Clear cycle for ventilation device

• US 7,343,917 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jones, Richard Llewelyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/944,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20050061321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.18, 12820421-20429, 128/205.12, 128/205.23, 128/205.27
• US Class Current: 128/204.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/11 with means for preventing cross-contamination when used for multiple patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/13 with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/70 with testing or calibration facilities

Abstract

A method and apparatus are used to perform a clear cycle. The apparatus includes a flow generator in fluid communication with a patient interface via a conduit arranged in a flow path, and sensors to monitor pressures in the flow path. The method includes examining a plurality of operational parameters, determining whether the flow generator should generate flow based on at least one of the plurality of operational parameters, warning the patient to avoid interfacing with the patient interface of the ventilation device prior to generating the flow, and operating the flow generator to generate the flow in accordance with at least one of the plurality of operational parameters. The clear cycle can dislodge debris or water condensate from the flow path. The clear cycle can incorporate fault detection to diagnose debris in the flow path. The clear cycle can be installed as software in a ventilation device.

Claims

1. A method of performing a clear cycle in a ventilatory assistance apparatus including a flow generator in fluid communication with a patient interface in a flow path, the method comprising:

examining a plurality of operational parameters;

determining whether the flow generator should generate flow based on at least one of the plurality of operational parameters;

warning the patient to avoid interfacing with the patient interface of the ventilation device prior to generating the flow; and

operating the flow generator to generate the flow in accordance with at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring a plurality of sensors indicative of flow conditions in the flow path.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of operational parameters via the plurality of sensors.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring a plurality of sensors indicative of whether the patient interface is being worn by the patient.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of operational parameters via the plurality of sensors.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of operational parameters prior to performing the clear cycle.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of operational parameters via a menu interface.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of operational parameters during a setup process.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing at least one of the plurality of operational parameters in a recordable medium.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing at least one of the plurality of operational parameters at a remote location.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting at least one of the plurality of operational parameters via a public communication system.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of operational parameters from a pre-recorded medium.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of operational parameters from a remote location.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at least one of the plurality of operational parameters via a public communication system.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing the clear cycle automatically based upon at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising performing the clear cycle automatically at an interval based upon at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining the duration of the interval based upon an internal real-time clock.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining the duration of the interval based upon an internal timer.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining the duration of the interval based upon an external signal.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a reminder to perform the clear cycle based upon at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing the reminder to the patient.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing the reminder to a remote site.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing the reminder at an interval based upon at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising determining the duration of the interval based upon an internal real-time clock.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising determining the duration of the interval based upon an internal timer.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising determining the duration of the interval based upon an external signal.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the flow generator to deliver flow at a pressure and rate which are based upon at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the flow generator to deliver flow at a predetermined pressure and rate.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the predetermined pressure and rate correspond to a maximum pressure at the patient interface of 15-20 cm H₂O in the case that the patient interface is worn during the clear cycle.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the flow generator to deliver flow at maximum pressure and rate based upon at least one of the plurality of operational parameters including an indication that the patient interface is not being worn by the patient during the clear cycle.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising halting operation of the flow generator to prevent flow at maximum pressure and rate based upon at least one of the plurality of operational parameters including an indication that the patient interface is being worn by the patient during the clear cycle.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the indication whether the patient interface is being worn by the patient during the clear cycle is based upon heat or pressure sensing.

33. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing the clear cycle for a duration based on at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the duration for operating the flow generator is based on a countdown timer.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating status of the clear cycle via a visual interface.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the visual interface comprises an LCD display readout.

37. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating status of the clear cycle via an audio interface.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the audio interface comprises a buzzer configured to produce an alarm.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the audio interface comprises a speaker configured to produce an informative voice prompt.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the operational parameters include an indication of a duration of the clear cycle, an interval corresponding to how often the clear cycle should be run, an indication of whether to run the clear cycle automatically upon startup, an indication of whether to disable a clear cycle reminder, and an indication of whether to provide an audible warning.

41. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the operational parameters to determine whether a fault condition has occurred.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising determining whether the fault condition is caused by blocking debris in the flow path.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the fault condition is indicated by a visual warning.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the fault condition is indicated by an audible warning.

45. The method of claim 41, further comprising stopping the flow generator upon determining that the fault condition has occurred.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising generating flow for a predetermined duration at a predetermined pressure upon determining that the fault condition has occurred.

47. The method of claim 41, further comprising setting the ventilatory assistance apparatus into a service required mode upon determining that the fault condition has occurred.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein the determination that the fault condition has occurred is based on at least one of the operational parameters.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the at least one of the operational parameters is obtained via a plurality of sensors indicative of flow conditions in the flow path.

50. The method of claim 41, further comprising recording a description of the fault condition upon determining that the fault condition has occurred.

51. The method of claim 41, further comprising transmitting to a remote location a description of the fault condition upon determining that the fault condition has occurred.

52. A ventilatory assistance apparatus including a flow generator in fluid communication with a patient interface in a flow path, configured to perform a clear cycle, comprising:

a data storage configured to store a plurality of operational parameters;

a controller configured to determine whether the flow generator should generate flow based on at least one of the plurality of operational parameters; and

a display configured to warn the patient to avoid interfacing with the patient interface of the ventilation device prior to the controller determining that the flow generator should generate the flow;

wherein the controller instructs the flow generator to generate the flow in accordance with at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

53. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more instructions for performing a clear cycle in a ventilatory assistance apparatus including a flow generator in fluid communication with a patient interface in a flow path, the instructions comprising:

examining a plurality of operational parameters;

determining whether a flow should be generated based on at least one of the plurality of operational parameters;

warning the patient to avoid interfacing with the patient interface of the ventilation device prior to generating the flow; and

operating the flow generator to generate the flow in accordance with at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.

54. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave including one or more instructions for performing a clear cycle in a ventilatory assistance apparatus including a flow generator in fluid communication with a patient interface in a flow path, the instructions comprising:

examining a plurality of operational parameters;

determining whether a flow should be generated based on at least one of the plurality of operational parameters;

warning the patient to avoid interfacing with the patient interface of the ventilation device prior to generating the flow; and

operating the flow generator to generate the flow in accordance with at least one of the plurality of operational parameters.