Apparatus, systems, and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea

• US 10,206,571 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2016
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fresca Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fresca Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Ewers, Richard, Chen, Kevin, Dominguez, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon, Annette
• Application Number:
  US15/334,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20170157356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 12820024, 12820227, 12820418, 12820419, 12820421, 12820423, 12820518, 12820523, 12820524
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4809 Sleep detection, i.e. determining whether a subject is asleep or not
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/206 Capsule valves, e.g. mushroom, membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/003 with a flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0272 Electro-active or magneto-active materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 : with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 : Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 : sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 : with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 : Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 : partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for treating obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP system with an integrated oximeter sensor is disclosed wherein the sensor communicates with an oximeter processor that controls the blower. A nasal air flow sensor may also be incorporated that provides more data to the processor. A unique lightweight, flexible and stretchable hose for CPAP systems is also disclosed. The hose may have a magnetic connection with the blower.

Claims

1. A sleep apnea treatment system comprising:

a hose with a hose magnetic assembly at an end of the hose;

a blower with a complementary blower magnetic assembly and a retainer that prevents the complementary blower magnetic assembly from separating from the blower, the complementary blower magnetic assembly constructed to freely rotate relative to the retainer, wherein the hose magnetic assembly experiences a magnetic attraction to the blower complementary magnetic assembly when the hose end is brought into close proximity to the blower, wherein the magnetic attraction is sufficiently strong enough to bring the hose end into contact with the blower;

the blower further adapted to produce a flow of pressurized air to the hose when the hose end is in contact with the blower; and

wherein the hose magnetic assembly and the complementary blower magnetic assembly further configured such that these two assemblies can rotate relative to the retainer and the hose can be attached without rotational orientation dependency.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the blower magnetic assembly comprises a post extending outwardly along the entire circumference of the blower magnetic assembly.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the hose magnetic assembly comprises at least one hinge with an end, and the post comprises a channel, wherein the hinge may engage with the channel securely mating the first hose magnetic assembly to the complementary blower magnetic assembly.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein hinge comprises a long side that may be pressed by a user to detach the first hose magnetic assembly from the complementary blower magnetic assembly.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the hose is braided.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the hose is coated in silicone.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second hose magnetic assembly at a second end of the hose; and

a sleep apnea mask with a mask magnetic assembly complementary to the second hose magnetic assembly.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the second hose magnetic assembly and the complementary mask magnetic assembly are constructed such that they can rotate freely relative to one another.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the mask magnetic assembly comprises a post extending outwardly along the entire circumference of the blower magnetic assembly.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second hose magnetic assembly comprises at least one hinge with an end, and the post comprises a channel, wherein the hinge may engage with the channel securely mating the second hose magnetic assembly to the mask magnetic assembly.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein hinge comprises a long side that may be pressed by a user to detach the second hose magnetic assembly from the mask magnetic assembly.

12. The system of claim 1, comprising an oximeter sensor.

13. The system of claim 12, comprising a processor constructed to read a signal from the oximeter sensor.

14. The system of claim 13, comprising an airflow sensor, wherein the processor is constructed to read a signal from the airflow sensor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is constructed to reduce the pressure of the flow of air from the blower, based on the signals the processor receives from the oximeter and airflow sensors.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the airflow sensor is a nasal airflow sensor.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the airflow sensor is located in the sleep apnea mask.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the airflow sensor is located in the hose.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the complementary blower magnetic assembly is doughnut-shaped with an interior hole and the hose magnetic assembly is constructed to enter the interior hole.

20. The sleep apnea treatment system comprising:

a hose with a hose magnetic assembly at an end of the hose;

a connector with a complementary blower magnetic assembly and a retainer that prevents the complementary blower magnetic assembly from separating from the connector, the complementary blower magnetic assembly constructed to freely rotate relative to the retainer, wherein the hose magnetic assembly experiences a magnetic attraction to the commentary magnetic assembly when the hose end is brought into close proximity to the connector, wherein the magnetic attraction is sufficiently strong enough to bring the end of the hose into contact with the connector; and

wherein the hose magnetic assembly and the complementary magnetic assembly further configured such that these two assemblies can rotate relatively to the retainer and the hose can be attached without rotational orientation dependency.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the complementary magnetic assembly is doughnut-shaped with an interior hole and the hose magnetic assembly is constructed to enter the interior hole.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the hose magnetic assembly is metal and the complementary magnetic assembly is magnetic.