Life style flow generator and mask system

• US 20070023044A1
• Filed: 07/24/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richard, Ron, Kwok, Philip, Puckeridge, Larry, Dantanarayana, Muditha
• Granted Patent: US 7,798,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.230
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0016 by the smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus

Abstract

A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment includes a housing, a blower provided to the housing, and a projection unit provided to the housing. The blower is operable to provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet. The projection unit is operable to project an image onto a surface adjacent the housing.

Claims

1. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising:

a housing;

a blower provided to the housing, the blower operable to provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet; and

an integral or detachable unit configured to stimulate human senses to assist in treatment and/or sleep cycle.

2. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising:

a housing;

a blower provided to the housing, the blower operable to provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet; and

a projection unit provided to the housing, the projection unit being operable to project an image onto a surface adjacent the housing,

3. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the projection unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

4. The flow generator according to claim 2, further comprising a controller operable to control operation of the blower and the projection unit.

5. The flow generator according to claim 4, further comprising a patient monitor operable to monitor at least one patient parameter and generate at least one input signal to the controller.

6. The flow generator according to claim 5, wherein the at least one parameter includes patient respiratory airflow or breathing effort.

7. The flow generator according to claim 5, wherein the projection unit is controlled in accordance with the input signal.

8. The flow generator according to claim 2, further comprising an audio unit provided to the housing, the audio unit operable to selectively generate at least one sound.

9. The flow generator according to claim 8, wherein the at least one sound is at least one of music, soothing sounds, white noise, and noise canceling.

10. The flow generator according to claim 8, wherein the audio unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

11. The flow generator according to claim 2, further comprising an aromatic unit provided to the housing, the aromatic unit operable to selectively release at least one therapeutic aroma.

12. The flow generator according to claim 11, wherein the aromatic unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

13. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls that interconnect the upper and lower walls.

14. The flow generator according to claim 13, wherein the image is projected from the housing through an opening provided in the upper wall.

15. The flow generator according to claim 13, wherein the image is projected from the housing through an opening provided in one of the side walls.

16. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the image includes a light show.

17. The flow generator according to claim 16, wherein the light show includes continuously changing colors or images.

18. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the image includes a control panel having a virtual keyboard.

19. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the housing is supported on a bedside table, and the surface is a surface of the bedside table.

20. The flow generator according to claim 2, wherein the surface is a wall.

21. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising:

a housing;

a blower provided to the housing, the blower operable to receive a supply of air and provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet; and

an audio unit provided to the housing, the audio unit operable to selectively generate at least one sound.

22. The flow generator according to claim 21, wherein the audio unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

23. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising:

a housing;

a blower provided to the housing, the blower operable to receive a supply of air and provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet; and

an aromatic unit provided to the housing, the aromatic unit operable to selectively release at least one therapeutic or medicinal aroma.

24. The flow generator according to claim 23, wherein the aromatic unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

25. A mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a patient interface structured to engage the patient'"'"'s face and provide a seal;

a headgear arrangement to support the patient interface in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face; and

an audio unit provided to at least one of the patient interface and the headgear arrangement, the audio unit operable to selectively generate at least one sound.

26. The mask assembly according to claim 25, wherein the audio unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

27. A device for delivering drug or hormonal treatment, comprising:

a sleep stage monitor structured to monitor a patient'"'"'s sleep stage; and

a unit structured to release drug or hormonal treatment to a patient, the unit being communicated with the sleep stage monitor such that the release of drug or hormonal treatment is based on the patient'"'"'s sleep stage.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein at least one of the sleep stage monitor and the unit is incorporated into a mask assembly that delivers breathable gas to a patient.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the mask assembly includes a patient interface, and a headgear arrangement.

30. A substance delivery apparatus, comprising:

a sensor to generate a sleep stage signal indicating a patient'"'"'s sleep stage; and

a delivery unit structured to release and/or deliver a therapeutic or medicinal substance via the patient'"'"'s airways in accordance with the sleep stage signal.

31. A method for delivering a therapeutic or medicinal substance, comprising:

sensing a patient to generate a sleep stage signal indicating a patient'"'"'s sleep stage; and

releasing and/or delivering a therapeutic or medicinal substance via the patient'"'"'s airways in accordance with the sleep stage signal.

32. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising a control unit to operate the flow generator and an alarm to wake the patient from sleep.

33. The flow generator according to claim 32, further comprising a sleep stage monitor configured to monitor the patient'"'"'s sleep stage and activate the alarm based on the patient'"'"'s sleep stage.

34. The flow generator according to claim 32, wherein the alarm includes a basic alarm clock that is settable to sound an alarm at a desired time.

35. The flow generator according to claim 34, wherein the control unit is configured to program and operate the basic alarm clock.