High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation Monitoring Method and System

• US 20120277614A1
• Filed: 08/19/2010
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Rochester
• Original Assignee: University of Rochester
• Inventors: Horowitz, Benjamin, Handzel, Robert M., Mekarski, Megan M., Sipprell, William H., Chess, Patricia R., Stevens, Timothy P., Seidman, Scott
• Application Number:
  US13/391,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20120277614A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00

Abstract

A method of monitoring high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) wherein the oscillatory movement of the chest wall of an individual is measured. An average amplitude is determined and compared to a pre-determined baseline amplitude, which is established by using the average amplitude at a particular instant of time. If the variance between the average amplitude and the baseline meets and/or exceeds a pre-determined threshold above or below the baseline value, an operator is alerted.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) of an individual, comprising the steps of:

measuring oscillatory movement of the chest wall of an individual using an accelerometer;

determining an amplitude of each of a plurality of consecutive oscillations;

averaging the amplitude of the oscillations which occur during a pre-determined time span; and

comparing the average to a pre-determined baseline amplitude, wherein a variance from the pre-determined baseline causes an operator to be alerted.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the time span is a moving time span, and the averaging and comparing steps are repeated.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of establishing a baseline amplitude when an input is received from the operator, wherein the baseline amplitude is the average amplitude at the time the input is received.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual is a neonate

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual is an animal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the accelerometer is a three-axis accelerometer.

7. A system for monitoring chest wall excursion in small subjects, comprising:

an accelerometer for affixing to the chest wall of the subject;

a monitor in communication with the accelerometer, the monitor having a processing circuit configured to determine an average amplitude of an oscillatory movement of the accelerometer; and

an alarm in communication with the monitor for alerting an operator if the average amplitude varies by more than a predetermined amount.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the accelerometer further comprises three single-axis accelerometers.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the accelerometer is a three-axis accelerometer.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the monitor further comprises a microcontroller.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the monitor further comprises a digital signal processor.

12. A system for monitoring chest wall excursion in small subjects, comprising:

an accelerometer;

means for fixing the accelerometer to the body of the subject;

a monitor in communication with the accelerometer, the monitor having means for processing a signal of the accelerometer to determine an average amplitude of an oscillatory movement of the chest wall of the subject; and

means for alerting an operator if the average amplitude varies by more than a predetermined amount.