Method and system for controlled maintenance of hypoxia for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes

• US 20070077200A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Baker, Clark
• Application Number:
  US11/241,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077200A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/9.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/006 under hypoxy conditions, i.e. oxygen supply subnormal

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, device, and method for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to delivering a hypoxic gas mixture to a patient, monitoring at least one physiological parameter of the patient, and automatically controlling the delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a value of the physiological parameter.

Claims

1. A method for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient, comprising:

delivering a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient;

monitoring at least one physiological parameter of the patient; and

automatically controlling the delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a value of the physiological parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hypoxic gas mixture is delivered via an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask airway, face mask, nasal pillow, nasal canula, or any combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological parameter comprises a blood oxygenation level, a tissue carbon dioxide level, a heart rate, a blood pressure level, a respiration rate, a tissue oxygenation level, or any combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising facilitating a diagnostic or imaging procedure for detecting regions of local hypoxia.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising detecting a tumor.

6. The method of claim 4, comprising detecting ischemic tissue.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising delivering an agent to the patient, the agent configured to localize in hypoxic tissue.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising controlling the delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture to induce, control, or maintain a therapeutic response in the patient based on a local hypoxia condition.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the therapeutic response comprises improved patient resistance to hypoxia.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the therapeutic response comprises neurogenesis.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the therapeutic response comprises apoptosis.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising mediating the apoptosis by providing the patient with an agent configured to localize in hypoxic tissue.

13. The method of claim 11, comprising mediating the apoptosis by destroying local vasculature.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising mediating the apoptosis by repetitive ischemia-reperfusion injury.

15. The method of claim 1, comprising controlling delivery of the gas mixture to maintain a fixed or time-varying target level of hypoxia.

16. The method of claim 1, comprising controlling delivery or content of the gas mixture to maximize the hypoxia within predefined parameters.

17. A ventilation system for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient, comprising:

a delivery mechanism configured to deliver a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient; and

a controller configured to monitor at least one physiological parameter of the patient and to automatically adjust delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a comparison of a value of the monitored physiological parameter with a stored physiological parameter.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the delivery mechanism includes an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask airway, face mask, nasal pillow, nasal canula, or any combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the delivery mechanism includes at least one gas supply tank and a control valve configured to provide designated amounts of gas from the gas supply tank to the patient.

20. The system of claim 17, comprising at least one sensor configured to determine the at least one physiological parameter of the patient.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller comprises a pulse oximeter monitor and sensor.

22. A controller, comprising:

an input circuit configured to receive data relating to at least one physiological parameter of a patient;

a memory storing an algorithm configured to calculate adjustments for a set point for delivery of a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient based on a comparison of the data relating to the at least one physiological parameter with a master set point for the at least one physiological parameter; and

an output circuit configured to send the set point to a delivery mechanism, the delivery mechanism being configured to deliver the hypoxic gas mixture to the patient.

23. The controller of claim 22, comprising a plurality of flow controllers configured to supply a designated gas mixture.

24. The controller of claim 22, comprising a target entry circuit configured to receive the master set point.

25. A method of manufacturing a ventilation system for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient, comprising:

providing a delivery mechanism configured to deliver a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient; and

providing a controller configured to monitor at least one physiological parameter of the patient and to automatically adjust delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a comparison of the monitored physiological parameter with a stored physiological parameter.

26. The method of claim 25, comprising providing an input circuit in the controller, the input circuit configured to receive data relating to the at least one physiological parameter of the patient.

27. The method of claim 25, comprising providing a memory in the ventilation system, the memory storing an algorithm configured to calculate adjustments for a delivery set point for delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture to the patient based on the comparison of the value of the physiological parameter with the stored physiological parameter.

28. The method of claim 25, comprising providing an output circuit in the ventilation system, the output circuit configured to send the delivery set point to the delivery mechanism.