SUPPLEMENTAL GAS SAFETY SYSTEM FOR A BREATHING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM

• US 20130152923A1
• Filed: 02/19/2013
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Andrieux, Claude, Jourdain, Cedric
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0072 Tidal volume piston pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0087 Environmental safety or protection means, e.g. preventing explosion
• 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 16/0666 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 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1005 with O2 features or with parameter measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• 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 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems

Abstract

A system for managing a supplemental gas supply in a breathing assistance system configured to provide breathing assistance to a patient includes a temperature sensor and a control system. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature associated with a breathing assistance system configured to deliver a first gas and a supplemental gas toward a patient. The control system is configured to automatically control the flow of the supplemental gas based at least on the monitored temperature.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. A method for managing a supplemental gas supply in a breathing assistance system, the method comprising:

monitoring a temperature associated with the breathing assistance system, wherein the breathing assistance system is configured to deliver a first gas and a supplemental gas to a patient;

monitoring a speed of a component for delivering at least one of the first gas or the supplemental gas to the patient;

determining that a danger condition exists based at least in part on the monitored temperature and the monitored speed; and

controlling the flow of the supplemental gas based on the determined danger condition.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein controlling the flow of the supplemental gas comprises at least partially closing a valve associated with the supplemental gas flow.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the component is one of:

a motor, a blower, a fan, and a turbine.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein determining that the danger condition exists further comprises at least one of:

determining that the monitored temperature surpasses a temperature threshold; and

determining that the monitored speed surpasses a speed threshold.

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein determining that the danger condition exists is based on a combination of the monitored temperature and the monitored speed.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein at least one of the temperature threshold and the speed threshold is based on a ventilation mode of the breathing assistance system.

28. The method according to claim 25, wherein at least one of the temperature threshold and the speed threshold is based on whether the breathing assistance system is providing pediatric ventilation or adult ventilation.

29. The method according to claim 22, wherein determining that the danger condition exists further comprises:

calculating a safety factor based on at least one of the monitored temperature and the monitored speed; and

determining that the safety factor surpasses a danger condition threshold.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the danger condition threshold is adjusted based on one or more of:

a ventilation mode and one or more ventilation parameters.

31. A breathing assistance system for managing a supplemental gas supply, the breathing assistance system comprising:

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature associated with the breathing assistance system, wherein the breathing assistance system is configured to deliver a first gas and a supplemental gas to a patient;

a control system configured to;

monitor a temperature associated with the breathing assistance system;

monitor a power drawn by the breathing assistance system;

determine that a danger condition exists based at least in part on the monitored temperature and the monitored power; and

control the flow of the supplemental gas based on the determined danger condition.

32. The breathing assistance system according to claim 31, wherein controlling the flow of the supplemental gas comprises at least partially closing a valve associated with the supplemental gas flow.

33. The breathing assistance system according to claim 31, wherein controlling the flow of the supplemental gas comprises substantially closing a valve associated with the supplemental gas flow.

34. The breathing assistance system according to claim 31, wherein determining that the danger condition exists further comprises at least one of:

determining that the monitored temperature surpasses a temperature threshold; and

determining that the monitored power surpasses a power threshold.

35. The breathing assistance system according to claim 31, wherein determining that the danger condition exists is based on a combination of the monitored temperature and the monitored power.

36. The breathing assistance system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of the temperature threshold and the power threshold is based on a ventilation mode of the breathing assistance system.

37. The breathing assistance system according to claim 31, wherein determining that the danger condition exists further comprises:

calculating a safety factor based on at least one of the monitored temperature and the monitored power; and

determining that the safety factor surpasses a danger condition threshold.

38. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, direct a breathing assistance system to implement a method of managing a supplemental gas supply, the method comprising:

monitoring a temperature associated with the breathing assistance system, wherein the breathing assistance system is configured to deliver a first gas and a supplemental gas to a patient;

monitoring a speed of a component for delivering at least one of the first gas or the supplemental gas to the patient;

determining that a danger condition exists based at least in part on the monitored temperature and the monitored speed; and

controlling the flow of the supplemental gas based on the determined danger condition.

39. The computer-readable medium according to claim 38, wherein controlling the flow of the supplemental gas comprises at least partially closing a valve associated with the supplemental gas flow.

40. The computer-readable medium according to claim 38, wherein determining that the danger condition exists is based on a combination of the monitored temperature and the monitored speed.

41. The computer-readable medium according to claim 38, wherein the component is one of:

a motor, a blower, a fan, and a turbine.