Positive airway pressure system with head position control

• US 8,919,344 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2013
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hancock Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Bowditch, Nathaniel L., Goff, Thomas G., Casebolt, Tarmigan
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louis, LaToya M
• Application Number:
  US14/089,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20140076319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/201.22, 128/201.23, 128/201.24, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/204.26, 128/205.25, 128/206.21, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.13
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• 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 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/204 used for inhalation control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/70 with testing or calibration facilities
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8218 : Gas operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 : connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/06 : Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 : Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/62 : Posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity

Abstract

The invention is directed to a positive airway pressure (PAP) system with a head mounted harness assembly with a housing and a head position sensor located within or secured to the housing that detects the position of a patient'"'"'s head, and communicates this head position information to a controller of the system which may be disposed within the housing having the position sensor or a second housing. The controller varies the output pressure of the pressure source, e.g. a rotary compressor, based, at least in part, on the head position information provided by the head position sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the position sensor is an accelerometer.

Claims

1. A positive airway pressure system, comprising:

a head position sensor which is configured to be mounted to a user'"'"'s head and to generate a signal indicative of a current position of the user'"'"'s head;

a pressure source configured to provide pressurized air;

a mask configured to deliver pressurized air from the pressure source to the user; and

a controller configured to receive the signal from the head position sensor and to determine a pressure output of the pressure source based on head position for a plurality of head positions including a supine head position, wherein there is a pressure drop between the supine head position and 90°

from the supine head position, and wherein there is a maximum rate of pressure drop between 30° and

60°

from the supine head position.

2. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 further comprising a first housing.

3. The positive airway pressure system of claim 2 wherein the position sensor is secured within or to the first housing.

4. The positive airway pressure system of claim 2 further comprising at least one strap configured to secure the first housing to the user.

5. The positive airway pressure system of claim 2 further comprising a second housing.

6. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 in which the position sensor is an accelerometer.

7. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the pressure output is set by a health professional.

8. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 wherein the pressure output comprises a pressure envelope comprising a high pressure value and a low pressure value.

9. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further adapted to change the output pressure of the pressure source when the head position sensor indicates that the user'"'"'s head position has changed more than 20°

.

10. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further adapted to change the output pressure of the pressure source continuously with changes in head position sensor signal.

11. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 wherein the controller comprises an input module configured to receive a plurality of compressor output pressure set points each corresponding to a signal from the head position sensor.

12. The positive airway pressure system of claim 11 wherein the plurality of compressor output pressure set points include first and second set points corresponding to head positions at least 20°

apart.

13. The positive airway pressure system of claim 1 wherein the head position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a current tilt position of the user'"'"'s head with respect to the patient'"'"'s chest.