Pressure support compliance monitoring system

• US 20040187871A1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Truschel, William A., Yurko, Gregory, Kimmel, Steven A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,910,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4833 Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0063 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0841 for sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0033 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/102 Measuring a parameter of the content of the delivered gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• 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 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient

Abstract

A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Claims

1. A modular compliance monitor adapted to be disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system, the monitor comprising:

a housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are selectively connectable to such a patient circuit to place the compliance monitor in-line with the patient circuit;

a passage provided through the housing communicating the inlet with the outlet so that gas flows through the housing between the inlet and the outlet;

a sensor disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the passage so as to detect a parameter indicative of patient breathing; and

a processor disposed in the housing and receiving an output of the sensor, wherein the processor determines from the output of the sensor whether such a patient is breathing into the patient circuit and outputs compliance data based on whether or not such a patient is breathing into the patient circuit.

2. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a microphone, a gas concentration sensor, a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor.

3. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor stores an alarm threshold that is independent of alarm thresholds in the pressure support system, and further comprising an input device for setting the alarm threshold, and wherein the processor compares a monitored parameter that is based on an output of the sensor with the alarm threshold and outputs an alarm signal responsive to the alarm threshold being met by the monitored parameter.

4. The monitor of claim 3, further comprising an alarm coupled to the processor, wherein the alarm produces a human perceivable alarm responsive to receipt of the alarm signal.

5. The monitor of claim 3, wherein the alarm thresholds include over temperature, high pressure, low pressure, low respiratory rate, high respiratory rate, low minute ventilation, high minute ventilation, high tidal volume, low tidal volume, low system leak, high system leak, or any combination thereof.

6. The monitor of claim 1, further comprising an output device operatively coupled to the processor for communicating the compliance data from the processor.

7. The monitor of claim 6, wherein the output device comprises a modem, a data storage device removably coupled to the housing, a wireless communication link, an output terminal, a visual display, or any combination thereof.

8. The monitor of claim 7, wherein the data storage device is smartcard, a portable memory storage device, a computer disk, or any combination thereof.

9. The monitor of claim 6, wherein the processor also monitors a parameter associated with a flow of gas in the passage based on an output of the sensor and communicates the parameter via the output device.

10. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the compliance data includes a start time at which breathing is detected, an end time at which breathing ceases to be detected, or both.

11. The monitor of claim 1, wherein the compliance data includes a time duration during which breathing was detected, a time duration during which breathing is not detected, or both.

12. A pressure support system comprising:

(a) a pressure generating system adapted to output a flow of breathing gas;

(b) a patient circuit having a first end coupled to the pressure generating system and a second end, wherein the patient circuit carries the flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient;

(c) a patient interface device coupled to a second end of the patient circuit that communicates the flow of breathing gas with an airway of a patient; and

(d) a modular compliance monitor adapted to be disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system, the monitor comprising;

(1) a housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are selectively connectable to the patient circuit to place the compliance monitor in-line with the patient circuit,

(2) a passage provided through the housing communicating the inlet with the outlet so that gas flows through the housing between the inlet and the outlet,

(3) a sensor disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the passage so as to detect a parameter indicative of patient breathing, and

(4) a processor disposed in the housing and receiving an output of the sensor, wherein the processor determines from the output of the sensor whether such a patient is breathing into the patient circuit and outputs compliance data based on whether or not such a patient is breathing into the patient circuit.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a microphone, a gas concentration sensor, a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor stores an alarm threshold that is independent of alarm thresholds in the pressure support system, and further comprising an input device for setting the alarm threshold, and wherein the processor compares a monitored parameter that is based on an output of the sensor with the alarm threshold and outputs an alarm signal responsive to the alarm threshold being met by the monitored parameter.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising an alarm coupled to the processor, wherein the alarm produces a human perceivable alarm responsive to receipt of the alarm signal.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the alarm thresholds include over temperature, high pressure, low pressure, low respiratory rate, high respiratory rate, low minute ventilation, high minute ventilation, high tidal volume, low tidal volume, low system leak, high system leak, or any combination thereof.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising an output device operatively coupled to the processor for communicating the compliance data from the processor.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the output device comprises a modem, a data storage device removably coupled to the housing, a wireless communication link, an output terminal, a visual display, or any combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the data storage device is smartcard, a portable memory storage device, a computer disk, or any combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor also monitors a parameter associated with a flow of gas in the passage based on an output of the sensor and communicates the parameter via the output device.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the compliance data includes a start time at which breathing is detected, an end time at which breathing ceases to be detected, or both.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the compliance data includes a time duration during which breathing was detected, a time duration during which breathing is not detected, or both.

23. A method of analyzing compliance with a pressure support therapy provided by a pressure support system that includes a patient circuit for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient comprising the steps of:

attaching a modular compliance monitor in-line with such a patient circuit by attaching a first portion of the patient circuit to an inlet of the monitor and attaching a second portion of the patient circuit to an outlet of the monitor so that gas flow through a passage in the monitor between the inlet and the outlet;

sensing a parameter indicative of patient breathing via a sensor disposed within the monitor and operatively coupled to the passage;

determining from the output of the sensor whether such a patient is breathing into the patient circuit; and

outputting compliance data based on whether or not such a patient is breathing into the patient circuit.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein sensing a parameter indicative of patient breathing includes sensing a pressure, a flow, a sound, a gas concentration sensor, a humidity sensor or a temperature.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

setting the alarm threshold via an input device;

monitoring a parameter that is based on an output of the sensor;

comparing the parameter with the alarm threshold; and

outputting an alarm signal responsive to the alarm threshold being met by the monitored parameter.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein outputting the compliance data comprises:

sending the compliance data from the monitor to a remote location via a communication link;

storing the compliance data on a data storage device removably coupled to the monitor;

visually displaying the compliance data on a display provided on the monitor;

or

any combination thereof.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

monitoring a parameter associated with a flow of gas in the passage based on an output of the sensor; and

outputting the parameter.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein outputting the compliance data includes providing a start time at which breathing is detected, an end time at which breathing ceases to be detected, or both.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein outputting the compliance data includes providing a time duration during which breathing was detected, a time duration during which breathing is not detected, or both.