Method and apparatus for continuous adjustment of positive airway pressure for treating obstructive sleep apnea
First Claim
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1. A method for optimizing the positive airway pressure to a patient, comprising the steps of:
- a) applying an initial level of continuous positive airway pressure to a patient, which is then optimized by;
b) continuously monitoring the inspiratory flow of air to the patient;
c) defining an inspiratory waveform contour of said inspiratory flow for each breath;
d) analyzing each said inspiratory waveform contour to determine the presence or absence of patient airway obstruction; and
e) increasing said pressure when the contour of said waveform corresponding to inspiration indicates patient airway obstruction, and decreasing said pressure when said waveform corresponding to patient inspiration does not indicate patient airway obstruction.
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Abstract
In the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, a CPAP flow generator is employed to direct air to a nasal mask fitted to a patient. The airflow from the generator is monitored, and the flow and/or pressure is increased when the waveform of the airflow exhibits characteristics corresponding to flow limitation. The generator may be controlled to repetitively test for waveform variations, in order to adjust the CPAP flow to the minimum level the does not produce flow limitation.
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13 Claims
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1. A method for optimizing the positive airway pressure to a patient, comprising the steps of:
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a) applying an initial level of continuous positive airway pressure to a patient, which is then optimized by; b) continuously monitoring the inspiratory flow of air to the patient; c) defining an inspiratory waveform contour of said inspiratory flow for each breath; d) analyzing each said inspiratory waveform contour to determine the presence or absence of patient airway obstruction; and e) increasing said pressure when the contour of said waveform corresponding to inspiration indicates patient airway obstruction, and decreasing said pressure when said waveform corresponding to patient inspiration does not indicate patient airway obstruction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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- 7. An apparatus for the treatment of patient airway obstruction, comprising an air source arranged for directing airflow to a patient and establishing an initial level of continuous positive airway pressure to the patient, a flow sensor to sense airflow to the patient, a signal processor operatively connected to said flow sensor for defining an inspiratory waveform contour of said airflow to the patient, and a controller operatively connected to said signal processor, wherein said signal processor further having means for determining the presence or absence of patient airway obstruction from said inspiratory waveform contour, and said controller having means for adjusting the pressure to the patient in response to the determination by said signal processor of the presence or absence of upper airway obstruction.
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12. An apparatus for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:
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a source of air;
means for directing an airflow from said source to a patient and establishing an initial level of continuous positive airway pressure to a patient;sensing means for sensing the airflow to the patient; means in operative relationship for defining an inspiratory waveform contour; and means responsive to the inspiratory waveform contour for adjusting said pressure to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification