Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling a medical device

• US 7,225,809 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bowen, Kevin, D'Angelo, Mark, Duff, Winslow K., Yurko, Gregory, Mechlenburg, Douglas M., Jonczak, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson; Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US09/698,743
• Time in Patent Office: 2,412 Days
• Field of Search: 12870312-70414, 12820418-20526, 12820714-20718, 128/200.24, 128/203.12, 128/203.21, 360/97.01, 360/97.04, 360/69, 360/60, 360/137, 360/99.01, 360/132, 360/133, 720/729, 369/53.211
• US Class Current: 128/204.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0063 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0072 Tidal volume piston pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0075 Bellows-type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3365 Rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/08 : Other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/60 : Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity

Abstract

A medical device, such as pressure support system, and a method of communicating with such a device using an information storage device. The information storage device, in one embodiment, is adapted to be provided in a slot in the medical device so that information for controlling the operating of the pressure support device can be read from the information storage device, information regarding the usage and/or operation of the pressure support device can be written to the information storage device, or both operations can be performed.

Claims

1. A pressure support system comprising:

pressure generating means for generating a flow of breathing gas;

controlling means for controlling the operation of the pressure generating means;

housing means for housing the pressure generating means and the controlling means;

receiving means associated with the housing means for receiving an information storing means;

information storing means for storing information adapted to be disposed in the receiving means;

communicating means for communicating information in at least one of (1) a first direction from the information storing means to the controlling means and (2) a second direction from the controlling means to the information storing means responsive to the information storing means being disposed in the receiving means; and

adapter means, sized and configured to be received, at least partially, within the receiving means, for providing a communication link between the controlling means and an external device responsive to the adapter means being disposed in the receiving means.

2. A pressure support system comprising:

(a) a pressure support device comprising;

(1) a housing,

(2) a pressure generating system disposed within the housing for generating a flow of breathing gas,

(3) a controller disposed within the housing in communication with the pressure generating system that controls the operation of the pressure generating system,

(4) a slot defined in an exterior surface of the housing, and

(5) a terminal associated with the slot;

(b) an information storage device adapted to be selectively disposed in the slot, the information storage device comprising;

(1) an identification storage area adapted to contain information identifying at least one of (i) information describing the information storage device itself, (ii) information identifying a user to which the information storage device is assigned, and (iii) information identifying the pressure support device assigned for use with the information storage device,

(2) at least one of (i) a first information storage area adapted to contain information for use in controlling an operation of the pressure support device, and (ii) a data storage area adapted to store data written thereon by the pressure support device, wherein the controller communicates with the information storage device via the terminal responsive to the information storage device being disposed in the slot, and wherein the controller is adapted to at least one of (1) read information from the information storage device, and (2) write information to the information storage device via the terminal; and

(c) an adapter adapted to be selectively disposed in the slot, wherein the adapter provides communication access between the controller and an external device responsive to being inserted into the slot.