System, method and device for aiding in the diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction
AssigneeDEKA Products Limited Partnership
InventorsDavid Altobelli, Benjamin Jones, Derek Kane, Gregory Lanier, Paul Marquis, Eric Soederberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction is described. More particularly, a system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of one or more pulmonary embolisms is described. The system and method described herein include a plurality of sensors, a thermal control system, and a controller means coupled to the plurality of sensors and the thermal control system for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction.
Claims66
A system for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction comprising:
- a plurality of sensors adapted for detecting a plurality of parameters related to the content and flow of a patient's exhaled air;
- a control system adapted for measuring the temperature of inhaled air and exhaled air;
- and,
- a controller means coupled to the plurality of sensors.
A device for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction, the device including an oxygen sensor disposed within an airway, the airway defining a longitudinal axis, the airway further having an inlet and an outlet through which the user breathes, the device comprising:
- a flow restrictor for restricting the flow of air disposed within the airway and oriented such that air passing through the airway is diverted in part into a flow sensor;
- and,
- a light restrictor for restricting light disposed about the oxygen sensor within the airway, the light restrictor disposed within the airway so as to define adequate space through which air may pass to the oxygen sensor and further such that air passing about the light restrictor is substantially laminarized.
An apparatus for occluding the transmission of light through a passage having a first portion defining a first diameter and a second portion defining a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter, the apparatus comprising:
- a body portion defining a leading edge and a trailing edge, the body portion defining a diameter that is less than the second diameter and greater than the first diameter such that air may pass along the leading edge and into the second portion of the passage.
A control system for use in a device usable in the diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction, the thermal control system comprising:
- a heating element at a predetermined minimum temperature sufficient to prevent condensation of water vapor in exhaled breath;
- at least one thermometer disposed within the device for determining a temperature of the air passing through the device;
- and,
- controller means coupled to the heating means and the thermometer.
A device for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction, the device defining a airway along a longitudinal axis through which a user breathes, the device comprising:
- an oxygen sensor disposed about the airway of the device;
- and,
- a carbon dioxide sensor disposed about the airway of the device,
- wherein the oxygen sensor and the carbon dioxide sensor measure the same volume of air.
A method for determining the sufficiency of respiration for measuring quality of a breadth, the method comprising:
- measuring a volume of exhaled air;
- determining a non-gas exchanging portion of the volume of exhaled air;
- and,
- determining the sufficiency of respiration.
A method for calibrating a sensor adapted for sensing information related to gaseous concentrations, the method comprising:
- providing a heating element adapted for heating a predetermined volume of air;
- operating the heating element at a first predetermined temperature;
- measuring a first temperature of the predetermined volume of air;
- measuring a first concentration of a selected gas within the volume of air at the first temperature;
- operating the heating element at a second predetermined temperature;
- measuring a second temperature of the predetermined volume of air;
- measuring a second concentration of a selected gas within the volume of air at the second temperature;
- calculating a variance between the first and second temperatures and the first and second concentrations of the selected gas;
- correlating the concentration of the selected gas to a temperature in response to the variance thereby calibrating a sensor adapted to measure the concentration of the selected gas,
- measuring the pressure of ambient air;
- and
- measuring the humidity of ambient air.
The disposable assembly of claim 46 wherein the finned structure is a flow restrictor.
A disposable assembly for use in determining oxygen levels in expelled air, the assembly comprising:
- an airway for communicating expelled air from an individual, the airway comprising means for transmitting optical signals from an oxygen sensor, the airway selectively disposable within an electronic device including an oxygen sensor;
- and
- an oxygen-sensitive surface positioned within the airway.
An assembly for use in determining oxygen levels in expelled air, the assembly comprising:
- an airway for communicating expelled air from an individual to an oxygen sensing chamber in an electronic device;
- a light restrictor disposed within the airway, the light restrictor cooperating with an interior surface of the airway to:
- eliminate any direct path for light from the airway entrance to the oxygen sensor chamber;
- and,
- promote laminar flow of expelled breath through the airway.
A device for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction comprising:
- a body portion defining an airway there through;
- a first bypass channel disposed adjacent to the airway and in fluid communication therewith;
- a second bypass channel disposed adjacent to the airway and in fluid communication therewith;
- and,
- an oxygen sensor disposed within the first bypass channel.
An oxygen sensor for detecting a concentration of oxygen in a gaseous sample, the oxygen sensor comprising:
- a light emitter and a photodetector, the light emitter and photodetector disposed on a first side of a first bypass channel through which the gaseous sample may flow, and an oxygen-sensitive surface disposed on a second side of the first bypass channel, the second side of the first bypass channel being distal from the first side of the first bypass channel such that light emitted from the light emitter is incident upon the oxygen-sensitive surface.
A disposable assembly for use in determining oxygen levels in expelled air, the assembly comprising:
- an airway for communicating expelled air from an individual, the airway comprising a flow restrictor disposed therein such that air flowing through the airway is directed into a first bypass channel, and further wherein an oxygen sensor is disposed adjacent to the first bypass channel, and further wherein the airway is selectively disposable within an electronic device, the electronic device including the first bypass channel.
A method for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction comprising:
- determining a first heart rate during an inhale period;
- determining a second heart rate during an exhale period;
- calculating a first variation between the first heart rate and the second heart rate;
- and
- determining a need for further diagnostics in response to the first variation being greater than a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.