiratory therapy system includes detecting errors that indicate the trigger sensitivity should be increased, as well as detecting errors that indicate the trigger sensitivity should be reduced. Error detection may be based on the determined muscle pressure of a subject during an inhalation, an attempted inhalation, and/or a suspected attempt of an inhalation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Han Zheng, Samir Ahmad
  • Patent number: 8833367
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering breathable gas to a user includes a humidifying unit that is controllable to humidify the gas in accordance with a variable humidity profile such that the gas is delivered to the user at variable humidity levels, e.g., during a treatment session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: Philip Rodney Kwok
  • Patent number: 8820135
    Abstract: A method for operating an oxygen sensor arrangement senses the oxygen in a breathing loop of a breathing apparatus. The sensor arrangement includes a primary oxygen sensor to measure the oxygen in the breathing loop, a secondary oxygen sensor to measure the oxygen in the breathing loop, and a control arrangement to obtain measures from the oxygen sensor. A test channel arrangement provides a first gas having a first fraction of oxygen from a first gas supply to the primary oxygen sensor at a position adjacent to the primary oxygen sensor. A test valve arrangement opens and closes the flow of the first gas through the test channel arrangement. The control arrangement actuates the first test valve arrangement to provide an amount of the first gas to the primary oxygen sensor via the test channel arrangement and obtain measures from the primary and secondary oxygen sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Poseidon Diving Systems AB
    Inventors: William C. Stone, Nigel Jones
  • Publication number: 20140238398
    Abstract: A system selectively delivers either breath-synchronized, flow-targeted ventilation (BSFTV) or closed-system positive pressure ventilation (CSPPV) to augment respiration of a patient with a standard tracheal tube. A removable adaptor has a cap that can be removably attached to the proximal connector of the tracheal tube in BSFTV mode, and an inner cannula that extends within the tracheal tube to effectively divide it into two lumens. The adaptor includes a ventilator connector for removably engaging a ventilator hose to deliver air/oxygen through the adaptor and one lumen of the tracheal tube with a flow rate varying over each respiratory cycle in a predetermined waveform synchronized with the patient's respiratory cycle to augment the patient's spontaneous respiration. The adaptor also includes a port allowing the spontaneously-breathing patient to freely inhale and exhale in open exchange with the atmosphere through the other lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kent L. Christopher, Stephanie S. Diehl
  • Patent number: 8813745
    Abstract: A system configured to deliver pressurized gas to an airway of a subject in accordance with a predetermined therapeutic algorithm. The system includes a pressure generator that generates a pressurized flow of breathable gas and a circuit that communicates the pressurized flow of breathable gas from the pressure generator to the airway of the subject. In order to facilitate the delivery of the pressurized gas to the airway of the subject in accordance with the predetermined therapeutic algorithm, a resistance of the circuit to gas flow is supplemented so that the overall resistance of the circuit is at or near a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Chi Fai Ho, Zachary Dean Paul
  • Patent number: 8795041
    Abstract: When conditioned air is supplied in an aircraft, the conditioned air in which at least one of oxygen concentration and humidity is adjusted is generated in the aircraft. The generated conditioned air is blown via a plurality of air blow-off ports 40a disposed inside the aircraft cabin so that the conditioned air reaches face disposition regions of passengers H in a plurality of seat locations inside the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Shimadzu Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidefumi Saito, Kay Takao
  • Patent number: 8794235
    Abstract: A therapy system adapted to treat a patient's ventilatory instability using a ventilatory therapy, a gas modulation therapy, or both. The algorithm implemented by the therapy system monitors the ventilatory instability, such as Cheyne Stokes Respiration (CSR), mixed apneas, CPAP emergent apneas, and complex sleep disordered breathing (CSDB) and treats the ventilatory instability. The algorithm also determine a reference point with respect to the ventilatory instability. The therapy delivery system initiate the treatment based on the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Smita Garde, Stephen D. Pittman, Leonardo A. Baloa, Stefanida Blake, Charles Thomas, Manuel Laura, Erik K. Witt
  • Patent number: 8752548
    Abstract: A patient ventilation system has a flow regulating and gas mixing arrangement connected to an inspiratory channel of the system from which a gas mixture containing oxygen and at least a second gas is delivered to the system's proximal tubing. The proximal tubing further is connected to an expiratory channel and is connectable to a patient. The system further has at least two gas inlets connected to the flow regulating and mixing arrangement, and a gas identification unit in which the at least second gas supplied to the system via one of the gas inlets can be identified. By actively measuring a value that is dependent on the characteristics of the delivered gas, and by correcting the calibration of the flow regulating and gas mixing arrangement and/or the flow meter(s) based on this value, both safety and flow regulation in the system are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventors: Åke Larsson, Lars Wallen, Carl Erik Troili
  • Patent number: 8733353
    Abstract: The breathing assistance apparatus of the present invention includes a manifold that is provided with or retrofittable to gases supply and humidifying devices. The manifold allows gases from an oxygen concentrator to be combined with the flow through a gases supply and humidifying device, most usually air. The combined output of oxygen and other breathing gases (air) is then humidified. The breathing assistance apparatus and manifold of the present invention provides a safe method to add oxygen to the input air stream of a gases supply and humidifying device and reduces the amount of accumulation of oxygen within the gases supply device, reducing fire risk should sparking occur within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Martin Paul Friedrich Kramer, Kevin Peter O'Donnell, Christopher Simon James Quill, Matthew Jon Payton
  • Patent number: 8701664
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for relieving dyspnoea in an ambulatory exercising subject comprises a housing (3) to be worn on the subject, and within which a variable speed air blower motor (5) is located for delivering an air supply to the subject through a mouthpiece (10) at a pressure similar to average intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure of the subject. A pressure transducer (25) in the mouthpiece (10) monitors the pressure during breathing cycles of the subject, and a control circuit (22) determines the average intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure of the subject over five breathing cycles. The control circuit (22) operates the air blower motor (5) for delivering the air supply to the subject at a pressure similar to the determined average intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Caradyne (R&D) Limited
    Inventor: John O'dea
  • Patent number: 8677997
    Abstract: A method and CPAP apparatus characterizes different mask systems, e.g., masks and hoses. The CPAP apparatus can be calibrated for different mask systems and hoses by including sensors that measure flow and pressure at a flow generator of the apparatus. When the generator is fitted to a new mask system, or any changes are made to an existing one, a method calibrates the generator for the mask system. The method includes determining air flow characteristics using flow measurements from a first test period when flow through the mask system is open, measuring or estimating pressure in the mask system during a second test period when flow through the mask system is blocked and determining air flow characteristics of the diffuser of the mask system using the air flow characteristics of the air delivery hose determined during the first period and the pressure measurements made during the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Gerard Michael O'Connor, John David Oates, Nicola Frances Wickham
  • Patent number: 8667967
    Abstract: A patient interface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be at least partially carried by a patient and to receive gas exhaled by the patient. The patient interface includes first and second cannula tubes each having a first end and a second end, the first ends are configured to be inserted into the nostrils of a patient, the first and second cannula tubes are configured to direct exhaled gas from the patient from the first ends to said second ends. The patient interface also includes first and second sensors positioned near the second ends, and the first and second sensors are configured to provide first and second signals based upon the gas, wherein the first and second signals are indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient. The patient interface also includes a communications link configured to provide the signal to a physiological monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Mohamed K. Diab
  • Patent number: 8640701
    Abstract: A system and method of providing bi-level CPAP therapy is provided that incorporates an infrared carbon-dioxide sensor to determine whether a patient is inhaling or exhaling. Patient exhalation causes the infrared light to be absorbed, while patient inhalation reduces the presence of carbon-dioxide causes little or no absorption of carbon-dioxide. The level of carbon-dioxide in an associated patient breathing interface is monitored for thresholds that trigger higher CPAP pressure upon inhalation and lower CPAP pressure upon exhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph B. Richey, II
  • Patent number: 8627821
    Abstract: Methods and devices to determine rate of particle production and the size range for the particles produced for an individual are described herein. The device (10) contains a mouthpiece (12), a filter (14), a low resistance one-way valve (16), a particle counter (20) and a computer (30). Optionally, the device also contains a gas flow meter (22). The data obtained using the device can be used to determine if a formulation for reducing particle exhalation should be administered to an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Pulmatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Edwards, Mark J. Gabrielson, Robert William Clarke, Wesley H. Dehaan, Matthew Frederick Brande, Jonathan Chun-Wah Man
  • Patent number: 8616205
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for detecting when respiratory cartridges of a respirator have reached their end-of-service-life. In some instances, two or more respiratory cartridges are removably connectable to a respirator housing, where each of the two or more respiratory cartridges receives ambient air and deliver cleaned air to the respirator housing. One of the respiratory cartridges may be configured to have a lower adsorption capacity than the remaining respirator cartridges. A gas sensor may be situated downstream of the reduced capacity respirator cartridge, and may detect an increased concentration of the targeted gas in the cleaned air delivered by the reduced capacity respiratory cartridge. When detected, an end-of-service-life indication may be provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Tobias, Brian Krafthefer