POWER MANAGEMENT IN RESPIRATORY TREATMENT APPARATUS

• US 20110162647A1
• Filed: 09/07/2009
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huby, Ronald James, Bath, Andrew Roderick, Oates, John David
• Granted Patent: US 8,844,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• 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 16/0666 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 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1085 after being humidified or mixed with a beneficial agent
• 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 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 Balancing the load in a network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/66 : one of the loads acting as master and the other or others acting as slaves

Abstract

A respiratory treatment apparatus provides respiratory treatment with improved power management control to permit more efficient power consumption and power supply units, such as battery powered operation. In one embodiment, power management prioritizes the flow generator (104) over other accessories such as the heating elements (111, 135) of a humidifier (112) and/or a delivery tube. The flow generator may control operations of the heating elements as a function of a detected respiratory cycle. For example, the timing of operation of the heating elements may be interleaved with the portion of an inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle to permit the flow generator to operate during a peak power operation without a power drain or with a lower power drain from these components. Operations of distinct sets of components of the system (e.g., different heating elements) may also be interleaved to prevent simultaneous peak power operations.

Claims

1. A respiratory treatment device comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

an accessory apparatus;

a power supply unit; and

a controller coupled with the flow generator, the accessory apparatus, and the power supply unit, the controller being configured to control offsetting of peak power operations of the flow generator and the accessory apparatus as a function of detecting a patient respiratory cycle by the respiratory treatment device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller controls the offsetting by reducing a power setting of the accessory apparatus during a portion of the detected respiratory cycle.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the portion is a detected inspiratory phase of respiration.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the controller is further configured to control offsetting of peak power operations of the flow generator and the accessory apparatus during an inspiratory rise time of an inspiratory phase and permitting operations of the accessory apparatus and the flow generator during a remaining inspiratory time of the inspiratory phase;

whereby the controller controls substantial avoidance of simultaneous peak power operations of the flow generator and the accessory apparatus.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a power prioritization module and wherein a priority classification of the flow generator is greater than a priority classification of the accessory apparatus.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the flow generator comprises a servo-controlled blower and the accessory apparatus comprises a heater of a humidifier, and wherein the controller synchronizes de-powering of the heater during an increase in a speed of the blower.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the controller is configured to set a variable power level of the heater of the humidifier.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the accessory apparatus comprises a heater of a humidifier and a delivery tube heater, and wherein the controller synchronizes powering of each heater to prevent operation of the heaters during an increase in speed of the blower.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the controller is configured to set variable power levels in the heater of the humidifier and the heater of the delivery tube.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the controller is configured to control interleaving of the operations of the heater of the humidifier and the heater of the delivery tube.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the controller controls interleaving by generating pulse width modulated control signals to the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater and wherein the pulse width modulated control signals of one heater are offset in time from the pulse width modulated control signals of the other heater.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller, accessory apparatus and flow generator are coupled by a bus, and wherein the controller is configured to interrogate the accessory apparatus and the flow generator to request status information of the accessory apparatus and flow generator over the bus.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the controller and power supply unit are coupled by the bus, and wherein the controller is further configured to interrogate the power supply unit to request status information of the power supply unit over the bus.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to power down a device of the accessory apparatus when the controller detects that the flow generator is not in use.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the flow generator comprises a power generator to recharge the power supply unit during a deceleration phase of operation of the flow generator.

17. A respiratory treatment device comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

an accessory apparatus including a delivery tube heater and a humidifier heater;

a power supply unit; and

a controller coupled with the flow generator, the accessory apparatus, and the power supply unit, the controller being configured to control interleaving of the operations of the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater;

whereby the controller controls substantial avoidance of simultaneous peak power operations of the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the controller controls interleaving by generating pulse width modulated control signals to the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater and wherein the pulse width modulated control signals of one heater are offset in time from the pulse width modulated control signals of the other the heater.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the controller controls interleaving by generating pulse width modulated control signals to the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater and wherein the pulse width modulated control signals of one heater are offset in time from the pulse width modulated control signals of the other the heater.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein the controller further controls offsetting of operations of the accessory apparatus and flow generator by detecting a respiratory cycle and by reducing a power setting of the accessory apparatus during a portion of the detected respiratory cycle.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the portion is a detected inspiratory phase of respiration.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein the controller is configured to control offsetting of peak power operations of the flow generator with respect to both of the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater during an inspiratory rise time of an inspiratory phase detected by the controller.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein the controller is configured to set a variable power level of the heater of the humidifier.

24. The device of claim 22 wherein the controller is configured to set a variable power level of the delivery tube heater.

25. The device of claim 22 wherein the controller further permits operations of either one of the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater with the flow generator during a remaining inspiratory time of the inspiratory phase.

26. The device of claim 22 wherein the controller comprises a power prioritization module and wherein a priority classification of the flow generator is greater than a priority classification of the accessory apparatus.

27. The device of claim 22 wherein the flow generator comprises a servo-controlled blower, and wherein the controller synchronizes de-powering of the delivery tube heater and the humidifier heater while a rotational velocity of the blower is increasing.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein the controller synchronizes powering of each heater to avoid heater operations concurrently with an increase in the rotational velocity of the blower.

29. The device of claim 22 wherein the controller, accessory apparatus and flow generator are coupled by a bus, and wherein the controller is configured to interrogate the accessory apparatus and the flow generator to request status information of the accessory apparatus and flow generator over the bus.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein the controller and power supply unit are coupled by the bus, and wherein the controller is further configured to interrogate the power supply unit to request status information of the power supply unit over the bus.

31. The device of claim 22 wherein the controller is configured to power down a device of the accessory apparatus when the controller detects that the flow generator is not in use.

32. The device of claim 17 wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein the flow generator comprises a generator to recharge the power supply unit during a deceleration phase of operation of the flow generator.

34. In a respiratory treatment device, a method comprising:

controlling a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

controlling a heater element of a flow path of the flow generator; and

controlling offsetting of peak power operations of the flow generator and the heater element as a function of detecting a patient respiratory cycle in the respiratory treatment device.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the controlling offsetting reduces a power setting of the heater element during a portion of the detected respiratory cycle.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the portion is a detected inspiratory phase of respiration.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

controlling an offset of respective operations of the flow generator and the heater during an inspiratory rise time of an inspiratory phase while permitting concurrent operations of the heater and the flow generator during a remaining inspiratory time of the inspiratory phase.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the offset of respective operations comprises a synchronized de-powering of the heater during an acceleration of rotational velocity of a blower of the flow generator.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the heater element comprises a heating element of a humidifier.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the heater element comprises a heating element of a delivery tube.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein the de-powering comprises an adjustment of a variable power level of the heater.

42. The method of claim 34 further comprising controlling a heater element of a humidifier, wherein the controlling of the heater elements is synchronized to prevent operation of the heaters during an increase in speed of the blower.

43. The method of claim 34 further comprising controlling a heater element of a humidifier, wherein the controlling of the heater elements interleaves the operations of the heater elements.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the controlling of the heater elements is performed by generating pulse width modulated control signals to the heater elements and wherein the pulse width modulated control signals of one heater element are offset in time from the pulse width modulated control signals of the other the heater element.

45. The method of claim 34 further comprising generating control signals for the flow generator and the heater element on a common bus.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprising generating control signals for a power supply unit on the common bus.

47. The method of claim 34 further comprising generating a control signal to power down the heater element upon detecting that the flow generator is not in use.

48. The method of claim 34 further comprising generating power with the flow generator to recharge a battery power supply during a deceleration phase of operation of the flow generator.

49. In a respiratory treatment device, a method comprising:

controlling a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

controlling a first heater of a flow path of the flow generator;

controlling a second heater of a flow path of the flow generator; and

controlling a first offset of respective operations of the first and second heaters.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein the controlling of the first offset comprises interleaving the operations of the heater elements by generating pulse width modulated control signals to the heater elements such that the pulse width modulated control signals of one heater are offset in time from the pulse width modulated control signals of the other heater element.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein the first heater comprises a heating element of a humidifier.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the second heater comprises a heating element of a delivery tube.

53. The method of claim 49 further comprising controlling offsetting of operations of at least one of the first and second heaters and the flow generator by detecting a respiratory cycle and by reducing a power setting of the at least one heater during a portion of the detected respiratory cycle.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the portion is a detected inspiratory phase of respiration.

55. The method of claim 49 further comprising controlling a second offset of respective operations of the flow generator and the first and second heaters during an inspiratory rise time of an inspiratory phase while permitting concurrent operations of at least one of the first and second heaters and the flow generator during a remaining inspiratory time of the inspiratory phase.

56. The method of claim 49 wherein the second offset of respective operations comprises a de-powering of the heaters synchronized with an acceleration of rotational velocity of a blower of the flow generator.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the de-powering comprises an adjustment of a variable power level of a heater.

58. The method of claim 49 wherein the second offset of respective operations comprises preventing operation of the heaters during an increase in speed of a blower of the flow generator.

59. The method of claim 49 further comprising generating control signals for the flow generator, the first heater and the second heater on a common bus.

60. The method of claim 59 further comprising generating control signals for a power supply unit on the common bus.

61. The method of claim 49 further comprising generating a control signal to power down the first and second heaters upon detecting that the flow generator is not in use.

62. The method of claim 49 further comprising generating power with the flow generator to recharge a battery power supply during a deceleration phase of operation of the flow generator.

63. A respiratory treatment device comprising:

means controlling a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

means for controlling a first heater of a flow path of the flow generator;

means for controlling a second heater of a flow path of the flow generator; and

means for controlling a first offset of respective operations of the first and second heaters.

64. The device of claim 63 wherein further comprising means for controlling a second offset of the respective operations of the heaters and the flow generator by detecting a respiratory cycle and reducing a power setting of the first and second heaters during a portion of the detected respiratory cycle.

65. The device of claim 64 wherein the portion is a detected inspiratory phase of respiration.

66. The device of claim 64 further comprising:

means for controlling an offset of respective operations of the flow generator and the heater during an inspiratory rise time of an inspiratory phase while permitting concurrent operations of the heater and the flow generator during a remaining inspiratory time of the inspiratory phase.

67. A method of control in a respiratory treatment device, the method comprising:

controlling a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

controlling a heater element of a flow path of the flow generator; and

controlling operations of the heater element as a function of detecting a patient respiratory cycle by the respiratory treatment device.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein operation of the heater element is prevented during a portion of an inspiratory phase of a respiration cycle detected by the respiratory treatment device.

69. In a respiratory treatment apparatus, a method comprising:

controlling a flow generator of the respiratory treatment device to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

detecting available energy of a power supply unit powering the respiratory treatment apparatus; and

changing a treatment regime provided by the respiratory treatment apparatus based on the detection of available energy.

70. The method of claim 69 wherein the detecting comprises determining information representative of a discharge rate of a battery of the power supply unit.

71. The method of claim 69 wherein the changing of a treatment regime comprises controlling a pressure treatment regime that is different from a pressure treatment regime previously provided by the apparatus.

72. The method of claim 69 wherein the changing of a treatment regime comprises controlling a temperature of a pressure treatment regime that is different from a temperature of a pressure treatment regime previously provided by the apparatus.

73. The method of claim 69 wherein the changing of a treatment regime comprises selecting a mode of operation associated with an energy profile that represents a quantification of energy consumption of an operation of at least one component of the respiratory treatment apparatus so that the detected available power is sufficient to satisfy the quantification of energy of the energy profile.

74. A respiratory treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

a power supply unit; and

a controller coupled with the flow generator and the power supply unit, the controller being configured to detect an available power of the power supply unit and to control a change to a treatment regime provided by the respiratory treatment apparatus as a function of the detection of available power.

75. The apparatus of claim 74 further comprising a current sensor and wherein the controller determines a discharge rate of a battery of the power supply unit in conjunction with a signal from the current sensor.

76. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein the change to the treatment regime comprises controlling a pressure treatment regime that is different from a pressure treatment regime previously provided by the apparatus.

77. The apparatus of claim 74 further comprising a heating element controlled by the controller wherein the change to the treatment regime comprises controlling a temperature of a pressure treatment regime that is different from a temperature of a pressure treatment regime previously provided by the apparatus.

78. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein the controller is configured to change the treatment regime by selecting a mode of operation associated with an energy profile that represents a quantification of energy consumption of an operation of at least one component of the respiratory treatment apparatus so that the detected available power is sufficient to meet the quantification of energy of the energy profile.

79. The apparatus of claim 74 wherein the controller is configured to store data representing the change to the treatment regime and the detection of power and to generate output of the change to the treatment regime and the detection of power represented by the stored data to a user of the apparatus.

80. A respiratory treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

a power supply unit including at least one battery; and

at least one processor coupled with the flow generator and the power supply unit, the processor including control instructions to control a detection of an available power of the power supply unit and to control a change to a treatment regime provided by the respiratory treatment apparatus as a function of the detection of available power.

81. The apparatus of claim 80 further comprising a current sensor and wherein the instructions of the processor control a calculation of a discharge rate of the battery in conjunction with a signal from the power sensor.

82. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein the change to the treatment regime comprises a pressure treatment regime that is different from a pressure treatment regime previously provided by the apparatus.

83. The apparatus of claim 80 further comprising a heating element controlled by the processor and wherein the change to the treatment regime comprises a temperature of a pressure treatment regime that is different from a temperature of a pressure treatment regime previously provided by the apparatus.

84. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein the instructions of the processor are configured to change the treatment regime by selecting a mode of operation associated with an energy profile that represents a quantification of energy consumption of an operation of at least one component of the respiratory treatment apparatus so that the detected available power is sufficient to meet the quantification of energy of the energy profile.

85. The apparatus of claim 80 wherein the control instructions further comprise storing data representing the change to the treatment regime and the detection of power and generating output of the change to the treatment regime and the detection of power represented by the stored data to a user of the apparatus.

86. A respiratory treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

a power supply unit; and

a controller coupled with the flow generator and the power supply unit, the controller being configured to control initiating a supplemental supply of power from a battery source of the power supply unit to power the flow generator in response to a detection of a respiratory event by the controller.

87. The apparatus of claim 86 wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery and a coupling for a mains supply, and wherein the initiating supplements the power of the battery with the power from the mains.

88. The apparatus of claim 86 wherein the respiratory event comprises an occurrence of an apnea.

89. A respiratory treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

a power supply unit; and

a processor coupled with the flow generator and the power supply unit, the processor being configured with processor control instructions to control initiating a supplemental supply of power from a battery source of the power supply unit to power the flow generator in response to a detection of a respiratory event by the controller.

90. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein the power supply unit comprises a battery and a coupling for a mains supply, and wherein the initiating supplements the power of the battery with the power from the mains.

91. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein the respiratory event comprises an occurrence of an apnea.

92. A respiratory treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

a power supply unit including a battery charger; and

a controller coupled with the flow generator and the power supply unit, the controller being configured to control initiating of a charging operation with the battery charger based on stored time data.

93. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein the battery charger comprises a trickle charger and a speed charger, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively control charging between the trickle charger and the speed charger as a function of the stored time data.

94. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein the respiratory event comprises an occurrence of an apnea.

95. A respiratory treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator to provide a flow of breathable gas to a patient;

a power supply unit including a battery charger; and

a processor coupled with the flow generator and the power supply unit, the processor including processor control instructions to control initiating of a charging operation with the battery charger based on stored time data.

96. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein the battery charger comprises a trickle charger and a speed charger, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively control charging between the trickle charger and the speed charger as a function of the stored time data.

97. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein the respiratory event comprises an occurrence of an apnea.