Device for detecting electrical potentials of the forehead region of a patient

• US 8,204,584 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2010
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ResMed Humidification Technologies GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MAP Medizin-Technologie GMBH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Genger, Harald, Negele, Claus
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foreman, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US12/914,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20110041851A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.21, 600/300, 600/372, 600/382, 600/383, 600/386, 600/388, 600/390, 600/391, 600/393, 600/529, 600/544, 600/545
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)

Abstract

A device for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead area of a patient has a transverse member adapted to rest against the forehead of the patient, a vertical member extending crosswise to the transverse member and a mask on the vertical member. Electrodes are provided on the transverse members at least at its ends and at the center at which the vertical bar crosses the transverse member.

Claims

1. A CPAP device capable of varying a characteristic of a respiratory gas feed in accordance with an apparatus for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead region of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a patient interface adapted to communicate with the airways of the patient in use; and

an electrode device provided to the patient interface and having at least two electrode elements directly engagable with the forehead region to detect electrical potentials,

a measuring circuit that produces measurement data in accordance with the electrical potentials detected by the electrode device, wherein the measuring circuit is integrated into a forehead support element that is self-locating relative to the patient'"'"'s forehead region in use by virtue of fitting the patient interface to the patient, and

a measurement data recorder that records the measurement data produced by the measuring circuit.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a breathing gas duct connected to the patient interface, wherein the forehead support element is connected to the breathing gas duct.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the breathing gas duct extends through the forehead support element.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring circuit is provided in a recess of the forehead support element and contacts of the measuring circuit contact co-operating contacts in the recess.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising three electrode elements, wherein two electrode elements are provided at respective ends of the forehead support element and the third electrode element is provided in a middle portion of the forehead support element.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring circuit comprises a clock that determines a time at which measurement data is produced.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the measuring circuit is provided in a band which is fitted in the forehead support element.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least two electrode elements are provided in the band.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two electrode elements are elastically mounted to the forehead support element.

10. A CPAP device capable of varying a characteristic of a respiratory gas feed in accordance with an apparatus for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead region of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

means for feeding respiration gas to the airways of the patient; and

means provided to the patient interface and directly engagable with the forehead region for detecting electrical potentials,

means for producing measurement data in accordance with the detected electrical potentials, wherein the measurement data producing means is integrated into a forehead support element that is self-locating relative to the patient'"'"'s forehead region in use by virtue of fitting the respiration gas feeding means to the patient, and

means for recording the measurement data produced by the measurement data producing means.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a breathing gas duct connected to the respiration gas feeding means, wherein the forehead support element is connected to the breathing gas duct.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the breathing gas duct extends through the forehead support element.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the measurement data producing means is provided in a recess of the forehead support element and contacts of the measurement data producing means contact co-operating contacts in the recess.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electrical potential detecting means comprises three electrical potential detecting means, wherein two electrical potential detecting means are provided at respective ends of the forehead support element and the third electrical potential detecting means is provided in a middle portion of the forehead support element.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the measurement data producing means comprises a means for determining a time at which measurement data is produced.

16. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the measurement data producing means is provided in a band which is fitted in the forehead support element.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the electrical potential detecting means is provided in the band.

18. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electrical potential detecting means is elastically mounted to the forehead support element.