Recognition System for an Apparatus That Delivers Breathable Gas to a Patient

• US 20100147301A1
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kwok, Phillip Rodney
• Granted Patent: US 8,267,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.210
• 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 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes

Abstract

An adapter for use with a flow generator includes a conduit (16) attachable to the outlet (24) of the flow generator (14) and an identifying element (46) supported by the conduit and providing an identifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flow generator. The identifying feature is communicatable to the flow generator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator may be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate with the specific peripheral component.

Claims

1. An adapter for use with a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air to be provided at an outlet to a patient for treatment, the adapter comprising:

a conduit attachable to the outlet of the flow generator; and

an identifying element supported by the conduit and providing an identifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flow generator,

wherein the identifying feature is communicatable to the flow generator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator may be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate with the specific peripheral component.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the identifying element is a resistor and the identifying feature is a resistance value.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the identifying element is coupled to a connector portion supported by the conduit, the connector portion adapted to removably couple with a connector portion provided on the flow generator.

4. The adapter according to claim 3, wherein the connector portion of the adapter and the connector portion of the flow generator are conductors that are electrically attachable to one another.

5. A CPAP apparatus comprising:

a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air to be provided at an outlet;

a patient interface engagable with a patient'"'"'s face to provide a seal;

an air delivery conduit coupled between the flow generator and the patient interface to deliver the supply of pressurized air from the flow generator to the patient interface; and

the adapter according to claim 1.

6. The CPAP apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the specific peripheral component is the patient interface.

7. The CPAP apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the appropriate operating parameters are stored in a memory of the flow generator.

8. The CPAP apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of adapters are attached to the outlet, each of the adapters associated with a respective peripheral component.

9. The CPAP apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the identifying element of each adapter is a resistor and the associated identifying feature is a resistance value, and wherein a total of all the resistance values of the adapters is unique for each combination of adapters.

10. An identifier for use with a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air to be provided at an outlet to a patient for treatment, the identifier comprising:

an identifying element providing an identifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flow generator,

wherein the identifying feature is communicatable to the flow generator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator may be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate with the specific peripheral component.

11. The identifier according to claim 10, wherein the identifying element is supported by an adapter attachable to the outlet of the flow generator.

12. A method for operating a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air to be provided at an outlet to a patient for treatment, the method comprising:

measuring a parameter of a peripheral component;

storing the parameter on an identifying component;

attaching the peripheral component to a flow generator;

conveying the stored parameter to the flow generator; and

operating the flow generating at least in part based on the stored parameter.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the peripheral component is a patient interface.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the stored parameter is leak.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the identifying component is a card packaged with the peripheral component.