Pulmonary therapy apparatus

• US 7,343,916 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Koloski, Peter A., Branson, Gregory W., Riley, Carl W., Cerimele, Michael E., Kramer, Kenneth L., Leblanc, Tatiana, Biondo, John P., Chance, Richard W., Acton, Troy D., Markwick, Barry P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/919,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20050011518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 602/13, 602/12, 601/41, 601/43, 601 48- 49, 601 55- 56, 601/77, 601/148, 601149-152, 128/DIG.20
• US Class Current: 128/204.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/325 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/006 convertible to stretchers or beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/001 with means for turning-over the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/002 having adjustable mattress frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/005 tiltable around transverse horizontal axis, e.g. for Trendelenburg position rocking beds for physical therapy A61H1/003; hanging patient inclined downwardly for drawing him out A61H2203/0493
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/008 tiltable around longitudinal axis, e.g. for rolling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0507 Side-rails
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0513 covering particular sections of the bed, e.g. one or more partial side-rail sections along the bed
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1015 Cables, chains or cords
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1032 Endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1046 Mobile bases, e.g. having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1055 Suspended platforms, frames or sheets for patient in lying position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/16 converting a lying surface into a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/003 Rocking or oscillating around a horizontal axis transverse to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/003 with alternated thorax decompression due to lateral compression
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0456 Supine
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/008 Supine patient supports or bases, e.g. improving air-way access to the lungs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 : Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 : pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 : Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment

Abstract

A pulmonary therapy system includes a chest binding apparel apparatus including a plurality of air bladders. The chest binding apparel apparatus is configured to be supported proximate the chest of a patient.

Claims

1. A pulmonary therapy system for use with a ventilator for supplying air to the lungs of a patient, said system comprising:

a chest binding apparel apparatus including a plurality of air bladders, said chest binding apparel apparatus configured to be supported proximate the chest of a patient;

an air supply in fluid communication with said plurality of air bladders;

a controller operably connected to said air supply;

a ventilator pressure sensor adapted to be coupled to a ventilator for sensing a pressure of air supplied to the patient and generating a ventilator pressure signal indicative thereof, said ventilator pressure sensor in communication with said controller for supplying said ventilator pressure signal thereto;

an apparel pressure sensor coupled to said binding apparel apparatus for sensing a pressure applied by said binding apparel apparatus to the chest of the patient and generating an apparel pressure signal indicative thereof, said apparel pressure sensor in communication with said controller for supplying said apparel pressure signal thereto; and

wherein said controller controls air flow to said plurality of air bladders in response to said ventilator pressure signal.

2. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 1, wherein said apparel pressure sensor comprises a pressure sensing fabric.

3. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 1, further comprising a display in communication with said controller.

4. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 1, further comprising a switching valve coupled to said air supply for alternating between a first mode of operation wherein air is supplied to said air bladders and a second mode of operation wherein air is evacuated from said air bladders.

5. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 4, further comprising an exhaust line coupled to said switching valve for exhausting evacuated air from said air bladders to atmosphere, and a bladder supply line for supplying air from said air supply to said air bladders, said switching valve alternatively connecting said air supply to said exhaust line and said bladder supply line.

6. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 1, wherein said chest binding apparel comprises a vest including a front portion, a rear portion, and a head receiving aperture intermediate said front portion and said rear portion, said plurality of air bladders including at least one front bladder supported by said front portion and at least one rear bladder supported by said rear portion.

7. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 6, wherein each of said at least one front and rear bladders include a plurality of independently inflatable zones.

8. A pulmonary therapy system for use with a ventilator for supplying air to the lungs of a patient, said system comprising:

a chest binding apparel apparatus including a plurality of air bladders, said chest binding apparel apparatus configured to be supported proximate the chest of a patient;

an air supply in fluid communication with said plurality of air bladders;

a ventilator pressure sensor adapted to be coupled to a ventilator for sensing a pressure of air supplied to the patient from the ventilator and generating a ventilator pressure signal indicative thereof, said ventilator pressure sensor in communication with a controller for supplying said ventilator pressure signal thereto, said controller being configured to control air flow to said plurality of air bladders in response to said ventilator pressure signal;

a switching valve coupled to said air supply;

wherein the controller is operably coupled to said switching valve, said controller is configured to move said switching valve between a first mode of operation wherein air is supplied to said air bladders and a second mode of operation wherein air is evacuated from said air bladders.

9. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 8, further comprising an apparel pressure sensor coupled to said binding apparel apparatus for sensing a pressure applied by said binding apparel apparatus to the chest of the patient and generating an apparel pressure signal indicative thereof, said apparel pressure sensor in communication with said controller for supplying said apparel pressure signal thereto.

10. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 9, wherein said apparel pressure sensor comprises a pressure sensing fabric.

11. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 8, further comprising a display in communication with said controller.

12. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 8, further comprising an exhaust line coupled to said switching valve for exhausting evacuated air from said air bladders to atmosphere, and a bladder supply line for supplying air from said air supply to said air bladders, said switching valve alternatively connecting said air supply to said exhaust line and said bladder supply line.

13. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 8, wherein said chest binding apparel comprises a vest including a front portion, a rear portion, and a head receiving aperture intermediate said front portion and said rear portion, said plurality of air bladders including at least one front bladder supported by said front portion and at least one rear bladder supported by said rear portion.

14. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 13, wherein each of said at least one front and rear bladders include a plurality of independently inflatable zones.

15. The pulmonary therapy system of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to activate the first mode of operation when the ventilator pressure signal indicates that air is being supplied to the patient.