System and method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of polysomnographic devices

• US 6,425,861 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1999
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Respironics Incorporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Haberland, Ben, Michel, Didier, Berquin, Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US09/454,374
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/484, 600/324, 600/587, 600/515, 600/528, 600/529, 600/549, 374/142, 128/204.26, 128/204.23, 128/204.21, 128/904
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea

Abstract

A polysomnographic system is provided for use in conjunction with a communications network to simultaneously perform sleep studies on a plurality of patients. The polysomnographic system includes a first remote polysomnographic unit for collecting physiological data from a first patient and a second remote polysomnographic unit for collecting physiological data from a second patient. The first and second remote polysomnographic units communicate with a host unit which allows for remote observation and manipulation of sensors and therapeutic devices unit via a communication network. An affiliated pressure support device is controlled if obstructive sleep apnea is present.

Claims

1. A polysomnographic system for use in conjunction with a communications network, said polysomnographic system comprising:

a first remote unit for collecting physiological data from a first patient, said first remote unit including a first sensor for detecting a physiological parameter of such a first patient and generating a first parameter indicating signal in response thereto, and a first communications interface for communicating said first parameter indicating signal to a communications network;

a second remote unit for collecting physiological data from a second patient, said second remote unit including a second sensor for detecting a physiological parameter of such a second patient and generating a second parameter indicating signal in response thereto, and a second communications interface for communicating said second parameter indicating signal to a communications network;

a host unit for receiving said first and second parameter indicating signals via a communication network and for displaying information indicative of said first and second parameters to an operator; and

said host unit operable in conjunction with a first pressure support unit to control the delivery of breathing gas to such a first patient.

2. The polysomnographic system of claim 1, wherein said host unit is further operable in conjunction with a second pressure support unit to control the delivery of breathing gas to such a second patient.

3. The polysomnographic system of claim 1, wherein said host unit further comprises a data storage unit for storing data representative of the values of said first and second parameter indicative signals.

4. The polysomnographic system of claim 1, wherein said first and second parameters are displayed simultaneously by said host unit to an operator.

5. A host unit for allowing an operator to monitor a plurality of remote polysomnographic devices, wherein each remote polysomnographic device generates a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of a patient for transmission over a communications network, said host unit comprising:

a communication interface for receiving a plurality of parameter indicative signals from a plurality of polysomnographic units via a communication network;

a processor for selecting a desired parameter indicative signal from said plurality of parameter indicative signals and manipulating said desired parameter indicative signal into a displayable format;

a display for communicating said formatted signal to an operator; and

said host unit operating in conjunction with a first pressure support unit to control the delivery of breathing gas to a first patient.

6. The host unit of claim 5, wherein said host unit is further operable in conjunction with a second pressure support unit to control the delivery of breathing gas to a second first patient.

7. The host unit of claim 5, wherein said processor is adapted to simultaneously select a plurality of desired parameter indicative signals and manipulate said plurality of desired parameter indicative signal into a displayable format;

and said display is adapted to simultaneously displaying said plurality of formatted signals to an operator.

8. A method for determining an effective positive pressure treatment regimen for treating the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a first polysomnographic device;

providing a second polysomnographic device;

providing a first pressure support device for delivering breathing gas to a first patient;

providing a second pressure support device for delivering breathing gas to a second patient;

providing a host unit;

sensing a first physiological parameter of such a first patient via said first polysomnographic device;

sensing a second physiological parameter of such a second patient via said second polysomnographic device;

receiving data indicative of said physiological parameters of such first and second patients from said first and second respective polysomnographic devices via said host unit; and

displaying said data indicative of physiological parameters of such first and second patients to an operator via said host unit; and

adjusting the operating parameters of said first pressure support device via said host unit to determine a pressure support therapy to be administered to such a first patient.

9. The method of claim 8, further including the step of adjusting the operating parameters of said second pressure support device to determine a pressure support therapy to be administered to such a second patient.

10. A method for simultaneously determining an effective pressure support treatment for each of a plurality of patients, said method comprising the steps of:

utilizing a host unit to simultaneously monitor (a) a physiological parameter of a first patient while such a first patient is receiving a therapeutic supply of breathing gas under an initial delivery condition and (b) a physiological parameter of a second patient while such a second patient is receiving a therapeutic supply of breathing gas under an initial delivery condition;

adjusting, via said host unit, the therapeutic delivery of breathing gas to such a first patient in response to said monitored physiological parameter of such a first patient to determine an effective pressure support treatment for such a first patient;

adjusting, via said host unit, the therapeutic delivery of breathing gas to such a second patient in response to said monitored physiological parameter of such a second patient to determine an effective pressure support treatment for such a second patient; and

continuing to monitor, via said host unit, said physiological parameters of such first and second patients to monitor the effectiveness of said adjusting steps.