Managing an active strap system for a face mask

• US 9,174,015 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2013
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US14/093,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20140090646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 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 method 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 method for managing a set of active straps for a positive airway pressure (PAP) mask, the method comprising:

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 method of claim 1 wherein the identified adjustment is a preset adjustment that is modified based on the force pressure value.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the identified adjustment is limited by a preset limit.

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

5. The method 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 method 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 method of claim 1 wherein the 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 method of claim 1 further comprising a second force pressure sensor measuring a second force pressure value between the PAP mask and a face;

wherein analyzing includes analyzing the air pressure value and the second force pressure value with the processor for identifying the adjustment of the set of active straps;

wherein the adjustment is a tightening of at least one strap and the loosening of at least one strap; and

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.

9. The method 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.

10. The method 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.