Low cost CPAP flow generator and humidifier assembly
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a humidifier of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device including a controller comprising:
- controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller;
sensing a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier with a sensor in the humidifier that transmits signals to the controller;
establishing an acceptable operating range for the signal transmitted to the controller;
determining whether the transmitted signal is within the acceptable operating range;
if the signal is within the acceptable operating range treating the signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element, andif the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range, the controller determines the humidifier to be unavailable and stops power from being provided to the humidifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a humidifier of a CPAP device including a controller, the method including controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller, sensing a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier with a sensor in the humidifier that transmits signals to the controller, establishing an acceptable operating range for the signal transmitted to the controller, determining whether the transmitted signal is within the acceptable operating range, if the signal is within the acceptable operating range treating the signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element, and if the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range, the controller determines the humidifier to be unavailable.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a humidifier of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device including a controller comprising:
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controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller; sensing a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier with a sensor in the humidifier that transmits signals to the controller; establishing an acceptable operating range for the signal transmitted to the controller; determining whether the transmitted signal is within the acceptable operating range; if the signal is within the acceptable operating range treating the signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element, and if the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range, the controller determines the humidifier to be unavailable and stops power from being provided to the humidifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device comprising:
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a flow generator; and a controller adapted to; control a heater in a humidifier, receive a signal from a temperature sensor in the humidifier, the signal being indicative of a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier, determine whether the signal is within an acceptable operating range, control the heater if the signal is within the acceptable range, determine that the humidifier is unavailable if the signal is outside the acceptable range, and stop power from being provided to the humidifier when the signal is outside the acceptable range. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device including a controller, the method comprising:
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detecting a sensor signal with the controller, the sensor signal being indicative of a temperature of a fluid in a humidifier; establishing an acceptable operating range for the sensor signal; determining whether the sensor signal is within the acceptable operating range; controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller; treating the sensor signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element when the signal is within the acceptable operating range; determining that the humidifier is unavailable when the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range; and stopping power from being provided to the humidifier when the signal is outside the acceptable range.
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Specification