DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE WEAR OF A VENTILATOR

Abstract

Device for determining a usage intensity of a ventilator, having at least one control unit and a usage clock, which is designed and configured to detect the duration of the usage of the ventilator. The device is characterized in that the control unit is configured and designed to offset the duration of the usage of the ventilator with at least one wear factor, in order to determine at least one wear therefrom.

Claims

1.-25. (canceled)

26. A device for determining a usage intensity of a ventilator, wherein the device comprises at least one control unit and a usage clock and is designed and configured to detect the duration of the usage of the ventilator, the at least one control unit being configured and designed to offset the duration of the usage of the ventilator with at least one wear factor to determine at least one wear therefrom.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine a plurality of wear factors.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to offset the wear factors to form an overall factor for the ventilator and to determine an overall wear of the ventilator via an offset of the overall factor with the duration of the usage.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine at least one wear factor in each case for individual components and/or component groups of the ventilator.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to offset the duration of the usage of the ventilator with the respective wear factors of the components and/or component groups, to determine therefrom a wear of the respective component and/or component group.

31. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine the wear factor from at least one operating parameter of the ventilator, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from firmware version; hardware version; treatment mode; treatment pressures; IPAP/EPAP ramp; leakage; speed of turbine/fan; speed changes of turbine; braking processes of turbine; switching processes of valves; trigger settings; respiratory flow; respiratory rate; mask used; hose system used; humidifier; ambient temperature; ambient humidity; number of hygienic preparations; day or night operation; oxygen feed; duration and/or amount of oxygen admixing; use of auxiliary functions; frequency of ventilation maneuvers; use of additional sensors; status and/or source of power supply; point in time of last maintenance.

32. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine a wear for at least one component selected from turbine; humidifier; water chamber; air filter; hose; patient interface; sound insulation foams; electronics; power supply unit; accumulator; sensors; measuring cells; valves, which wear is independent of an overall wear.

33. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine a number and/or duration of charging cycles or a capacity or an internal resistance of an accumulator or other indicators for the usage of the accumulator and to take them into consideration for a determination of at least one wear factor.

34. The device of claim 26, wherein the usage clock is configured and designed to also detect a standby time of the ventilator in addition to the duration of the usage of the ventilator.

35. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to also incorporate a standby time of the ventilator into an overall wear of the ventilator.

36. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine an average wear factor for each wear factor and to make a prediction with respect to a respective wear on the basis of the respective average wear factor.

37. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine an average wear factor from a progression over time of a respectively underlying wear factor, the average wear factor including a chronological weighting.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to weight wear factors which are more recent in the progression over time more strongly for the average wear factor.

39. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to generate a message, which contains at least one notification of a maintenance, on the basis of a determined wear and/or a prediction of the wear.

40. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to determine an optimum maintenance point in time on the basis of a determined wear and/or a prediction of the wear and generate a corresponding message.

41. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed, after a time period after a maintenance point in time is exceeded, to generate an alarm message and if maintenance still does not occur, to block the ventilator and/or specific functions of the ventilator until the maintenance has been carried out.

42. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to create a usage report at periodic time intervals, which comprises at least one wear and/or a fee based on the wear.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to calculate the fee from a base fee and a wear fee, the wear fee being automatically adapted to the wear.

44. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one control unit is configured and designed to use a consumption of data volume as an operating parameter.

45. A method for determining a usage intensity of a ventilator, wherein the method comprises detecting a duration of the usage of the ventilator, the duration of the usage of the ventilator being offset with at least one weighting factor to determine a wear therefrom.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0117] In the drawings:

[0118] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device for determining the usage intensity of a ventilator;

[0119] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show by way of example the determination of the wear factors of the ventilator and the overall factor in a greatly simplified manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0120] 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 drawings making apparent to those of skill in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

[0121] The ventilator 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises by way of example a control unit 2, a usage clock 3, a sensor unit 4, a respiratory gas source 5, a recognition unit 6, an input unit 7, a display unit 8, an interface 9, a humidifier 10, and an oxygen source 11. A patient interface 14 is connected to the ventilator 1 via a hose system 13.

[0122] The usage clock 3 is configured and designed such that it can detect the duration of the usage of the ventilator 1. In some embodiments, the usage clock 3 is also designed to detect a separate duration for the usage of individual components and/or functions of the ventilator 1.

[0123] In some embodiments, the usage clock 3 is configured and designed such that the duration of the usage is only detected during a time interval or a time unit, for example, per day, and then transmitted, for example, to a distant remote station, which then adds up the duration of the usage over multiple time units/time intervals. It can also be provided here that exclusively or additionally the duration of the usage of individual components is detected.

[0124] The control unit 2 is configured and designed to determine the wear of individual components and/or the entire ventilator 1. The control unit offsets for this purpose at least one wear factor with the duration of the usage detected by the usage clock 3. The control unit 2 is moreover configured and designed to determine wear factors. The wear factors are determined via the control unit 2, for example, on the basis of various operating parameters. It can be provided that separate wear factors are assigned to individual components, also to determine separate wears of the respective component. Multiple wear factors can be offset or combined, for example, to form an overall factor, which is used to determine an overall wear for the ventilator 1. If only one wear factor is determined, this can thus correspond to the overall factor. In some embodiments, only one wear is accordingly also determined for the ventilator 1, wherein this wear then represents the overall wear, for example.

[0125] Operating parameters which form the basis of the wear factors can be, for example: firmware version; hardware version; treatment mode; treatment pressures; IPAP/EPAP ramp; leakage; speed of the turbine/fan; speed changes of the turbine; braking actions of the turbine; switching actions of valves; trigger settings; respiratory flow; respiratory rate; mask used; hose system used; humidifier; ambient temperature; ambient humidity; number of the hygienic preparations; day or night mode; oxygen injection; duration and/or amount of the oxygen admixture; use of auxiliary functions such as hose heating and/or respiratory gas humidifying; frequency of ventilation maneuvers; usage of additional sensors; status and/or source of the power supply; point in time of the last maintenance. The control unit 2 is configured to register or detect the operating parameters and to incorporate or offset them in wear factors. In some embodiments, individual components detect the operating parameters and transmit them to the control unit 2, which is configured to incorporate or offset the transmitted operating parameters in the respective wear factors.

[0126] In some embodiments, the device 100 comprises at least one storage unit (not shown), which is configured to store operating parameters, wear factors, wears, and/or durations of the usage and provide them for retrieval. For example, the operating parameters determined by individual components are stored in the storage unit, so that the control unit 2 can have access thereto and can retrieve the required data/values/items of information of the operating parameters.

[0127] It is provided that at least one operating parameter is incorporated by the control unit 2 in a wear factor. It can moreover be provided that different wear factors also take into consideration different operating parameters and/or the operating parameters are weighted differently.

[0128] The sensor unit 4 is configured and designed to detect and possibly evaluate pressures, flows, temperatures, and/or humidity. For example, the sensor unit is connected for this purpose to sensors which can be arranged in the ventilator 1 and/or are externally connected to the ventilator 1. For example, the sensor unit 4 is configured and designed to determine properties such as a respiratory flow, a breathing volume, a respiratory rate, phases of the respiration (at least inspiration and expiration) from a respiratory gas pressure and/or respiratory gas flow. The values and data detected by the sensor unit can be incorporated, for example, as operating parameters in wear factors or can be used as the basis of the determination of operating parameters. In some embodiments, the sensor unit 4 is also designed and configured to detect ambient temperatures and/or the ambient pressure.

[0129] The controllable respiratory gas source 5 is configured and designed to convey respiratory gas to and/or from a patient. For example, the respiratory gas source 5 can be designed as a fan. The fan comprises, for example, a turbine having turbine motor and turbine wheel. For example, the fan is configured and designed to detect a speed of the motor or the turbine wheel. The detected speed can be incorporated as an operating parameter in wear factors and for this purpose can be transmitted directly to the control unit 2 and/or (temporarily) stored in the storage unit.

[0130] In some embodiments, the control unit 2 is configured to actuate the fan, for example, to generate a predetermined pressure and/or flow. In some embodiments, a speed of the motor is specified for this purpose. It can also be provided that the control unit 2 specifies a pressure and/or flow and actuates the fan such that this pressure and/or flow is reached. It can also be provided that the control unit 2 and/or the fan and/or a recognition unit 6 determines the energy input to the motor or the fan. For example, an operating parameter and/or a wear factor can be determined on the basis of the energy input in relation to the achieved speed of the motor and/or the achieved pressure or flow.

[0131] Furthermore, it can be provided that a relationship between achieved pressure or flow and the speed of the motor is also incorporated or calculated in operating parameters or wear factors.

[0132] In some embodiments, the respiratory gas source 5 is alternatively or additionally embodied as a pressurized gas fitting, which is connected to an external pressurized gas source. For example, the respiratory gas flow and respiratory gas pressure can be regulated via valves. It can be provided that the control unit 2 and/or a counter unit records a number of valve switching actions and bases operating parameters for wear factors thereon. In some embodiments, it can be provided that in addition to the number of the switching actions, a time between the switching actions is also registered. Particularly fast switching actions in which the time between the switching actions falls below a threshold value can be included, for example, with a higher factor in the wear factors.

[0133] The recognition unit 6 is designed, for example, to detect various operating parameters which can also be incorporated in the wear factors. For example, it can be provided that the recognition unit 6 is configured to recognize connected accessories and/or components. It can be provided, for example, that some components transmit a type designation, serial number, and/or version information to the recognition unit 6, wherein the recognition unit 6 recognizes the component on the basis of these items of information. It can be provided for this purpose that the components are electrically connected for this purpose to a main board or a main printed circuit board and provide the corresponding items of information for retrieval. It can be provided that the recognition unit 6 and/or the control unit 2 adapts the wear factors on the basis of the recognized component, for example, with incorporation of an item of version information.

[0134] In some embodiments, the control unit 2, for example, in combination with the recognition unit 6, is designed to automatically detect a performed maintenance of the ventilator 1 and/or individual components. This can be carried out, for example, on the basis of the change of various operating parameters. If the motor of the turbine was maintained, for example, the control unit 2 can establish, for example, that after the maintenance a lower energy input is necessary for the same output and can thereupon conclude a maintenance of the motor. In the case of a filter, a lower gas pressure can already be sufficient, for example, to generate the same flow as before the maintenance. The control unit 2 can also conclude a replacement or the maintenance of the filter here.

[0135] Because the recognition unit 6 and/or the control unit 2 recognize the installed components, it can also be provided that a replacement of various components is recognized. If, for example, a maintenance and/or a replacement of a component is necessary, for example, due to the determined wear, the control unit 2 can establish whether the maintenance or the replacement was carried out.

[0136] Additionally or alternatively, the recognition unit 6 is configured and designed to detect operating parameters such as energy consumption, device output, energy source, and/or critical faults. Critical faults can be, for example, the failure of various components and/or functions. Intermittent overloads—for example of the respiratory gas source—can also be detected by the recognition unit 6. The recognition unit 6 can also be configured to measure and detect temperatures, for example, an operating temperature of the ventilator and/or individual components. It can thus be established, for example, whether individual components and/or the entire ventilator 1 are subjected to an elevated temperature.

[0137] The recognition unit 6 is furthermore configured to recognize peripheral devices/accessories such as a connected patient interface, a hose system, and/or a connected humidifier. Furthermore, it can be provided that the recognition unit 6 also recognizes which patient interface and/or hose system and/or humidifier it is. Such a recognition can be implemented, for example, via RFID chips in the components, which can be automatically detected by the recognition unit 6. It can also be provided that items of information on type, version, etc. of the accessory are transmitted to the recognition unit 6 and/or the control unit 2 automatically via an interface upon connection and a recognition of the accessory is thus possible. The control unit 2 can then optionally also detect items of information on resistance, heat output, etc. via the recognized accessory.

[0138] In some embodiments, it can be provided that if the recognition unit 6 or the control unit 2 does not recognize the connected accessory, it can at least be established via pressure and flow tests whether an accessory is connected at all.

[0139] The input unit 7 is configured so that data, items of information, and/or values can be input into the ventilator 1. For example, messages, notifications, warnings, etc. can be confirmed via the input unit 7. It can also be provided in some embodiments that a performed maintenance is confirmed and/or detected via the input unit 7. The input unit 7 is moreover configured so that specifications on the respiratory therapy can be made. For example, a pressure, flow, treatment mode, etc. can thus be defined via the input unit 7. The input unit 7 can be designed, for example, as a keyboard and/or further operating elements such as buttons and rotary controllers.

[0140] Via the display unit 8, for example, designed as a display, various data, items of information, values, messages, notifications, and/or alarms can be output at the ventilator 1. A display can take place graphically and/or alphanumerically, for example. Messages and notifications can include, inter alia, items of information on the wear of the ventilator and/or individual components. For example, it is possible to inform about an upcoming maintenance. Critical messages can also be displayed, for example, upon exceeding a maintenance time period or maintenance point in time.

[0141] It can also be provided that the display unit 8 and the input unit 7 are alternatively or additionally designed as a common information and operating interface, for example, as a touch-sensitive display screen (touchscreen).

[0142] It is provided that a transmission of messages and/or notifications, in particular on the status of the ventilator 1, to distant remote stations is enabled via the interface 9. The status of the ventilator 1 can comprise here, inter alia, an overall wear and/or the wear of individual components. Moreover, it can be provided that a message is transmitted via the interface 9 which triggers the shipping of materials required for maintenance and/or replacement components to a predefined address. The triggering can take place automatically, for example, as soon as a maintenance point in time is reached. In some embodiments, the shipping is triggered automatically when a maintenance appointment, for example, as a consequence of a required maintenance, is created via the ventilator 1.

[0143] The humidifier 10 is configured and designed, for example, to humidify and/or heat the respiratory gas. For example, the humidifier 10 has a water chamber having a heating element. Inter alia, the humidity of the respiratory gas can be set via the humidifier 10. In some embodiments, the control unit 2 and/or the recognition unit 6 is configured to recognize which humidifier it is. It can also be provided that it is possible to measure the water temperature and/or the respiratory gas temperature. For example, the humidifier 10 has corresponding temperature sensors for this purpose. The temperature of the water and/or the respiratory gas can be incorporated, for example, as an operating parameter in the wear parameters. It can furthermore be provided that the respiratory gas humidity which is measured and/or to be achieved is also used as an operating parameter. In some embodiments, it can be provided that the usage clock 3 detects a duration of the use of the humidifier 10. For example, a wear for the humidifier 10 can be determined via the duration of the use of the humidifier 10 together with a corresponding wear factor for the humidifier 10.

[0144] The optional oxygen admixing unit 11 is used for admixing oxygen to the respiratory gas. The oxygen admixing unit 11 can be connected, for example, to an external oxygen source. For example, the amount and duration of the oxygen admixing can be set via the oxygen admixing unit 11.

[0145] The patient interface 13 is connected to the ventilator 1 via the hose system 12. It can be provided that the recognition unit 6 and/or the control unit 2 automatically recognizes the hose system 12, for example, on the basis of an RFID chip or via a terminal, via which the hose system transmits items of information on type, etc. In some embodiments, the hose system 12 comprises a hose heater. The duration of the use and temperature of the hose heater can be calculated in here as an operating parameter by the control unit 2 in wear factors and/or wears.

[0146] Together with the hose system 12, the patient interface 13 can also be automatically recognized by the ventilator 1. For example, the patient interface 13 has an electrical contact via which items of information on the patient interface 13 are transmitted to the ventilator 1.

[0147] The control unit 2 can be configured and designed in some embodiments to make a prediction with respect to the wear via the progression of the wear and/or the wear factors. In some embodiments, it can be provided that the control unit 2 can also generate a prediction with respect to a maintenance appointment. In some embodiments, the control unit 2 is configured to incorporate more recent wear factors more strongly in a prediction than older ones and/or to take into consideration the more recent progression of the wear more strongly.

[0148] FIG. 2 shows by way of example and in greatly simplified form how the wear factors AF1, AF2, AF3 are determined from the operating parameters or the associated subfactors BP1, BP2, BP3, BP4, BP5 and how the wear factors AF1, AF2, AF3 are included in the overall factor GF.

[0149] The operating parameter of the respiratory gas flow is represented, for example, via the subfactor BP1. The operating parameter of the selected treatment mode is represented, for example, via the subfactor BP2. The operating parameter of the speed of the turbine is represented, for example, via the subfactor BP3. The operating parameter of the respiratory gas pressure to be achieved is represented, for example, via the subfactor BP4. The operating parameter of the pneumatic resistance is represented, for example, via the subfactor BP5.

[0150] For example, the subfactors BP1 and BP2 are included in the wear factor AF1. An offset can be carried out, for example, via a multiplication of BP1 and BP2. The wear factor AF2 is based, for example, on a combination of the treatment mode BP2, the speed of the turbine BP3, and the respiratory gas pressure BP4. The subfactors BP2, BP3 and BP4 can be combined, for example, via a summation to form the wear factor AF2. The wear factor AF3 is only dependent, for example, on the pneumatic resistance BP5.

[0151] Via the weighting factors G1, G2, G3, the wear factors AF1, AF2, AF3 are offset to form the overall factor GF. The overall factor GF represents a wear factor for the entire ventilator. Via an offset, for example, a multiplication, of the overall factor GF with the duration of the usage TG of the ventilator, the overall wear GA is determined.

[0152] FIG. 3 shows by way of example the determination of the wear K1, K2, K3 of individual components. The wear factors AF1, AF2, AF3 are determined as described above under FIG. 2. The wear K1 represents, for example, the wear of a connected respiratory gas humidifier. To determine the wear K1 of the respiratory gas humidifier, for example, the wear factor AF1, which also incorporates the respiratory gas flow and the selected treatment mode, is offset with a weighting factor G4 and a duration T1 of the usage. The duration T1 can be, for example, a usage duration of the respiratory gas humidifier.

[0153] The wear K2 is, for example, the wear of the respiratory gas source. The wear K2 of the respiratory gas source is determined, for example, via the wear factors AF1 and AF2. The wear factor is included, for example, without weighting factor only via the duration T2 of the usage of the respiratory gas source in the wear K2 of the respiratory gas source. The wear factor AF1, in contrast, is calculated in via a weighting factor G5.

[0154] The wear K3 is, for example, the wear of a filter installed in the ventilator. The wear K3 of the filter is determined directly via the wear factor AF3 and the duration T3 of the usage of the filter.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0155] 1 ventilator [0156] 2 control unit [0157] 3 usage clock [0158] 4 sensor unit [0159] 5 respiratory gas source [0160] 6 recognition unit [0161] 7 input unit [0162] 8 output unit [0163] 9 interface [0164] 10 humidifier [0165] 11 oxygen admixing unit [0166] 12 hose system [0167] 13 patient interface [0168] AF1 wear factor 1 [0169] AF2 wear factor 2 [0170] AF3 wear factor 3 [0171] BP1 subfactor of operating parameter 1 [0172] BP2 subfactor of operating parameter 2 [0173] BP3 subfactor of operating parameter 3 [0174] BP4 subfactor of operating parameter 4 [0175] BP5 subfactor of operating parameter 5 [0176] G1 weighting factor 1 [0177] G2 weighting factor 2 [0178] G3 weighting factor 3 [0179] G4 weighting factor 4 [0180] G5 weighting factor 5 [0181] GA overall wear [0182] GF overall factor [0183] K1 wear of component 1 [0184] K2 wear of component 2 [0185] K3 wear of component 3 [0186] T1 duration of wear factor 1 [0187] T2 duration of wear factor 2 [0188] T3 duration of wear factor 3 [0189] TG duration of the usage