FIXATION CONTROL FOR A PATIENT INTERFACE

• US 20150174355A1
• Filed: 06/24/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Willard, Nicolaas Petrus, Potze, Willem, Hendriks, Cornelis Petrus, Asvadi, Sima, Voncken, Rudolf Maria Jozef, Haartsen, Jacob Roger, Klee, Mareike, van Zanten, Joyce
• Application Number:
  US14/412,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20150174355A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/003 with a flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0283 Electro-active polymers [EAP]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/07 having air pumping means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/13 with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detector, a patient interface and a patient interface system comprising this detector, and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to the wearing of a patient interface (12) that is pressing against the skin of the patient (18) for a longer time. With the detector and via the method, the blood flow and/or the occlusion of the blood vessels of the patient (18) are monitored, and the assessed degrees are used as a basis to adjust the patient interface (12) in order to reduce the force pressing against the skin of the patient (18), such that the formation of red marks is prevented.

Claims

1. Patient interface system, with

a patient interface for providing a patient with a flow of gas, with a headgear for attaching the patient interface to the patient, and at least one adjustment mechanism for regulation of a force for attaching the patient interface to the patient with the headgear, and

a detector for monitoring a degree of blood flow through at least one blood vessel of the patient, with at least one sensor and at least one monitoring unit,

wherein the at least one sensor is able to detect characteristic data of a blood flow through the at least one blood vessel and is connected to the at least one monitoring unit for transmitting the detected data to the at least one monitoring unit,

wherein the at least one monitoring unit is able to receive the data from the at least one sensor and is able to assess the degree of blood flow through the at least one blood vessel based on these data,

wherein the at least one monitoring unit is able to provide a signal based on the assessed blood flow through the at least one blood vessel, and

wherein the at least one adjustment mechanism is configured to regulate the force for attaching the patient interface to the patient with the headgear based on the signal provided by the detector.

2. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit is able to assess a degree of occlusion of the at least one blood vessel based on the assessed blood flow, and wherein the signal is based on the assessed degree of occlusion.

3. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a light source for transmitting light into the skin and an optical sensor for detecting the reflected light, a sound detector or a pressure sensor.

4. Patient interface system of claim 1, further comprising an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to receive and to process the signal from the monitoring unit and wherein the evaluation unit is able to control other devices via a control signal based on these processed signals.

5. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the patient interface comprises a cushion element, wherein the cushion element comprises the at least one sensor.

6. Patient interface system of claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a light source for transmitting light into the skin and an optical sensor for detecting the reflected light, a sound detector or a pressure sensor.

7. Patient interface system of claim 5,

wherein the at least one sensor is located in an area of the cushion element that corresponds to an area on the skin of the patient that is prone to a formation of red marks when the cushion element is applied to the patient.

19. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the detector is part of the patient interface.

20. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the sensor and the at least one monitoring unit are separated from each other, wherein the sensor is arranged at the patient interface, and wherein the at least one monitoring unit is arranged at an external device which is part of the patient interface system.

21. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the headgear comprises a strap, and wherein the at least one adjustment mechanism comprises an electric motor for adjusting the length of the strap.

22. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the headgear comprises a strap, and wherein the at least one adjustment mechanism comprises an electroactive polymer for adjusting the length of the strap.

23. Patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the headgear comprises a strap, and wherein the at least one adjustment mechanism comprises an expandable body that is in- or deflatable via a controllable valve for adjusting the length of the strap.

8-13. -13. (canceled)

14. Method for preventing a formation of red marks by a patient interface on a skin of a patient, with the following steps:

attaching the patient interface to the patient by an attachment force, such that the patient interface contacts the skin of the patient,

assessing a degree of blood flow through at least one blood vessel of the patient where the patient interface contacts the skin, and

adjusting the attachment force such that a blood flow is present, preferably such that the blood flow is above a predetermined threshold.

15. Method of claim 14, wherein assessing the degree of blood flow is realized by detecting characteristic data of the blood flow through the at least one blood vessel of the patient.

16-18. -18. (canceled)

24. Patient interface system, with

a patient interface for providing a patient with a flow of gas, with a headgear for attaching the patient interface to the patient, and at least one adjustment mechanism for regulation of a force for attaching the patient interface to the patient with the headgear,

a detector for monitoring a degree of blood flow through at least one blood vessel of the patient, with at least one sensor, at least one monitoring unit, and an evaluation unit, and

a sound generator,

wherein the at least one sensor is able to detect characteristic data of a blood flow through the at least one blood vessel and is connected to the at least one monitoring unit for transmitting the detected data to the at least one monitoring unit,

wherein the at least one monitoring unit is able to receive the data from the at least one sensor and is able to assess the degree of blood flow through the at least one blood vessel based on these data,

wherein the at least one monitoring unit is able to provide a signal based on the assessed blood flow through the at least one blood vessel,

wherein the evaluation unit is designed to receive and to process the signal from the monitoring unit, and

wherein the evaluation unit is configured to control the sound generator to produce an alarm if the signal indicates that a degree of blood flow within the at least one blood vessel or a degree of occlusion of the at least one blood vessel passes a predetermined threshold, said alarm indicating the patient that the attachment force of the patient interface is too strong and that the force has to be adapted by means of the at least one adjustment mechanism.