Life style flow generator and mask system

• US 8,453,642 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kwok, Philip Rodney, Richard, Ron, Dantanarayana, Muditha Pradeep, Puckeridge, Larry, Bertinetti, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US12/805,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20100319689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.18, 128/200.21, 128/200.14, 128/203.12, 128/897
• US Class Current: 128/204.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0016 by the smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus

Abstract

A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment includes a housing, a blower provided to the housing, and a projection unit provided to the housing. The blower is operable to provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet. The projection unit is operable to project an image onto a surface adjacent the housing.

Claims

1. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising:

a housing;

a blower provided to the housing, the blower operable to provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet connector adapted to be coupled to an air delivery conduit for directing said pressurized flow of air to the patient, said pressurized flow of air being suitable for treatment of sleep disordered breathing of the patient; and

an integral or detachable unit configured to stimulate human senses of the patient to assist in treatment and/or sleep cycle.

2. The flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the integral or detachable unit is adapted to stimulate visual, audio, tactile and/or smell senses of the patient.

3. The flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the integral or detachable unit comprises a projection unit operable to project an image onto a surface adjacent the housing.

4. The flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the integral or detachable unit comprises an audio unit operable to generate at least one sound.

5. The flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the integral or detachable unit comprises an aromatic unit operable to release a therapeutic and/or medicinal aroma.

6. The flow generator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a patient interface structured to engage the patient'"'"'s face and provide a seal; and

a headgear arrangement to support the patient interface in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face;

wherein

the integral or detachable unit comprises an audio unit provided to at least one of the patient interface and the headgear arrangement, the audio unit operable to selectively generate at least one sound.

7. The mask assembly according to claim 6, wherein the audio unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

8. The flow generator according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sleep stage monitor structured to monitor a patient'"'"'s sleep stage, wherein

the integral or detachable unit comprises a unit structured to release drug or hormonal treatment to a patient, the unit being communicated with the sleep stage monitor such that the release of drug or hormonal treatment is based on the patient'"'"'s sleep stage.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the sleep stage monitor and the unit is incorporated into a mask assembly that delivers breathable gas to a patient.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the mask assembly includes a patient interface, and a headgear arrangement.

11. The flow generator of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor to generate a sleep stage signal indicating a patient'"'"'s sleep stage, wherein

the integral or detachable unit comprises a delivery unit structured to release and/or deliver a therapeutic or medicinal substance via the patient'"'"'s airways in accordance with the sleep stage signal.

12. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising:

a housing;

a blower provided to the housing, the blower operable to receive a supply of air and provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet connector adapted to be coupled to an air delivery conduit for directing said pressurized flow of air to the patient, said pressurized flow of air being suitable for treatment of sleep disordered breathing of the patient; and

an audio unit provided to the housing, the audio unit operable to selectively generate at least one sound.

13. The flow generator according to claim 12, wherein the audio unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.

14. A flow generator for generating a supply of pressurized air to be provided to a patient for treatment, the flow generator comprising:

a housing;

a blower provided to the housing, the blower operable to receive a supply of air and provide a pressurized flow of air at an outlet connector adapted to be coupled to an air delivery conduit for directing said pressurized flow of air to the patient, said pressurized flow of air being suitable for treatment of sleep disordered breathing of the patient; and

an aromatic unit provided to the housing, the aromatic unit operable to selectively release at least one therapeutic or medicinal aroma.

15. The flow generator according to claim 14, wherein the aromatic unit is controlled based on at least one monitored parameter of the patient.