Recognition system for an apparatus that delivers breathable gas to a patient

• US 9,162,035 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2012
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kwok, Philip Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Tan-Uyen (Jackie) T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Han, Mark K
• Application Number:
  US13/588,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20120304994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/202.27, 12820418-20423, 128/204.26, 128/205.22, 128/912
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes

Abstract

An adapter for use with a flow generator includes a conduit attachable to the outlet of the flow generator and an identifying element supported by the conduit and providing an identifying feature unique to a specific peripheral component attachable to the flow generator. The identifying feature is communicatable to the flow generator so that appropriate operating parameters of the flow generator may be automatically selected by the flow generator to coordinate with the specific peripheral component.

Claims

1. A component of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, the CPAP system including a flow generator that is adapted to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas that is provided from an outlet of the flow generator to a patient via an airflow path, the component comprising:

a body that is configured to be physically attachable to or adjacent the outlet of the flow generator and included in the airflow path that communicates, at least in part, the supply of pressurized breathable gas to the patient; and

an identifying element that is included with the body and providing an identifying feature that is associated with a peripheral component that is configured to operate in the CPAP system, the identifying element set to communicate with the flow generator to provide the supply of pressurized gas to the patient via the airflow path,

wherein the identifying feature provided from the identifying element is set to be communicated to the flow generator so that at least one appropriate operating parameter of the flow generator may be processed by the flow generator and the supply of pressurized breathable gas set in accordance with the processing,

wherein the identifying feature includes at least one of the following;

a log of patient use, an end of life service indication, components used during each use, and/or a leak parameter that indicates a measured leak value associated with the peripheral component,

wherein the body is a separate structural body from the peripheral component that is associated with the identifying feature.

2. The component of claim 1, wherein the body is an adapter that is adapted to interface with the flow generator.

3. The component of claim 1, wherein the identifying feature is set to be communicated, at least in part, wirelessly to the flow generator.

4. The component of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system of claim 1, wherein the identifying feature includes the log of patient use.

5. The component of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system of claim 1, wherein the identifying feature includes the end of life service indication.

6. The component of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system of claim 1, wherein the identifying feature includes the components used during each use.

7. The component of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system of claim 1, wherein the identifying feature includes the leak parameter that indicates the measured leak value associated with the peripheral component.

8. A flow generator of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, the flow generator comprising:

a motor that is configured to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas that is delivered, via an airflow path, to a patient for treatment, the airflow path configured to include a structural body with an identifying element disposed on or in the structural body, the identifying element including an identifying feature that is related to a peripheral CPAP component that is operable to be a component of the CPAP system;

an outlet that communicates the generated supply of pressurized breathable gas to the structural body that is physically attachable to the outlet;

a communication interface that is configured to communicate with the identifying element to retrieve the identifying feature of the identifying element;

a memory storage medium that is configured to store at least one operating parameter in accordance with the retrieved identifying feature; and

a controller that is configured to process the stored at least one operating parameter to control the supply of pressurized breathable gas provided to the patient for treatment,

wherein the identifying feature includes at least one of the following;

a log of patient use, an end of life service indication, components used during each use, and/or a leak parameter that indicates a measured leak value associated with the peripheral component,

wherein the structural body is a separately provided from the peripheral CPAP component.

9. The flow generator of claim 8, wherein the structural body is an adapter.

10. The flow generator of claim 8, wherein the identifying feature includes an airflow related parameter of the peripheral CPAP component.

11. The flow generator of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust how the supply of pressurized breathable gas is provided to the patient for treatment based on the airflow related parameter.

12. The flow generator of claim 10, wherein the peripheral CPAP component is a patient interface.

13. A component of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, the CPAP system including a flow generator adapted to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas provided from an outlet of the flow generator to a patient via an airflow path, the component comprising:

an adapter body configured to be included in the airflow path that communicates, at least in part, the supply of pressurized breathable gas from an outlet of the flow generator to the patient; and

an identifying element included with the adapter body and having an identifying feature associated with a separately provided peripheral component configured to operate in the CPAP system, the identifying element set to communicate with the flow generator, the peripheral component being a structurally separate body from the adapter body,

wherein the identifying feature provided from the identifying element is set to be communicated to the flow generator so that at least one appropriate operating parameter of the flow generator may be processed by the flow generator and the supply of pressurized breathable gas set in accordance with the processing,

wherein the identifying feature includes at least one of the following;

a log of patient use, an end of life service indication, components used during each use, and/or a leak parameter that indicates a measured leak value associated with the peripheral component.

14. The component of claim 13, wherein the identifying feature is set to be communicated, at least in part, wirelessly to the flow generator.

15. The component of claim 13, wherein the identifying element is a resistor and the identifying feature is a particular resistance.

16. The component of claim 13, wherein the identifying feature includes the log of patient use.

17. The component of claim 13, wherein the identifying feature includes the end of life service indication.

18. The component of claim 13, wherein the identifying feature includes the components used during each use.

19. The component of claim 13, wherein the identifying feature includes the leak parameter that indicates the measured leak value associated with the peripheral component.