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US 6,752,150 B1Granted
Ventilatory stabilization technology
OwnerJohn E. Remmers, Eric A. Hajduk +1inventors
InventorsJohn E. Remmers, Eric A. Hajduk, Ronald S. Platt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for reducing central sleep apnea (CSA) is described in which certain methods of increasing a patient's rebreathing during periods of the sleep cycle are used. By increasing rebreathing during periods of overbreathing, the over-oxygenation which typically results from the overbreathing period can be reduced, thus reducing the compensating underbreathing period and effectively reducing the loop gain associated with the central sleep apnea.
Claims82
An apparatus for treating central sleep apnea comprising:
- a gas supplying means;
- and
- a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the gas supplying means, the mask having an exit, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that during periods of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses from the patient flow retrograde into the tube towards the gas supplying means and away from the exit;
- wherein the apparatus is adapted such that during an initial exhale portion of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses from the patient flow retrograde into the tube towards the gas supplying means and away from the exit and wash flow out of the tube such that during a next inhale portion a sufficient amount of rebreathing occurs to control central sleep apnea.
1 more element
An apparatus for treating central sleep apnea comprising:
- a gas supplying means;
- and
- a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the gas supplying means, the mask having an exit, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that during periods of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses from the patient flow retrograde into the tube towards the gas supplying means and away from the exit, wherein gas pressure from the gas supplying means is set at a controlled level below four cm H2O pressure independently of the respiratory cycle of the patient.
A method of treating a patient suffering from central sleep apnea, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising a gas supplying means and a mask adapted to be fit on the patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the gas supplying means, the mask having an exit;
- fitting the mask to the patient's face;
- and
- adjusting the apparatus such that during periods of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses from the patient flow retrograde into the tube, wherein the adjusting step is done such that during an initial exhale portion of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses from the patient flow retrograde into the tube and wash flow out of the tube such that during a next inhale portion some rebreathing occurs sufficient to treat central sleep apnea.
1 more element
A method of treating a patient suffering from central sleep apnea, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising a gas supplying means and a mask adapted to be fit on the patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the gas supplying means, the mask having an exit;
- fitting the mask to the patients face;
- and
- adjusting the apparatus such that during periods of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses from the patient flow retrograde into the tube wherein the adjusting step is such that gas pressure from the gas supplying means is set at a level below four cm H2O pressure independently of the respiratory cycle of the patient.
1 more element
An apparatus for treating central sleep apnea comprising:
- a gas supplying means;
- a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask operably connected using an input tube to the gas supplying means, the mask having an exit;
- a variable air resistance means operably connected to the exit of the mask;
- and
- a controller operably connected to the variable air resistance means to adjust a level of rebreathing that occurs and maintains a temporally variable flow of air in the input tube without producing significant deviations in mask pressure.
2 more elements
An apparatus for treating central sleep apnea comprising:
- a gas supplying means;
- a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask incorporating a dental appliance to reduce mouth leaks, the mask operably connected using a tube to the gas supplying means;
- and
- a processor adapted to adjust a level of rebreathing to control central sleep apnea in the patient by adjusting an active control element of the apparatus, wherein the active control element is selected from the group consisting of (1) a variable air resistance means operably connected to an exit of the mask, (2) a recirculator, and (3) a valve to a dead space volume.
1 more element
An apparatus for treating central sleep apnea comprising:
- a gas supplying means;
- a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask incorporating a dental appliance to reduce mouth leaks, the mask operably connected using a tube to the gas supplying means;
- a processor adapted to adjust a level of rebreathing to control central sleep apnea in the patient by adjusting an active control element of the apparatus;
- and
- an exit tube connected to the mask.
2 more elements
An apparatus for treating central sleep apnea comprising:
- a blower;
- and
- a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the blower, the mask having an exit, tile resistance of the exit being set that during treatment of central sleep apnea in the patient, expiratory air from the patient flows through the tube towards the blower and away from the exit, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that a gas flow from the blower is less than that used to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
A method of treating a patient suffering from central sleep apnea, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising a blower and a mask adapted to be fit on the patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the blower, the mask having an exit;
- fitting the mask to the patient's face;
- and
- adjusting the apparatus such that gas flow from the blower is controlled at a variable flow rate and essentially constant pressure, the pressure being less than that used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, in order to treat central sleep apnea in the patient, and such that during periods of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses from the patient flow retrograde into the tube.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising a blower and a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the blower, the mask having an exit;
- fitting the mask to the patient's face;
- detecting central sleep apnea in the patient;
- and
- adjusting the apparatus to treat central sleep apnea, wherein the adjusting step is such that during periods of increased breathing associated with central sleep apnea, some exhaled gasses flow from the patient retrograde into the tube.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing an apparatus comprising a blower and a mask adapted to be fit on a patient's face, the mask operably connected using a tube to the blower, the mask having an exit, the resistance of the exit being set that during treatment of central sleep apnea in the patient, expiratory air from the patient flows through the tube towards the blower and away from the exit;
- fitting the mask to the patient's face;
- treating an obstructive sleep apnea with the apparatus;
- adjusting the apparatus to treat central sleep apnea;
- and treating obstructive sleep apnea with the apparatus.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.