Method and system of Individually controlling airway pressure of a patient's nares

• US 20050011523A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acoba LLC
• Original Assignee: Acoba LLC
• Inventors: Aylsworth, Alonzo C., Spector, Lawrence C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,114,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.180
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0009 with sub-atmospheric pressure, e.g. during expiration
• 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 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit

Abstract

A method and system of individually controlling positive airway pressure of a patient'"'"'s nares. Some exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising applying therapeutic gas pressure within a first naris of a patient during respiration, and applying therapeutic gas pressure within a second naris of the patient during the respiration. The therapeutic gas pressures applied to each naris are different.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

applying therapeutic gas pressure within a first naris of a patient during respiration; and

applying therapeutic gas pressure within a second naris of the patient during the respiration;

wherein the therapeutic gas pressures applied to each naris are different.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

applying positive therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris during an inhalation; and

applying positive therapeutic gas pressure within the second naris during the inhalation.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 further comprising controlling the therapeutic gas pressure within each naris such that the therapeutic gas flow through each naris is substantially the same.

4. The method as defined in claim 2 further comprising controlling the therapeutic gas pressure within each naris such that the therapeutic gas flow through each naris is different.

5. The method as defined in claim 2 further comprising reducing the therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris during an exhalation.

6. The method as defined in claim 5 further comprising reducing therapeutic gas pressure within the second naris during the exhalation.

7. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein reducing the therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris during the exhalation further comprises removing the positive therapeutic gas pressure during the exhalation.

8. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein reducing the therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris during the exhalation further comprises applying a negative pressure within the first naris.

9. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

reducing pressure within the first naris during an exhalation, the reducing with respect to therapeutic gas pressure applied during inhalation; and

reducing pressure within the second naris during an exhalation, the reducing with respect to therapeutic gas pressure applied during inhalation.

10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein reducing pressure within the first naris further comprises removing positive therapeutic gas pressure applied during inhalation.

11. The method as defined in claim 9 further comprising applying a negative pressure to the first naris.

12. A system comprising:

a first blower having an outlet port fluidly coupled to a first pressure transducer, wherein the first blower operatively couples to a first naris of a patient; and

a second blower having an outlet port fluidly coupled to a second pressure transducer, wherein the second blower operatively couples to a second naris of the patient.

13. The system as defined in claim 12 further comprising:

wherein the first blower controls therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris during an inhalation of the patient; and

wherein the second blower controls therapeutic gas pressure within the second naris during the inhalation of the patient.

14. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the pressure controlled within the first naris is different than the pressure controlled within the second naris.

15. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the pressure controlled within the first naris is substantially the same as the pressure controlled within the second naris.

16. The system as defined in claim 13 further comprising:

wherein the first blower applies a positive therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris to achieve a therapeutic gas flow through the first naris;

wherein the second blower applies a positive therapeutic gas pressure within the second naris to achieve a therapeutic gas flow through the second naris; and

wherein the therapeutic gas flow through the first and second naris is substantially the same.

17. The system as defined in claim 13 further comprising:

wherein the first blower applies a positive therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris to achieve a therapeutic gas flow through the first naris;

wherein the second blower applies a positive therapeutic gas pressure within the second naris to achieve a therapeutic gas flow through the second naris; and

wherein the therapeutic gas flow through the first and second naris is different.

18. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the first blower reduces therapeutic gas pressure within the first naris during an exhalation of the patient.

19. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein the first blower removes the therapeutic gas pressure during the exhalation.

20. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein the first blower applies a negative pressure within the first naris during the exhalation.

21. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein the first blower reduces pressure within the first naris during an exhalation, the reduction in pressure with respect to pressure within the first naris during an inhalation.

22. The system as defined in claim 21 wherein the second blower reduces pressure within the second naris during an exhalation, the reduction in pressure with respect to pressure within the second naris during an inhalation.

23. The system as defined in claim 21 wherein the first blow applies a negative pressure within the first naris during the exhalation.

24. A method comprising:

applying a therapeutic gas flow into a first naris of a patient during an inhalation, the therapeutic gas flow comprising substantially all the gas inspired through the first naris during the inhalation; and

applying a therapeutic gas flow into a second naris of a patient during the inhalation, the therapeutic gas flow comprising substantially all the gas inspired through the second naris during the inhalation;

wherein the therapeutic gas flow into each naris is achieved by differing applied pressures within each naris.

25. The method as defined in claim 24 wherein the therapeutic gas flow into the first naris is different than the therapeutic gas flow into the second naris.

26. The method as defined in claim 24 wherein the therapeutic gas flow into the first naris is substantially the same as the therapeutic gas flow into the second naris.

27. The method as defined in claim 24 further comprising:

forcing gas flow out of the first naris during an exhalation; and

forcing gas flow out of the second naris during the exhalation.

28. The method as defined in claim 27 wherein the therapeutic gas flow out of the first naris during the exhalation is different than the therapeutic gas flow out of the second naris during the exhalation.

29. The method as defined in claim 27 wherein the therapeutic gas flow out of the first naris during the exhalation is substantially the same as the therapeutic gas flow out of the second naris during the exhalation.

30. The method as defined in claim 24 further comprising ceasing the control of gas flow of the first naris during an exhalation.

31. A system comprising:

a first blower fluidly coupled to an outlet port through a first flow sensor, wherein the first blower and first flow sensor operatively couple to a first naris of a patient and provide substantially all the gas inspired through the first naris during an inhalation; and

a second blower fluidly coupled to an outlet port through a second flow sensor, wherein the second blower and second flow sensor operatively couple to a second naris of the patient and provide substantially all the gas inspired through the second naris during the inhalation;

wherein a pressure applied by the first blower to the first naris to achieve a desired gas flow is different that a pressure applied by the second blower to the second naris to achieve a desired gas flow.

32. The system as defined in claim 31 wherein gas flow into the first naris during the inhalation is substantially the same as the gas flow into the second naris during the inhalation.

33. The system as defined in claim 31 wherein gas flow into the first naris during the inhalation is different than the therapeutic gas flow into the second naris during the inhalation.

34. A method comprising:

selectively supplying positive airway pressure to one or both of a patient'"'"'s nares during an inhalation; and

supplying positive airway pressure to the patient'"'"'s mouth during the inhalation.

35. The method as defined in claim 34 further comprising supplying positive airway pressure to the patient'"'"'s mouth to at least partially block flow through the mouth during the inhalation.

36. The method as defined in claim 34 further comprising supplying positive airway pressure to the patient'"'"'s mouth to at least partially supply inhaled therapeutic gas to the patient during the inhalation.

37. A system comprising:

a first blower fluidly coupled to an outlet port, wherein the first blower operatively couples to a first naris of a patient and provides substantially all the gas inspired through the first naris during an inhalation; and

a second blower fluidly coupled to an outlet port, wherein the second blower operatively couples to a mouth of the patient and provides substantially all the gas inspired through the mouth during the inhalation.

38. The system as defined in claim 37 wherein the second blower provides gas pressure to the mouth to act as at least a partial pneumatic blockage to reduce the amount of gas escaping through the mouth provided to the first naris during the inhalation of the patient.

39. The system as defined in claim 37 further comprising:

a third blower fluidly coupled to an outlet port, wherein the third blower operatively couples to a second naris of a patient and provides substantially all the gas inspired through the second naris during the inhalation; and

wherein a pressure applied by the first blower to the first naris to achieve a desired gas flow is different that a pressure applied by the third blower to the second naris to achieve a desired gas flow.

40. The system as defined in claim 39 wherein the second blower provides gas pressure to the mouth to act as at least a partial pneumatic blockage to reduce the amount of gas escaping through the mouth provided to the first and second naris during the inhalation of the patient.

41. A method comprising providing therapeutic gas at a first pressure at a device end of a positive airway pressure mask, the first pressure higher than a prescribed pressure for the patient such that therapeutic gas pressure at a patient end of the mask is substantially the same as the prescribed pressure.

42. The method as defined in claim 41 further comprising, prior to providing therapeutic gas, measuring resistance to gas flow of the positive airway pressure mask, and wherein providing further comprises providing therapeutic gas at the first pressure based on the measured resistance to gas flow.

43. The method as defined in claim 42 further comprising increasing the first pressure with increasing resistance to gas flow between the device end and the patient end of the positive airway pressure mask.

44. The method as defined in claim 43 further comprising increasing the first pressure with increasing tubing length between the device end and the patient end.

45. The method as defined in claim 41 further comprising selectively providing the first pressure based on the humidity of the therapeutic gas.

46. The method as defined in claim 45 further comprising increasing the first pressure as humidity of the therapeutic gas increases.

47. A positive airway pressure system comprising:

a source of therapeutic gas under pressure; and

a positive airway pressure mask having a device end and a patient end, the device end coupled to the source of therapeutic gas, and the patient end coupled to an airway of the patient;

wherein the system compensates for resistance to gas flow of the mask by increasing the pressure of the therapeutic gas at the device end of the mask above the patient'"'"'s prescribed titration pressure.

48. The positive airway pressure system as defined in claim 47 wherein the system measures resistance to gas flow of the mask prior to coupling the mask to the patient'"'"'s airways, and wherein the pressure of the therapeutic gas is set above the prescribed titration pressure such that the therapeutic gas pressure at the patient'"'"'s airway is substantially the same as the prescribed titration pressure.

49. The positive airway pressure system as defined in claim 47 further comprising:

a means for measuring humidity of the therapeutic gas;

wherein the system increases therapeutic gas pressure with increasing humidity such that the therapeutic gas pressure at the patient'"'"'s airway is substantially the same as the prescribed titration pressure.

50. The positive airway pressure system as defined in claim 47 wherein the source of therapeutic gas is a blower.

51. The positive airway pressure system as defined in claim 47 wherein the therapeutic gas is air.

52. A respiratory mask for delivery of positive airway pressure comprising:

a first nostril interface operable to substantially seal to a first nostril of a patient;

a second nostril interface operable to substantially seal to a second nostril of the patient;

an oral mask operable to substantially seal to the mouth of the patient;

a first supply tube that penetrates the oral mask and fluidly couples to the first nostril interface, the first supply tube is operable to fluidly couple to a first supply port of a positive airway pressure device;

a second supply tube that penetrates the oral mask and fluidly couples to the second nostril interface, the second supply tube is operable to fluidly couple to a second supply port of the positive airway pressure device;

a third supply tube fluidly coupled to the oral mask, the third supply tube operable to fluidly couple to a third supply port of the positive airway pressure device.

53. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 52 wherein the first, second and third supply tubes are operable to extend over a forehead of the patient when the respiratory mask is worn.

54. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 52 wherein the third supply tube is mechanically coupled to, and runs parallel with, the first supply tube.

55. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 52 wherein the first nostril interface extends into the first nostril of the patient, and seals against the inside diameter of the first nostril.

56. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 52 wherein the first nostril interface further comprises a sealing pillow that substantially seals against an exterior surface of the first nostril of the patient proximate to the first nostril.

57. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 52 wherein the oral mask seals over the patient'"'"'s nose, wherein the first and second nostril interface are within a volume defined by the oral mask.

58. A respiratory mask for delivery of positive airway pressure comprising:

a first nostril interface operable to substantially seal to a first nostril of a patient;

a second nostril interface operable to substantially seal to a second nostril of the patient;

a first supply tube fluidly coupled to the first nostril interface, the first supply tube is operable to fluidly couple to a first supply port of a positive airway pressure device; and

a second supply tube fluidly coupled to the second nostril interface, the second supply tube is operable to fluidly couple to a second supply port of the positive airway pressure device.

59. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 58 wherein the first and second supply tubes are operable to extend over a forehead of the patient when the respiratory mask is worn.

60. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 58 wherein the first and second supply tubes are operable to extend, one each, over ears of a patient.

61. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 60 wherein the first and second supply tubes converge below a chin of the patient.

62. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 60 wherein the first and second supply tubes converge at a back the head of the patient.

63. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 58 wherein the first nostril interface extends into the first nostril of the patient, and seals against the inside diameter of the first nostril.

64. The respiratory mask as defined in claim 58 wherein the first nostril interface further comprises a sealing pillow that substantially seals against an exterior surface of the first nostril of the patient proximate to the first nostril.