A HOME-BASED HELIOX SYSTEM WITH CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL

• US 20160213879A1
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Parthasarathy, Sairam, Slepian, Marvin J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,758,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0891 Closed circuit, e.g. for anaesthesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/22 Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices ; Other means for removing carbon dioxidecartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00
• 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 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/103 the CO2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/025 Helium
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)

Abstract

A closed-circuit heliox delivery system and methods for alleviating symptoms of COPD and related disorders are provided. The system is self-monitoring and can be used outside of a hospital environment. The system contains a gas supply fluidly connected to a breathing circuit. The breathing circuit contains an upper airway device, such as a mask. The system contains a sensor(s) and controller. The sensors measure parameters in the system, the ambient environment, or related to the physiological state of the user. The controller can adjust the system to maintain parameters within the device, i.e. pressure, temperature, humidity, within predetermined ranges. The controller can adjust the system to maintain a target physiological state of the user, i.e. target blood oxygen levels or Work of Breathing (WOB).

Claims

1. A closed-circuit heliox delivery system comprising:

a breathing circuit;

a first sensor, the first sensor being operatively coupled to the breathing circuit; and

a controller in electrical communication with the breathing circuit, wherein the controller is configured to receive input from the sensor and control operation of the breathing circuit in response to the received sensor input.

2. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, wherein the breathing circuit comprises an inspiratory portion for delivering one or more gases to a user and an expiratory portion for delivering expired gases from the user to a carbon dioxide removal system.

3. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a valve that opens upon receiving a stimulus, wherein the opening of the valve exposes the breathing circuit to the external atmosphere.

4. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor senses an amount of oxygen within the breathing circuit.

5. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor senses an amount of carbon dioxide within the breathing circuit.

6. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor senses air pressure within the breathing circuit.

7. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor senses humidity within the breathing circuit.

8. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a combination humidifier/dehumidifier, the combination humidifier/dehumidifier being operatively coupled to the breathing circuit.

9. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a release valve, the release valve being operatively coupled to the breathing circuit.

10. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a regulator, the regulator being operatively coupled to the breathing circuit.

11. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a tank for holding a gas, the tank being operatively coupled to the breathing circuit.

12. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a device for removing carbon dioxide, the device for removing carbon dioxide being operatively coupled to the breathing circuit.

13. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor, the second sensor being operatively coupled to the controller and independent from the breathing circuit.

14. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 13, wherein the second sensor senses a physiologic state of a user.

15. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 13, wherein the second sensor senses an environmental state outside of the breathing circuit.

16. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 11, wherein the the regulator is operatively coupled to the tank.

17. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 12, wherein the inspiratory portion of the system further comprises a breathing bag.

18. The closed-circuit heliox delivery system of claim 17, further comprising one or more pressure sensors adjacent to the breathing bag, wherein the sensors are operatively coupled to the controller.

19. The closed circuit heliox delivery system of claim 18, wherein the system further comprises a valve, configured to open and close as needed in response to the one or more pressure sensors to prevent over-pressurization of the system.

20. The closed circuit heliox delivery system of claim 19, wherein the system comprises a pop-off safety valve.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the closed-circuit heliox delivery system is defined by claim 1.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the heliox delivery system is the system of claim 1.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising delivering to the patient an effective amount of one or more therapeutic agents.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the system is configured to deliver the therapeutic agents to the patient in response to data characterizing a physiologic state of the patient.

21. A method for operating a closed-circuit heliox delivery system comprising:

receiving input from a sensor, the sensor being operatively coupled to a controller of the closed-circuit heliox delivery system;

determining whether the received input from the sensor is within a predetermined range; and

controlling the closed-circuit heliox delivery system in response to determining whether the received input is within a predetermined range.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the received input is a partial pressure of helium, oxygen, or carbon dioxide within the breathing circuit.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the received input is a relative humidity within the breathing circuit.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the sensor is independent of a breathing circuit of the closed-circuit delivery system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the received input is data characterizing a physiologic state of a user.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the received input is data characterizing a state of the environment outside of the breathing circuit.

28. A method for treating an airway disorder comprising delivering heliox to a patient in need thereof using a closed-circuit positive air way pressure heliox delivery system, wherein the heliox is delivered under low pressure.