Managing an active strap system for a face mask

• US 9,168,347 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Stevens, Mark B., Wilson, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skorupa, Valerie L
• Application Number:
  US13/297,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20130118500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,441 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.25, 12820621-20713
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission

Abstract

A system or computer usable program product for managing a set of active straps for a positive airway pressure (PAP) mask including detecting a pressure value with a pressure sensor, analyzing the pressure value with a processor for identifying an adjustment of the set of active straps, and performing the identified adjustment with the set of active straps.

Claims

1. A computer usable program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable storage medium including computer usable code for managing a set of active straps for a positive airway pressure (PAP) mask, the computer usable code comprising instructions for performing the steps of:

detecting a mask air pressure value of an air volume contained by the PAP mask to determine whether an air leak has occurred;

detecting a force pressure value measured between the PAP mask and a face with a force pressure sensor;

responsive to detecting an air leak, analyzing the force pressure value with a processor for identifying an adjustment of the set of active straps; and

performing the identified adjustment with the set of active straps.

2. The computer usable program product of claim 1 wherein the identified adjustment is a preset adjustment that is modified based on the force pressure value.

3. The computer usable program product of claim 2 wherein the identified adjustment is limited by a preset limit.

4. The computer usable program product of claim 1 wherein multiple force pressure sensors measure force pressure values between the PAP mask and a portion of the face.

5. The computer usable program product of claim 4 wherein the identified adjustment is a tightening of at least one of the set of active straps based on the force pressure values.

6. The computer usable program product of claim 1 further comprising responsive to not detecting an air leak, utilizing the force pressure value to identify a second adjustment of the set of active straps.

7. The computer usable program product of claim 1 wherein the force pressure value and the identified adjustment are sent to a data processing system for tracking and analysis;

and wherein the analysis is utilized to modify adjustments to reduce the likelihood of future air leaks.

8. The computer usable program product of claim 1 wherein the identified adjustment is a tightening of at least one of the set of active straps based on the force pressure values.

9. The computer usable program product of claim 1 wherein the identified adjustment is a loosening of at least one of the set of active straps based on the force pressure values.

10. A positive airway pressure (PAP) mask system comprising:

an air pressure sensor for detecting a mask air pressure value of an air volume contained by the PAP mask to determine whether an air leak has occurred;

a force pressure sensor for detecting a force pressure vale measured between the PAP mask and a face;

a transmitter for sending the air pressure value and the force pressure value to a data processing system which, responsive to detecting an air leak, analyzes the force pressure value for identifying an adjustment of the set of active straps;

a receiver for receiving an identified adjustment from the data processing system; and

a set of active straps for performing the identified adjustment.

11. The PAP mask system of claim 10 wherein the identified adjustment is a preset adjustment that is modified based on the force pressure value.

12. The PAP mask system of claim 10 wherein the identified adjustment is limited by a preset limit.

13. The PAP mask system of claim 10 wherein the identified adjustment is a tightening of at least one of the set of active straps based on the force pressure values.

14. The PAP mask system of claim 10 wherein the force pressure value and the identified adjustment are sent to the data processing system for tracking and analysis;

and wherein the analysis is utilized to modify adjustments to reduce the likelihood of future air leaks.

15. The PAP mask system of claim 10 wherein multiple force pressure sensors measure force pressure values between the PAP mask and a portion of the face.

16. The PAP mask system of claim 10 wherein the data processing system, responsive to not detecting an air leak, analyzes the force pressure value to identify a second adjustment of the set of active straps.

17. The PAP mask system of claim 10 wherein the force pressure value and the identified adjustment are sent to the data processing system for tracking and analysis;

and wherein the analysis is utilized to modify adjustments to reduce the likelihood of future air leaks.