Patent classifications
A61M16/0051
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR OSA-RELATED BRUXISM
A method and system for diagnosing, treating, and ameliorating sleep bruxism events using a positive airway pressure (PAP) system for treating obstructive sleep apnea to concurrently recognize bruxism events. At least one sensor is integrated into a therapy interface and/or headgear to detect physiological signals indicative of bruxism. In some exemplary embodiments, a loudspeaker and microphone are integrated into the interface, either near the nose or near the mouth of the patient. When integrated near the nose, the pair is used for acoustical rhinometry, and when integrated near the mouth, the pair is used for acoustical pharyngometry. In other exemplary embodiments, sound or vibration sensors are used to detect signals indicative of teeth grinding. In response to sensor detection of bruxism activity, the PAP system controller adjusts the PAP therapy settings or proposes alternative treatment modalities in order to stop or prevent bruxism events.
Breathing assistance apparatus
The present invention provides a breathing assistance apparatus that has a convenient and effective method of cleaning internal conduits inside the apparatus. The breathing assistance apparatus is preferably a gases supply and humidification device. The cleaning method is a method of disinfection that is automated so minimal training is required to disinfect in particular an internal elbow conduit within the device. It is therefore not necessary to dismantle the gases supply and humidification device, therefore, inadvertent damage to the internal parts of the device is avoided. The present invention also provides a method of disinfecting a heated breathing conduit and a patient interface.
Automatic detection of airway device, endotracheal intubation, and tube misplacement in children during the anesthesia procedure
Algorithms for detecting endotracheal intubation and/or misplacement of endotracheal tubes in child patients during anesthesia for use with anesthesia machines, mechanical ventilators, and/or respiratory function monitors. An algorithm uses end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO.sub.2), and tidal volume (TV) or peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) to detect exact intubation time. Another algorithm uses respiratory parameters to identify and/or confirm the type of airway device used during mechanical ventilation, and to detect if and when an issue has arisen with use of a specific airway device to provide real-time decision support to attending medical care professionals.
AUTOMATING VENTILATION USING AN AIRBAG
Apparatus is disclosed for ventilation using an airbag, which may also be operable manually. The apparatus comprises: means providing or penetrable to form an aperture in the airbag; retractable means provided separately from the airbag, for extending in the airbag; fixing means for fixing, by an operator, an end of the retractable means to the airbag via the aperture; actuation means, for repeatedly retracting the retractable means at least partially through the aperture in the airbag to collapse the airbag, and for enabling expansion of the airbag to an expanded state; and connecting means for connecting the actuation means to the airbag and for preventing environment egress of gas from within the airbag between the aperture and the actuation means.
SUPPLY ARRANGEMENT AND PROCESS FOR SAFELY SUPPLYING A MEDICAL DEVICE WITH A GAS MIXTURE
A supply arrangement (100) and a process supply a medical device (50, 90) with a supply gas mixture. The supply gas mixture includes a carrier gas and an anesthetic and is generated by an anesthetic dispenser (3). A carrier gas mixing unit (9) generates the carrier gas from at least two carrier gas components. A carrier gas switch having a regular outlet and a discharge outlet selectively directs carrier gas components to the carrier gas mixing unit or to a discharge line (35). A gas mixture switch (6), having a regular outlet (41) and a discharge outlet (42) selectively directs the supply gas mixture to the medical device or to the discharge line (35). An anesthetic concentration sensor (5.1, 5.2) measures a concentration of anesthetic in the generated gas mixture. A control unit (2) controls the gas mixture switch based on measured concentration within or outside a predefined range.
Systems and methods for manufacturing and safety of an NO.SUB.2.-to-NO reactor cartridge used to deliver NO for inhalation therapy to a patient
The principles and embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for safely providing NO to a recipient for inhalation therapy. There are many potential safety issues that may arise from using a reactor cartridge that converts NO.sub.2 to NO, including exhaustion of consumable reactants of the cartridge reactor. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods of determining the remaining useful life of a NO.sub.2-to-NO reactor cartridge and/or a breakthrough of NO.sub.2, and providing an indication of the remaining useful life and/or breakthrough.
Methods and systems for anesthetic agent leakage diagnostics
Methods and systems are provided for anesthetic agent leakage diagnostics. In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing leaks in an anesthetic vaporizer includes calculating a leakage rate based on measurements of an anesthetic agent level in a sump of the anesthetic vaporizer, the measurements received from a fluid level sensor at a first time and a second time, and outputting a maintenance alert responsive to the leakage rate exceeding a threshold.
OXYGEN TANK WITH IMPROVED OXYGEN STORAGE
A tank for accumulating oxygen enriched air from an oxygen concentration device is disclosed. The oxygen concentration device includes a canister including a nitrogen-adsorbent material. A compressor is coupled to the canister. The compressor compresses air for the canister to produce oxygen enriched air in a swing adsorption process. The tank includes a closed container for collecting oxygen enriched air produced in the canister. An inlet is coupled to the container. An outlet in the container allows a patient to inhale the collected oxygen enriched air. An adsorbent material within the container adsorbs oxygen enriched air added to the tank from the canister.
Method and system of remote control and remote monitor in treating respiratory patients
Embodiments provide an oxygen supply device having multiple operational states including a first state and a second state. In the first state, the oxygen supply device is controllable to a local control instruction such that the oxygen supply device can be operated by a user physically located within a proximity of the oxygen supply device. In the second state, the oxygen supply device is only controllable to a remote-control instruction such that the oxygen supply device can be operated by a user remote to the oxygen supply device. For example, the user can be located in an office remote to a location of the oxygen supply device, which, for example, may be placed at a patient's home. In the second state, the user is enabled to control the oxygen supply device from a device associated with the user in the remote location.
SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS TO IMPROVE ORGANOR TISSUE FUNCTION ANDORGANOR TISSUE TRANSPLANT LONGEVITY
The present invention provides for systems and methods for inhaled CO therapy to prevent, attenuate, or delay processes that accelerate the loss of organ or tissue function, thereby increasing the lifespan of transplanted organs or tissues, or slowing the decline of native organs or tissues, or delaying the need for replacement of diseased native organs with organ transplants. Such biological processes that are prevented, attenuated, or delayed include chronic persistent inflammation, fibrosis, scarring, as well as immunologic or autoimmune attack.