RESPIRATORY APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED FLOW-FLATTENING DETECTION

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 obstruction index is used to differentiate normal and obstructed breathing. The obstruction index is based upon different weighting factors applied to sections of the airflow signal thereby improving sensitivity to various types of respiration obstructions.

Claims

1. A method for determining the presence of a respiratory obstruction with a processor, the method comprising: accessing data samples from a signal generated by a sensor configured to detect flow, the data samples representing an inspiratory portion of a respiratory cycle; and generating an obstruction signal in an obstruction detector of the processor when the data samples have, as a function of time, an abnormally wide initial positive lobe preceding a relatively flat portion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the data samples are successive.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the data samples are in regular intervals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein magnitudes and positions of the respective positive lobes are assessed against a mean inspiration flow and a mid-inspiration point of the respective inspiration cycle.

5. A method of a processor for determining the presence of a respiratory obstruction, the method comprising: accessing data samples from a signal generated by a sensor configured to detect flow, the data samples representing breath data; and generating an obstruction signal in an obstruction detector with the processor when at least one breathing cycle in the data samples has, during an inspiratory portion, an abnormally wide initial positive lobe preceding a relatively flat portion.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein at least some of the data samples are successive.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein at least some of the data samples are in regular intervals.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein magnitudes and positions of the respective positive lobes are assessed against a mean inspiration flow and a mid-inspiration point of the respective inspiration cycle.

9. A method for determining a response for a respiratory obstruction with a processor, the method comprising: accessing data samples from a signal generated by a sensor configured to detect flow, the data samples representing breath data; detecting at least one breathing cycle in the data samples that has, during an inspiratory portion, an abnormally wide initial positive lobe preceding a relatively flat portion, calculating an obstruction index by assigning different weighting factors to inspiratory flow samples depending on a magnitude of each sample with respect to a mean inspiration flow and a time-wise position of each sample with respect to a mid-inspiration point; and determining a command signal for activating or altering an operation of a respiratory apparatus, based on the calculated obstruction index.

10. An apparatus for determining the presence of a respiratory obstruction comprising: a processor configured to: access data samples from a signal generated by a sensor configured to detect flow, the data samples representing an inspiratory portion of a respiratory cycle; and generate an obstruction signal in an obstruction detector of the processor when the data samples have, as a function of time, an abnormally wide initial positive lobe preceding a relatively flat portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least some of the data samples are successive.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least some of the data samples are in regular intervals.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein magnitudes and positions of the respective positive lobes are assessed against a mean inspiration flow and a mid-inspiration point of the respective inspiration cycle.

14. An apparatus for determining the presence of a respiratory obstruction, the apparatus comprising: a processor configured to: access data samples from a signal generated by a sensor configured to detect flow, the data samples representing breath data; and generate an obstruction signal in an obstruction detector with the processor when at least one breathing cycle in the data samples has, during an inspiratory portion, an abnormally wide initial positive lobe preceding a relatively flat portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least some of the data samples are successive.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least some of the data samples are in regular intervals.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein magnitudes and positions of the respective positive lobes are assessed against a mean inspiration flow and a mid-inspiration point of the respective inspiration cycle.

18. An apparatus for determining a response for a respiratory obstruction, the apparatus comprising: a processor configured to: access data samples from a signal generated by a sensor configured to detect flow, the data samples representing breath data; detect at least one breathing cycle in the data samples that has, during an inspiratory portion, an abnormally wide initial positive lobe preceding a relatively flat portion, calculate an obstruction index by assigning different weighting factors to inspiratory flow samples depending on a magnitude of each sample with respect to a mean inspiration flow and a time-wise position of each sample with respect to a mid-inspiration point; and determine a command signal for activating or altering an operation of a respiratory apparatus, based on the calculated obstruction index.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a respiratory apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the inspiration phases of typical respiration signals for a healthy person and a person with a partial airway obstruction.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a portion of a normal respiration signal from a patient.

[0027] FIGS. 5 and 6 show portions of two different respiration signals characteristic from patients with sleep apnea.

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart for determining the flattening indices for the respiration signals of FIGS. 4-6.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows a normal breathing pattern for a person without respiratory obstructions to illustrate the determination of two improved obstruction indices.

[0030] FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 show various breathing patterns with obstructions identifiable using the improved indices.

[0031] FIG. 12 shows an example of how a flow curve can be checked to insure that it is a valid respiration curve.

[0032] FIG. 13 shows an example of how a typical respiration flow curve can be trimmed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and Methodology

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an example respiratory apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. The respiratory apparatus 10 includes a mask 12 connected to a blower 14 by a flexible tube 16. The mask 12 is fitted to the patient and may be either a nose mask or a face mask. The blower 14 with an air outlet 22 is driven by a motor 18 in accordance with control signals from a servocontroller 20. This arrangement allows the respiratory apparatus 10 to deliver pressurized air (or air enriched with oxygen from a source, not shown). The pressurized air is delivered by tube 16 to the mask 12. The tube 16 is provided with a narrow exhaust port 26 through which air exhaled by the patient is expelled.

[0034] A control circuit 24 is used to control the operation of servocontroller 20 and motor 18 using certain predetermined criteria, thereby defining modes of operation for the apparatus 10. Preferably, in accordance with this invention, the control circuit 24 is adapted to operate the apparatus 10 to provide CPAP to the patient.

[0035] Control circuit 24 includes a flow restrictive element 28. Tubes 30 and 31 lead from restrictive element 28 to a differential pressure transducer 34. Tube 30 is also connected through another tube 33 to a mask pressure transducer 32.

[0036] The mask pressure transducer 32 generates a first electrical signal which is amplified by an amplifier 36 to generate an output P(t) proportional to the air pressure within the mask 12. This output is fed directly to the servocontroller 20.

[0037] The differential pressure transducer 34 senses the differential pressure across the flow restrictive element 28, which differential pressure is related to the air flow rate through the flow restrictive element 28 and tube 16. Differential pressure transducer 34 generates a second electrical signal that is amplified by an amplifier 38. This amplified signal F(t) is termed an air flow signal since it represents the air flow through the tube 16.

[0038] The air flow signal F(t) is fed to a filter 40 which filters the signal within a preset range. The outputs of the filter 40 and amplifier 36 are fed to an ADC (analog-to-digital) converter 42, which generates corresponding signals f.sub.i to a microprocessor 44. The microprocessor 44 generates analog control signals that are converted into corresponding digital control signals by DAC 46 and used as a reference signal Pset (t) for the servo 20.

[0039] One method for the operation of a respiratory apparatus 10 is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2. Individuals skilled in the art will recognize other methodologies for utilizing the improved flow flattening index that is disclosed herein. The embodiment of the methodology of FIG. 2 is also detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,345 (the '345 patent). The first step 100 is the measurement of respiratory flow (rate) over time. This information is processed in step 102 to generate Index values to be used as qualitative measures for subsequent processing. Thus, Step 102 includes the generation of obstruction index values based upon the weighting method as disclosed herein. Step 104 detects whether an apnea is occurring by comparison of the breathing Index with a threshold value.

[0040] If the answer in step 104 is “Yes”, an apnea is in progress and there then follows a determination of patency in step 110. If there is patency of the airway, a central apnea with an open airway is occurring, and, if desired, the event is logged in step 112. If the result of step 110 is that the airway is not patent, then a total obstructive apnea or a central apnea with closed airway is occurring, which results in the commencement or increase in CPAP treatment pressure in step 108. If desired, step 108 may include the optional logging of the detected abnormality.

[0041] If the answer in step 104 is “No”, one or more obstruction indices, such as the improved flow flattening indices, are compared with threshold values in step 106, by which the determination of obstruction of the airway is obtained. If the answer is “Yes” in step 106, then there is a partial obstruction, and if “No”, there is no obstruction (normalcy).

[0042] Step 108 applies in the case of a complete or partial obstruction of the airway a consequential increase in CPAP treatment pressure. In the instance of normal breathing with no obstruction, the CPAP treatment pressure is reduced, in accordance with usual methodologies that seek to set the minimal pressure required to obviate, or at least reduce, the occurrence of apneas. The amount of reduction in step 107 may, if desired, be zero. Similarly, in the event of a central apnea with patent airway (step 110, 112) treatment pressure is not increased. Such increases in pressure reflexively inhibit breathing, further aggravating the breathing disorder.

Improved Flow Flattening Indices

[0043] FIG. 3 depicts an airflow signal with respect to the inspiratory portion of a typical breathing cycle. During the inspiratory portion of the breathing cycle of a healthy person, the airflow rises smoothly with inspiration, reaches a peak and falls smoothly to zero. However, a patient with a partially obstructed airway exhibits a breathing pattern characterized by a significant flat zone during inspiration. Theoretically, for an obstructed flow, as the degree of partial obstruction increases, the airflow signal for inspiration would tend to a square wave.

[0044] As previously discussed, the '345 patent describes two shape factors useful in testing for a flattening of the inspiratory portion of a patient's breathing cycle. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the resulting obstruction index or flow flattening index (FFI) for each shape factor may be compared to unique threshold values. While the approach works well in many instances, it may not detect certain obstruction patterns.

[0045] This can be illustrated by an examination of FIGS. 4-6. FIGS. 4-6 depict portions of respiration cycles. FIG. 4 shows a normal respiration flow and FIG. 5 shows a severely obstructed respiration cycle in which the inspiration period is characterized by two high positive lobes A and B and a relatively flat zone C between lobes A and B. In FIG. 4, the RMS deviation is indicated by the shaded area under the respiration flow curve and above the mean inspiration flow. In FIG. 5, the RMS deviation is indicated by the shaded area above the respiration flow curve and below the mean inspiration flow. As seen in FIG. 5, due to obstruction, the mean inspiration flow is greater than it would be without the second positive lobe B. Therefore, when analyzing the flow using shape factors of the '345 patent, the highly restricted and abnormal flow of FIG. 5 would not be detected as an obstruction.

[0046] Similarly, FIG. 6 shows another possible respiration curve for a patient with a partial airway obstruction. This curve includes an abnormally wide initial positive lobe D preceding a flat portion E. Once again, because of the large lobe D the mean inspiration flow is higher than for the more typical flow of FIG. 3. Using the prior art obstruction index, this condition may be detected as normal rather than being properly detected as an obstructed flow.

[0047] In order to detect these obstructions while continuing to properly respond to non-obstructed flows like the one of FIG. 4, the present invention assigns different weighting factors to the inspiration flow samples depending on: [0048] (a) the magnitude of each sample with respect to the mean inspiration flow; and [0049] (b) the time-wise position of each sample with respect to a time reference such as mid-inspiration.

[0050] By assigning a different weighting factor to a sample that is less than a particular value, for example, the mean flow, during the obstruction index or FFI calculation, there is an improved sensitivity to the respiration signal of FIG. 5 without affecting the FFI for normal breathing where most of the flow is greater than the mean.

[0051] Similarly, by assigning a different weighting factor to samples that occur after a time reference point, the subsequent samples become more significant. This improves sensitivity to the respiration signal of FIG. 6 without affecting the FFI for other breaths that are symmetrical in time about the center point of the inspiration.

[0052] An algorithm using one form of the invention for calculating the improved FFI is shown in FIG. 7. In step 100 of FIG. 2, a typical flow rate curve F (defined by a plurality of samples f.sub.i where i is an index from 1 to the total number of samples n) is obtained. In step 200 of FIG. 7, the curve F is checked to insure that it is a valid inspiration curve. Next, in step 201 the curve F is trimmed to eliminate all samples f.sub.i outside of the inspiration period. Methods of implementing steps 200 and 201 are discussed in more detail below. In step 202, a mean M is calculated for all the inspiration samples 1 through n using conventional techniques.

[0053] In step 204 two weighting factors which may be designated as value dependent factors w.sub.i and time dependent factors v.sub.i are assigned to each of the samples f.sub.i based respectively on the amplitude of each sample and its time position in relation to the inspiration mean M and its center point respectively. For example, the factors w.sub.i and v.sub.i may be assigned for each flow measurement f.sub.i using the following rules:

[0054] A1. If f.sub.i>M then w.sub.i=1

[0055] A2. If f.sub.i<M then w.sub.i=0.5

[0056] B 1. If f.sub.i is taken prior to the inspiration center point, then v.sub.i=0.75.

[0057] B2. If f.sub.i is taken after the inspiration center, then v.sub.i=1.25.

[0058] Next, in step 206 two alternative FFI or obstruction indices are calculated using the formulas:

[00004]$\mathrm{value\_weighted}.Math.\mathrm{\_index}=\frac{\underset{i=j}{\overset{k}{.Math.}}.Math.W_i.Math..Math.f_i-M.Math.}{M.Math.d}$$\mathrm{time\_weighted}.Math.\mathrm{\_index}=\frac{\underset{i=j}{\overset{k}{.Math.}}.Math.V_i.Math..Math.f_i-M.Math.}{M.Math.d}$

[0059] Where j is the first and k is the last sample relative to a midportion or center half of the inspiration curve F and d is the number of samples of the midportion of inspiration or center half as shown in FIGS. 3-6, and M is the mean of the inspiration curve F.

[0060] Alternatively, the algorithm may be described by the following steps: [0061] Check the flow samples to confirm they represent a valid inspiration cycle with a shape within acceptable bounds. [0062] Trim samples from any “pre-inspiratory period”; [0063] Find the mean of the inspiration flow samples; [0064] Sum the weighed absolute difference of the flow samples from mean for samples in the center half or mid portion of inspiration: [0065] If flow sample is >mean, sum the difference (flow-mean); [0066] If flow sample is <mean, sum ½ the difference; [0067] If flow sample is before the center point of the inspiration, use 75% of the difference from above; [0068] If flow sample is after the center point of the inspiration, use 125% of the difference from above; [0069] Scale the sum by the mean and inspiration time to produce the flattening index: FFI=weighed absolute sum/(Center half time*mean inspiration flow).

[0070] As discussed above, in step 200 of FIG. 7, the curve F is checked to insure that it corresponds to a valid inspiration curve. The flow curve F is checked against an upper and lower bound to prevent processing of an inspiratory curve corrupted by a cough, sigh, etc. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the curve F may be rejected if it exceeds at any time an upper limit curve UL or falls below a lower limit curve LL. UL may be selected at about 150% of the mean inspiratory flow and LL may be selected at about 50% of the mean inspiratory flow.

[0071] In step 201 the respiration curve is trimmed to eliminate samples f.sub.i occurring before the actual inspiration period. One method of trimming includes the steps: [0072] (1) determine the point where the flow reaches 75% of the peak inspiratory flow; [0073] (2) determine the point where the flow reaches 25% of the peak inspiratory flow; [0074] (3) extrapolate a line through these two points to the zero flow line to determine the point at the beginning of inspiration but use the first sample if the point is to the left of the first sample.

[0075] This trimming method is illustrated in FIG. 13. With reference to the figure, the respiration curve F crosses the zero flow level at T0. Once the maximum inspiratory flow is reached, two intermediate flow levels are determined: the ¼ inspiratory flow level (i.e., the flow equaling 25% of the maximum inspiratory flow) and the ¾ inspiratory flow level (i.e., the flow equaling 75% of the maximum inspiratory flow). In FIG. 13, curve F crosses these two levels at points F1 and F2, respectively. Using the times T1 and T2, corresponding to the points F1 and F2, the curve F is approximated by a line L. This line is then extended to the zero flow level to determine an extrapolated time TS as the starting time for inspiration period for curve F. Samples f.sub.i obtained prior to TS are ignored.

[0076] The improvement resulting from the use of the above described value and time weighted obstruction indices can be seen with an examination of simulated tests. To this end, FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 show breathing patterns of patients with both normal and obstructed respiration. These patterns were analyzed using the weighted indices of the present invention, as well as the shape factor 2 that uses equal weight samples f.sub.i as described in the '345 patent. The results of the tests are shown in the table below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Equal weight Value weighted Time weighted Index index index FIG. 8 0.26 0.25 0.25 FIG. 9 0.24 0.139 0.133 FIG. 10 0.31 0.18 0.13 FIG. 11 0.37 0.27 0.23

[0077] The weighted indices range from 0.3, which indicates no flattening or obstruction, to 0, which indicates gross obstruction. The separation point between these two classifications is 0.15, which may be used as a threshold value for comparison as described below.

[0078] FIG. 8 shows a normal breathing pattern. As can be seen from the table, all three indices have approximately the same value, thereby indicating that no increase in CPAP is needed.

[0079] FIG. 9 is similar in form to FIG. 5 in that it shows a pattern with two lobes separated by a relatively flat region. As seen in the table, if the equal weight index is used, no obstruction is found, while both improved indices are below the threshold and, therefore, both indicate an obstructed breathing pattern.

[0080] FIG. 10 shows a pattern similar to the one in FIG. 6 that starts off with a high initial lobe and then decays relatively slowly. For this pattern, the equal weight index and the value weighted index are both above the threshold. However, the time weighted index is below the threshold indicating an obstructed breathing pattern.

[0081] Finally, FIG. 11 shows another normal breathing pattern which has a shape somewhat different from the shape shown in FIG. 8. The three indices in the Table are all above the threshold level thereby indicating a normal pattern as well.

[0082] Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that this embodiment is merely illustrative of the application the principles of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made in the illustrative embodiment of the invention and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the preferred embodiment of the invention applies weighted samples to formulae which are used to identify a flattening of airflow, a similar method might be used with other formulae that detect roundness of flow or its deviation there from using a sinusoidal or other similar function.