Systems, methods and apparatus for respiratory support of a patient

• US 20100269834A1
• Filed: 04/30/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Kapust, Gregory, Freitag, Lutz
• Granted Patent: US 8,418,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.140
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0006 with means for creating vibrations in patients' airways
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0063 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0468 with valves at the proximal end limiting exhalation, e.g. during speaking or coughing air passages from trachea to oesophagus or to pharynx, artificial epiglottis A61F2/203
• 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 2016/0413 with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases

Abstract

Spontaneous respiration is detected by sensors. An additional amount of oxygen is administered to the lungs via a jet gas current at the end of an inhalation procedure. Breathing volume, absorption of oxygen during inhalation, and clearance of carbon dioxide during exhalation are improved. If required, the exhalation procedure of the patient can be arrested or slowed by a countercurrent to avoid a collapse of the respiration paths. An apparatus including an oxygen pump can be connected to an oxygen source and includes a tracheal prosthesis that can be connected via a catheter. The respiration detections sensors are connected to a control unit for activating the oxygen pump. The tracheal prosthesis includes a tubular support body with a connection for the catheter, and the sensors are associated with the support body. The tracheal prosthesis and jet catheter are dimensioned so the patient can freely breathe and speak without restriction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting the respiration of a patient comprising:

an oxygen-bearing gas delivery device adapted to be inserted into the respiratory system of the patient,

a gas pump operatively connected to an oxygen-bearing gas source, the oxygen-bearing gas source fluidly connected to the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device,

sensors to detect the spontaneous respiration of the patient, and

a control unit to activate the gas pump, the control unit connected to the sensors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensors include thermistors, respibands, respitrace, transthoracical electrical impedance measuring devices.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensors further comprise a bridge circuit and a differentiator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensors are disposed at different locations.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a signal response of a sensor is dampened relative to a signal response of an additional sensor, and wherein the signal response of the sensor and the signal response of the additional sensor are compared for correcting signal drift, transient signals and artifacts.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensors are connected to the control unit with wire.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one sensor is located outside the patient'"'"'s body.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one sensor is implanted in the patient'"'"'s body.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device comprises a tracheal prosthesis.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the tracheal prosthesis has a circular or semicircular cross-section.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the tracheal prosthesis further comprises a coupling adapted to receive a catheter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the catheter further comprises a jet nozzle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sensors are disposed on the catheter.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device comprises a catheter.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the catheter further comprises a jet nozzle.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the catheter comprises an inner lumen and an outer lumen.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device and the sensors are implanted inside the patient'"'"'s body.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device is minimally invasive.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ventilator.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas pump, oxygen-bearing gas source, and control unit are located separately.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas comprises substantially pure oxygen, mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen, mixtures of oxygen and inert gases, ambient air, or various combinations thereof.

72. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one end of the catheter has a curved course.

22. A method for supporting the respiration of a patient comprising the steps of:

detecting the spontaneous respiration of the patient with sensors,

identifying the end of the inhalation process,

administering an additional amount of oxygen-bearing gas to the lungs through an oxygen-bearing gas delivery device into a respiratory system of the patient, and

wherein the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device and the additional amount of oxygen-bearing gas allows the patient to speak unhindered.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the amount of oxygen-bearing gas is sufficient to treat sleep apnea, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pleural adhesions, chest-wall diseases, neuromuscular diseases, or phrenic nerve paralysis.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the amount of oxygen-bearing gas is sufficient to prevent the patient'"'"'s airway from collapsing.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the sensors include thermistors, respibands, respitrace, transthoracical electrical impedance measuring devices.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the sensors are disposed at different locations.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising dampening a signal response of a sensor is dampened relative to a signal response of an additional sensor, and comparing the signal response of the sensor and the signal response of the additional sensor for correcting signal drift, transient signals and artifacts.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein inspiration and exhalation are determined with a bridge circuit and a differentiator.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein inspiration is determined at a minimum in absolute temperature and a differentiated signal of zero.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device comprises a tracheal prosthesis.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of securing the tracheal prosthesis in a trachea.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the tracheal prosthesis has a circular or semicircular cross-section.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the tracheal prosthesis further comprises a coupling adapted to receive a catheter.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas is administered by jet flow.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas is administered at a speed of approximately 100 m/s to 300 m/s.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas is administered at a speed of approximately 200 m/s to 300 m/s.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas is administered at a speed of approximately 250 m/s to 300 m/s.

39. The method of claim 22, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas delivery device comprises a catheter.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the catheter comprises an outer lumen and an inner lumen.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein a flow of the oxygen-bearing gas is directed substantially down the center of a trachea.

42. The method of claim 22, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas is administered only on inspiration.

43. The method of claim 22, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas is administered only on expiration.

44. The method of claim 22, wherein the oxygen-bearing gas is administered during both inhalation and exhalation.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the additional amount of oxygen-bearing gas causes flow braking turbulence or the addition of venturi flow.

46. The method of claim 22, wherein information from the sensors can be communicated to a healthcare provider or hospital for monitoring.

47. A tracheal prosthesis comprising:

a tubular support body,

a connection for a jet catheter,

at least two sensors coupled with the tubular support body, and

wherein the sensors include thermistors.

48. The tracheal prosthesis of claim 47, wherein the sensors are connected in a bridge circuit.

49. The tracheal prosthesis of claim 47, further comprising a catheter.

50. The tracheal prosthesis of claim 49, wherein the catheter further comprises a stop.

51. The tracheal prosthesis of claim 49, wherein the catheter comprises an inner lumen and an outer lumen.

52. A method for supporting the respiration of a patient comprising the steps of:

detecting the spontaneous respiration of the patient by sensors,

identifying the end of the inhalation process, and

administering an additional amount of oxygen to the lungs.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the additional amount of oxygen is administered at the end of an inhalation process.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the amount of oxygen has a volume of about between 25 ml to 150 ml.

55. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of braking the exhalation process of the patient with a countercurrent.

56. An apparatus for supporting the respiration of a patient that comprises:

an oxygen pump operatively connected to an oxygen source,

sensors for detecting the spontaneous respiration of the patient, and

the sensors are connected to a control unit for activating the oxygen pump.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the oxygen pump comprises a tracheal prosthesis connectible by a catheter, the tracheal prosthesis having a tubular support body with a connection for the catheter.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the sensors are associated with the support body of the tracheal prosthesis.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein at least one sensor is coupled with the inner wall of the support body.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the end of the catheter located in the support body is deflected approximately parallel to its longitudinal axis (L) and is provided on the end with a jet nozzle.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the end of the catheter located in the support body is deflected approximately parallel to its longitudinal axis and is provided on the end with a jet nozzle.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the oxygen pump is a piston pump.

63. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the oxygen pump is a piston pump.

64. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the catheter has a double-lumen design.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the catheter has a double-lumen design.

66. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising additional respiration sensors.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising additional respiration sensors.

68. A tracheal prosthesis comprising:

a tubular support body,

a connection for a jet catheter, and

at least two sensors coupled with the support body.

69. The tracheal prosthesis of claim 68, wherein at least one of the sensors is coupled with the inner wall of the support body.

70. The tracheal prosthesis of claim 69, wherein the catheter is operatively coupled with the support body.

71. The tracheal prosthesis of claim 68, wherein the catheter is operatively coupled with the support body.