Cuirass Negative Pressure Ventilator with Reconfigurable Components and Internet of Things Capabilities

Abstract

The cuirass negative pressure ventilator is a light-weight self-contained iron lung to support the breathing of a patient in ambulatory or clinical settings. This cuirass-type ventilator comprises a shell member having a peripheral edge with a sealing device secured to said peripheral edge to provide a sealing region for sealing against a patient's body. An electric motor drives an atmospheric pressure changing pump attached to said cuirass to regulate the atmospheric pressure within said sealing region. A controller is attached to said cuirass to govern the timing of said pump motor. A power connector attached to said cuirass conveys power to said pump and said controller.

Claims

1. A cuirass ventilator having a shell member, a seal, a vacuum motor, a motor controller and power connector means, said shell member having a front portion and a rear portion, each of said front and rear portions having a top edge and two side edges, said shell member further having two opposing side portions, each of said side portions having a respective edge, said edges of said front, rear and side portions together forming a peripheral edge running continuously around said shell member, and said seal depending from said peripheral edge and running around said peripheral edge wherein said seal has a resilient sealing region, wherein said resilient sealing region urges said sealing region into sealing engagement when disposed on a patient's body, where said vacuum motor lowers or increases the atmospheric pressure within said cuirass ventilator when disposed on a patient's body, and said motor controller permitting the patient or care provider to regulate the operation of said vacuum motor by user interface to said motor controller, said motor controller further storing input and output data of the patient therapy status and operational status of said cuirass ventilator, said motor controller further having wireless communication means for transmitting data protocols to and from remote locations, and a power connecter means to enable the cuirass ventilator to be a complete functional standalone device.

2. The cuirass ventilator of claim 1, wherein said shell member is fabricated with accommodation for various body shapes and sizes and accommodation of a top edge shaping enhancement to prevent chafing around the patient's collarbone area and accommodation of a top to side corner edge shaping enhancement to prevent chafing of the patient's armpit contact area.

3. The cuirass ventilator of claim 2, wherein the seal is so secured to said shell member as to be inwardly directed with respect to said opposing side portions and to be downwardly directed with respect to said top edges of said front and rear edge portions.

4. The cuirass ventilator of claim 3, wherein said shell further comprises respective transition portions which extend contiguously between each side edge of said front portion and edge of said respective side portion.

5. The cuirass ventilator of claim 4, wherein said transition portions, said seal is shaped for resilient conformability to the body of a patient when so disposed.

6. The cuirass ventilator of claim 1, wherein said shell member is provided with a peripheral flange region and said securing region of said seal comprises a shared surface for said adhesive attachment of seal to shell member or provided releasable fastener for securing said seal to said shell.

7. The cuirass ventilator of claim 1, wherein said vacuum motor or vacuum motors lower or increase the atmospheric pressure within the cuirass ventilator when disposed on a patient's body.

8. The cuirass ventilator of claim 1, wherein said vacuum motor or vacuum motors are connected by modular method to said shell.

9. The cuirass ventilator of claim 1, wherein said motor controller regulates the operation of said vacuum motor by patient or care provider by user interface to said motor controller whereby a patient or care provider can regulate the operation of the vacuum motor.

10. The cuirass ventilator of claim 1, wherein said motor controller is connected by modular method to said shell.

11. The cuirass ventilator of claim 9, wherein said motor controller has the capacity to collect and store data from said patient sensors.

12. The cuirass ventilator of claim 9, wherein said motor controller has the capacity to process said stored patient data to change the operation of said vacuum motor.

13. The cuirass ventilator of claim 9, wherein said motor controller has the capacity to collect the history of operation of said vacuum motor and the environmental data of the patient's surroundings.

14. The cuirass ventilator of claim 9, wherein said motor controller has the wireless communication ability to connect with remote communication infrastructure.

15. The cuirass ventilator of claim 9, wherein said wireless communication transmits stored and ongoing operation to remote communication infrastructure.

16. The cuirass ventilator of claim 9, wherein said wireless communication receives operation commands from remote communication infrastructure.

17. The cuirass ventilator of claim 13, wherein said wireless communication transmissions enable an automatic updating of a patient's electronic medical record.

18. The cuirass ventilator of claim 19, wherein said wireless communication transmissions enable an automatic notification of a patient's care provider of a change of patient's self-treatment.

19. The cuirass ventilator of claim 1, wherein said power connecter means provides the method of electrical power to the apparatus from multiple commonly available power sources.

20. The cuirass ventilator apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power connecter means carries electric power to said apparatus giving patient mobility.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0056] An embodiment of the invention will now be described with respect to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus fitted on the torso of a patient. 1 is the cuirass negative pressure ventilator. 2 is the shell. 3 is the seal. 4 is the visible edge of a motor exhaust.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus fitted on the torso of a patient. 1 is the cuirass negative pressure ventilator. 2 is the shell. 3 is the seal. 4 and 5 are visible edges of two motor exhausts in this embodiment. A smaller pediatric patient cuirass negative pressure ventilator might only require a single motor. In other embodiments such as for an obese patient the motors could be mounted on the exterior of said shell 2. Location 6 indicates a possible position for the user interface panel 6 of the motor controller.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus. 1 is the cuirass negative pressure ventilator. 2 is the shell. 3 is the seal. 4 and 5 are the visible edges of two motor exhausts that is preferable in this embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a back view of an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus. 1 is the cuirass negative pressure ventilator. 2 is the shell. 3 is the seal. 4 and 5 show two motors preferable in this embodiment. 6 indicates a possible location of the motor controller against the inside of shell 2.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows an isometric front and side cut away view of an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus. 1 is the cuirass negative pressure ventilator. 2 is the shell. 3 is the seal. 4 and 5 show two motors preferable in this embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows an advantageous embodiment of the analog circuit and controller of the apparatus. An analog controller is used, rather than a digital controller, as it is expected to be the least expensive method to deliver the apparatus as an affordable medical device to a world-wide population. The initial chart step 300 represents the platform for a cluster of all the analog circuits of the controller.

[0063] Alert monitoring of the apparatus occurs at the circuit step 301 wherein the atmospheric pressure measured via sensor 302 positioned on the exterior of the cuirass is continuously compared with measurements of the air pressure inside the cuirass via sensor 303 positioned on the interior of the cuirass. When the vacuum pressure difference between sensors 302 and 303 is insufficient to meet the vacuum specifications required within the containment volume of the cuirass, buzzer 304 produces an audible warning noise. The fit of the cuirass to the patient is then adjusted manually until an adequate level of vacuum suction is created and buzzer 304 turns off.

[0064] Circuit step 305 orchestrates the complete breathing duty cycle of the apparatus by setting the length of time for inhalation and exhalation provided by the device therapy. Step 306 allows a user to control the breathing frequency and step 307 adds a hidden ability for a technician to modify the range of user control 306.

[0065] Circuit step 308 gives a user control of the duration of the inhalation, with input 309 providing a user control of the inhalation duration and input 310 adding a hidden ability for a technician to modify the range of user control 308.

[0066] Step 311 is the circuit that gives a user control of the motor speed governing the amount of vacuum suction achieved within the apparatus. Input 312 allows a user to control the speed of the motor 314. Display 313 shows a visual display of the user adjustments.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows an advantageous embodiment of the digital circuit and controller of the apparatus. A digital controller is expected to provide greater user control by patient and care provider to the apparatus. With added Internet of Things capability remote patient monitoring is provided enabling communications between patient, care providers, equipment makers and other medical stakeholders. The initial chart step 400 represents the platform for a cluster of all the digital circuits of the controller.

[0068] Audio alerts and device status events of 400 are connected to a buzzer 401. Visual alerts and device status events of 400 are connected to a display 402. Alert notifications, device status events, and patient sensor readings of 400 are recorded on a data storage 404.

[0069] Alert monitoring of the apparatus occurs at the circuit step 403 wherein the atmospheric pressure measured via sensor 412 positioned on the exterior of the cuirass is continuously compared with measurements of the air pressure inside the cuirass via sensor 413 positioned on the interior of the cuirass. When the vacuum pressure difference between sensors 412 and 413 is insufficient to meet the vacuum specifications required within the containment volume of the cuirass, buzzer 401 produces an audible warning noise and display 402 shows a visual warning. The fit of the cuirass to the patient is then adjusted manually until an adequate level of vacuum suction is created and buzzer 401 turns off and display 402 shows normal operation. Data storage 404 records alerts.

[0070] Circuit step 408 orchestrates the complete breathing duty cycle of the apparatus by setting the length of time for inhalation and exhalation provided by the device therapy. Step 409 allows a user to control the breathing frequency and step 410 adds a hidden ability for a technician to modify the range of user control 409. Buzzer 401 delivers audio notifications as needed. Display 402 shows a visual display of the user adjustments. Data storage 404 records user adjustments.

[0071] Circuit step 411 gives a user control of the duration of the inhalation, with input 412 providing a user control of the inhalation duration and input 413 adding a hidden ability for a technician to modify the range of user control 412. Buzzer 401 delivers audio notifications. Display 402 shows a visual display of the user adjustments. Data storage 404 records user adjustments.

[0072] Circuit step 414 is the circuit that gives a user control of the motor speed governing the amount of vacuum suction achieved within the apparatus. Input 415 allows a user to control the speed of the motor 407. Buzzer 401 delivers audio notifications. Display 402 shows a visual display of the user adjustments. Data storage 404 records user adjustments.

[0073] Circuit step 405 is the patient monitor circuit that gathers from various industry standard 3rd party patient sensors and future sensors to be put into use. Patient sensors 416, 417, and 418 are examples of sensor input points to 405 that has capability to add more patient sensors. Data storage 404 records patient sensor data.

[0074] Circuit step 406 is the Internet of Things circuit that makes the apparatus an object on a system of interrelated, internet-connected objects and gives the apparatus the ability to collect and transfer data over a wireless network without human intervention. Inputs 419, 420, and 421 are examples of exterior wireless network communications to 406. Outputs 422, 423, and 424 are examples of data transfers broadcasts from 406. Data storage 404 records 406 activity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is an improved cuirass design that provides a greater degree of conformability to the contours of the transition region in the area of the shoulders. In the drawing of the plan view of the shell of the cuirass, the FIG. 2 shows the top of the cuirass shell below the patient's collarbone and the cutouts of the upper left and upper right shell allowing for generous movement of the arms in their shoulder sockets. The bottom of the cuirass shell finishes just below the patient's diaphragm.

[0076] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved ventilator sealing device comprising a body portion for securing the sealing device to a peripheral edge of a cuirass ventilator, a sealing region for sealing against a patient's body, and a neoprene-like layers intermediate the body portion and the sealing region.

[0077] Preferably the sealing device forms a ring. Advantageously the neoprene-like layers comprise a plurality of seal portions connected serially whereat the sealing member is secured to the shell and a resilient neoprene-like sealing member whereby, in use, the resilience of the neoprene-like member urges the sealing region into sealing engagement with a patient's body in four portions. A first end portion of said neoprene-like layers being contiguous with said body portion at the first neoprene-like layers, and a second end portion, neoprene-like layers opposite said first end portion being contiguous with said sealing region at the second neoprene-like layer.

[0078] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an atmospheric pressure changing pump motor is attached to the cuirass.

[0079] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a motor controller is attached to the cuirass.

[0080] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, attached power supply methods enable the operation of the cuirass.