Handheld pressure support system for treating hyperinflation

A method of delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of a subject with a handheld pressure support system that includes a housing, the housing containing a pressure generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, a power system, and one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules including a control module, a hyperinflation module, and an expiratory pressure module, the housing forming and/or being attached to a handle, the method comprising:

• generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas with the pressure generator;
• communicating the pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of the subject with the subject interface;
• generating output signals conveying information related to one or more gas parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas with the one or more sensors;
• controlling, with the control module, generation of the pressurized flow of breathable gas based on the output signals from the one or more sensors according to a positive pressure support therapy regime, the positive pressure support therapy regime dictating an inspiratory pressure level and an expiratory pressure level;
• identifying hyperinflation during exhalation with the hyperinflation module, based on the output signals;
• controlling the pressure generator to adjust, with the expiratory pressure module, responsive to identification of hyperinflation during exhalation, the expiratory pressure level to relieve hyperinflation during exhalation;
• portably powering the pressure generator, the one or more sensors, a valve, and the one or more processors with the power system;
• and
• engaging a hand of the user with the handle, the handle configured such that the housing is held in proximity to the mouth of the subject such that the subject interface contained by the housing is in position with respect to the mouth of the subject to be engaged by the mouth of the subject as the pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of the subject.

A portable handheld pressure support system configured to deliver a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of a subject, the pressure support system comprising:

• means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas;
• means for communicating the pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airway of the subject;
• means for generating output signals conveying information related to one or more gas parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas;
• means for executing computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:
• (1) means for controlling operation of the means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas based on the output signals from the means for generating output signals according to a positive pressure support therapy regime, the positive pressure support therapy regime dictating an inspiratory pressure level and an expiratory pressure level,
• (2) means for identifying hyperinflation during exhalation based on the output signals, and
• (3) means for controlling the means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas to adjust, responsive to identification of hyperinflation by the means for identifying, the expiratory pressure level to relieve hyperinflation during exhalation;
• means for portably powering the means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas, the means for generating output signals, and the means for executing computer program modules;
• means for containing the means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas, the means for communicating, the means for generating output signals, the means for executing computer program modules, and the means for portably powering;
• and
• means for engaging a hand of the subject to be grasped by the subject, the means for engaging being connected to and/or formed by the means for containing, the means for engaging being configured to be grasped by the subject to hold the means for containing in proximity to the mouth of the subject such that the means for communicating contained in the means for containing is in position with respect to the mouth of the subject to be engaged by the mouth of the subject as the pressurized flow of breathable gas is delivered to the airway of the subject.