SYSTEM AND VENTILATOR FOR NONINVASIVE DETECTION OF INFECTION DURING VENTILATION

Abstract

A system for noninvasive measurement of body temperature during ventilation, comprising a temperature sensor, a ventilator, an interface between ventilator and temperature sensor, a processing unit, a data storage unit, a user interface, an interface to a remote alarm, a remote alarm, a ventilation tube having a patient interface, and a respiratory gas sensor. The ventilator is configured to identify phases of inspiration and expiration by means of the respiratory gas sensor and to convey respiratory gas during inspiration and expiration. The system is configured to ascertain a sensor signal by means of the temperature sensor and the processing unit and to check whether the sensor signal is representative of body temperature and to process and/or to save such body temperature signals and to compare them with saved rules or threshold values.

Claims

1. A system for noninvasive detection of an infection during ventilation, wherein the system comprises at least one sensor configured for detection of an infection, a ventilator, an interface between the ventilator and the sensor, a processing unit, a data storage unit, a user interface, an interface to a remote alarm, a remote alarm, a ventilation tube having a patient interface, and at least one respiratory gas sensor, the ventilator being configured to identify pressure and/or flow of respiratory gas by means of the the at least one respiratory gas sensor and to convey pressurized respiratory gas and the system being configured to ascertain a sensor signal by means of the sensor and the processing unit, at least in phases during ventilation, and to check whether the sensor signal is representative of an infection.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor which detects a rise in body temperature as an infection when defined threshold values are reached or exceeded.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one temperature sensor has connected thereto a transmitter unit for transmitting measured temperature values.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one temperature sensor or sensor is an optical sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one temperature sensor or sensor is provided in the tube or the patient interface for measurement of the temperature of inspiration flow and/or expiration flow.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one temperature sensor 2 or sensor 2 is arranged adjacent to a body or skin of a patient.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein an activity sensor is provided in addition to the temperature sensor or sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission of sensor data via the interface takes place at least daily.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is designed and configured to detect whether a sensor signal is present and whether a sensor signal represents a temperature signal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is designed and configured to process the temperature signal, and to save it in the data storage unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is designed and configured to compare a temperature signal with stored alarm thresholds, the alarm thresholds representing an excessively high temperature or low temperature or a loss of the data connection or a deterioration of the sensor or an expiration of a service life of the sensor or an excessively low battery level of the sensor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is designed and configured to compare a temperature signal with stored alarm thresholds and, in the event of an alarm threshold for increased body temperature being exceeded, is designed and configured to control at least one ventilation parameter of the ventilator such that the result is a ventilation matched to the increased body temperature.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is designed and configured to compare a temperature signal with stored alarm thresholds and, in the event of an alarm threshold for an increased or decreased body temperature being exceeded (temperature alarm), is designed and configured to request, in an automated manner, feedback from a patient, said feedback being a digital response from the patient that represents a current state and/or is designed and configured to output recommended actions to the patient via an end-user interface or a loudspeaker.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is designed and configured to form statistics and to save them in the data storage unit.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing unit is designed and configured to process signals of the sensor and signals of the at least one respiratory gas sensor and signals of the activity sensor and to plausibilize signals of the sensor by a comparison with signals of the respiratory gas sensor and/or signals of the activity sensor.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the data storage unit is designed and configured to record, in a retrievable manner, a course of the sensor signal.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is designed and configured to generate feedback as to whether a sensor has been connected correctly and is providing values or not.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface to the remote alarm is designed and configured to conduct either data only or data and power in relation to the remote alarm.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface to the remote alarm is configured and designed for at least daily transmission.

20. A ventilator, wherein the ventilator is configured and designed for use in a system or with a system of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0063] Further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the only drawing in which the FIGURE shows a system for the noninvasive measurement of the body temperature during ventilation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0064] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description in combination with the drawing making apparent to those of skill in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

[0065] The only FIGURE shows a system 10 for the noninvasive measurement of the body temperature during ventilation, comprising at least one sensor 2, a ventilator 1, an interface 3 between ventilator and temperature sensor, a processing unit 4, a data storage unit 5, a user interface 6, an interface 7 to a remote alarm, a remote alarm 8, a ventilation tube 9 having a patient interface 19, and at least one respiratory gas sensor 11. The ventilator is a clinical ventilator or a ventilator for domestic ventilation or CPAP or bilevel therapy or a highflow ventilator or any other ventilator.

[0066] The ventilator is configured and designed to identify phases of inspiration and expiration by means of the respiratory gas sensor 11 and to convey respiratory gas during inspiration and expiration, and the system is configured to ascertain a sensor signal by means of the sensor 2 and the processing unit 4, at least in phases during inspiration and expiration, and to check whether the sensor signal is representative of body temperature and to process and/or save such body temperature signals and to compare them with saved rules or threshold values.

[0067] To sum up, the present invention provides: [0068] 1. A system 10 for the noninvasive detection of an infection during ventilation, which system comprises at least one sensor 2 configured for the detection of an infection, a ventilator 1, an interface 3 between ventilator and sensor 2, a processing unit 4, a data storage unit 5, a user interface 6, an interface 7 to a remote alarm, a remote alarm 8, a ventilation tube 9 having a patient interface 19, and at least one respiratory gas sensor 11, the ventilator being configured to identify the pressure and/or flow of respiratory gas by means of the respiratory gas sensor 11 and to convey pressurized respiratory gas and the system being configured to ascertain a sensor signal by means of the sensor 2 and the processing unit 4, at least in phases during ventilation, and to check whether the sensor signal is representative of an infection. [0069] 2. The system according to item 1, wherein the sensor 2 is a temperature sensor which detects a rise in body temperature as an infection when defined threshold values are reached or exceeded. [0070] 3. The system according to item 1 or item 2, wherein the at least one temperature sensor 2 has connected thereto a transmitter unit for transmitting measured temperature values. [0071] 4. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein at least one temperature sensor 2 or sensor 2 is formed by an optical sensor. [0072] 5. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein at least one temperature sensor 2 or sensor 2 is provided in the tube or the patient interface for measurement of the temperature of inspiration flow and/or expiration flow. [0073] 6. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein at least one temperature sensor 2 or sensor 2 is arranged adjacent to the body or skin of the patient. [0074] 7. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein an activity sensor 14 is provided in addition to the temperature sensor 2 or sensor 2. [0075] 8. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the transmission of sensor data via the interface 3 takes place at least daily, preferably at least hourly, particularly preferably at least 1 per minute. [0076] 9. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to detect whether a sensor signal is present and whether a sensor signal represents a temperature signal. [0077] 10. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to process the temperature signal, for example by conversion of the units, smoothing, . . . , and to save it in the data storage unit 5. [0078] 11. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to compare the temperature signal with stored alarm thresholds, said alarm thresholds representing an excessively high temperature or low temperature or the loss of the data connection or a deterioration of the sensor or an expiration of the service life of the sensor or excessively low battery level of the sensor. [0079] 12. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to compare the temperature signal with stored alarm thresholds and, in the event of an alarm threshold for increased body temperature being exceeded, the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to control at least one ventilation parameter 17 of the ventilator such that the result is a ventilation matched to the increased body temperature, thus ensuring an optimized relief or support for the patient. [0080] 13. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to compare the temperature signal with stored alarm thresholds and, in the event of an alarm threshold for an increased or decreased body temperature being exceeded (temperature alarm), the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to request, in an automated manner, feedback from the patient, said feedback being a digital response from the patient that represents a current state. [0081] 14. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to compare the temperature signal with stored alarm thresholds and, in the event of an alarm threshold for an increased or decreased body temperature being exceeded (temperature alarm), the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to output recommended actions to the patient via the end-user interface or a loudspeaker. [0082] 15. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to form statistics, for example containing max/min/mean values/proportion with value >x for defined time intervals, for example per hour or per day, and to save them in the data storage unit 5. [0083] 16. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the processing unit 4 is designed and configured to process signals of the sensor 2 and signals of the respiratory gas sensor 11 and signals of the activity sensor 14 and to plausibilize signals of the sensor 2 by a comparison with signals of the respiratory gas sensor 11 and/or signals of the activity sensor 14. [0084] 17. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the data storage unit 5 is designed and configured to record, in a retrievable manner, the course of the sensor signal and preferably also the statistics which were calculated and alarms which occurred. [0085] 18. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the user interface 6 is designed and configured to generate feedback as to whether a sensor has been connected correctly and is providing values or not, preferably in the form of a graphical and acoustic output, for example warning tone in the event of an alarm. [0086] 19. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the interface to the remote alarm 7 is designed and configured to conduct either data only (remote alarm has its own power source) or data and power in relation to the remote alarm 8. [0087] 20. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the interface to the remote alarm 7 is configured and designed for at least daily, preferably at least hourly, preferably at least 1 per minute, transmission; preferably also triggered by the occurrence of an alarm. [0088] 21. The system according to at least one of the preceding items, wherein the system further comprises a humidifier 15 which is configured and designed to warm and humidify respiratory gas, account being taken of body temperature signals of the temperature sensor 2 at least from time to time or in part for the control of the humidifier in order to warm and humidify the respiratory gas according to the body temperature signal. [0089] 22. A ventilator configured and designed for use in a system or with a system according to at least one of the preceding items.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0090] Ventilator 1 [0091] Sensor or temperature sensor 2, body [0092] Interface 3 between ventilator and sensor [0093] Processing unit 4 [0094] Data storage unit 5 [0095] User interface 6 [0096] Interface 7 to the remote alarm [0097] Remote alarm 8 [0098] Ventilation tube 9 having a patient interface 19 [0099] Respiratory gas sensor 11 [0100] Inspiration 12 [0101] Expiration 13 [0102] Activity sensor 14 [0103] Humidifier 15 [0104] End-user interface 16 [0105] Ventilation parameter 17 [0106] Alarm thresholds 18 [0107] Patient interface 19 [0108] Temperature sensor 20, surroundings