Compliance meter for respiratory therapy

• US 5,715,812 A
• Filed: 03/12/1996
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NELLCOR PURITAN BENNETT
• Original Assignee: NELLCOR PURITAN BENNETT
• Inventors: Phillips, Steven L., Wanbaugh, Linn D., Deighan, Joseph, Metzler, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US08/615,498
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/205.23, 128/202.22
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1005 Detection of disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient

Abstract

A respiratory apparatus (10) operable for delivering a breathable gas to the airway of a patient includes a status monitor (24,26) for determining the status of usage of the unit by the patient and a timer (32) for determining the accumulated time of usage of the unit by the patient.

Claims

1. A system for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration, comprising:

a motor;

a monitor, said monitor operating to identify characteristics relating to current supplied to the motor;

a meter for tracking the identified characteristics;

means for communicating the identified characteristics to said meter; and

means based upon the identified characteristics for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration.

2. A system for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration, comprising:

a mask for interfacing with a patient'"'"'s respiratory system;

a heat sensor, said heat sensor operating to identify characteristics relating to temperatures in the mask;

a meter for tracking the identified characteristics;

means for communicating the identified characteristics to said meter; and

means based upon the identified characteristics for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration.

3. A system for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration, comprising:

a control valve;

a position sensor, said position sensor operating to identify characteristics relating to positions assumed by the control valve;

a meter for tracking the identified characteristics;

means for communicating the identified characteristics to said meter; and

means based upon the identified characteristics for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration.

4. A system for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration, comprising:

a mask for interfacing with a patient'"'"'s respiratory system;

a pressure transducer, said pressure transducer operating to identify characteristics relating to pressures in said mask;

a meter for tracking the identified characteristics;

means for communicating the identified characteristics to said meter; and

means based upon the identified characteristics for providing signals indicative of a patient'"'"'s respiration.