Abstract:
A cuff pressure management device (10) for a tracheal breathing tube (54) with an inflatable cuff (90), comprises a volume displacement subsystem (36), a pressure transducer (44), a compliance determination circuit (34), and a cuff pressure controller (24). The volume displacement subsystem provides (i) a measured volume of pressurized gas to and from the cuff and (ii) a cuff gas volume signal. The pressure transducer provides a cuff gas pressure signal. The compliance determination circuit is configured to calculate cuff compliance and an estimated tracheal airway compliance based on the gas volume signal and the gas pressure signal. The cuff pressure controller is in controlling communication with the volume displacement subsystem and the compliance determination circuit to maintain cuff pressure based on the calculated cuff compliance.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for synchronizing machine-induced inexsufflation with diaphragmatic pacing of a subject, e.g. through a diaphragm pacer, use the detected onset of an inhalation and/or exhalation of a subject. The detection is based on output signals generated by one or more sensors.
Abstract:
A mechanical ventilation system comprises a mechanical ventilator configured to deliver ventilation to a patient. An electronic controller is programmed to control the mechanical ventilator to perform a mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) therapy method including performing a MI-E cycle including: (i) during an insufflation cycle, delivering pressure to the patient at a positive insufflation gauge pressure; (ii) during an exsufflation cycle following step (i), delivering pressure to the patient at a negative exsufflation gauge pressure and detecting whether an upper airway collapse occurs; and (iii) reducing a magnitude of the negative exsufflation gauge pressure if an upper airway collapse is detected in step (ii).
Abstract:
The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to determine one or more parameters of chest wall oscillation therapy for a subject. The system includes a wearable garment configured to provide percussion to one or more parts of a lung of a subject. The wearable garment includes: percussion excitation elements configured to produce the percussion; and sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to a response of the one or more parts of the lung to the percussion. The system includes a control unit configured to determine frequency and energy density information for the sounds made by the one or more parts of the lungs caused by the percussion, the frequency and energy density information determined based on the output signals; and determine the one or more parameters of the chest wall oscillation therapy based on the frequency and energy density information.
Abstract:
The present disclosure pertains to a method and system configured for cough synchronization in a mechanical insufflation-exsufflation system. The system is configured to synchronize (712) the transition from an insufflation mode to an exsufflation mode to a patient initiated cough by detecting cough effort of the patient e.g. at the end of the insufflation phase. The detection of cough effort of the patient is based on one or more parameters associated with gas in the system. Upon detecting that the patient is initiating a cough, the system automatically switches the insufflation mode to the exsufflation mode to assist the patient to generate an effective cough.
Abstract:
A system and method to in-exsufflate a subject is described. The system provides an effective non-invasive alternative to invasive treatments such as a tracheostomy for ALS patients. The system detects airway collapse during exsufflation and adjusts in-exsufflation therapy settings to minimize airway collapse, thus maximizing the efficacy of the in-exsufflation therapy. In some embodiments, tidal volume, tidal flow rate, and/or other parameters are monitored during in-exsufflation. Exsufflation pressure is adjusted based on the monitored parameters to maintain an open airway during exhalation of the subject. Exsufflation pressure is adjusted based on a comparison of an actual exhalation tidal volume to a target exhalation tidal volume, an actual exhalation flow rate to a target exhalation flow rate, an actual inhalation tidal volume to a target inhalation volume, and/or other comparisons.
Abstract:
An embodiment provides techniques for distinguishing between breathing events based on sensor data obtained from one or more wearable sensors. In one example, sensor data is obtained that includes one or more of a sensor signal and descriptive metadata of the sensor signal. Processing is applied to distinguish between a cough and another breathing event based on the sensor data, and an indication of a cough is provided.
Abstract:
A mechanical ventilation system includes a mechanical ventilator configured to deliver ventilation to a patient. An electronic controller is programmed to control the mechanical ventilator to perform a lung volume recruitment (LVR) therapy method. The LVR therapy method includes at least one LVR cycle including: an inspiration phase in which air is delivered to an upper airway of the patient by the mechanical ventilator to ramp an airway pressure up to an LVR pressure of the LVR cycle, a hold phase in which the airway pressure is maintained by the mechanical ventilator at the LVR pressure or at a pressure above the LVR pressure for a hold time interval, and an expiration phase in which the airway pressure decreases to a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of the LVR cycle.
Abstract:
The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for controlling insufflation pressure during inexsufflation of a subject. The system inexsufflates the subject such that tidal flow and/or tidal volume are monitored during insufflation, and insufflation pressure is adjusted to maintain the flow rate of the pressurized flow of breathable gas until a target tidal volume is reached for the insufflation. When the target tidal volume has substantially been reached, the system is causes gas to be evacuated from the airway of the subject. This may provide for more precise, customized therapy for the subject than is provided by conventional inexsufflation systems in which inspiratory flow may not be monitored and/or controlled. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more of a pressure generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, a processor, a user interface, electronic storage, and/or other components.
Abstract:
The present disclosure pertains to a method and system configured to in-exsufflate a subject by controlling the in-exsufflation pressure waveform. In some embodiments, the system comprises a pressure generator, a subject interface, one or more sensors, one or more processors, electronic storage, a user interface, and/or other components. The system is configured to assist the subject to loosen and/or expel secretions by inducing a percussive pressure waveform delivered to the subject during inhalation and/or exhalation. The system is configured to control the in-exsufflation therapy delivered to the subject without requiring regular manual setting and/or adjustment of pressures, pressure amplitudes, a frequency range, and/or other parameters of the percussive pressure waveform.