High flow therapy device utilizing a non-sealing respiratory interface and related methods

• US 20070175473A1
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mergenet Medical, Inc. (Mergenet Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lewis, Charles, Landis, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,333,194 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.180
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 11/0005 having additional ports, e.g. for connecting syringes or straws devices for administering medicines orally A61J7/00
• 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 16/0069 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 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• 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 16/0677 Gas-saving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/085 Gas sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/125 Diluting primary gas with ambient air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/142 with semi-permeable walls separating the liquid from the respiratory gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/18 Vaporising devices for anaesthetic preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 : Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/203 : Proportional
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 : with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 : pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 : the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/103 : the CO2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 : Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 : with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 : Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 : by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 : with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 : Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• 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: A61M 2230/50 : Temperature

Abstract

A high flow therapy system including a microprocessor, a heating element a non-sealing respiratory interface and a sensor is disclosed. The heating element is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is capable of heating a liquid to create a gas. The non-sealing respiratory interface is configured to deliver the gas to a patient. The sensor is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is configured to measure pressure in an upper airway of the patient.

Claims

1. A high flow therapy system, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a heating element disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a non-sealing respiratory interface configured to deliver the gas to a patient; and

a sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and configured to measure pressure in an upper airway of the patient.

2. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, wherein the non-sealing respiratory interface includes a nasal cannula.

3. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further including a mouthpiece, the sensor being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the mouthpiece.

4. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed at least partially within the upper airway of the patient.

5. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed at adjacent the oral cavity of a patient.

6. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further including a conduit extending between the upper airway of the patient and the sensor.

7. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further including a conduit extending between the oral cavity of the patient and the sensor.

8. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, wherein the sensor measures at least one of respiration rate, tidal volume and minute volume.

9. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to control at least one of the temperature of the gas, the humidity of the gas, the amount of oxygen in the gas, the flow rate of the gas and the volume of the gas delivered to the patient.

10. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further including a second heating element configured to heat gas.

11. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further comprising a blower disposed in mechanical cooperation with the non-sealing respiratory interface and capable of advancing the gas at least partially through the non-sealing respiratory interface.

12. The high flow therapy system of claim 11, wherein the blower is configured for providing a patient with gas flow rates of up to about 60 liters per minute.

13. The high flow therapy system of claim 11, wherein the blower is configured for providing a patient with gas flow rates of up to about 40 liters per minute.

14. The high flow therapy system of claim 11, further including an air inlet port configured to enable ambient air to flow towards the blower.

15. The high flow therapy system of claim 14, further including an air filter disposed in mechanical cooperation with the air inlet port.

16. The high flow therapy system of claim 15, wherein the air filter is configured to reduce the amount of particulates that are received by the blower.

17. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to measure inspiration pressure and expiration pressure of the patient.

18. The high flow therapy system of claim 17, wherein the microprocessor is configured to minimize entrainment of ambient air towards the upper airway of the patient.

19. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further including an oxygen inlet configured to connect to an external source of oxygen.

20. The high flow therapy system of claim 11, further including an oxygen inlet configured to connect to an external source of oxygen.

21. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further including a gas analyzer disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor.

22. The high flow therapy system of claim 6, further including a gas analyzer disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor.

23. The high flow therapy system of claim 6, further including a directional valve disposed in mechanical cooperation with a portion of the conduit and being configured to allow air from the upper airway of the patient to travel towards the directional valve.

24. The high flow therapy system of claim 6, further including a directional valve disposed in mechanical cooperation with a portion of the conduit and being configured to allow air to flow from the directional valve towards the patient.

25. The high flow therapy system of claim 6, further including a directional valve in mechanical cooperation with a sample tube, the sample tube configured for allowing gas to travel towards the directional valve before the gas is heated.

26. The high flow therapy system of claim 6, further including a directional valve in mechanical cooperation with a sample tube, the sample tube configured for allowing gas to travel towards the directional valve after the gas is heated and before the gas reaches the patient.

27. The high flow therapy system of claim 1, further including an alarm in electrical communication with the microprocessor.

28. The high flow therapy system of claim 27, wherein the alarm provides at least one of visual and auditory feedback.

29. A method of supplying a patient with gas, comprising:

providing a high flow therapy device, including;

a microprocessor;

a heating element disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a non-sealing respiratory interface configured to deliver the gas to a patient; and

a sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and configured to measure pressure in the upper airway of the patient;

heating the gas; and

delivering the gas to a patient.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the sensor is disposed at least partially within the upper airway of the patient.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the sensor is disposed adjacent the oral cavity of the patient.

32. The method of claim 29, further including a conduit extending between the upper airway of the patient and the sensor.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the sensor measures at least one of respiration rate, tidal volume and minute volume.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the microprocessor is configured to adjust at least one of the temperature of the gas, the humidity of the gas, the amount of oxygen in the gas, the flow rate of the gas and the volume of the gas delivered to the patient.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising a blower disposed in mechanical cooperation with the non-sealing nasal interface and capable of advancing the gas at least partially through the non-sealing respiratory interface.

36. A method of minimizing respiratory infections of a patient, comprising:

providing a high flow therapy device, including;

a heating element capable of heating a liquid to create a gas; and

a non-sealing respiratory interface configured to deliver the gas to a patient;

heating the gas; and

delivering the gas to a patient.

37. The method of claim 36, further including a microprocessor disposed in electrical communication with the heating element and a sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the sensor being configured to measure pressure in the upper airway of the patient.

38. A method of supplying a patient with gas, comprising:

providing a high flow therapy device, including;

a heating element capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a non-sealing respiratory interface configured to deliver the gas to a patient;

a blower disposed in mechanical cooperation with the non-sealing respiratory interface and capable of advancing the gas at least partially through the non-sealing respiratory interface;

an air inlet port configured to enable ambient air to flow towards the blower; and

an air filter disposed in mechanical cooperation with the air inlet port, the air filter configured to remove particulates from the ambient air;

heating the gas; and

delivering the gas to a patient.

39. The method of claim 38, further including a microprocessor disposed in electrical communication with the heating element and a sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the sensor being configured to measure pressure in the upper airway of the patient.

40. A method of treating a patient for an ailment, comprising:

providing a high flow therapy device, including;

a heating element capable of heating a liquid to create a gas; and

a non-sealing respiratory interface configured to deliver the gas to a patient;

heating the gas; and

delivering the gas to a patient;

wherein the ailment is at least one of a headache, upper airway resistance syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, hypopnea and snoring.

41. The method of claim 40, further including a microprocessor disposed in electrical communication with the heating element and a sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor, the sensor being configured to measure pressure in the upper airway of the patient.

42. The method of claim 40, further including a blower disposed in mechanical cooperation with the non-sealing respiratory interface and capable of advancing the gas at least partially through the non-sealing respiratory interface.

43. A method of delivering respiratory gas to a patient, comprising:

providing a high flow therapy device, including;

a heating element capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a non-sealing respiratory interface configured to deliver the gas to a patient; and

a sensor configured to measure pressure in the upper airway of the patient;

monitoring the respiratory phase of the patient; and

pressurizing the gas.

44. The method of claim 43 further including varying the pressure of the gas according to the respiratory phase of the patient.

45. The method of claim 43 further including increasing the pressure of the gas during inspiration and decreasing the pressure of the gas during expiration.

46. The method of claim 43 further including gradually increasing the pressure of the gas delivered to the patient.

47. A high flow therapy device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a heating element disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a non-sealing respiratory interface configured to deliver the gas to a patient; and

a sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and configured to measure pressure in an upper airway of the patient; and

a mouthpiece disposed in mechanical cooperation with the sensor.

48. The high flow therapy device of claim 47, further including at least one conduit extending between a portion of the mouthpiece and the sensor.