Systems and methods for visualizing pressures and pressure responses to sleep-related triggering events

• US 20080251078A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richards, Glenn, Buckley, Mark David
• Granted Patent: US 8,276,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• 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 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3365 Rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient

Abstract

Systems and methods for visualizing patient treatment data collected while a patient suffering from sleep-disordered breathing is treated are provided. For example, according to certain example embodiments, a PAP device for treating a patient suffering from sleep-disordered breathing is provided. A processor may be set or programmed to generate a signal indicative of a triggering event. A flow generator may be configured to provide a supply of pressurized breathable gas to the patient based at least in part on the signal. Recording programmed logic circuitry may be provided to record in a data log pressures provided during patient treatment and triggering events occurring during patient treatment. Visualizing programmed logic circuitry in communication with the PAP device may be configured to read the data log and generate a visual depiction of provided pressures over time. Triggering events may include, for example, one or more of apnea, hypopnea, flattening, snore, etc.

Claims

1. A method of visualizing patient treatment data collected while a patient suffering from sleep-disordered breathing is treated, the method comprising:

initializing pressure settings for patient treatment;

providing a supply of pressurized breathable gas to the patient based at least in part on the pressure settings;

detecting a triggering, event;

when a triggering event is detected, adjusting the pressure settings based at least in part on the triggering event type; and

,

creating a visual depiction of provided pressures over time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the creating a visual depiction of provided pressures over time occurs as a real time display of provided pressures during present treatment.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the visual depiction of provided pressures includes data from two or more treatment sessions.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering event includes apnea, hypopnea, flattening, and/or snore.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the visual depiction is an area graph.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the visual depiction includes pressures provided to the patient for each triggering event.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the visual depiction indicates a triggering event type associated with the provided pressures.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising recording to a data log triggering event information and/or the pressure settings.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising updating the visual depiction at a predetermined interval and/or when a triggering event is detected.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein Bilevel pressures are provided.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

aggregating the provided Bilevel pressures over a breath; and

basing the visual depiction based on the aggregated Bilevel pressures.

12. A PAP device for treating a patient suffering from sleep-disordered breathing, comprising:

a processor set or programmed to generate a signal indicative of a triggering event;

a flow generator configured to provide a supply of pressurized breathable gas to the patient based at least in part on the signal;

recording programmed logic circuitry to record in a data log pressures provided during patient treatment and triggering events occurring during patient treatment; and

,

visualizing programmed logic circuitry in communication with the PAP device configured to read the data log and generate a visual depiction of provided pressures over time.

13. The PAP device of claim 12, wherein the triggering event includes apnea, hypopnea, flattening, and/or snore.

14. The PAP device of claim 12, wherein the visual depiction is an area graph.

15. The PAP device of claim 12, wherein the visual depiction includes pressures provided to the patient for each triggering event.

16. The PAP device of claim 12, wherein the visual depiction indicates a triggering event type associated with the provided pressures.

17. The PAP device of claim 12, wherein the visualizing programmed logic circuitry is capable of displaying the visualization on a display.

18. The PAP device of claim 17, wherein the visualizing programmed logic circuitry updates the display at a predetermined interval and/or when a triggering event is detected.

19. The PAP device of claim 18, wherein the flow generator is configured to provide Bilevel pressures.

20. The PAP device of claim 19, wherein the recording programmed logic circuitry is configured to store aggregated Bilevel pressures.

21. The PAP device of claim 20, wherein the PAP device is an AutoSet device.

22. The PAP device of claim 21, wherein the visualizing programmed logic circuitry is located on a device separate from the PAP device.

23. The PAP device of claim 22, further comprising:

a mask for the patient, and

a flexible tube connecting the mask and the flow generator.

24. The PAP device of claim 23, wherein the flow generator is configured to provide the breathable gas at a pressure of about 3-20 cmH₂O.

25. A visualization of treatment data collected while a patient is treated for sleep-disordered breathing, comprising:

a base pressure provided to the patient by a PAP device;

at least one pressure response of the PAP device in response to one or more triggering events.

26. The visualization of claim 25, further comprising an indication of the type of triggering event associated with each said pressure response.

27. The visualization of claim 26, wherein the PAP device is an AutoSet device.

28. The visualization of claim 26, wherein the PAP device is a Bilevel device.

29. The visualization of claim 28, wherein each pressure included in the visualization is an aggregate of inhalation and exhalation pressures taken over a breath.

30. The visualization of claim 29, wherein a device on which is the visualization is displayed is configured to receive user input and adjust the visualization in response thereto.

31. A method of analyzing a treatment applied to a patient for sleep-disordered breathing, the method comprising generating a visual display based on pressure data from a PAP device in which each change in treatment pressure over time is visually associated with a sleep-related triggering event.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising isolating, for each triggering event, an associated pressure contribution.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising determining a future treatment pressure for a future treatment of the patient.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising determining whether the treatment is effective.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising determining whether the treatment is effective in reducing patient snore, apnea, and/or hypopnea.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising disregarding at least some of the triggering events.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising verifying whether the PAP device is functioning properly.

38. A high flow treatment device for treating a patient suffering from sleep-disordered breathing via a nasal cannula, comprising:

a processor with processor control instructions to generate a signal indicative of a triggering event;

a flow generator to provide a response flow of breathable gas to the patient based at least in part on the signal;

recording programmed logic circuitry to record in a data log data indicative of flows or pressures provided during patient treatment and of triggering events occurring during patient treatment; and

visualizing programmed logic circuitry in communication with the high flow treatment device configured to read the data log and generate a visual depiction of flow generator responses associated with particular triggering events over time.