BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to controlling respiratory devices, such as respiratory devices for providing positive airway pressure therapy. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of a mobile computing device to assist in the utilization and control of a positive airway pressure therapy apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

Respiratory disorders deal with the inability of a sufferer to effect a sufficient exchange of gases with the environment, leading to an imbalance of gases in the sufferer. These disorders can arise as a pathological consequence of an obstruction of the airway, insufficiency of the lungs in generating negative pressure, an irregularity in the nervous function of the brain stem, or some other disorder. Treatment of such disorders is diverse and depends on the particular respiratory disorder being targeted. In the first instance, a constriction of the airway, otherwise known as an obstructive apnea or a hypopnea (collectively referred to as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA), can occur when the muscles that normally keep the airway open in a patient relax during slumber to the extent that the airway is constrained or completely closed off, a phenomenon often manifesting itself in the form of snoring. When this occurs for a significant period of time, the patient's brain typically recognizes the threat of hypoxia and partially wakes the patient in order to open the airway so that normal breathing may resume. The patient may be unaware of these occurrences, which may occur as many as several hundred times per session of sleep. This partial awakening may significantly reduce the quality of the patient's sleep, over time potentially leading to a variety of symptoms, including chronic fatigue, elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, weight gain, headaches, irritability, depression, and anxiety.

Obstructive sleep apnea is commonly treated with the application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy involves delivering a flow of gas to a patient at a therapeutic pressure above atmospheric pressure that will reduce the frequency and/or duration of apneas and/or hypopneas. This therapy is typically delivered by using a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP device) to propel a pressurized stream of air through a conduit to a patient through an interface or mask located on the face of the patient. The stream of air may be heated to near-body temperature. In some configurations, the stream of air may be humidified. In some such configurations, the stream of air may be humidified by forcing the stream of air to travel through a humidification chamber containing water and a heater for heating the water. In such configurations, the heater encourages the evaporation of the water, which in turn partially or fully saturates the stream of air with moisture. This moisture may help to ameliorate discomfort and/or mucosal tissue damage that may arise from the use of unhumidified CPAP therapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved control system for controlling a respiratory device, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a control system comprising:

a respiratory device; and

a mobile computing device configured to receive data from and/or transmit data to the respiratory device through at least one communications network, and comprising a user interface configured to control at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device is configured to, in response to receiving input from a patient or other user via the user interface, change the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the user interface comprises at least one user interface element for conveying information to a patient or other user, and/or for receiving input from a patient or other user to control the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device using the mobile computing device.

In an embodiment, the at least one user interface element comprises one or more of:

a blower element for a patient or other user to adjust the speed of, and/or turn on or off, a blower of the respiratory device;

a humidity setting element for a patient or other user to view or adjust a humidity setting of the respiratory device;

a wakefulness element for a patient or other user to turn on or off an operation of the mobile computing device and/or respiratory device that comprises changing the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device in response to a change in a wakefulness of the patient;

a ramp element for a patient or other user to turn on or off an operation of the mobile computing device and/or respiratory device that comprises a ramping of a pressure and/or flow of gas propelled by the respiratory device, and/or for a patient or other user to change a ramp time of the respiratory device; and

a data element for a patient or other user to view information about the respiratory device, one or more operation parameters of the respiratory device, sensor data from one or more sensors, and/or information corresponding to sensor data from one or more sensors.

In an embodiment, the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device is configured to communicate through the at least one communications network with, or comprises, at least one sensor, the at least one sensor comprising one or more of:

at least one environment sensor configured to generate data representing a condition of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device;

at least one patient sensor configured to generate data representing a condition of the patient; and

at least one respiratory device sensor configured to generate data representing an operating condition of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the at least one environment sensor comprises one or more of: a temperature sensor; a humidity sensor; an atmospheric pressure sensor; a light sensor; and a smoke sensor.

In an embodiment, the at least one patient sensor comprises one or more of: an accelerometer; an image sensor; and a sound sensor.

In an embodiment, the at least one respiratory device sensor comprises one or more sensors for generating data representing an operating condition of one or more of: a humidifier; a breathing conduit; a patient interface; and a blower.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device is configured to perform at least one of the following:

present, via the user interface, information corresponding to data obtained from the at least one sensor to a patient or other user;

transmit a signal to automatically change, based on data generated by the at least one sensor, the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device; and

prompt, via the user interface, a patient or other user, based on data generated by the at least one sensor, to change the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device is configured to, based on data generated by the at least one sensor, indicate an adverse operating condition of the respiratory device, and/or an adverse condition of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device, to a patient or other user.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device is configured to determine a change in a wakefulness of a patient based on data obtained from the at least one sensor, and, in response to determining a change in wakefulness, to automatically perform at least one of the following:

transmit a signal to change the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device;

transmit a signal to at least one other electrical device or appliance to change an operation parameter of the at least one other electrical device or appliance; and

transmit a signal to a patient indicator device for waking the patient to trigger the patient indicator device.

In an embodiment, the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device comprises one or more of: a treatment pressure; a treatment flow rate, a blower motor speed, a heater plate power and/or temperature, a heated breathing tube power, a humidification level, a time setting, an alarm setting, and a threshold for responding to a mask leak.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device comprises at least one of: a laptop computer; a tablet computer; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a cellular phone; and a wearable computing device.

In an embodiment, the respiratory device comprises a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.

In an embodiment, the respiratory device comprises memory configured to store patient data corresponding to one or more patients and/or component data relating to one or more components of or for use with the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device and/or another computing device are configured to transmit data to the respiratory device to update patient data and/or component data stored in memory of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the control system comprises:

at least one component of or for use with the respiratory device; and

a wirelessly interrogatable chip integrated into or located on the at least one component, and having local memory configured to store information relating to the at least one component;

wherein the mobile computing device and/or another computing device are configured to wirelessly interrogate the chip to retrieve information about the at least one component; and

the mobile computing device and/or other computing device are configured to transmit data corresponding to the retrieved information to the respiratory device to update component data stored in the memory of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the respiratory device comprises a near fields communications (NFC) chip having local memory configured to store patient data relating to one or more patients and/or component data relating to one or more components of or for use with the respiratory device; and

the mobile computing device and/or another computer are configured to wirelessly transmit data to the NFC chip, through an NFC connection between the mobile computing device or other computer and the respiratory device, to update patient data and/or component data stored in the local memory of the NFC chip.

In an embodiment, the respiratory device does not have a user interface, such as a graphical user interface/display screen, for a patient or other user to manage therapy by controlling an operation of the respiratory device.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a respiratory device using a mobile computing device configured to receive data from and/or transmit data to the respiratory device through at least one communications network and comprising a user interface configured to control at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device, comprising:

controlling the at least one parameter of the respiratory device by transmitting a signal from the mobile computing device to the respiratory device through the at least one communications network.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the mobile computing device receiving input from a patient or other user via the user interface; and the mobile computing device, in response to receiving input from the patient or other user, changing the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device by transmitting a signal to the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the method comprises presenting to a patient or other user, via the user interface, at least one user interface element for conveying information to a patient or other user, and/or for receiving input from a patient or other user to control the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device using the mobile computing device.

In an embodiment, the method comprises receiving input from a patient or other user via the at least one user interface element; and the mobile computing device, in response to receiving input from the patient or other user, performing one or more of the following:

adjusting the speed of, and/or turning on or off, a blower of the respiratory device;

adjusting a humidity setting of the respiratory device;

turning on or off an operation of the mobile computing device and/or respiratory device that comprises changing the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device in response to a change in a wakefulness of the patient;

turning on or off an operation of the mobile computing device and/or respiratory device that comprises a ramping of a pressure and/or flow of gas propelled by the respiratory device, and/or changing a ramp time of the respiratory device; and

presenting to a patient or other user, via the user interface, information about the respiratory device, one or more operation parameters of the respiratory device, sensor data from one or more sensors, and/or information corresponding to sensor data from one or more sensors.

In an embodiment, the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device is configured to communicate through the at least one communications network with, and/or comprises, at least one sensor, and the method comprises one or more of:

the at least one sensor generating data representing a condition of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device;

the at least one sensor generating data representing a condition of the patient; and

the at least one sensor generating data representing an operating condition of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, generating data representing a condition of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device comprises one or more of:

generating data representing a temperature of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device;

generating data representing a humidity of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device;

generating data representing an atmospheric pressure of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device;

generating data representing the light in an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device; and

generating data representing the presence or absence of smoke in an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, generating data representing a condition of a patient comprises one or more of:

generating accelerometer data representing movement of a patient;

generating image data representing movement of a patient; and

generating sound data representing sound emitted from a patient.

In an embodiment, generating data representing an operating condition of the respiratory device comprises:

generating data representing an operating condition of one or more of: a humidifier; a breathing conduit; a patient interface; and a blower.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the mobile computing device receiving data from the at least one sensor through the at least one communications network.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the mobile computing device performing at least one of the following:

presenting, via the user interface, information corresponding to data obtained from the at least one sensor to a patient or other user;

transmitting a signal to automatically change, based on data generated by the at least one sensor, at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device; and

prompting, via the user interface, a patient or other user, based on data generated by the at least one sensor, to change at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the mobile device, based on the data generated by the at least one sensor, indicating an adverse operating condition of the respiratory device, and/or an adverse condition of an environment about the mobile computing device and/or the respiratory device, to a patient or other user.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the mobile device determining a change in a wakefulness of a patient based on data generated by the at least one sensor, and, in response to determining a change in wakefulness, automatically performing one or more of:

transmitting a signal to change the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device;

transmitting a signal to at least one other electrical device or appliance to change an operation parameter of the at least one other electrical device or appliance; and

transmitting a signal to a patient indicator device for waking the patient to trigger the patient indicator device.

In an embodiment, the respiratory device comprises memory configured to store patient data relating to one or more patients and/or component data relating to one or more components of or for use with the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the mobile computing device and/or another computing device transmitting data to the respiratory device to update patient data and/or component data stored in memory of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the method comprises the mobile computing device or another computer wirelessly interrogating a chip to retrieve information relating to at least one component of or for use with the respiratory device, the chip being integrated into or located on the at least one component and having local memory configured to store information relating to the at least one component; and

the mobile computing device or other computing device transmitting data corresponding to the retrieved information to the respiratory device to update component data stored in memory of the respiratory device.

In an embodiment, the respiratory device comprises a near fields communications (NFC) chip having local memory configured to store patient data relating to one or more patients and/or component data relating to one or more components of or for use with the respiratory device; and the method comprises:

the mobile computing device and/or another computer wirelessly transmitting data to the NFC chip, through an NFC connection between the mobile computing device or other computer and the respiratory device, to update patient data and/or component data stored in the local memory of the NFC chip.

In an embodiment, the at least one operation parameter of the respiratory device comprises one or more of: a treatment pressure; a treatment flow rate, a blower motor speed, a heater plate power and/or temperature, a heated breathing tube power, a humidification level, a time setting, an alarm setting, and a threshold for responding to a mask leak.

In an embodiment, the mobile computing device comprises at least one of: a laptop computer; a tablet computer; a personal digital assistant (PDA); a cellular phone; and a wearable computing device.

In an embodiment, the respiratory device comprises a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a computer readable medium on which is stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions being executable by a mobile computing apparatus to perform the methods described herein.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at least in part of’. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term “comprising”, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

The phrase “respiratory device” as used in this specification and claims is intended to mean any device, system or apparatus that provides respiratory assistance to patients or users such as, but not limited to, those who require a supply of heated and humidified gases for respiratory therapies such as respiratory humidification therapy, high-flow oxygen therapy, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapies, including CPAP therapy, Bi-PAP therapy, and OPAP therapy, and typically for the treatment of diseases such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), snoring, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

The term “computer-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media. Examples of multiple media include a centralised or distributed database and/or associated caches. These multiple media store the one or more sets of computer executable instructions. The term ‘computer readable medium’ should also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor of the mobile computing device and that cause the processor to perform any one or more of the methods described herein. The computer-readable medium is also capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with these sets of instructions. The term ‘computer-readable medium’ includes solid-state memories, optical media and magnetic media.

The many hardware modules on a typical CPAP device, such as the sensors and the display screen on the user interface, are useful tools but increase the cost of producing such a device. Additionally the typical user interface on a typical CPAP device may feel esoteric to a patient, who may be more familiar with user interfaces found on consumer electronic devices containing microprocessors, including those found on laptop computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones (including those known as ‘smart phones’), and computerized wristwatches (including those known as ‘smart watches’). Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to present a solution to the above problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

A mobile computing device, for example, a laptop computer, tablet computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, or computerized wristwatch, may be linked to a CPAP apparatus in such a way that the CPAP apparatus may be remotely controlled through use of a user interface located on the mobile computing device. Additionally, using the communication link, data obtained from sensors on or connected to the mobile computing device may be used to adjust various operating parameters of the CPAP device.

Additionally, several ways in which such mobile computing devices may interact with CPAP devices are disclosed.

Additionally, several ways in which such mobile computing devices may be used to help the patient comply with a CPAP therapy regime or otherwise make managing therapy more convenient for the patient are disclosed.

In the description in this specification reference may be made to subject matter which is not within the scope of the appended claims. That subject matter should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist in putting into practice the invention as defined in the presently appended claims.

