Wearable system for positive airway pressure therapy

• US 20060096596A1
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Inventors: Whitley, Roger Dean, Occhialini, James Michael, Yankovoy, Michael S., Graham, David Ross
• Application Number:
  US10/982,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20060096596A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/108 before being humidified or mixed with a beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1085 after being humidified or mixed with a beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• 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 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/006 with pumps for forced ventilation A62B18/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/043 Micropumps

Abstract

Apparatus for providing positive airway pressure therapy comprising a mask adapted for the delivery of pressurized air to maintain positive airway pressure in a patient'"'"'s airway and an air pump system comprising a plurality of pump elements adapted to supply pressurized air to the mask, wherein the air pump system is attached directly to the mask or is adapted to be worn on a part of the patient'"'"'s body spaced apart from the mask.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing positive airway pressure therapy comprising

(a) a mask adapted for the delivery of pressurized air to maintain positive airway pressure in a patient'"'"'s airway;

and

(b) an air pump system comprising a plurality of pump elements adapted to supply pressurized air to the mask;

wherein the air pump system is attached directly to the mask or is adapted to be worn on a part of the patient'"'"'s body spaced apart from the mask.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of pump elements are selected from the group consisting of piezoelectric pumps, thermopneumatic pumps, ultrasonically-driven pumps, electrostatic pumps, electro-osmosis pumps, electrohydrodynamic pumps, electromagnetic pumps, rotary pumps, shape memory alloy pumps, bimetallic pumps, diaphragm pumps, rotary vane pumps, scroll pumps, solenoid-pumps, stepper-motor actuated pumps, piston pumps, and linear pumps.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pump elements are diaphragm pumps adapted for parallel operation, series operation, or both parallel and series operation.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the diaphragm pumps are electrostatically activated or piezoelectrically activated.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system, wherein the rechargeable power supply unit comprises one or more batteries.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system, wherein the rechargeable power supply unit comprises one or more fuel cells.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system;

and

(d) a base unit adapted to couple with the apparatus for providing positive airway pressure when the apparatus is not in use by the patient, wherein the base unit includes a recharging system adapted to recharge the power supply unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus for providing positive airway pressure includes a data monitoring and storage system to monitor and store operating data when the apparatus is in use by the patient.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the base unit includes a data logging system adapted to download and store the data from the apparatus for providing positive airway pressure while the base unit is coupled with the apparatus for providing positive airway pressure.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus for providing positive airway pressure further comprises a data monitoring and wireless transmission system adapted to monitor and transmit operating data while the apparatus is in use by the patient and wherein the base unit includes a receiver adapted to receive and store the data transmitted by the wireless transmission system.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises any of

(1) a humidification system adapted to humidify inlet air to the air pump system or the pressurized air supplied to the mask;

(2) a heating system adapted to heat inlet air to the air pump system or the pressurized air supplied to the mask; and

(3) a filtration system adapted to filter inlet air to the air pump system or the pressurized air supplied to the mask.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air pump system is attached to and mounted on the mask to form an integrated mask and air pump system.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the apparatus further comprises a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system and an electric supply wire to provide power from the power supply unit to the air pump system.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the integrated mask and air pump system comprises one or more straps adapted to secure the mask to the patient'"'"'s face, and wherein the rechargeable power supply is mounted on at least one of the one or more straps.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rechargeable power supply unit is mounted on an arm pack adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s arm.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rechargeable power supply unit is mounted on a cap or headpiece adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s head.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rechargeable power supply unit is mounted on a vest adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s torso.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rechargeable power supply is mounted on a waist pack adapted to be worn around the patient'"'"'s waist.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 which further comprises an electrical supply line attached at one end to the air pump system for supplying electric power thereto and an electrical plug at the other end for insertion into an external power outlet.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a cap or headpiece adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s head, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the cap or headpiece;

(d) a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system, wherein the rechargeable power supply unit is mounted on the cap or headpiece; and

(e) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a cap or headpiece adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s head, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the cap or headpiece;

(d) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask; and

(e) an electrical supply line attached at one end to the air pump system for supplying electric power thereto and an electrical plug at the other end for insertion into an external power outlet.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a vest adapted to be worn about the patient'"'"'s torso, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the vest;

(d) a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system, wherein the rechargeable power supply unit is mounted on the vest; and

(e) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a vest adapted to be worn about the patient'"'"'s torso, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the vest;

(d) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask; and

(e) an electrical supply line attached at one end to the air pump system for supplying electric power thereto and an electrical plug at the other end for insertion into an external power outlet.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a waist pack adapted to be worn about the patient'"'"'s waist, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the waist pack;

(d) a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system, wherein the rechargeable power supply unit is mounted on the waist pack; and

(e) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a waist pack adapted to be worn about the patient'"'"'s waist, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the waist pack;

(d) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask; and

(e) an electrical supply line attached at one end to the air pump system for supplying electric power thereto and an electrical plug at the other end for insertion into an external power outlet.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) an arm pack adapted to be worn about the patient'"'"'s arm, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the arm pack;

(d) a rechargeable power supply unit wearable by the patient and adapted to supply power to drive the air pump system, wherein the rechargeable power supply unit is mounted on the arm pack; and

(e) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) an arm pack adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s arm, wherein the air pump system is mounted on the arm pack;

(d) a hose adapted to carry air from the air pump system to the mask; and

(e) an electrical supply line attached at one end to the air pump system for supplying electric power thereto and an electrical plug at the other end for insertion into an external power outlet.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises

(c) a data monitoring system adapted to monitor operating data when the apparatus is in use by the patient;

(d) an electrical supply line attached at one end to the air pump system for supplying electric power thereto and an electrical plug at the other end for insertion into an external power outlet; and

(e) a data transmission wire adapted to transmit operating data from the data monitoring system to a base unit or other data receiving means, wherein the data transmission wire is generally parallel with the electrical line and optionally is enclosed together with the electrical line in a common sheath.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises connector means adapted for coupling the mask and the air pump system and for decoupling the mask from the air pump system such that the air pump system provides air to the mask when coupled with the mask.

30. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air pump system comprises 4 to 100 individual elements.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air pump system comprises 100 to 1,000 individual elements.

32. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air pump system comprises greater than 1,000 individual elements.

33. An apparatus for providing positive airway pressure comprising

(a) a mask adapted for the delivery of pressurized air to maintain positive air pressure in a patient'"'"'s airway;

(b) an air pump system comprising a plurality of pump elements and adapted to supply pressurized air to the mask; and

(c) a power supply unit adapted to drive the pump elements;

wherein the mask, air pump system, and power supply unit are combined in an integrated unit adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s head.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 which further comprises a base unit adapted to couple with the integrated unit when the integrated unit is not in use by the patient, wherein the base unit includes a recharging system adapted to recharge the power supply unit.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the integrated unit includes a data monitoring and storage system to monitor and store operating data during use of the integrated unit by the patient.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the base unit includes a data logging system adapted to download and store the data from the integrated unit while the base unit is coupled with the integrated unit.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the integrated unit includes a data monitoring and wireless transmission system adapted to monitor and transmit operating data during use of the integrated unit by the patient and wherein the base unit includes a receiver adapted to receive and store the data transmitted by the wireless transmission system of the integrated unit.

38. The apparatus of claim 33 which further comprises any of

(1) a humidification system adapted to humidify inlet air to the air pump system or the pressurized air supplied to the mask;

(2) a heating system adapted to heat inlet air to the air pump system or the pressurized air supplied to the mask; and

(3) a filtration system adapted to filter inlet air to the air pump system or the pressurized air supplied to the mask.

39. An apparatus for providing positive airway pressure comprising

(a) a mask for the delivery of pressurized air to maintain positive air pressure in a patient'"'"'s airway;

(b) an air pump system comprising a plurality of pump elements and adapted to supply pressurized air to the mask; and

(c) a power supply unit connected to the air pump system by an electrical power supply line;

wherein the air pump system is mounted on one of the mask, an arm pack adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s arm, a cap or headpiece adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s head, a vest adapted to be worn on the patient'"'"'s torso, and a waist pack adapted to be worn around the patient'"'"'s waist, and wherein the power supply unit is mounted on one of the arm pack, the cap or headpiece, the vest, and the waist pack.

40. An apparatus for the supply of pressurized air to a mask comprising

(a) an air pump system comprising a plurality of pump elements adapted to supply pressurized air to the mask;

and

(b) means for coupling the air pump system to the mask and for decoupling the integrated air pump system from the mask.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the air pump system comprises 4 to 100 individual pump elements.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the air pump system comprises 100 to 1,000 individual pump elements.

43. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the air pump system comprises greater than 1,000 individual pump elements.

44. The apparatus of claim 40 which further comprises a power supply system adapted to provide power to drive the pump elements.

45. A docking station for a positive airway pressure therapy device consisting essentially of

(a) means for coupling and uncoupling the docking station and the device;

(b) means for setting operating parameters for the device and means for transferring the operating parameters to the device;

(c) means for downloading operating data from the device to the docking station; and

(d) means for connecting the docking station to a source of electric power.

46. The docking station of claim 45 wherein the means for coupling and uncoupling the docking station and the device includes means for connecting and disconnecting an electrical power connector between the docking station and the device.

47. The docking station of claim 46 wherein the docking station further comprises recharging means adapted to recharge a rechargeable power supply in the device when the device is coupled with the docking station.

48. A method for providing positive airway pressure comprising

(a) providing an apparatus including

(1) a mask for the delivery of pressurized air to maintain positive airway pressure in a patient'"'"'s airway;

and

(2) an air pump system comprising a plurality of pump elements adapted to supply pressurized air to the mask, wherein the air pump system is attached directly to the mask or is adapted to be worn on a part of the patient'"'"'s body spaced apart from the mask;

(b) mounting the mask on the patient'"'"'s face; and

(c) compressing atmospheric air in the air pump system to provide pressurized air, introducing the pressurized air into the mask, and maintaining the positive airway pressure in the patient'"'"'s airway during both inhalation and exhalation.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the pressure of the pressurized air in the mask during inhalation and exhalation is controlled at a pressure between 4 and 25 cm water.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein the pressure of the pressurized air in the mask is controlled at a first pressure during inhalation and is controlled at a second pressure during exhalation, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein the first and second pressures are between 4 and 25 cm water.

52. The method of claim 48 which further comprises providing power to operate the air pump system by an electrical supply line from an external source.

53. The method of claim 48 which further comprises providing power to operate the air pump system by an electrical supply line from a rechargeable power source worn on the patient'"'"'s body.