Methods and apparatus for supplying clean breathable gas

Abstract

The invention features methods and apparatus for the treatment of asthma patients. A controlled supply of breathable air delivered to a patient interface or mask (4) is controlled for patient comfort to maintain a steady pressure level in a range 2 to 4 cm H2O to accommodate patient respiration. The breathable air is cleaned by a high efficiency particulate arresting filter (10) to remove allergens from the air supply. The apparatus may be programmed to automatically detect asthma-related symptoms such as an asthma attack by analyzing the respiratory flow of the patient. In response to the detection of such an attack, the apparatus may provide an audible warning or if configured with a treatment delivery module (14A, 14B), the device may administer a therapeutically effective dose of a drug or substance, for example, a broncho-dilator, to alleviate the patient's breathing difficulty. Preferred mask designs allow for proper CO2 washout to accommodate the low pressures supplied to the mask and prevent asphyxia.

Description

This application claims the priority filing date of Australian provisional patent application serial number PR3154 filed on Feb. 16, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a supply of clean breathable gas particularly during sleep. More specifically, the invention relates to devices that may be used to detect, diagnose, treat, manage and / or prevent asthma symptoms in patients.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe presence of airborne particles such as pollen, fungal spores and dust mites in bedrooms is associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma. The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends removing such things as pets, rugs, carpets and curtains to reduce the presence of allergens in the bedroom (NIEHS Fact Sheet #9, ASTHMA, 7 / 97). A known solution is to place an air filter in the bedroom such as the Austin Healthmate which includes HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filters and activated carbon. HEPA ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention features an apparatus for providing a supply of clean breathable gas that is designed for those who suffer from asthma. The apparatus includes a blower with an allergen filter, such as a HEPA filter, an air delivery conduit and a patient interface, and may be conveniently designed for portable or outpatient use. The blower provides air to the patient interface at a preferred range of pressure from 1 to 4 cm H2O. The blower includes a flow meter for monitoring the flow of air to and from the patient. The apparatus may include a controller such as a microprocessor for analyzing the flow signal to determine asthma-related symptoms, for example, by calculating ...

Problems solved by technology

Known problems with such devices include that they can be too noisy to run continuously while a person is attempting to sleep in the same room, as well as the possibility of the room becoming recontaminated every time that the door, windows or ventilation ducts are opened.

Images