OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR APPARATUS AND METHOD HAVING AN ULTRASONIC DETECTOR

• US 20110030689A1
• Filed: 08/25/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inova Labs Incorporated (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Inova Labs Incorporated (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Westersten, Allan Sten, Shockley, H. David JR., Wilkinson, William R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,649,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.27
• 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 16/0069 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 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0677 Gas-saving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0015 inhalation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0266 Nitrogen (N)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 : with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 : with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3327 : Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3372 : Temperature compensation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 : Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 : remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 : Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 : bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 : Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/108 : Zeolites
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2256/12 : Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/402 : using two beds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4533 : for medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/455 : for transportable use portable devices B01D2259/4541
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0446 : Means for feeding or distributing gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0454 : Controlling adsorption controlling temperature swing adsorption B01D53/0462, controlling pressure swing adsorption B01D53/047
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02881 : Temperature

Abstract

An oxygen concentrator may rely on a pressure swing adsorption process to produce an oxygen enriched gas stream from canisters filled with granules capable of separation of oxygen from an air stream. The adsorption process uses a cyclical pressurization and venting of the canisters to generate an oxygen enriched gas stream. Coupling an oxygen concentration sensor to the generated oxygen enriched gas stream may allow monitoring of the purity of the produced gas.

Claims

1-156. -156. (canceled)

157. An oxygen concentrator apparatus, comprising:

at least two canisters;

separation material disposed in at least two canisters, wherein the separation material separates at least some nitrogen from air in the canister to produce oxygen enriched gas;

a compression system coupled to at least one canister, wherein the compression system compresses air during operation; and

a chamber coupled to one or more of the canisters, wherein oxygen enriched gas produced in one or more of the canisters is passed into the chamber during use;

an ultrasonic emitter operable to provide an ultrasonic sound wave through the chamber;

an ultrasonic receiver for detecting the ultrasonic sound wave that has traveled through the chamber, wherein the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver are coupled to the chamber; and

a processor coupled to the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver, wherein the processor is operable to execute program instructions, and wherein the program instructions are operable to assess a concentration of oxygen in the chamber based on ultrasonic sound waves produced by the ultrasonic emitter and received by the ultrasonic receiver.

158. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein a distance between the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver is greater than at least two times a wavelength of the ultrasonic sound wave.

159. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein the program instructions are further operable to determine a speed of the ultrasonic sound wave through the chamber, wherein the speed of the ultrasonic sound wave is used to determine a relative concentration of oxygen in the chamber.

160. The apparatus of claim 159, wherein the program instructions are further operable to:

measure a first phase shift of the ultrasonic sound wave between the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver;

measure a second phase shift of the ultrasonic sound wave between the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver at a later time than the first phase shift;

subtract the first phase shift from the second phase shift to form a remainder, wherein the remainder is used to determine the relative concentration of the constituent of the gas.

161. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein the chamber is operable to receive the gas through a port directing the gas substantially perpendicular to the ultrasonic sound wave.

162. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein the first canister and the second canister are integrated into a molded housing.

163. The apparatus of claim 157, further comprising:

one or more conduits coupled to one or more canisters;

an airway delivery device coupled to one or more of conduits and positionable on the face of a user;

a pressure sensor coupled to the airway delivery device;

wherein the pressure sensor is operable to detect a change in pressure at the airway delivery device; and

wherein the program instructions are further operable to direct oxygen enriched gas from one or more of the canisters through one or more of the conduits to the airway delivery device in response to detecting a drop in pressure at the airway delivery device.

164. The apparatus of claim 163, further comprising a valve positioned between one or more of the conduits and the airway delivery device, wherein the valve controls release of oxygen enriched gas from one or more of the canisters such that a pulse of oxygen enriched gas passes through the airway delivery device.

165. The apparatus of claim 163, wherein the program instructions are further operable to control the operation of the valve to provide two or more pulses of oxygen enriched gas to the airway delivery device during each breathing cycle.

166. The apparatus of claim 157, comprising:

a first canister containing separation material;

a second canister containing separation material; and

one or more conduits coupling the first canister to the second canister;

wherein one or more of the conduits couple the first canister to the second canister such that at least part of oxygen enriched gas from the first canister is diverted through the second canister during at least part of a venting process of the second canister; and

wherein one or more of the conduits couple the first canister to the second canister such that at least part of oxygen enriched gas from the second canister is diverted through the first canister during at least part of a venting process of the first canister.

167. The apparatus of claim 157, wherein the separation material comprises a zeolite.

168. A method of providing oxygen enriched gas to a user of an oxygen concentrator, the oxygen concentrator comprising:

at least two canisters;

separation material disposed in at least two canisters, wherein the separation material separates at least some nitrogen from air in the canister to produce oxygen enriched gas;

a compression system coupled to at least one canister, wherein the compression system compresses air during operation; and

a chamber coupled to one or more of the canisters, wherein oxygen enriched gas produced in one or more of the canisters is passed into the chamber during use;

an ultrasonic emitter operable to provide an ultrasonic sound wave through the chamber; and

an ultrasonic receiver for detecting the ultrasonic sound wave that has traveled through the chamber, wherein the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver are coupled to the chamber;

the method comprising;

operating the compression system to compress air during operation of the motor;

passing the compressed air into one or more of the canisters, wherein oxygen is at least partially separated from air in one or more of the canisters to produce oxygen enriched gas;

passing the produced oxygen enriched gas from one or more canisters to the chamber;

transmitting an ultrasonic sound wave through the oxygen enriched gas in the chamber, wherein the ultrasonic sound wave is provided by the ultrasonic emitter;

receiving the ultrasonic sound wave at the ultrasonic receiver;

assessing a concentration of oxygen in the chamber based on the received ultrasonic sound waves; and

directing the oxygen enriched gas from the chamber to the user.

169. The method of claim 168, wherein a distance between the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver is greater than at least two times a wavelength of the ultrasonic sound wave.

170. The method of claim 168, wherein assessing a concentration of oxygen in the chamber based on the received ultrasonic sound waves comprises:

determining a speed of the ultrasonic sound wave through the chamber between the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver; and

determining a relative concentration of oxygen in the chamber based at least on the speed of the sound wave.

171. The method of claim 168, wherein assessing a concentration of oxygen in the chamber based on the received ultrasonic sound waves comprises:

measuring a first phase shift of the sound wave between the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver;

measuring a second phase shift of the sound wave between the ultrasonic emitter and the ultrasonic receiver at a later time than the first phase shift;

subtracting the first phase shift from the second phase shift to form a remainder, wherein the remainder is used to assess the relative concentration of the constituent of the gas.

172. The method of claim 168, wherein the chamber is operable to receive the gas through a port directing the gas substantially perpendicular to the ultrasonic sound wave.

173. The method of claim 168, wherein the first canister and the second canister are integrated into a molded housing.

174. The method of claim 168, wherein the oxygen concentrator further comprises:

an airway delivery device coupled to one or more canisters and positionable on the face of a user; and

a pressure sensor coupled to the airway delivery device;

wherein the pressure sensor is operable to detect a change in pressure at the airway delivery device;

wherein the method further comprises;

directing the oxygen enriched gas to the airway delivery device in response to detecting a drop in pressure at the airway delivery device.

175. The method of claim 174, further comprising:

assessing a change in pressure during an inhalation of the user;

assessing a pressure change rate based on the detected user inhalation; and

if the pressure change rate indicates the user is in an active state, implement a first mode of providing oxygen enriched gas to the user; and

if the pressure change rate indicates the oxygen concentrator user is in a sedentary state, implement a second mode of delivery of oxygen enriched gas to the user, the second mode of delivery being different from the first mode of delivery.

176. The method of claim 168, wherein directing the oxygen enriched gas to the user comprises providing a pulse of the oxygen enriched gas to an airway delivery device coupled to the user'"'"'s face.

177. The method of claim 168, wherein directing the oxygen enriched gas to the user comprises providing two or more pulses of the oxygen enriched gas to an airway delivery device coupled to the user'"'"'s face during each breathing cycle.

178. The method of claim 168, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a first canister containing separation material;

a second canister containing separation material; and

one or more conduits coupling the first canister to the second canister;

wherein the method further comprises;

venting nitrogen gas from the second canister;

diverting at least a portion of oxygen enriched gas produced in the first canister through the second canister during the venting of the second canister;

venting nitrogen gas from the first canister;

diverting at least a portion of oxygen enriched gas produced in the second canister through the first canister during the venting of the second canister.

179. The method of claim 168, wherein the separation material comprises a zeolite.