Modular positive airway pressure therapy apparatus and methods

• US 20080099017A1
• Filed: 10/01/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Somnetics International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Somnetics International, Inc.
• Inventors: Baser, Joseph, Bowman, Bruce, Bordewick, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/906,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20080099017A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.21
• 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 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/128 with incorporated valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 Docking stations

Abstract

Respiratory therapy apparatus and methods to deliver one or more positive airway pressure therapies are disclosed. The respiratory apparatus includes a flow generator having a first interlock and at least one module that includes a second interlock. The first interlock and the second interlock releasably engagable with one another. The flow generator and the module may be secured in a stacked vertical configuration.

Claims

1. A respiratory therapy apparatus, comprising:

a flow generator configured to provide a positive airway pressure therapy to a user, the flow generator including a microcontroller, a blower, a blower motor, and a first interlock, wherein the microcontroller regulates the operation of at least the blower motor; and

,

at least one module including a second interlock, the second interlock releasably engaged with the first interlock to releasably secure the flow generator to the at least one module in a stacked vertical configuration.

2. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising the first interlock comprising a female interlock and the second interlock comprising a male interlock.

3. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 2, further comprising the female interlock including a first electrical connector and the male interlock including a second electrical connector, the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector configured to electrically contact one another when the first interlock is releasably engaged with the second interlock.

4. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising the flow generator and the at least one module stacked in a vertical configuration where a lower surface of the at least one module positioned adjacent to an upper surface of the flow generator.

5. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising a display, the display secured to the flow generator, the display at least temporarily displays an indicator indicative of the at least one module releasably secured to the flow generator.

6. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising a display, the display secured to the flow generator, the display at least temporarily displays an indicator indicative of the status of at least one module releasably secured to the flow generator.

7. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising a display, the display secured to the flow generator, the display at least temporarily displays an indicator indicative of the mode of at least one module releasably secured to the flow generator.

8. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising:

the flow generator in communication with the at least one module by a communication interface.

9. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 6, further comprising:

the communication interface including a hardware interface.

10. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 6, further comprising:

the communication interface including an optical interface.

11. The respiratory therapy apparatus, as in claim 6, further comprising:

the communication interface includes a radiofrequency interface.

12. A respiratory therapy apparatus, comprising:

a flow generator; and

a plurality of modules, the modules removably securable to one another, the modules removably securable to the flow generator in a plurality of stacked vertical configurations.

13. A method, comprising:

providing a flow generator and a module; and

and releasably securing the module to the flow generator in a vertical stacked orientation.

14. A method, as in claim 13, further comprising releasably coupling a first communication interface of the flow generator to a second communication interface of the module to communicate at least one of data or power between the first communication interface and the second communication interface.

15. A method, as in claim 13, further comprising releasably engaging a first interlock of the flow generator to a second interlock of the module to releasably secure the module to the flow generator.

16. A method, as in claim 15, further comprising releasably coupling a first communication interface of the flow generator to a second communication interface of the module to communicate at least one of data or power between the first communication interface and the second communication interface.