Systems and methods for providing active noise control in a breathing assistance system

A noise control system for controlling noise associated with a breathing assistance system, the noise control system comprising:

• a processor configured to generate noise control signals for at least partially canceling noise associated with a noise source of a breathing assistance system;
• a controller configured to:
• generate noise source control signals for controlling the operation of the noise source;
• and
• communicate the noise source control signals to the processor;
• a speaker operable to output the noise control signals generated by the processor for at least partially canceling noise caused by the noise source;
• and
• a feedback sensor configured to:
• detect noise caused by the noise source and noise control signals output by the speaker;
• and
• communicate to the processor feedback noise signals based on the detected noise;
• wherein the processor is configured to generate the noise control signals based at least on the noise source control signals from the controller and the feedback noise signals from the feedback sensor.

A system for providing active noise control in a breathing assistance system, the system comprising:

• a gas delivery device operable to supply pressurized gas for a breathing assistance system;
• a controller operable to generate gas delivery device control signals for controlling the operation of the gas delivery device;
• a processor operable to receive the gas delivery device control signals from the controller, and generate noise cancellation signals based at least on the gas delivery device control signals, the noise cancellation signals operable to at least partially cancel the noise associated with the breathing assistance system;
• and
• a speaker operable to output the generated noise control signals for at least partially reducing the noise caused associated with the breathing assistance system.

A method for controlling noise associated with a breathing assistance system, the method comprising:

• using a controller to control the operation of a noise source of a breathing assistance system;
• communicating the noise source control signals as reference signals to a processor;
• using a speaker to output noise control signals for at least partially canceling the noise caused by the noise source;
• using a second sensor to detect (a) noise caused by the noise source and (b) noise control signals output by the speaker;
• communicating to the processor feedback signals based on the noise detected by the second sensor;
• and
• using the processor to generate noise control signals for output by the speaker based at least on the received reference signals and feedback signals.

A breathing assistance system having active noise control, the system comprising:

• gas delivery means for supplying breathing gas;
• patient interfacing means for interfacing with a patient for delivering breathing gas to one or more breathing passages of the patient;
• gas communication means for communicating breathing gas supplied by the gas delivery means to the patient interfacing means for delivery to the patient;
• and
• noise controlling means for controlling noise caused by a noise source associated with the breathing assistance system, the noise controlling means including:
• processing means for generating noise control signals for at least partially canceling noise caused by the noise source;
• control means for:
• generating noise source control signals for controlling the operation of the noise source;
• and
• communicating the noise source control signals to the processor;
• sound output means for outputting the noise control signals generated by the processor for at least partially canceling noise caused by the noise source;
• and
• feedback communication means for detecting noise caused by the noise source and noise control signals output by the speaker, and communicating to the processor feedback noise signals based on the detected noise;
• wherein the processing means is configured to generate the noise control signals based at least on the noise source control signals from the control means and the feedback noise signals from the feedback communication means.