Adaptive patient trigger threshold detection

• US 20070028920A1
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Acker, Jaron
• Granted Patent: US 7,487,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.210
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 in the expiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards

Abstract

The present invention is a method and system for adaptively detecting a patient trigger threshold. The system and method uses fuzzy-logic control algorithm to detect an appropriate trigger threshold by monitoring the number of patient triggers within a predetermined time frame. The system and method also detects an appropriated trigger threshold by monitoring the complete absence of false triggers over a predetermined time frame, increases in average flow, increases in pressure differential, and pressure drop, in order to lower the trigger threshold. The method and system of the present invention is selectable to the user, and adaptively changes the inspiratory trigger threshold.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting a trigger threshold level of a patient ventilator, the method comprising:

a. selecting an auto position on a trigger menu of the patient ventilator;

b. receiving a set of unprocessed data into a sensor;

c. calculating a set of patient data;

d. calculating a control signal with the set of patient data, wherein the control signal reflects the trigger threshold level; and

e. adjusting the trigger threshold level of the patient ventilator with the set of patient data.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of unprocessed data includes an expiratory flow component and an inspiratory flow component.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the set of unprocessed data is received by the sensor in a processor, and further wherein the processor calculates the set of patient data and the control signal.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising sending the set of patient data from the signal processing algorithm processor to a fuzzy logic control algorithm, wherein the fuzzy logic control algorithm executes the adjusting step with the set of patient data.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising displaying the set of patient data on a display device coupled to the patient ventilator.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting step adjusts the trigger threshold level to a finer level than can be achieved by a manual user interface.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising specifying a band wherein the auto position controls within the patient ventilator.

8. A system for adjusting a trigger threshold level of a patient ventilator, the system comprising:

a. a trigger menu of the patient ventilator, wherein the trigger menu is set to an auto position;

b. a sensor configured to receive a set of unprocessed data;

c. a processor, coupled to the sensor, wherein the processor calculates a set of patient data with the set of unprocessed data, and further calculates a control signal with the set of patient data, and further wherein the control signal reflects the trigger threshold level; and

d. a controller coupled to the processor and configured to receive the set of patient data, wherein the controller adjusts the trigger threshold level of the patient ventilator with the set of patient data.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the set of unprocessed data includes:

a. an expiratory flow component;

b. an inspiratory flow component; and

c. a pressure component.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a display coupled to the patient ventilator, wherein the display is configured to display the set of unprocessed data and the set of patient data.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processor applies an algorithm to calculate the control signal.

12. A method of adjusting a trigger threshold of a patient ventilator, the method comprising:

a. selecting an auto position on a trigger menu of the patient ventilator;

b. receiving a set of unprocessed data into a sensor;

c. calculating a set of patient data;

d. calculating a control signal with the set of patient data, wherein the control signal reflects the trigger threshold level;

e. sending the control signal from the processor to a controller;

f. adjusting the trigger threshold level of the patient ventilator with the set of patient data; and

g. displaying the set of patient data and the set of unprocessed data on a device coupled to the patient ventilator, wherein the set of unprocessed data includes an inspiratory flow component, an expiratory flow component and a pressure component.