Sleep apnea treatment apparatus

A method of providing a flow of gas to an airway of a patient comprising:

• generating a flow of gas using a gas flow generator;
• delivering the as flow to an airway of a patient via a conduit and a patient interface operatively coupled to the conduit;
• generating a first signal to activate said gas flow generator responsive to detecting that the patient interface is in communication with an airway of such a patient, wherein the first signal activates the gas flow generator so that a gas flow is created in the conduit;
• and
• generating a second signal responsive to detecting that the patient interface is not in communication with an airway of such a patient, wherein the second signal deactivates the gas flow generator so that substantially no gas flows in the conduit.

An apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to an airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• a gas flow generator adapted to provide a flow of gas;
• a conduit operatively coupled to the gas flow;
• a patient interface operatively coupled to said conduit, the patient interface being adapted to communicate said conduit with an airway of a patient;
• and
• means for generating a signal responsive to the patient interface means being in communication with an airway of such a patient, the signal causing activation of the gas flow generator.

A method of providing gas flow to an airway of a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a flow of gas using a gas flow generator;
• delivering the flow of gas to an airway of a patient via a conduit and patient interface operatively coupled to the conduit;
• monitoring whether the patient interface is in communication with an airway of a patient;
• and
• activating the gas flow generator from a deactivated state responsive to a determination in the monitoring step that the patient interface is in communication with an airway of such a patient.

An apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to an airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• a gas flow generator adapted to provide a flow of gas;
• a conduit operatively coupled to said gas flow generator, said conduit being adapted to deliver said flow of gas to an airway of a patient;
• a patient interface operatively coupled to said conduit, said patient interface being adapted to communicate said conduit with an airway of such a patient;
• means for activating the gas flow generator responsive to the patient interface being in communication with an airway of a patient.

An apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to an airway of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• a gas flow generator adapted to provide a flow of gas;
• a conduit operatively coupled to the gas flow;
• a patient interface operatively coupled to said conduit, the patient interface being adapted to communicate said conduit with an airway of a patient;
• a sensor adapted to detect a flow or a pressure of gas in the conduit or patient interface and to output a signal indicative thereof;
• a processor operatively coupled to the gas flow generator and the sensor, wherein the processor determines whether the patient interface means is in communication with an airway of a patient based on an output of the sensor and activates the gas flow generator responsive a determination that the patient interface means is in communication with an airway of a patient.