Respiratory Therapy Control Device
The integration of control circuits and wireless transceivers in breathable gas delivery conduits improves communication and control within respiratory therapy systems, enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficacy by adapting to patient needs and conditions.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023082921
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2016-11-07
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2037-11-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing respiratory therapy systems lack effective communication and integration between components, leading to inconvenience, difficulty in use, and limited functionality, which affects patient comfort and compliance with treatments like CPAP and NIV.
Incorporating a breathable gas delivery conduit equipped with control circuits, sensors, and wireless transceivers that facilitate communication and control between respiratory treatment devices, patient interfaces, and accessories, allowing for closed-loop control of gas characteristics and improved interaction with the respiratory therapy system.
Enhances patient comfort and treatment effectiveness by improving communication and integration between system components, enabling adaptive pressure adjustments and real-time monitoring, thus increasing compliance with respiratory therapy.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] cross reference This application is a joint venture of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 418,374 (filed November 7, 2016). ), which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] Technology field The technology is designed to detect and treat respiratory conditions, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep-disordered breathing (SBD), and DB), a condition associated with allergy-induced upper airway obstruction or early viral infection of the upper airway More particularly, the present technology relates to a breathable gas therapy device for such respiratory therapy. The present invention relates to improvements relating to delivery conduit components for therapeutic devices. [Background technology]
[0003] Technology Background Sleep is important for good health. You have frequent sleep disturbances or sleep fragmentation. This can lead to serious consequences, such as daytime sleepiness (and the associated risk of being in a car accident). Other side effects can include poor mental health, memory problems, depression, and excessive tension. For example, if a person with a stuffy nose snores up to a certain point, it will disrupt their quality of sleep. Similarly, people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can disrupt their partners' sleep. The best form of treatment for OSA patients is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP is a device that is connected to and delivered by a flow generator (e.g., a blower (or compressor)). It is applied using the patient interface via a delivery hose.
[0004] CPAP therapy is used to treat OSA, for example by compressing the soft palate and tongue. By advancing or retracting the posterior oropharyngeal wall, continuous positive airway pressure acts as a pneumatic splint. The treatment of OSA with CPAP therapy is self-reporting. These patients should be aware of the devices used to deliver their care, as these may be infectious. Patients may choose to not adhere to treatment if they perceive one or more of the following: Uncomfortable, difficult to use, expensive, or aesthetically unappealing.
[0005] Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) provides ventilatory support to patients through the upper airway, improving some of the respiratory functions. Partial or complete breathing support for the patient and / or maintaining adequate oxygen levels in the body Ventilatory support is provided via a non-invasive patient interface. NIV is used to treat OSA, respiratory failure, and periodic breathing. The morphology may improve the comfort and effectiveness of these treatments.
[0006] Such positive airway pressure can be delivered in many forms. For example, the positive pressure level can be adjusted to match the patient's breathing rate. The inspiratory and expiratory levels of the inhalation cycle can be maintained at a nearly constant level. Alternatively, the pressure level can be adjusted to vary in sync with the patient's breathing cycle. For example, for patient comfort, the pressure may be set at one level during inspiration and at another level during expiration. Such pressure therapy systems are referred to as bilevel and sometimes as low-pressure systems. Alternatively, the pressure level is adjusted to smoothly cycle through the changes in the patient's breathing cycle. The pressure setting during exhalation is generally lower than that during inspiration. This may be referred to as force release. As described above, positive airway pressure therapy involves delivering gas under pressure to the patient in the range of 4 to 15 cmH2O. The flow rate can be approximately 120 liters per minute. Some of the air may escape through the vent and not be delivered to the patient. These pressure settings may also be adjusted based on detected patient airway conditions. Increased therapy pressure in response to detected partial obstruction, apnea, hypopnea, or snoring It can be done.
[0007] Other devices for providing respiratory tract therapy are known. For example, Schroeder et al. According to U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,046, heated and A device for delivering humidified air has been described. For example, an anti-snoring device comprising a compressor and a nasal air cannula is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,929,623. This is disclosed in US Pat. No. 080,645.
[0008] A typical system of the present technology includes a respiratory pressure therapy device (RPT device), an air circuit, Respiratory treatment devices such as humidifiers and patient interfaces may be included.
[0009] Patient Interface The patient interface may, for example, provide airflow to the airway entrance, thereby providing a respiratory device. The airflow can be used to provide a user with an interface to the nose and and / or delivered via a mask into the mouth, a tube into the mouth, or a tracheostomy tube into the user's trachea Depending on the therapy being applied, the patient interface may be in contact with, for example, the patient's facial area. A seal can be formed, allowing for sufficient pressure dispersion along with atmospheric pressure for therapy delivery. (e.g., positive pressure of about 10 cmH2O) to facilitate gas delivery. In another form of therapy, the patient interface provides airway pressure at a positive pressure of approximately 10 cmH2O. The gas supply may not include a seal sufficient to facilitate delivery of the gas supply to the
[0010] Different types of patient interfaces are available depending on the manufacturer: nasal cannula, nasal mask These are known by various names such as full face masks, nasal pillows, nasal puffs, and oral / nasal masks. could be.
[0011] Air circuit An air circuit (e.g., one or more conduits) connects the flow generator and the patient interface. The devices may be aerodynamically connected, allowing a breathable gas (e.g., air and / or oxygen) to be passed between the devices. The air circuit may be referred to as an air delivery tube or delivery conduit. In some cases, there may be separate limbs of the circuit for inhalation and exhalation. A single limb is used.
[0012] Respiratory Pressure Therapy (RPT) Devices One known RPT device used to treat sleep-disordered breathing is the S9 Sleep Therapy System. Another example of an RPT device is the non-invasive artificial There is a respirator.
[0013] RPT devices typically include a pressure or flow generator (e.g., an electric blower (e.g., The pump contains an impeller and servo-controlled motor within a volute (or compressed gas reservoir) and Optionally, the airflow is configured to deliver an airflow to the patient's airway. The outlet of the RPT device is connected to the patient via an air circuit as described above. In this specification, an RPT device is also referred to as a respiratory treatment device. It can be called.
[0014] humidifier Airflow delivery without humidification can lead to drying of the airways. When used with a device and patient interface, humidified gas is produced, reducing nasal mucus. Membrane drying is minimized, increasing patient airway comfort. Additionally, in cooler climates Generally, applying warm air to the facial area around the patient interface is more effective than applying cool air. A range of artificial humidification devices and systems are known, but medical humidifiers does not meet the special requirements of
[0015] Respiratory humidifiers are commercially available in a variety of forms and can be stand-alone devices, connected to, integrated with, or associated with an RPT device via a circuit It can be configured to connect directly to an RPT device.
[0016] between the components of the respiratory treatment system and between those components and the user It is desirable to improve the exchange of information between the various devices. The effectiveness of the device may be improved, and the resulting treatment for the user may also be improved (e.g., comfort, , quality of treatment and / or compliance).
[0017] Additionally, it may be desirable to introduce additional functionality into the component (e.g., respiratory therapy). Other components of the system may interact with the user or have standalone capabilities. Conventional solutions for communication among components of a respiratory treatment system include: It can be inconvenient, difficult to use, or expensive. Conventional solutions for components of respiratory therapy systems have limited functionality or or is not configured to take advantage of the particular configuration of the rest of the respiratory therapy system. There is. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0018] To improve operation between the interconnected components of such respiratory treatment systems, Further development of these devices (e.g., air circuits or air tube delivery) is desirable. obtain. [Means for solving the problem]
[0019] A brief description of the technology In accordance with aspects of the present technology, systems, devices and methods provide respiratory therapy for patients. It is served.
[0020] Some versions of the present technology may include a breathable gas delivery conduit, such as for a respiratory treatment device. , for example, for coupling to a device and / or a patient interface. .
[0021] Some versions of the present technology may utilize such delivery conduits (e.g., wireless) equipped with control circuits. The device may include a wireless transceiver.
[0022] Some versions of this technology may include one or more sensors that detect the status of the breathable gas in the delivery conduit. Such a delivery conduit may include a governing controller having the above sensors.
[0023] Some versions of the technology may include a delivery conduit for an accessory or patient interface. Such a delivery conduit may include a governing controller capable of detecting attachment to the do.
[0024] Some versions of this technology involve the use of accessories or patient interfaces attached to the delivery conduit. a supervisory controller configured to wirelessly receive identification information from the interface; Such a delivery conduit may include:
[0025] Some versions of this technology use a patient interface that delivers a flow of breathable gas to the patient. A respiratory apparatus for coupling to an interface and a respiratory treatment device for generating a breathable gas flow. The respiratory apparatus may include a device for transferring the generated flow of breathable gas from the respiratory treatment device to a a delivery conduit having a gas passage configured to communicate with the patient interface; The delivery conduit is connected to the respiratory treatment device coupler end and the patient interface coupler end. The delivery conduit may include a coupler end extending from the respiratory treatment device coupler end to the patient interface card. The respiratory treatment device may have a length extending from the coupler end to the coupler end. Delivery at a point along the length of the delivery conduit proximate the patient interface coupler end It may include a wireless transceiver mounted on the conduit.
[0026] In some versions, the wireless transceiver is connected to the patient interface coupler. and configured to detect an accessory identifier transmitted from a connected accessory at the The wireless transceiver can be used for radio frequency identification tags and near field communication identification tags. One of them is read from the connected accessory at the patient interface coupler end. The accessory may be configured to deliver a flow of breathable gas from a delivery conduit to a patient. The wireless transceiver may be connected to a controller. and may be configured to relay data including the accessory's identification to the controller. The controller may be located on the respiratory treatment device. The controller may be connected to a circuit on the delivery conduit. The wireless transceiver may be located on the board and transmit data including the accessory's identification over a wired connection. The controller may be configured to relay the accessory's Relaying data, including the identification, through the respiratory treatment device to a controller of the respiratory treatment device. The respiratory device may be configured to include two or more wires extending along the length of the delivery conduit. The respiratory device may include a power supply for connection via two or more wires in the delivery conduit. The breathing apparatus may include a first inductive connector adapted to control the circuit components. a second connected to the circuit components of the controller to conduct power to the roller; The controller circuit components may include an inductive connector to connect to the termination of the delivery conduit. The first inductive connector is configured as a cuff adapted to connect to the second It may be configured for inductive transfer to an inductive connector.
[0027] In some versions, at least one controller is a patient interface. - configured to determine the duration of use of an accessory attached to the coupler end The apparatus may include a respiratory treatment device. A controller in the respiratory treatment device may Operate a first switch to power the controller in the user interface coupler end. The controller in the patient interface coupler end may be configured to operate the delivery Intermittently controls the heating of breathable gas flowing through the delivery conduit and data communication between the controllers. The respiratory treatment device is configured to operate a second switch to control the A humidifier and a flow generator may be included.
[0028] Some versions of the present technology may include a breathing apparatus control device. The device may include a breathable gas delivery conduit for the respiratory therapy device. , adapted to connect to an outlet of an airflow generator of a respiratory treatment device, The device may be adapted to connect to a breathable gas inlet of the face. A flexible printed circuit board having a surface bent around a portion of a gas delivery conduit The device may include a flexible printed circuit board. The controller may include one or more parameters for the respiratory treatment device. The control unit 100 may be configured to control the determination of
[0029] In some versions, the flexible printed circuit board is The communication interface may include one or more wires of a data bus along the delivery conduit. The controller may be adapted to connect to the communication interface. The device is configured to transmit data signals on a data bus. The wireless transceiver may include a wireless transceiver mounted to a surface of the printed circuit board. Identifying the transceiver and patient interface of the controller of the respiratory therapy device The parameter of one or more parameters may be configured to communicate with one or both of the circuits. The meter measures the properties of breathable gas delivered from a respiratory treatment device through a delivery conduit. The one or more parameters may be measured by a patient interface connected to the end of the delivery conduit. The surface of the flexible printed circuit board may be a characteristic of the interface. The controller controls the breathable gas in the delivery conduit for closed-loop control of the breathable gas characteristics. The respiratory treatment device may be configured to communicate measurements of the characteristics of the respiratory flow to a controller of the respiratory treatment device. The controller, mounted on the surface of a flexible printed circuit board, controls the breathable material in the delivery conduit. determining a measurement of a breathable gas characteristic and controlling the breathable gas characteristic The controlled property of the breathable gas may be temperature, and the controller may be configured to , may be configured to operate a heater element in the delivery conduit.
[0030] In some versions, it is attached to the surface of a flexible printed circuit board. The controller detects connection and disconnection of the patient interface to the delivery conduit. and generating a data signal to control operation of the respiratory treatment device based on the detection. The flexible print head may be configured to generate a signal to a controller of the respiratory treatment device. The flexible printed circuit board may include one or more sensors attached to its surface. The surface of the circuit board may include an extension strip. The extension strip may extend beyond the portion of the delivery conduit. the gas passage of the delivery conduit through the aperture at the gas passage of the delivery conduit, A sensor attached to the extension strip is extended into the gas passage to sense the characteristic of These one or more sensors measure the pressure, air flow, and pressure of the air delivered through the delivery conduit. The device may be adapted to measure at least one of temperature and relative humidity. The tubing section is a delivery conduit adapted for removable connection with a patient interface. The cylindrical cuff may include a cylindrical cuff for enclosing a flexible printed circuit board. The cylindrical cuff may further include a gas passage for the delivery conduit, the gas passage being configured to include a flexible The heater element is controlled by a controller mounted on the surface of the cable printed circuit board. The controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board may include: The device is powered by intermittently switching between heating and transmitting data signals through a single pair of wires. The set of wires may be configured to provide data communication and heating to the delivery conduit. It may extend along and may consist of three wire conductors.
[0031] Some versions of the present technology may include a breathing apparatus. The breathing apparatus may deliver a breathable gas. The respiratory apparatus may include a respiratory treatment device for generating a flow of the generated breathable gas. a delivery conduit for conducting the flow of The respiratory apparatus may include a first controller disposed on the respiratory treatment device. The device includes a second control positioned at or near the patient end of the delivery conduit. The breathing apparatus may include a first controller and a second controller connected thereto. The set of wires may include three wires. These three wires are used for heating the delivery conduit and for connecting the first and second controllers. The first controller and the second controller are connected to each other via a data line. One or both controllers communicate and heat alternately through a single pair of wires. It may be configured to interleave.
[0032] In some versions, a set of wires includes a first wire, a second wire, and The first controller may include a ground wire. and a second controller. The ground wire provides heat for the delivery conduit using power from the respiratory treatment device's power supply. The respiratory apparatus may be controlled by a first controller and may be connected to a respiratory treatment device. a first switch that may be controlled by a second controller and disposed in the delivery conduit; and a second switch that can be arranged in the first and second switches. By closing each of them, the heating operation can be controlled. Opening the switch may allow control of the communication operation. The communication operation may be In some cases, one or more sensors may include transmitting measurements from the sensors. The system is designed to measure at least one of the following: air flow, pressure, temperature, and relative humidity in the delivery conduit. The communication operation may include transmitting an identification of an accessory coupled to the delivery conduit. do.
[0033] In some versions, the breathing apparatus includes a cuff and a The second controller may be disposed on the cuff and covered by the sheath. It can be done.
[0034] Some versions of the present technology may include a method of controlling a breathing apparatus. a respiratory treatment device for generating a flow of breathable gas and a device for breathing the generated flow of breathable gas. a delivery conduit leading from the respiratory treatment device to a patient interface; and a first controller. and a set of wires connecting the delivery lead to a second controller. A control system extends along the tube and separates the first controller and the second controller. In a communication operation, data is received at a first controller over a set of wires. The control method may include transmitting data from the second controller to the second controller in the communication operation. The control method may include transmitting the signal through a set of wires in a heating operation. The earphones are heated by one or both of the first and second controllers. The control method may include heating the flow of breathable gas through a delivery conduit. This may include interleaving operations and communication operations.
[0035] In some versions, the communication operation data is transmitted to a breathable liquid flowing through a delivery conduit. Indicates one or more of the gas flow, pressure, temperature and relative humidity. Heating action is performed by pulse width modulation. It can be controlled by a modulation signal.
[0036] Some versions of the present technology may include a method of constructing a delivery conduit assembly. The delivery conduit assembly directs the flow of breathable gas from the respiratory treatment device to the patient interface. The delivery conduit may be for conducting to a source. The delivery conduit may have a cuff connector end. The method involves bending a surface of a flexible printed circuit board into a cylindrical shape. The flexible printed circuit board is wrapped and attached around the outer surface of the end of the cuff connector. The cuff connector end may include a cylindrical gas passageway and have an open first end and a second end. The method may include attaching the end of the tube to the cuff connector end. The method includes attaching the printed circuit board and at least a portion of the end of the cuff connector by a sheath. This may include coating.
[0037] In some versions, the method includes: Insert the lip through the end of the cuff connector into the aperture and attach it to the extension strip. The method may include inserting the sensor into a cylindrical gas passage at the end of the cuff connector. The method may include capping the ends of the sensor and extension strip before inserting the sensor. The method includes connecting one or more of the pair of wires of the tube to a flexible printed circuit board. The method may include attaching a wire around the communication path at the end of the cuff connector to the terminal of the cuff connector. Coiling the antenna and connecting the wire ends of the wire antenna to the edge of the printed circuit board The method may include attaching the cuff connector end to the patient interface. The method may include releasably connecting the end of the tube to the respiratory therapy device using a coupler. The method may include removably attaching the therapeutic device to a generator.
[0038] Of course, some of the above aspects may form sub-aspects of the present technology. and / or various combinations of the various aspects may be used to provide further aspects of the present technology. Or it may constitute a sub-embodiment.
[0039] Other features of the present technology are included in the following detailed description, abstract, drawings, and claims. This will become clear in light of the information available. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0040] The present technology is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to: contains the following similar elements:
[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary respiratory treatment system for respiratory treatment of a patient's airway. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one form of respiratory treatment system shown in FIG. 1 in use by a patient. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a respiratory treatment system including a heating component and a signal transmission component in a delivery conduit having a heated tube, according to an example of the present technology. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a respiratory treatment system including heating and signal transmission components in a delivery conduit as an unheated tubing version according to an example of the present technology. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a respiratory treatment system including heating and signaling components in a delivery conduit with a heated tube according to an example of the present technology. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10B is another circuit diagram for an example of the present technology including an NTC thermistor in a cuff. [Figure 6] 6 illustrates an exemplary control scheme for the system shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is another block diagram of a system having heating and signaling components sharing a common ground wire of a delivery conduit as a heated tubing version in accordance with an example of the present technology. [Figure 8] 8 illustrates an exemplary control scheme for the system shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is another block diagram of a system showing heating and signaling components sharing a common ground wire of a delivery conduit as a heated tubing version in accordance with an example of the present technology. [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary printed circuit board used in any of the above examples. [Figure 10B]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary printed circuit board used in any of the above examples. [Figure 11] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary assembly of a delivery conduit for a respiratory treatment system, in accordance with an example of the present technology. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of an exemplary modular assembly for a delivery conduit of a respiratory treatment system in accordance with an example of the present technology. [Figure 13A] 13A-13C show sections of the delivery conduit modular assembly of FIG. 12 in various stages of assembly. [Figure 13B] 13A-13C show sections of the delivery conduit modular assembly of FIG. 12 in various stages of assembly. [Figure 13C] 13A-13C show sections of the delivery conduit modular assembly of FIG. 12 in various stages of assembly. [Figure 13D] 13A-13C show sections of the delivery conduit modular assembly of FIG. 12 in various stages of assembly. [Figure 13E] 13A-13C show sections of the delivery conduit modular assembly of FIG. 12 in various stages of assembly. [Figure 13F] 13A-13C show sections of the delivery conduit modular assembly of FIG. 12 in various stages of assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Detailed Description An example of the present technology is a respiratory treatment system that includes some or all of the components shown in FIG. The implementation of such components can be discussed in relation to the system 100. For example, the respiratory treatment system 100 may include a respiratory treatment device 102. The respiratory treatment device 102 typically includes a flow control device such as a servo-controlled blower 104. The blower 104 typically includes an air inlet and a motor (not shown). Optionally, oxygen may be introduced upstream or downstream of the blower. This allows the gas to mix with the breathable gas delivered from the impeller to the user's airway or be exhaled. Furthermore, an air filter 103 such as a HEPA filter may be provided. This removes dust or other allergens from the air drawn into the air inlet. The blower can be used for various types of therapy (e.g., CPAP, bilevel, APAP, etc.) For example, pressures within an exemplary range of 4-40 cmH2O (e.g., 4-15 cmH2O or 4 ~25cmH2O))) depending on the different flow or The device may be optionally configured to generate a pressure that varies depending on the respiratory state ( Respiratory status (e.g., apnea, hypopnea, obstruction, etc.) ) can be further adjusted based on
[0043] The respiratory treatment device 102 provides a flow of air or breathable gas to a user of the device. or a breathable gas delivery conduit 1 for delivery to the patient's upper respiratory tract(s). 06 and may be configured to connect to a patient interface 108. The patient interface may be a nasal mask or an oral and nasal mask ( An example is shown in FIG. 2. The delivery conduit 106 may be (e.g., the output of a blower or the patient interface 108 and respiratory therapy Each end includes a pneumatic coupler for connecting with a corresponding coupler on the treatment device 102. It can be seen.
[0044] According to one embodiment, the humidifier 110 humidifies the airflow as it passes through the RPT device 4000. It is configured to humidify the airflow from the RPT device 102. The humidifier 110 humidifies the air flow while the air flow is in contact with a certain amount of water in the reservoir 5110. It may be configured to promote tortuous path movement through the reservoir 112 .
[0045] Thus, the respiratory treatment device 102 may include a humidifier 110. The humidifier 110 humidifies The humidifier may include a humidifier reservoir 112 and a humidifier heater 111. The humidifier may provide a desired amount of breathable gas. configured or controlled to heat and / or humidify to a desired temperature and / or humidity For example, the humidifier may be configured to humidify breathable gas by absorbing fluid or vapor from the humidifier reservoir 112. passing through or in close proximity to the fluid or vapor in the humidifier reservoir 112 The heater 111 may be configured to transfer the fluid or vapor from the humidifier reservoir 112 to the One or more heating elements and / or heating plates that heat the fluid contained in the server 112 In one embodiment, the heater may be adhesively attached to the base of the heater plate. The heater element may be based on a laminate film heater, which includes a temperature sensor on the heater film. As a further option, the heater 111 is in contact with the liquid in the humidifier reservoir. The heater is not in contact with the reservoir liquid, but is moved through the humidifier. The breathable gas from the flow generator may be heated. The humidifier may be used in conjunction with a respiratory therapy device, as shown in FIG. The device may be removably coupled to the respiratory treatment device 102 or may be removably coupled to the respiratory treatment device 102. It may be constructed integrally with
[0046] The respiratory treatment device may include vapor components (e.g., a blower 104 and a heater 111) ) may also include a controller 120 that controls any or all of the The controller may include one or more processors (e.g., programmable or application-specific processors). may include an integrated chip that controls the amount of power provided by the power supply 114 to the controlled component. The power source 114 may include a battery. 2 or a separate module electrically coupled to the respiratory treatment device 102. Additionally or alternatively, the power supply 114 may be an AC / DC transformer (e.g., for receiving power from the mains) or an AC / DC transformer In some cases, the conduit may be connected to, for example, the battery. 6 (e.g., in its cuff) to contain its own power source.
[0047] The respiratory treatment system 100 may include one or more sensors. One or more sensors (e.g., flow (also called volumetric flow) sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, may be coupled to or receive signals from one or more sensors (such as a relative humidity sensor), receiving sensor data; and determining respiratory therapy data based on the received sensor data. and determining operational control of the device 102. In some examples, one or more sensors The sensor collects data regarding conditions associated with one or more of the blower 104 and the humidifier 110. and / or may be configured to sense such a condition so as to provide a signal. For example, the flow sensor 132 may be located at or near the inlet of the blower, within the blower, or at the outlet of the blower 104. A temperature sensor 134 and a humidity sensor 135 may be positioned at the outlet or blower volute. 36 may be positioned at or near the humidifier reservoir 112. Temperature sensor provides temperature signals for controlling or setting the temperature and / or humidity of the device Alternatively, a humidity signal is generated.
[0048] Several sensors may be positioned to measure ambient conditions. , one or more sensors (e.g., sensors 142, 144, 145) below the delivery conduit 106 The delivery conduit may be located at or near the patient interface 108. Such sensors include, for example, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, temperature sensors and flow sensors. For example, such sensors may be one or more of a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, and It may be a temperature sensor.
[0049] Are additional components for the respiratory treatment system 100 provided in the delivery conduit 106? Alternatively, it may be integrated into the delivery conduit 106, thereby allowing the respiratory treatment device 102 components or other parts of the system and / or respiratory treatment device 102 These components or other parts of the system can function together. Additional components allow communication of information between respiratory treatment devices 102 (e.g., The controller, the humidifier 110, the delivery conduit 106 and the patient interface 108 Additional devices may provide additional (or improved) function to the respiratory therapy. For example, different sets of components may be provided to the medical system 100. A component (e.g., a sensor) may be provided in the delivery conduit of different versions. These multiple sets of conduit components allow different / new delivery conduit versions to be used in respiratory therapy. When connected to the respiratory treatment device 102, the For example, the controller may be configured to automatically connect the accessory components of the newly connected delivery conduit. Depending on the capabilities of the component, new delivery conduits may be connected and modified (e.g., therapeutic) actions may be detected. In this regard, the delivery conduit may be connected to a respiratory treatment device 102 (e.g., controller 120) to enable electronic communication (e.g., wired or wireless) between the The delivery conduit may be configured with a control circuit and a sensor. thereby maintaining and upgrading the operation of respiratory treatment devices in which the components may be used. The code may allow for easy replacement and upgrade of components.
[0050] For example, to assist in the relay of information between components of the respiratory treatment device 102, A wireless transceiver 152 (e.g., a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader or a short-range wireless A near field communication (NFC) reader may be provided in or on the delivery conduit. , for example, at the patient end or proximal to the end of the proximal delivery conduit (e.g., connected to the blower 104 closer to the end of the delivery conduit connected to the patient interface 108 rather than the end attached to the patient interface 108. a transmitter 160 or other identification circuit (e.g., a device coupled to the delivery conduit) may be provided. configured to read data stored on the device (RFID tag or NFC tag) For example, if the patient interface 108 is activated with such a transmitter or tag, When attached to or coupled to a delivery conduit, the data may be transmitted to a transceiver in the delivery conduit. Such transmittable data may include the type, model number, date of manufacture, or any other relevant information about the device or patient interface 108, the connected device, The information may show one or more of the following: information related to the use of the service; and information related to the user. In some cases, alternatively or additionally, the wireless transceiver may transmit such transmissions Using other wireless protocols (e.g., Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE) It can be performed as follows.
[0051] The wireless transceiver 152 is connected to a control processor (e.g., the controller of the respiratory treatment device 102). Controller 120) or towards or proximal to the respiratory treatment system (patient end) (e.g., integral with the delivery conduit 106 (described in more detail below) a second controller 156 (e.g., a microprocessor or Information may also be communicated to the transceiver (controller). Examples of information that may be communicated to the transceiver include, for example: Sensor data (e.g., from sensors 142, 144, or 145), sensor configuration / There is type and / or tag data (eg, from tag or transmitter 160). In some cases, the data is sent to the controller 120 of the respiratory treatment device 102. Thus, the second controller 156 relays the data obtained from the transceiver. The controller 120 then uses the relayed information to control actions (to meet specific preferences or requirements for interface 108 or treatment control) Alternatively or additionally, the controller 120 may control the relay The collected information can be used to determine the length of time the patient interface is in use (e.g., The patient interface is detected based on the time the patient interface is first detected by the transceiver. (based on the amount of time the interface is detected by the transceiver) and control the operation (e.g., generate warnings related to usage time accordingly). , the transceiver may communicate with the respiratory therapy device to further customize the operation of the device. It can also read and relay data stored on other accessories connected to the do.
[0052] In some versions, the delivery conduit control circuitry is connected to an attachable accessory / component. The sensor may include a sensor configured to determine the presence or absence of a component, such as an inductive proximity sensor. In some such versions, the sensor may be located in the cuff. Presence of accessories (e.g., patient interfaces) with metal (ferromagnetic) rings can be determined.
[0053] Delivery conduit sensors (e.g., sensors 142, 144, 145) and / or transceivers Information from the server 152 is transmitted to the controller by wired or wireless signaling or communication. For example, wired communication may be relayed from the respiratory treatment device 102 to the transmitter 120. a set of wires extending along the delivery conduit including two or more wires extending the length of the delivery conduit to the Wireless communication may be performed via a wired data bus 170. and an optional integrated or coupled controller 120 within the respiratory treatment device 102. The wireless communication from the transceiver 152 can be performed in conjunction with the second transceiver 122. , implemented via a direct wireless connection between the respiratory treatment device transceiver and the conduit transceiver. or via any number of intermediate communication links (e.g., remote control, Smartphones, even if run via the internet (e.g., internet) Such communication may, for example, allow the controller 120 to control the parameters of the treatment being provided. Information can be provided to the controller 120 to adjust meters and settings. For example, such information from sensors in conjunction with respiratory treatment devices may be transmitted to the controller 120. It can serve as an input to any control loop implemented by the control, flow control, humidity control, etc.).
[0054] In some cases, the delivery conduit may include one or more heaters or heating elements (single or multiple). These components may also include a plurality of delivery tubes (e.g., delivery tube heaters 154). the temperature of the breathable gas after it travels from the humidifier or flow generator into the delivery conduit. In or on the delivery conduit 106 (e.g., substantially In some versions, one or more heaters may be provided. The heater or heating element(s) are isolated at the end (e.g., within the cuff of the delivery conduit). Thus, the delivery conduit may be configured to deliver one or more heating elements along the gas path and / or The cuff of the delivery conduit may be inflated to keep the delivery conduit warm. Condensation within the delivery tube as it travels across the tube to the patient may be reduced or avoided. The controller 156 may be operably coupled to a sensor in the delivery conduit, and the signal received from the sensor may be The second controller 156 may be responsible for processing information. To regulate the temperature, an accessory device in the delivery conduit (e.g., its heating element or delivery It may further be operably connected to a duct heater 154).
[0055] In some versions, the second controller 156 controls the amount of water accumulated in the delivery conduit. A measurement signal indicative of the amount of humidity may be received from the humidity sensor 145. Based on the received measurement, The controller 156 may communicate the received information to the controller 120. The controller 120 provides information for controlling the heating of the breathable gas flowing within the delivery conduit. Similar functions are provided for other parts of the supply of breathable air through the delivery conduit. parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, and / or flow from other sensors in the delivery conduit) In some versions, the second controller 156 may The system may receive the measured measurement(s) and, for example, selectively activate / activate a heating element in the delivery conduit. By operating the device, heating of the breathable gas in response to this measurement can be controlled. In such a version of the present invention, one of the controllers may control the heating element of the delivery conduit. Controlling the opening (i.e., break) or closing (i.e., completion) of the heating circuit for The switch may be operably coupled to the switch for controlling the power supply.
[0056] The second controller 156 of the delivery conduit also controls whether the patient interface The interface is connected or disconnected to the delivery conduit to detect the connection. Such information may be transmitted, for example, by a Allows activation of one or more components of the conduit and / or respiratory treatment device 102 For example, the patient interface may act as a control signal to activate or inhibit a detected If no patient interface is present, the second controller 156 sends information indicating the absence of a patient interface. The respiratory treatment device 102 may communicate with the controller 120. The heating element may be controlled (e.g., by the patient interface in an override sense). (when the interface is disconnected) to avoid heating of the delivery conduit etc. Similarly, information about the detection of a connected patient interface is transmitted via a control signal. The signal may act as a signal to allow activation of a heating element(s) (e.g., an element of a delivery conduit). The information may be communicated to the controller 120 to enable the
[0057] In some versions, the heater 154 is connected to a first subset of wires (e.g., , two or more of a set of wires extending along or embedded in the delivery conduit The wire may be a heating element, and the moving breathable gas may be heated. It is designed to transfer heat (by applying an electric current to the wire) to this gas. The controller 154 is connected to the tubing of the delivery conduit or the area where the conduit is connected to the patient interface. The cuff may include one or more of the cuffs attached to the terminal end of the delivery conduit. for releasably connecting the tubing to a corresponding connector on the patient interface during use. It can function as a coupler.
[0058] Examples of delivery conduits for several versions of respiratory treatment systems are shown in Figures 3 and 4. Consider the block diagram of Figure 4. For example, in the diagram of Figure 3, the respiratory treatment system of Figure 3 The system 300 extends from the blower end 312 (distal end) of the delivery conduit to the patient end 314 of the conduit section 301. 314 (to the proximal end) shows a gas pathway (e.g., a tube or tubing). A cuff 308 containing a control circuit 303 is provided at the patient end. Heating of the wires 302 and 304, which may be attached, heats the gas path of the conduit section 301. The heating wires 302 and 304 are positioned around the gas path, for example on or around a tube. The heating wires 302 and 304 may be arranged spirally and along the gas path. For example, by methods and arrangements known in the art, electrically insulating and / or isolating Can be heated.
[0059] One of the heating wires 302 receives power from a power source at the blower end 312 of the conduit section 301. and the other wire 304 can be grounded at the blower end 312 of the conduit section 301. , thereby completing the heating circuit. In the example of FIG. 3, wires 302 and 304 are Power is supplied from a power source (e.g., a power source for a respiratory treatment device) to the patient end 314 of the conduit section 301. to one or more components of the delivery conduit control circuit 303 located at For example, a particular point (e.g., at the patient end 314 of the conduit segment 301) may be At a (midpoint in the heating circuit), wires 302 and 304 are connected to the incoming power signal to a level suitable for operation of the second controller 356 of the delivery conduit control circuit 303. A converter 325 (e.g., a DC-DC converter) may be connected to the delivery The power provided to power the conduit sensors 344 and 346 and the transceiver 352 is also In some versions, the converter converts the supplied 12 volt power signal The power signal can be converted to a 3 volt power signal. Other power signal / conversions can also be performed. As described in more detail below, an optional switch 332 controls the power supply through the heating circuit. It may be implemented with a heating circuit for selective control of the supply.
[0060] The conduit section 301 of the respiratory treatment system 300 includes components at the blower end 312. (e.g., integrated sensor, transceiver, second controller) at the patient end 314 between the components (e.g., transceiver 352, second controller 356) For the signal relay, there are two or more additional data bus wires 371 and 372. In the example of FIG. 3, wire 371 is connected to communication interface 3 80 or from the communication interface 380 (e.g., controller 1 20 to interface with a second controller 356. The interface or driver (which may also be optionally connected by a heating wire (not shown in Figure 3) Wire 372 acts as a ground wire, so the interface This completes the signal transmission circuit for communication with the interface 380.
[0061] In the example of FIG. 4, the delivery conduit circuit components are similar to those in the version of FIG. However, in FIG. 4, the delivery conduit control circuit 403 controls the cuff 408 of the delivery conduit. A thermal element 407 is added. Thus, in the exemplary respiratory treatment system 400 of FIG. The breathable gas that passes through the cuff is placed in a heated cuff 408 at the patient end of the conduit. The heating element 407 (e.g., an induction heater or other heat sink) The conduit section 401 also includes wires 402 and 404. 404 provides power from a power source at the blower end 412 to the heating element(s) 407. Although wires 402 and 404 themselves may be provided, the conduit section may or may not include a heating element. Depending on the configuration, no power is dissipated along the length of the conduit section 401.
[0062] Similar to the design of the respiratory treatment system 300 of FIG. 3, the wire 402 is connected to the heated cuff 40 Other components included in 8 (e.g., components of delivery conduit control circuit 403) (e.g., transceiver 352, second controller 356, transducer 325, sensor 34 4 and 346, and / or communication interface 380) Also, similar to the design of respiratory treatment system 300 of FIG. 3, conduit site 401 is a portion of the delivery conduit. Components on both ends (e.g., controller 120 and second controller 356) It may also include data bus wires 471 and 472 for transmitting signals therebetween.
[0063] Although wired power connections are shown in Figures 3 and 4, in some versions, Powering of the conduit control circuit(s) may be accomplished by contactless power transmission. For example: The delivery conduit assembly may include an inductive connector (e.g., at the patient end and / or at the flow In one arrangement, the tubing assembly may include two The delivery conduit may include a wire heating circuit, the circuit terminating at the end of the delivery conduit with a wireless power connector. The wireless power connector may then be connected to an accessory (e.g., The delivery conduit may be connected to a cuff having a control circuit as described in more detail. The accessory has a (supplemental) connector that receives wireless power from the wireless power connector on the delivery conduit. Thus, an accessory or cuff may contain, for example, its own sensors or components. For communication of data from component detectors, etc. (e.g., with respiratory treatment devices), its own operation (e.g., sensing, accessory attachment detection and / or identification), wireless communication (e.g., , Bluetooth).
[0064] For example, as described above in connection with the wiring of FIGS. 3 and 4, heating and signaling may be performed by a The air flow can be controlled by a controller 120 connected near the blower end of the conduit. 5 further illustrates an exemplary control application for the system 300 of FIG. This control application can be similarly applied to the system 400 of FIG. In the diagram of FIG. 5, the blower end 512 of the conduit can be coupled to the respiratory treatment device 102. The respiratory treatment device 102 includes a switch for controlling heating through the conduit section 501. A controller 520 (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor) The processor unit is operably connected to a switch 532 to control the timing of the heating operation. It can be implemented to control.
[0065] In the example of FIG. 5, any desired charge can be maintained even when switch 532 is open. An optional load capacitor 540 is coupled to the heating wires 502 and 504. Charging of the capacitor can be performed from wire 502 through diode 543. 3 is designed so that current flows from wire 502 only in the positive direction of the transducer and capacitor. Thus, when switch 532 is open, load capacitor 540 is End components (e.g., temperature sensor 544, humidity sensor 546 and RFID reader) 502 and 504) in the opposite direction so that the power supply (power supply 552) can be continuously supplied. The DC-DC converter 525 is continuously supplied with energy (e.g., charge) in a direction other than the direction of rotation. In the version shown, optional switch 541 may be used to control the respiratory treatment device 102 is under the control of the controller 520, and (a) a communication interface in the controller 520; (b) receiving a communication over wire 572 through the controller 520 Receive a sensor signal via wire 572 at the sensor (e.g. (e.g., temperature and / or humidity sensors) An analog sensor signal proportional to the measurement is input to an analog-to-digital (ADC) input sampler ( from the cuff circuit for sampling by the controller 520 in Alternatively, the RS232 driver and controller may be connected to the NI 9110 via a wire 572. controller 520 (via the universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter input of the controller 520) The data signal is transmitted through the cuff circuit on wire 572 for reception by the signaling interface. According to one embodiment, switching 532 may be performed, for example, as shown in FIGS. This allows for different cuff configurations to be connected, as shown in Figure 5A. 5 shows another exemplary arrangement of the present technology including a thermistor 590 in the cuff.
[0066] The operation of the circuit of Figure 5 can be considered with reference to the signaling graph of Figure 6. The graph is generated by the controller 520 (e.g., by selective operation of the switch 532) 1 illustrates an exemplary scheme for intermittent control of heating and signaling operations that may be implemented. For clarity, the vertical axis represents amplitude and the horizontal axis represents time. In fact, this shows the operation of switch 532. In this case, power is periodically provided to the heating wires 502 and 504, and the heating wires 502 and 504 and 504. The operation of the first switch can be pulse width modulation. In pulse width modulation, the controller 520 controls the duty cycle of the switch. Curve 620 shows the voltage provided to converter 525 versus time. During the cycle, the load capacitor 540 supplies the load. The charge from load capacitor 540 is maintained at a relatively constant level so that converter 525 , the continuous operation of the patient-end components (e.g., the second controller 554, etc.) 6. A constant output voltage (shown in curve 630) sufficient for the
[0067] Curve 640 in FIG. 6 represents the data between controller 520 and second controller 554. 6 shows an example voltage versus time plot of a signal transmission wire 572 providing the transfer. and transmits data from the patient-end second controller 554 to the blower-end controller 52 0. Thus, in this version, wire 572 is However, in other examples described herein, A further switch may be provided to control when the signal transfer action occurs.
[0068] An example where it may be advantageous to control the timing of signaling operations is shown in Figure 7. In this application, the heating and signaling operations are carried out over a common wire (e.g., a ground or return wire). ) can be time-shared. Thus, in some versions, fewer wires are implemented. Alternatively, in the example of FIG. 7, three wires may be used for both signaling and heating the conduit. This allows for one of the wires to be used for signal transmission and heating completion. In FIG. 7, an exemplary respiratory treatment system 700 is shown. Respiratory treatment device 70 provides a variable gas to a patient (not shown) through a delivery conduit 706. 2 (e.g., a flow generator with or without a humidifier). The heat is delivered to the delivery conduit by a heating element, such as the wire 707 described above. The patient end 714 of the delivery conduit 706 also includes a second controller 754. The communication between the controller 754 and the controller 720 may be, for example, at the blower end 756 of the delivery conduit 706. 12 via data bus wires 708 through switch or multiplexer 721 The heating circuit of the heating wire 707 and the signal transmission circuit of the data bus wire 708 A common ground wire 709 is provided in the delivery conduit 706 to complete alternate paths. In this way, only one of the heating and signaling operations can be performed at a given time. .
[0069] In this version, a first switch is used to control the heating and signaling operations. The first switch 732 and the second switch 739 are each provided in the respiratory treatment system 700. The first switch 732 turns on the blower engine of the delivery conduit within the respiratory treatment device 702. The activation of the motor is selectively controlled by the controller 720. The first switch 732 is similar in operation to the switch 532 in FIG. operatively connects wire 707 to the high or positive side of a power supply (e.g., 24 volts). The second switch 739 couples or uncouples the fluid in the delivery conduit (e.g., the delivery The activation of the second switch 739 is located in the delivery conduit control circuit 703 of the conduit cuff. , is selectively controlled by a second controller 754. The second switch 739 Operable to couple and uncouple the proximal end of the ear 707 to the ground wire 709. When connected in this manner, the heating circuit is completely closed when the wire 707 is energized. When this happens, the power to the converter 725 is insufficient, which can cause a heating operation. The proximal end of wire 707 and the ground wire When 709 is disconnected by the second switch 739, the heating circuit is broken and In this state, the transducer can be powered by the power supply when power is applied to wire 707. In the state of the user, the signal transmission circuit of the wires 708 and 709 is connected to the microcontroller The signaling operation 720 can be completed for signaling.
[0070] Thus, one or both of the controllers 720 and 754 may be used for heating operation and signal transmission. The operations can be arranged to be interleaved, for example, so that the heating control To prevent the simultaneous execution of the control operation and the data communication control operation, Figure 8 shows such an interleaving using the components of Figure 7. 8 shows an example signaling control scheme 800 for a first switch S1 (e.g., 7) and the operation of the second switch S2 (e.g., the second The operation of switch 739) is illustrated.
[0071] The interleaving operation may be periodic, but with a blanking window 802. During the blanking window, the controller 72 0 controls the operation of the first switch to close and allow power to be supplied to the heating wire 707. During this blanking window 802, the second controller controls the heating This controls the action of the second switch (so as not to complete the circuit) to open. During the ranking window, the power supplied through the heating wire 707 is 725, which provides a patient end sensor and a second controller 754. Furthermore, during such blanking windows, the wire 709 is can be used to complete the signal transmission circuit, thereby connecting the patient end sensor and This allows for signal transmission between the fan end sensor and the controller. Thus, the blanking window allows for signal transmission and may last for a predetermined period of time; It may be repeated periodically.
[0072] After the blanking window, a heating window 804 may begin. In this case, the controller 720 controls the first switch 704 to apply power to the wire 707. During the heating window, the second controller 754 also controls the wire 708 and wire 709 at second switch 739. In this regard, the second controller 739 controls the second switch 739 to activate the The roller 754 controls the second switch to control the desired duration for heating. For example, when the second switch is closed / on (heating occurs), , when the second switch is open / off (heating operation is stopped). The longer the heater is held in the closed position, the longer the heating circuit is completed, In other words, switches S1 and S2 are connected to the power supply 100. When both switch S1 and switch S2 are on, heating is performed. When switch S2 is turned off, information signaling can occur. schemes (e.g., power distribution schemes) to allow for interleaving of heating and signaling operations. These switches can be operated by a pulse width modulation (e.g., pulse width modulation).
[0073] For example, the controller 720 generates a pulse width modulated signal to control the first switch. This may initiate a heating cycle and a signaling cycle. , the second controller 754 generates a pulse width modulated signal for controlling the second switch Such signals may be interleaved with heating and signaling cycles. Thus, the interleaving operation can be repeated periodically by the second controller at a predetermined fixed frequency. However, in some cases, e.g., a second controller 754 (e.g., one of the sensors in the delivery conduit control circuit) relating to measurements made by one or more of its transceivers and / or decisions made by its transceivers In some cases, interleaving (in conjunction with other interleaving) can be performed more dynamically.
[0074] A level detector 772 is provided to obtain the state of switch S1 in the respiratory treatment device 702. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 7, a level detector detects S2 and S1 The DC / DC converter 725 is connected to the diode 543 and the capacitor 544 shown in FIG. It should also be noted that capacitor 540 can be understood as an implementation of transducer 725. sea bream.
[0075] Another exemplary respiratory treatment system 900 may be considered in connection with FIG. It contains components similar to those in the previous version. Tube section 901 may optionally omit the heating element. The heating element may be disposed with the delivery conduit control circuit 903. The delivery conduit control circuit 903 may include: The patient end of the delivery conduit 906 is placed in a heated cuff 905. The breathable gas traversing the delivery conduit is guided through a heated chamber at the patient end of the delivery conduit 906. Heat can be provided by a heating element 911 (e.g., a heat sink) disposed within the cavity 905. Similar to FIG. 7, the system includes a controller 920 in the respiratory treatment device 902 and and a second controller 954 mounted on the heater 905. The heating wire 907, the signal transmission wire 908 and the common wire 90 9 (ground) through the conduit portion 901 to control the operation of the interleaving Interleaving schemes the same as or similar to those described in connection with Figures 7 and 8 may be used in the system 900 of FIG.
[0076] The above exemplary system includes several patient-end components (e.g., These patient-end components include separate circuit elements. However, in some versions, the circuit elements may be formed by a single The integrated circuit may be integrated into a single module (e.g., a printed circuit board). can be considered in relation to the illustration of FIG. 10. In this regard, FIGS. 10A and 10B 1 shows the opposing surface side of the exemplary circuit board 1000. This opposing surface side has air inside. It may be adapted to be flexible so that it can conform to the shape of the outer surface of the delivery conduit containing the passageway. For example, the circuit board 1000 may be substantially cylindrical (e.g., approximately cylindrical in shape, approximately elliptical in shape, etc.). The delivery conduit may be configured to bend or curve around a delivery conduit (e.g., a shape). Such a circuit board may be made of a flexible material. Its length may be adjusted to fit around the circumference or circumference of the delivery conduit. To be able to wrap or bend the substrate around all or most of its periphery, In some cases, the circuit layout of the substrate and its materials may be The flexible member can bend along the axial direction L and retain rigidity along the transverse direction W. The design allows insertion into a smaller housing while protecting the board's electrical components .
[0077] The circuit board includes any one or more components of the delivery conduit control circuit described above. For example, the circuit board may include one or more of the following: a microcontroller or The device comprises a microprocessor unit, one or more sensors (e.g., a breathable sensors that detect / measure properties of gases (e.g., gas temperature or humidity), and Line transceiver (e.g., for communication with the flow or pressure generator controller) a wireless transceiver for communicating with an identification tag located in the patient interface; transceiver). These components may be mounted on a circuit board.
[0078] The circuit board may include a body portion 1001 with a first surface MS. In the longitudinal direction L, all or some of the above components are integrated. A pair of attachment tabs 1005 and 1006 may extend across the opposite ends of the body part. The extension strip 10 may extend across most of the width L of the main body portion. 1009. At least one of the sensors may be mounted on the extension strip 1009. The extension strip 1009 may extend in the length direction L and may further extend beyond the adjacent mounting tab. The extension strip 1009 may extend further to the delivery conduit through which the breathable gas flows. The extension strip may be adapted to extend into the air path defined by The sensor(s) 1016 mounted on the may be located adjacent to or adjacent to (e.g., separated only by a protective housing) , sensing a characteristic thereof (e.g., temperature or relative humidity) from within the gas passage of the delivery conduit. A long strip 1009 may be disposed on the edge of the circuit board and may be laterally adjacent to the mounting tab. .
[0079] The circuit board may also include terminals 1020. The terminals 1020 may extend along the delivery conduit. Heating wires, signal transmission wires and ground wires may be connected or attached (e.g., In one example, the terminals are integral components of the circuit board and the respiratory therapy device. 102 to the controller 120. These terminals are connected to power lines that receive power for charging components on the circuit board. The circuit board may include a connector for attachment to an antenna (e.g., an RFID antenna). Terminal 1023 may also be included. Terminal 1023 may be a transceiver (e.g., RFID or NF C transceiver (e.g., transceiver 152 described in connection with FIG. 1) For example, an RFID coil may be attached to the terminal 1023.
[0080] The circuit board may also include holes or grooves to allow for easy insertion of the circuit board when wrapped around a portion of the delivery conduit. This facilitates fastening or fastening the substrate to the delivery conduit housing. The holes may include post structures in the cuff housing of the delivery conduit. 10, tabs 1005 and 1006 each include a respective hole 1011 and 1012. The main body portion of the circuit may include additional holes 1013 and 1014. These holes 1013 and 1014 may be longitudinally aligned with holes 1011 and 1012.
[0081] In the examples of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the outline of the main body portion of the circuit board is substantially rectangular. However, in other examples, the surface of the body portion may have a different shape. The middle part of the body part surface should be narrower than the rest / ends of the body part surface. , tapered, so that the surface of the circuit board can be given an hourglass shape.
[0082] FIG. 11 shows a portion of an example of such an hourglass-shaped flexible circuit board delivery conduit assembly. The flexible circuit board 1105 is shown in relation to an exploded view of the components. The extension strip 1109 also includes a sensor (e.g., relative humidity and temperature (RH T) sensor 1111) and arranged to be bent into the path of the breathable gas. For example, the extension strip 1109 may be configured to be inserted into the air passage of the cuff. In this example, the delivery conduit assembly may be configured to bend at approximately 90 degrees. 1100 includes a circuit board 1105. The circuit board 1105 is connected to the patient end of the delivery conduit or In the example of FIG. 11, the delivery conduit adapter may be wrapped around the delivery conduit in its vicinity. The assembly 1100 includes a hollow cylindrical cuff 1140 that can function as a dongle. 40 has one or more structural attachment features (e.g., tabs, protrusions, slots, etc.) (e.g., the extension strip 1109 of the circuit board penetrates the interior and is received on the exterior surface. Aperture 1142). The mounting features on the cuff align with complementary mounting features on the circuit board. and facing a complementary mounting feature on the circuit board (e.g., The cuff 114 may extend through each hole to allow the circuit board to be attached to the cuff. 0 may be integrally connected to the tube section 1106 of the delivery conduit, for example by overmolding. Alternatively, it may be configured to be removably coupled to the tube section 1106. In one example, the cuff 1140 includes features adapted to receive the vessel section 1106. on its interior surface (e.g., having a shape and size complementary to the ductal site) .
[0083] The cuff shown in the example of FIG. 11 may be used, for example, when the cuff serves as a heated cuff for a delivery conduit. 1160 (e.g., adapted to enclose a heating element or vaporizer 1160 (especially a vaporizer) In FIG. 9, the diameter of the vaporizer 1160 (shown as heating element 911) is the same as the inner diameter of the cuff. 1106。 Any breathable gas flowing to the interface can be heated by the vaporizer. In one example, as described in PCT patent application PCT / AU2017 / 050912, Any of a variety of humidification systems may be suitable for use with the evaporator 1160 shown in FIG. No. 6,239,999, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0084] In one example, the printed circuit board 1105 is connected to the wires 1004 of the delivery conduit (e.g., a pair of terminations 1122 for connection to wires 707, 708 and 709; A pair of terminations that connect to the evaporator leads (e.g., high and low) to power the evaporator Another set of terminations 1126 may be provided for connection to the RFID coil. As shown in FIG. 11, the heating / signaling / grounding wires of one set of wires of the delivery conduit are The ear is wrapped or molded (e.g., into a spiral rib) around the circumference of the tube section. In this example, the outer diameter of the cuff is within the range of approximately 25 to 35 millimeters (e.g., approximately 30 In some versions, the outer diameter of the cuff is about 22 mm to about In other versions, such as dongle designs, the outer diameter It has been found that 30mm is adequate. In addition, for dongle designs, An elongated flexible bridge section 1130 may be implemented to allow for a dongle diameter of .
[0085] This allows the cuff to releasably connect the delivery conduit to the patient interface. In some versions, the cuff may be defined by the inner surface of the cuff. The tubular space through which air flows from the delivery conduit to the patient interface. The cuff may further include a hollow space therebetween, and the print The circuit board (and the components mounted thereon) is mounted within this hollow space. For example, the cuff may include an outer casing or sheath portion. The base portion forms a protective layer (e.g., a water-repellent layer) on, for example, a circuit board to which the cuff is attached. forming a waterproof seal) which allows the circuit board to be secured (e.g. protection from human contact or accidental damage. In this case, the sheath or outer casing may be a TPE or silicone overmolded The sheath can protect the electrical components of the cuff, but It includes apertures, slots or other channels to allow wiring or attachment of circuit boards. Seal the cuff to eliminate any possibility of air / gas leaking from within the cuff (if used) The outer sheath portion provides the user with a convenient, high-friction grip surface. It will also be possible to do this.
[0086] In some versions, the cuff may be configured with additional components For example, the cuff may include a heat and / or moisture exchanger and / or ventilation holes. For example, any of the exchangers described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0305431 may be used with a cuff. The entire document is incorporated herein by reference. Further Examples For illustrative purposes, see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0283831 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0283832. Any of the vent holes described in 014 / 0069428 may be provided in the cuff. No. 6,299,799, filed on Oct. 1, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0087] Another version of an exemplary delivery conduit 106 is shown in Figure 12, which shows several sections of the conduit. 1 is an exploded view showing some components. In this version, the delivery conduit is The hollow tube section 1206 includes a hollow tube section 1206 that spirals or snakes around its circumference. One or more wires 1204 (e.g., wires 707, 708, and and 709 or wires 302, 304, 371 and 372 in FIG. When used in conjunction with a delivery conduit, wires of this configuration may be considered ribs. has a delivery conduit connector end 1210 (or The assembly also includes a printed circuit board 1205 (e.g., the delivery board described above). In this version, the assembly also includes a delivery conduit control circuit. flexibly wrapped around the outer surface of the connector end 1210 and affixed to the delivery conduit connector end 1210 In this version, the assembly is adapted to include a sensor case 12 The sensor case also includes a sensor 30. The sensor case covers the sensor for protection. The case is configured to allow gas to pass through an opening in the delivery conduit connector within the gas passage / path of the delivery conduit connector. Such a sensor may be coated on an extending printed circuit board. The sensor case 1230 can be a sensor on a long strip 1009. The assembly of FIG. 12 may be the same assembly as that described above in conjunction with the cuff. Sheathing, such as an overmold, to encase all or part of the assembly components Also includes an outer casing 1240. In some embodiments, the outer casing 1240 , which houses all or part of the above-mentioned assembly components associated with the cuff. Advantageously, the flexible molded components may include multiple molded components assembled together. The use of a circuit board allows electronic components to be packaged compactly around the delivery conduit 1206. The flexible circuit board can be easily packaged by an operator (or automated process). Since it can be simply wrapped, not only can the manufacturing process be simplified, It also allows for a reduction in the size of the delivery conduit 1206.
[0088] The assembly of the delivery conduit of Figure 12 may be considered in conjunction with Figures 13A-13F. , which show examples of features and steps for joining components together. Although the steps are illustrated in a particular order for purposes of explanation, some steps may be omitted. and adding further steps and performing certain steps simultaneously or in a different order. It is understood that it may be possible to do this.
[0089] In FIG. 13A, a hollow tube section 1206 is inserted into a delivery conduit connector end 1210. The hollow tube has ribs 1207 containing wires 1204, which are inserted into slots 130 at the connector end of the delivery conduit. For example, each slot can hold one wire. For example, four slots may be provided in the connector end or cuff. These alignment slots allow you to align the wire ends with the edge of the circuit board when adding the circuit board. The wires are positioned so that they can be easily connected to the terminals.
[0090] In FIG. 13B, the printed circuit board 1205 is mounted around the periphery of the delivery conduit connector end 1210. The wire 1204 is then wrapped around a suitable circuit board terminal (e.g., the terminal 10A). (not shown) (e.g., RFID coil) connects to the transceiver module on the circuit board The antenna can be attached / welded / soldered to the delivery conduit connector in the antenna slot 1305. The connector end may be wrapped around the outer periphery of the delivery conduit connector end 1210 between the delivery conduit connector end 1210 and the printed circuit board. do.
[0091] FIG. 13C shows the printed circuit board and the delivery device from an opposite side view compared to FIG. 13A. In FIG. 13C, the slot 1011 in the printed circuit board and 1012 (see also FIG. 13D) to allow protrusion 1321 on delivery conduit connector end 1210 and 1322 is shown clipped onto the substrate, thus securing the substrate to the cuff. Wrap around the delivery conduit connector end to engage the slots and protrusions for In some versions, the circuit board extension strip is first inserted during placement. The trip 1009 (shown in Figure 13B) was inserted into the sensor aperture at the end of the delivery conduit connector. The substrate is then flexibly wrapped around the cuff / delivery conduit connector end. The sensor aperture bends the extension strip 1009 and and the sensor extends through the connector end and into the gas passage of the delivery conduit connector end. This makes it possible to:
[0092] The insertion of such a flexible extension strip sensor is illustrated in conjunction with FIGS. 13D and 13E. FIG. 13D shows one or more sensors on a printed circuit board. The sensor case 1230 is attached to the extension strip 1009 of the circuit board 1205 so as to cover it. The image shows the sensor(s) inserted on the sensor(s). and inserting the case through the sensor aperture in the delivery conduit connector end and positioning it within the conduit. and the sensor measures one or more properties of the breathable gas (e.g., the temperature or humidity of the gas). In FIG. 13E, the coated sensor and its case 1230 protruding through a sensor aperture 1350 in the delivery conduit connector end 1210. As shown, the sensor case 1230 includes a base portion 1331. Position 1331 is designed to smoothly insert the sensor aperture into the aperture due to the contour of the gas passage surface. Conforms to the sensor aperture and inner gas passage surface of the connector end to ensure a seal The base also allows for proper orientation of the sensor case within the connector end. In this regard, the sensor case has a sensor end 1333 of the sensor case. In this version, the sensor end 1333 of the sensor case also extends into the gas passage. is the airflow through the gas passage at the delivery conduit connector end as the air moves around the sensor end. It has an aerodynamic profile to minimize the gas flow resistance caused by the The sensor end 1333 is the cross-sectional plane of the cuff and the sensor case within the airflow path / passage of the cuff. It may have an oval profile as shown in FIG. 1335 (also shown in FIG. 13E).
[0093] Figure 13F shows the application of an outer casing 1240. Such a casing or sheath The component is then guided through the delivery conduit connector end 1210 until it contacts the seat end 1337. The tubing 1206 can then be slidably engaged over the empty tubing section 1206. 40 is attached to the delivery conduit connector end 1210, for example, by an ultrasonic welder or other attachment method. Thus, the casing can house the electrical components of the delivery conduit connector end. The end of the delivery conduit may be sealed to prevent air leakage from the passageway within the cuff.
[0094] In one example, the delivery conduit shown in FIG. 13F may be a tubular delivery conduit as described elsewhere herein. The patient interface may include a wireless transceiver and may be configured to communicate with the patient interface. The line transceiver may be an NFC reader (e.g., when the patient interface is connected to the delivery conduit). N placed on the patient interface (when connected to or placed in close proximity to The patient interface may be configured to communicate with the FC tag. The device may include a connector configured to receive an NFC tag. In the embodiment, the delivery conduit receives information obtained from the NFC tag (e.g., the patient interface The controller 120 may generate a signal indicating some or all of the following characteristics to the controller 120:
[0095] In the above description and the accompanying drawings, specific terms, formulas, and symbols in the drawings are intended to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. In some cases, the terms and symbols may indicate specific details that are not necessary for the practice of the present technology. Although the technology herein has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. Thus, it should be understood that numerous modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments and that other arrangements can be envisioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology. In order to maintain the disclosure of the present application as originally filed, the contents of claims 1 to 47 as originally filed are added below. (Claim 1) 1. A respiratory apparatus for coupling to a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient and a respiratory treatment device for generating the flow of breathable gas, comprising: a delivery conduit having a gas passageway configured to conduct the generated flow of breathable gas from the respiratory treatment device to the patient interface, the delivery conduit having a respiratory treatment device coupler end and a patient interface coupler end, a length of the delivery conduit extending from the respiratory treatment device coupler end to the patient interface coupler end; a wireless transceiver mounted on the delivery conduit at a point along the length of the delivery conduit closer to the patient interface coupler end than to the respiratory treatment device coupler end; A breathing apparatus comprising: (Claim 2) 10. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to detect an accessory identifier transmitted from an accessory connected at the patient interface coupler end. (Claim 3) 3. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to read one of a radio frequency identification tag and a near field communication identification tag from an accessory connected at the patient interface coupler end. (Claim 4) 4. The respiratory apparatus of claim 2, wherein the accessory is a patient interface for delivering the flow of breathable gas from the delivery conduit to the patient. (Claim 5) 5. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is coupled to a controller and configured to relay data to the controller, including an identification of the accessory. (Claim 6) The respiratory apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the controller is located in the respiratory treatment device. (Claim 7) 6. The respiratory apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller is located on a circuit board on the delivery conduit, and the wireless transceiver is configured to relay data including an identification of the accessory to the controller via a wired connection. (Claim 8) 7. The respiratory apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to relay data including an identification of the accessory to a controller of the respiratory treatment device. (Claim 9) two or more wires extending along the length of the delivery conduit; a first inductive connector adapted to connect to a power source via the two or more wires of the delivery conduit; a second inductive connector connected to a circuit component of the controller to conduct power to the circuit component of the controller, the circuit component of the controller being configured within a cuff adapted to connect to a terminal end of the delivery conduit, the first inductive connector being configured to inductively transfer power to the second inductive connector; 9. The respiratory apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: (Claim 10) 10. The respiratory apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one controller is configured to determine a duration of use of an accessory attached to the patient interface coupler end. (Claim 11) 11. The respiratory apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a respiratory treatment device. (Claim 12) 12. The respiratory apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller in the respiratory treatment device is configured to operate a first switch to power a controller in the patient interface coupler end, and the controller in the patient interface coupler end is configured to operate a second switch to intermittently control heating of the breathable gas flowing in the delivery conduit and data communication between the controllers. (Claim 13) 13. The respiratory apparatus of claim 12, wherein the respiratory treatment device includes a humidifier and a flow generator. (Claim 14) 1. A respiratory apparatus control device comprising: a breathable gas delivery conduit for a respiratory treatment device, the breathable gas delivery conduit adapted to connect to an outlet of an airflow generator of the respiratory treatment device and to a breathable gas inlet of a patient interface; a flexible printed circuit board having a surface bent around a portion of the breathable gas delivery conduit; a controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the controller configured to control determination of one or more parameters of the respiratory treatment device; A respiratory apparatus control device comprising: (Claim 15) 15. The respiratory apparatus control device of claim 14, wherein the flexible printed circuit board further includes a communication interface adapted to connect to one or more wires of a data bus along the delivery conduit, and the controller configured to control the communication interface to transmit data signals on the data bus. (Claim 16) Further comprising a wireless transceiver attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the wireless transceiver comprising: a transceiver of the controller of the respiratory treatment device; an identification circuit for the patient interface; 16. The respiratory apparatus control device of any one of claims 14 to 15, configured to communicate with one or both of: (Claim 17) a parameter of the one or more parameters is a characteristic of breathable gas delivered from the respiratory treatment device through the delivery conduit; 17. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 16. (Claim 18) a parameter of the one or more parameters is a characteristic of a patient interface coupled to a terminal end of the delivery conduit; 18. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 17. (Claim 19) the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to communicate measurements of the properties of the breathable gas in the delivery conduit to a controller of the respiratory treatment device for closed-loop control of the properties of the breathable gas. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 18. (Claim 20) the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to determine a measurement of a property of the breathable gas in the delivery conduit and to control the property of the breathable gas. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 18. (Claim 21) the controlled property of the breathable gas is temperature, and the controller is configured to operate a heater element in the delivery conduit. 21. The respiratory apparatus control device of claim 20. (Claim 22) the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to detect connection and disconnection of a patient interface to the delivery conduit and, based on the detection, generate a data signal to a controller of a respiratory treatment device to control operation of the respiratory treatment device. 22. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 21. (Claim 23) the flexible printed circuit board includes one or more sensors attached to the surface; 23. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 22. (Claim 24) the surface of the flexible printed circuit board includes an extension strip that is bent through an aperture in the portion of the delivery conduit into a gas passage of the delivery conduit to extend a sensor attached to the extension strip into the gas passage for sensing a property of gas in the gas passage of the delivery conduit. 23. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 22. (Claim 25) the one or more sensors are adapted to measure at least one or more of pressure, air flow, temperature, and relative humidity of the air delivered through the delivery conduit; 24. The respiratory apparatus control device of claim 23. (Claim 26) a portion of the delivery conduit including a cylindrical cuff of the delivery conduit adapted for releasable connection with a patient interface; 26. A breathing apparatus control device according to any one of claims 14 to 25. (Claim 27) the cylindrical cuff further includes a sheath for enclosing the flexible printed circuit board; 27. The respiratory apparatus control device of claim 26. (Claim 28) the cylindrical cuff includes a gas passage for the delivery conduit, the gas passage including a heater element controlled by the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board; 28. A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 26 to 27. (Claim 29) 29. The respiratory apparatus control device of any one of claims 14 to 28, wherein the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to communicate data and heat the delivery conduit by intermittently switching between heating and data signal transmission operations through a set of wires, the set of wires extending along the delivery conduit and consisting of three wire conductors. (Claim 30) 1. A breathing apparatus comprising: a respiratory treatment device for generating a flow of breathable gas to a patient; a delivery conduit for conducting a flow of breathable gas from the respiratory treatment device to a patient interface; a first controller disposed on the respiratory treatment device; a second controller located at or near the patient end of the delivery conduit; a set of wires along the delivery conduit connecting the first controller and the second controller, the set of wires including three wires for both heating the delivery conduit and data communication between the first controller and the second controller; comprising The respiratory apparatus, wherein one or both of the first controller and second controller are configured to alternately interleave communication and heating operations over the set of wires. (Claim 31) the set of wires includes a first wire, a second wire, and a ground wire, the first wire and ground wire enabling data communication between the first controller and the second controller, and the second wire and ground wire providing heat for the delivery conduit using power from a power source of the respiratory treatment device; 31. The respiratory apparatus of claim 30. (Claim 32) 32. The respiratory apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a first switch disposed on the respiratory treatment device and controlled by the first controller, and a second switch disposed on the delivery conduit and controlled by the second controller. (Claim 33) 33. The respiratory apparatus of claim 32, wherein heating operation is controlled when the first switch and the second switch are each closed. (Claim 34) 34. The breathing apparatus of claim 31, wherein when the first switch is closed and the second switch is open, control of communication operations is enabled. (Claim 35) 34. The respiratory apparatus of claim 33, wherein the communication operation includes transmitting measurements from one or more sensors in the delivery conduit. (Claim 36) 36. The respiratory apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to measure at least one of air flow, pressure, temperature, and relative humidity in the delivery conduit field. (Claim 37) 35. The respiratory apparatus of claim 34, wherein the communication operation includes transmitting an identification of an accessory coupled to the delivery conduit. (Claim 38) 38. The respiratory apparatus of any one of claims 30 to 37, further comprising a cuff and sheath attached to the patient end of the delivery conduit, the second controller being positioned on the cuff and covered by the sheath. (Claim 39) 1. A control method for a respiratory apparatus, the respiratory apparatus including a respiratory treatment device that generates a flow of breathable gas, a delivery conduit that conducts the generated flow of breathable gas from the respiratory treatment device to a patient interface, and a set of wires that connect a first controller to a second controller, the set of wires extending along the delivery conduit and separating the first controller and the second controller, the control method comprising: receiving data at the first controller over the set of wires in a communication operation; transmitting the data from the second controller over the set of wires in the communication operation; heating the set of wires with one or both of the first and second controllers in a heating operation to heat a flow of breathable gas through the delivery conduit; interleaving the heating operation and the communicating operation; The control method comprises: (Claim 40) 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the data of the communication operation indicates one or more of the flow, pressure, temperature, and relative humidity of the breathable gas flowing within the delivery conduit. (Claim 41) 41. The control method according to claim 39, wherein the heating operation is controlled by a pulse width modulated signal. (Claim 42) 1. A method of constructing a delivery conduit assembly, the delivery conduit assembly conducting a flow of breathable gas from a respiratory treatment device to a patient interface, the delivery conduit having a cuff connector end, the method comprising: wrapping and attaching a flexible printed circuit board around an outer surface of the cuff connector end to bend a surface of the flexible printed circuit board into a cylindrical configuration, the cuff connector end including a cylindrical gas passage and having open first and second ends; attaching an end of a tube to the cuff connector end; covering the printed circuit board and at least a portion of the cuff connector end with a sheath; A method of constructing a delivery conduit assembly comprising: (Claim 43) 43. The method of claim 42, further comprising inserting an extension strip of the flexible printed circuit board through an aperture at the cuff connector end and inserting a sensor mounted on the extension strip into the cylindrical gas passage at the cuff connector end. (Claim 44) 44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of capping ends of the sensor and the extension strip prior to the inserting step. (Claim 45) 46. The method of any one of claims 42 to 45, further comprising the step of affixing one or more wires of a set of wires of a tube to a terminal on the flexible printed circuit board. (Claim 46) 46. The method of any one of claims 42 to 45, further comprising the steps of: coiling a wire antenna around a communication path at the end of the cuff connector; and affixing a wire end of the wire antenna to a terminal on the printed circuit board. (Claim 47) releasably coupling the cuff connector end to a patient interface; removably attaching the end of the tube to a respiratory treatment device generator using a coupler; 47. The method of any one of claims 42 to 46, further comprising:
Claims
1. 1. A respiratory apparatus control device comprising: a breathable gas delivery conduit for a respiratory treatment device, the breathable gas delivery conduit adapted to connect to an outlet of an airflow generator of the respiratory treatment device and to a breathable gas inlet of a patient interface; a flexible printed circuit board having a surface bent around a portion of the breathable gas delivery conduit, the surface of the flexible printed circuit board having an extension strip bent through an aperture at a portion of the delivery conduit into a gas passage of the delivery conduit, the sensor attached to the extension strip being positioned in the gas passage for sensing a property of gas in the gas passage of the delivery conduit; a controller including a microprocessor unit attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the controller configured to control the determination of one or more parameters of the respiratory treatment device; A respiratory apparatus control device comprising:
2. 2. The respiratory apparatus control device of claim 1, wherein the flexible printed circuit board further includes a communication interface adapted to connect to one or more wires of a data bus along the delivery conduit, and the controller of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to control the communication interface to transmit data signals on the data bus.
3. Further comprising a wireless transceiver attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the wireless transceiver comprising: a transceiver of the controller of the respiratory treatment device; an identification circuit for the patient interface; 3. A respiratory apparatus control device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, configured to communicate with one or both of:
4. a parameter of the one or more parameters is a characteristic of breathable gas delivered from the respiratory treatment device through the delivery conduit; A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. a parameter of the one or more parameters is a characteristic of a patient interface coupled to a terminal end of the delivery conduit; A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to communicate measurements of the properties of the breathable gas in the delivery conduit to the controller of the respiratory treatment device for closed-loop control of the properties of the breathable gas. A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to determine a measurement of a property of the breathable gas in the delivery conduit and to control the property of the breathable gas. A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. the controlled property of the breathable gas is temperature, and the controller on the flexible printed circuit board is configured to operate a heater element in the delivery conduit.
8. A respiratory apparatus control device according to claim 7.
9. the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to detect connection and disconnection of a patient interface to the delivery conduit and, based on the detection, generate a data signal to the controller of the respiratory treatment device to control operation of the respiratory treatment device. A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. the flexible printed circuit board further includes one or more sensors attached to the surface; A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. the one or more sensors are adapted to measure at least one or more of pressure, air flow, temperature, and relative humidity of air delivered through the delivery conduit; 11. A respiratory apparatus control device according to claim 10.
12. a portion of the delivery conduit including a cylindrical cuff of the delivery conduit adapted for releasable connection with a patient interface; A respiratory apparatus control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. the cylindrical cuff further includes a sheath for enclosing the flexible printed circuit board; 13. The respiratory apparatus control device of claim 12.
14. the cylindrical cuff includes a gas passage for the delivery conduit, the gas passage including a heater element controlled by the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board; 14. A respiratory apparatus control device according to claim 12 or 13.
15. 15. A respiratory apparatus control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the controller attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board is configured to communicate data and heat the delivery conduit by intermittently switching between heating and data signaling operations through a set of wires, the set of wires extending along the delivery conduit and consisting of three wire conductors.
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