Controlling and communicatng with respiratory care devices

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, systems, apparatus, and products, including a method for operating a respiratory care device that includes collecting at a respiratory care device data representative of operation of the respiratory care device, and communicating to a computing-based device external to the respiratory care device at least some of the collected data to control the operability of the respiratory care device. In some embodiments, the method may further include communicating to the respiratory care device data to controllably change one or more operation parameters of the respiratory care device to cause a change in the operation of the respiratory care device, changing the operation parameters of the respiratory care device according to the communicated data, and communicating to the external computing-based device resultant data representative of operation of the respiratory care device resulting from the controllable change to the one or more operation parameters.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 246,271, filed September 28, 2009, and entitled "DATA RETRIEVAL AND SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS," which is incorporated by reference The full text of is incorporated herein. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates to respiratory care devices, and in particular, to operating (including communicating and controlling) respiratory care devices, such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators, CPAP machines, and the like. Background technique [0004] As home respiratory care equipment continues to evolve, such as home medical oxygen concentrators, they have begun to evolve from simple electromechanical devices to computer controlled systems. As a result of this change, it becomes more difficult to diagnose and repair equipment or to upgrade equipment with new software-controlled functions. Th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

An untrained or low-level technician can call a trained technician and try to describe the condition of the equipment, but this makes for lengthy service calls and rarely fixes the respiratory care equipment, and the equipment usually has to be taken anyway Skilled Technician

Additionally, respiratory care equipment often cannot be upgraded with major software changes without returning it to a skilled technician

[0006] Also, respiratory care devices often have small data memories and limited user interfaces, making troubleshooting and diagnosis difficult even for trained technicians

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