Systems and methods associated with a gas mixing flow meter with an enhanced user interface

Abstract

An example gas mixing device includes: a first inlet port for receiving a flow of nitrous oxide; a second inlet port for receiving a flow of oxygen, wherein the nitrous oxide and the oxygen are mixed to form a gas mixture; a breathing circuit port for providing the gas mixture to a patient; a user interface having a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed thereon, wherein the GUI comprises a touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a gas concentration of the nitrous oxide or the oxygen in the gas mixture; and a processor performing operations comprising: receiving information indicating that a user has touched and slid the touch-and-slide adjuster button along a gas concentration scale to a particular concentration setting, and responsively, change a concentration percentage of a respective gas in the gas mixture to correspond to the particular concentration setting.

Description

Systems and Methods Associated with a Gas Mixing Flow Meter having an Enhanced User InterfaceCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 705,073, filed on October 9, 2024, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in this description.BACKGROUND

[0002] Medical offices, such as dental offices, may use gas mixing machines for delivering gaseous analgesia, such as nitrous oxide, to patients. An example gas mixing machine may be configured to mix nitrous oxide with oxygen, and then deliver the mixed gas at a particular flow rate to the patient.

[0003] Such gas mixing machines may have flow meters that control the mixture concentration percentage of the gases being mixed and the flow rate of the mixed gas to the patient. Some flow meters are analog devices that require the manual adjustment of a knob or valve to control the mixing of gases. On the other hand, a digital flow meter may have a user interface to control the mixture concentration percentages and the flow rate.

[0004] Current digital flowmeters may include both touch pad and touchscreen controls that require pushing or touching a button for increasing or decreasing either the flow rate or mixture concentration percentages. For existing digital devices (including ones with touchscreens) the user must push an up or down indicator button to increase the flow or mixture concentration percentages in small increments. The flow rate is adjusted typically in either 0.10 (one tenth of a liter) Liters Per Minute (LPM) or 0.50 LPM (one half of a liter) increments. The mixture concentrationpercentages control is typically adjusted in 5% increments and normally starts at 100% oxygen concentration.

[0005] As an example, with existing digital devices, if a healthcare professional desires a total flow rate of 6 LPM and a 50% mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, flow rate adjustment would require the healthcare professional to tap or push the flow button a minimum of 12 times (if starting from 0 liters of flow) and at an increment of 0.50 LPM: 0 LPM - 0.5 LPM - 1 LPM - 1.5 LPM - 2 LPM - 2.5 LPM - 3 LPM - 3.5 LPM - 4 LPM - 4.5 LPM - 5 LPM - 5.5 LPM - 6 LPM. This amounts to 12 pushes or taps.

[0006] Similarly, mixture concentration percentages adjustment would require the healthcare professional to tap the concentration adjustment button 10 times at an increment of 5%, e.g., starting from 100% oxygen to a mixture of 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide: 100% - 95% - 90% - 85% - 80% - 75% - 70% - 65% - 60% - 55% - 50%. This amounts to 10 pushes or taps. Thus, the total adjustment for the described example procedure requires 22 pushes or taps on a button or touchscreen. This process is cumbersome and time consuming, which may be undesirable in a medical application.

[0007] Thus, it may be desirable to have an ergonomic user interface with simplified controls, while improving the speed at which the adjustments can be made. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure describes implementations that relate to systems and methods associated with a gas mixing flow meter having an enhanced user interface.

[0009] In a first example implementation, the present disclosure describes a gas mixing device. The gas mixing device includes: a first inlet port for receiving a flow of nitrous oxide; a second inlet port for receiving a flow of oxygen, wherein the nitrous oxide and the oxygen are mixed to form a gas mixture; a user interface having a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed thereon, wherein the GUI comprises a touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a gas concentration of the nitrous oxide or the oxygen in the gas mixture; and a processor performing operations comprising: receiving information indicating that a user has touched and slid the touch- and-slide adjuster button along a gas concentration scale to a particular concentration setting, and responsively, changing a concentration percentage of a respective gas in the gas mixture to correspond to the particular concentration setting.

[0010] In a second example implementation, the present disclosure describes a method implemented by the processor of the first example implementation.

[0011] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, implementations, and features described above, further aspects, implementations, and features will become apparent by reference to the figures and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative examples are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative examples, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative example of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.

[0013] Figure 1A illustrates a front perspective view of a gas mixing device, according to an example implementation.

[0014] Figure IB illustrates a back perspective view of the gas mixing device of Figure 1A, according to an example implementation.

[0015] Figure 1C illustrates a front view of the gas mixing device of Figure 1A, according to an example implementation.

[0016] Figure ID illustrates a bottom view of the gas mixing device of Figure 1 A, according to an example implementation, according to an example implementation.

[0017] Figure IE illustrates a top perspective view of a gas flow and mixture control assembly of the gas mixing device of Figures 1A-1D, according to an example implementation.

[0018] Figure IF illustrates a bottom perspective view of the gas flow and mixture control assembly of Figure IE, according to an example implementation.

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a graphical user interface of the gas mixing device of Figures 1A-1D, according to an example implementation.

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates the graphical user interface of Figure 2 with a display of a secondary numeric value for total flow rate, according to an example implementation.

[0021] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the gas mixing device, according to an example implementation.

[0022] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for operating the gas mixing device of Figures 1 A-1D, according to an example implementation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Within examples, disclosed herein is a gas mixing machine / device with a flow meter that controls mixing of nitrous oxide gas and oxygen in a medical application. Also, within examples, disclosed herein is an enhanced user interface for the flow meter. The user interface allows for ergonomic and simplified controls while improving the speed at which the adjustments can be made to the mixing of gases and the flow rate of the mixed gas.

[0024] In an example, the disclosed user interface may have a touch-and-slide adjuster button to set the desired set point for both the flow rate and mixture concentration percentages. Particularly, in one example, the user interface may have a brightly-lit scale (e.g., in the form of a dial) display with number indicators and an adjuster button. The healthcare professional or user can touch the adjuster button on the scale, and slide the adjuster button to the desired set point quickly and easily.

[0025] In one example, a secondary numeric value may be displayed above or proximate the adjuster button as the user’s finger slides the adjuster button to the desired setting. This secondary numeric value is displayed to allow the user to clearly see the set points as the user slides the adjuster button on the scale in the case the user’s fingers blocks, at least partially, the numerical values on the scale.

[0026] Thus, the user can touch the adjuster button for either flow rate or mixture concentration percentage, and quickly slide the adjuster button on the user interface to the desired setting. This may eliminate the need for repetitively pushing / tapping a button while slowly increasing or decreasing the flow rate of concentration percentages in smaller increments. For example, referring to the example above involving 22 taps by a user, the user can make the same adjustment with one touch and slide adjustment for the flow rate and one touch and slide for the mixture concentration percentage. This reduces the taps from 22 to 2 for the same settings.

[0027] Figure 1A illustrates a front perspective view of a gas mixing device 100, Figure IB illustrates a back perspective view of the gas mixing device 100, Figure 1C illustrates a front view of the gas mixing device 100, and Figure ID illustrates a bottom view of the gas mixing device 100, according to an example implementation. Figures 1A-1D are described together.

[0028] The gas mixing device 100 can be configured as a continuous-flow gas machine that provides an analgesic gas, such as for example nitrous oxide gas mixed with oxygen gas. Referring to Figure IB, the gas mixing device 100 has a first inlet port 102 that receives a flow of nitrous oxide, and a second inlet port 104 that receives a flow of oxygen.

[0029] In an example, the gas mixing device 100 further has an emergency oxygen port 105. Oxygen received from the second inlet port 104 can be provided directly through the emergency oxygen port 105 to be used for emergencies (e.g., if a patient requires oxygen on an emergency basis such as during a cardiac arrest where the patient is provided as much oxygen as possible).

[0030] The gas mixing device 100 operates to mix the nitrous oxide and oxygen together to form a mixed analgesic gas that is suitable for a patient. As described in more details below with respect to Figures 1E-1F, the gas mixing device 100 has a manifold, flow sensors, and valves disposed therein to form the gas mixture, while controlling the total flow rate of the gas mixture and the gas concentrations in the mixture. The gas mixture is then discharged via a gas mixture port 106.

[0031] In an example, the gas mixing device 100 may include a breathing circuit connecting module 108 that can also be referred to as a bag tee module. The breathing circuit connecting module 108 can include a fresh gas port 110 that is configured to be fluidly coupled, via a hose for example, to the gas mixture port 106 to receive the mixed analgesic gas.

[0032] The breathing circuit connecting module 108 may also have a breathing circuit port 1 12 and a breathing bag port 114 shown in Figure 1 A. The breathing bag port 114 is configured to be connected to a reservoir bag such that the mixed analgesic gas flows into and fills up the reservoir bag for delivery to the patient. In an example, the breathing circuit port 112 receives the gas mixture from the reservoir bag, which has been filled with the gas via the breathing bag port 114, and the gas mixture is then provided to the patient.

[0033] Particularly, the breathing circuit port 112 can be configured to be connected to a breathing circuit apparatus (not shown) that provides the mixed analgesic gas to a patient through a nasal mask. In an example, the breathing circuit apparatus may further include an inhalation line and an evacuation line. The inhalation line is connected to the breathing circuit port 112 of the breathing circuit connecting module 108 to provide the mixed gas to the patient via the nasal ask.

[0034] In examples, not all of the mixed analgesic gas provided to the patient is inhaled and metabolized by the patient, and thus excess analgesic gas, also referred to as the waste analgesic gas, is discharged through the evacuation line of the breathing circuit apparatus. Waste gas flows through the evacuation line to an inlet port 116 of a scavenger module 118 (shown in Figures 1A, 1C-1D) configured for the evacuation or ventilation of the waste analgesic gas. Particularly, the scavenger module 118 has a vacuum port 120 (see Figure ID), which is configured to be fluidly coupled to a vacuum source. With this configuration, when the vacuum source operates, the waste analgesic gas is removed from the gas mixing device 100 under the vacuum suction to avoid detrimentally exposing a healthcare provider to the analgesic gas.

[0035] Referring to Figure ID, the breathing circuit connecting module 108 may have a mounting hole 122, through which a mounting pin 124 shown in Figure 1A can be mounted. The mounting pin 124 can then facilitate mounting the gas mixing device 100 to a fixture, for example. As shownin Figure IB, the gas mixing device 100 can have a power port 125 configured to be connected to power supply to provide electric power to operate the gas mixing device 100.

[0036] Figure IE illustrates a top perspective view of a gas flow and mixture control assembly 132 of the gas mixing device 100, and Figure IF illustrates a bottom perspective view of the gas flow and mixture control assembly 132, according to an example implementation. Figures 1E-1F are described together.

[0037] The gas flow and mixture control assembly 132 includes a manifold 134 (e.g., metal block made of aluminum and having a plurality of fluid passages and cavities) that is disposed within the housing of the gas mixing device 100. Passages of the manifold 134 are fluidly coupled to the first inlet port 102 (the nitrous oxide port), the second inlet port 104 (the oxygen port), the emergency oxygen port 105, and the gas mixture port 106.

[0038] The manifold 134 facilitates routing and mixing the gases. Arrows in Figure IF depict flow paths of the gases through the manifold 134. Particularly, the nitrous oxide received through the first inlet port 102 is provided through passages in the manifold 134 then (up) through connection 136 to a nitrous oxide gas flow sensor 138 configured to provide sensor information indicative of a flow rate of nitrous oxide gas (e.g., to processor(s) 400 of the gas mixing device 100 described below with respect to Figure 4).

[0039] Nitrous oxide gas is then provided (down) through connection 140 back to the manifold 134 where it is then provided through a nitrous oxide flow control valve 142. The nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 is an electrically-actuated proportional flow control valve (e.g., a solenoid valve). The nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 receives commands from the processor of the gas mixing device 100 to control the flow rate of nitrous oxide gas.

[0040] For example, the nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 may have a movable member (e.g., spool, poppet, or piston) therein, where the position of such movable member is controlled by an electric actuator (e.g., a solenoid or motor). For instance, the position of the movable member may be proportional to a magnitude (e.g., of voltage or electric current) of the electric command signal provided to the electric actuator via the processor. Thus, the processor can control the position of the movable member by sending an electric signal having a particular magnitude to the electric actuator, and thus control the flow rate of nitrous oxide gas through the nitrous oxide flow control valve 142.

[0041] As depicted with the arrows in Figure IF, nitrous oxide discharged from the nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 is provided through passages in the manifold 134 to a gas mixture chamber 144 where it is mixed with oxygen.

[0042] Similarly, the oxygen received through the second inlet port 104 is provided through passages in the manifold 134 then (up) through connection 146 to an oxygen gas flow sensor 148 configured to provide sensor information indicative of a flow rate of oxygen (e.g., to the processor(s) 400 of the gas mixing device 100).

[0043] Oxygen is then provide (down) through connection 150 back to the manifold 134 where it is then provided through an oxygen flow control valve 152. The oxygen flow control valve 152 is an electrically-actuated proportional flow control valve (e.g., a solenoid valve). The oxygen flow control valve 152 receives commands from the processor of the gas mixing device 100 to control the flow rate of oxygen.

[0044] For example, the oxygen flow control valve 152 may have a movable member (e.g., spool, poppet, or piston) therein, where the position of such movable member is controlled by an electric actuator (e.g., a solenoid or motor). For instance, the position of the movable member may beproportional to a magnitude (e g., of voltage or electric current) of the electric command signal provided to the electric actuator via the processor. Thus, the processor can control the position of the movable member by sending an electric signal having a particular magnitude to the electric actuator, and thus control the flow rate of oxygen through the oxygen flow control valve 152.

[0045] As depicted with the arrows in Figure IF, oxygen discharged from the oxygen flow control valve 152 is provided through passages in the manifold 134 to the gas mixture chamber 144 where it is mixed with nitrous oxide gas. The gas mixture from the gas mixture chamber 144 is then discharged through the gas mixture port 106.

[0046] As such, the processor (e.g., the processor(s) 400) of the gas mixing device 100 can control the total flow rate of the gas mixture and the respective gas concentrations of oxygen and nitrous oxide in the gas mixture by providing particular electric command signals to the nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 and the oxygen flow control valve 152. As mentioned above, these flow control valves are configured as proportional flow control valves that can control flow rate of the respective gas therethrough, and thus the processor can control the total flow rate and the individual gas concentration by controlling how much each valve opens.

[0047] Referring back to Figueres 1A, 1C, the gas mixing device 100 further includes a user interface 126. In an example, the user interface 126 can include several capacitive touch buttons, such as power button 128 shown in Figures 1A, 1C. The user interface 126 also includes a touchscreen 130 for displaying information and implementing control operations as described below. The touchscreen 130 is configured to operate as both an input device and an output device, and is layered on an electronic visual display of the gas mixing device 100. Particularly, the touchscreen 130 is a display device, which allows the healthcare professional to interact with thegas mixing device 100 by touching areas on a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on the touchscreen 130.

[0048] Figure 2 illustrates a GUI 200 of the gas mixing device 100, according to an example implementation. A controller or processor (e.g., the processor(s) 400 described below with respect to Figure 4) of the gas mixing device 100 is configured to generate a display of or visually present the GUI 200 on the touchscreen 130 to allow healthcare professionals to interact with the gas mixing device 100 through user-selectable on-screen graphical items (e g., buttons, menus, widgets, scroll bars, graphical objects, audio indicators, icons, etc.) to facilitate user-interaction. Particularly, the processor generates a display of the GUI 200 on the touchscreen 130, and the healthcare professional can then select the user-selectable user-interface items by pressing or selecting areas on the touchscreen 130 displaying the items.

[0049] As examples, the GUI 200 can include a start-stop procedure button 202, a home screen button 204, a settings button 206, a logs button 208, and a Liters Dispensed / Gas Remaining Button 210. The GUI 200 also includes a first widget 212 for control of oxygen or nitrous oxide percentage in the gas mixture and a second widget 214 for setting the total gas mixture flow rate to the patient. The term “widget” is used generally to indicate an interactive graphical element that allows a user to interact with the gas mixing device 100. The widgets are visual objects that are used to display information or provide a way for users to interact with the gas mixing device 100. Advantageous operations of the widgets 212, 214 are described in more details below.

[0050] The GUI 200 can also include an oxygen recovery button 216, a scavenger control button 218 for controlling operation of the scavenger module 118, an indicator 220 of the measured scavenger flow rate, an indicator 222 of nitrous oxide flow rate, and an indicator 224 of oxygenflow rate. Other indicators are contemplated as well. Further, some buttons can change the display screen to other user interfaces displays, with layered menus, options, etc.

[0051] The first widget 212 has a press-and-drag or touch-and-slide adjuster button 226. The touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 can be configured as a circle or ball as shown in Figure 2. The touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 can be touched or pressed by a user, then dragged along a gas concentration scale 228 that indicates the percentage of nitrous oxide or the percentage of oxygen in the mixture. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 controls concentration percentage of nitrous oxide in the gas mixture.

[0052] The gas concentration scale 228 is shown in Figure 2 as an arcuate scale or dial. However, other types of scales (e.g., a linear scale) are contemplated.

[0053] In an example, a maximum limit indicator 230 of nitrous oxide concentration percentage (e.g., 70%) can be indicated by having a portion 232 of the gas concentration scale 228 “greyed out” or rendered inactive. This way, the user is informed of the maximum allowable limit of nitrous oxide in the mixed gas.

[0054] The user can use menu options (e.g., via the settings button 206) to change the first widget 212 to rather control oxygen concentration percentage in the mixed gas. In this case, the touch- and-slide adjuster button 226 operates in a similar manner to control oxygen concentration percentage in the mixed gas. In the case of controlling oxygen concentration, the gas concentration scale 228 might not have the portion 232 (the inactive portion).

[0055] As the user touches and slides the touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 to a particular concentration setting, the processor receives information indicating such action by the user and indicating the desired set point of the concentration as indicated by where the touch-and-slideadjuster button 226 is on the gas concentration scale 228. The processor then responsively adjusts command signal(s) to one or both of the nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 and the oxygen flow control valve 152 to control the concentration of the nitrous oxide or oxygen received via the first inlet port 102 or the second inlet port 104, respectively, thereby controlling respective concentrations of the gases in the mixture. Further, as shown in Figure 2, a percentage indicator 234 is displayed in a circle 236 disposed within, or surrounded partially by, the gas concentration scale 228.

[0056] In one example, in addition to the touch-and-slide adjuster button 226, the GUI 200 may further include a concentration increase button 238, labelled with a plus “+” sign, and a concentration decrease button 240, labelled with a minus sign. Pressing the concentration increase button 238 by the user increases the respective gas concentration, while pressing the concentration decrease button 240 decreases the respective gas concentration.

[0057] In one mode of operation, the concentration increase button 238 and the concentration decrease button 240 can be pressed by separate taps to incrementally change concentration of the respective gas. Notably, however, rather than repetitive tapping of the concentration increase button 238 or the concentration decrease button 240, the user can press and hold either button. The processor can responsively continually adjust (e.g., continue to increment) the gas concertation percentage as long as the button is pressed and held (in a pressed state), rather than making small, slow incremental changes with each individual tap.

[0058] With these operations the GUI 200 may offer advantages over existing devices and systems. The GUI 200 may provide an enhanced user interface that allows for ergonomic and simplified controls of the gas mixing device 100 while improving the speed at which the adjustments can be made to the mixing concentrations of gases. The user can use the touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 to achieve a particular set point, quickly and in a reduced number of steps (e.g., reduced number of repeated taps or presses). Alternatively, the user can press and hold the concentration increase button 238 or the concentration decrease button 240 to make quick, large, and continual adjustments to the gas concentration.

[0059] The total flow rate of the mixed gas or gas mixture may depend on the patient (e.g., the age and health condition of the patient). For example, for a younger patient (e.g., a child), a desired gas flow rate may be in the 3-5 LPM range. For an older or adult patient, the desired gas flow rate may be in the 6-10 LPM range. The second widget 214 may be configured similar to the first widget 212 to control the total gas flow rate, while offering similar advantages.

[0060] Particularly, the second widget 214 has a press-and-drag ortouch-and-slide adjuster button 242. The touch-and-slide adjuster button 242 can also be configured as a circle or ball as shown in Figure 2. The touch-and-slide adjuster button 242 can be touched or pressed by a user, then dragged along a total flow rate scale 244 (e.g., arcuate scale or dial) that indicates the total flow rate of the gas mixture.

[0061] As the user touches and slides the touch-and-slide adjuster button 242 to a particular total flow rate setting, the processor receives information indicating such action by the user and indicating the setting point (wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button 242 is on the total flow rate scale 244). The processor can responsively adjust command signal(s) to one or both of the nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 and the oxygen flow control valve 152 to control the total flow rate of the gas mixture (e g., discharged through the gas mixture port 106), for example.Further, as shown in Figure 2, a flow rate indicator 246 is displayed in a circle 248 disposed within, or surrounded partially by, the total flow rate scale 244.

[0062] In one example, in addition to the touch-and-slide adjuster button 242, the GUI 200 may further include a flow rate increase button 250, labelled with a plus “+” sign, and a flow rate decrease button 252, labelled with a minussign. Pressing the flow rate increase button 250 by the user increases the total flow rate, while pressing the flow rate decrease button 252 decreases the total flow rate.

[0063] Notably, rather than repetitive tapping of the flow rate increase button 250 or the flow rate decrease button 252, the user can press and hold either button. The processor can responsively continually adjust (e.g., make quick large adjustments to) the total flow rate as long as the button is pressed, rather than making small, slow incremental changes with each individual tap.

[0064] As such, the second widget 214 may provide the same advantages regarding flow rate control that the first widget 212 provides with respect to gas concentration control. In examples, while a user adjusts the gas concentration via the touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 or the total flow rate via the touch-and-slide adjuster button 242, the user’s finger may partially block the display of the percentage indicator 234 or the flow rate indicator 246, respectively. As such, it may be desirable to display a secondary numeric value on the GUI 200, enabling the user to clearly see the set points.

[0065] Figure 3 illustrates the GUI 200 of the gas mixing device 100 with a display of a secondary numeric value for total flow rate, according to an example implementation. As shown in Figure 3, a finger 300 of the user may be partially blocking the flow rate indicator 246, which can be considered as the primary indicator. Responsively, the processor may generate a display of a secondary indicator 302 that duplicates the total flow rate number in the flow rate indicator 246. For example, the secondary indicator 302 can be in the form of a pop-up bubble above the touch- and-slide adjuster button 242 as depicted in Figure 3. The secondary indicator 302 may thus movealong with the finger 300 of the user as the user drags the touch-and-slide adjuster button 242. This way, the user can clearly see the total flow rate as the user slides the touch-and-slide adjuster button 242. A similar display of secondary indicator may also be displayed above touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 when the user adjusts gas concentration.

[0066] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the gas mixing device 100, according to an example implementation. As described above with respect to Figures 1A-1F, the gas mixing device 100 may have several ports and connections such as the first inlet port 102, the second inlet port 104, the emergency oxygen port 105, the gas mixture port 106, the fresh gas port 110, the vacuum port 120, the power port 125 (among others). The gas mixing device 100 also includes the gas flow and mixture control assembly 132 described above with respect to Figures 1E-1F and including the manifold 134, the flow sensors 138, 148, and the flow control valves 142, 152. Not all the components of the gas mixing device 100 are represented in Figure 4 to reduce visual clutter in the drawing.

[0067] The gas mixing device 100 may have processor(s) 400, a communication interface 402, and data storage 404, each connected to a communication bus 406. The gas mixing device 100 may also include hardware to enable communication within the gas mixing device 100 and between the gas mixing device 100 and external devices in some examples. The hardware may include transmitters, receivers, and antennas, for example.

[0068] The communication interface 402 may be a wireless interface and / or one or more wireline interfaces that allow for both short-range communication and long-range communication to one or more networks or to one or more remote devices. Such wireless interfaces may provide for communication under one or more wireless communication protocols, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (e.g., an institute of electrical and electronic engineers (IEEE) 802.11 protocol), Long-Term Evolution(LTE), cellular communications, near-field communication (NFC), and / or other wireless communication protocols. Wireline interfaces may include an Ethernet interface, a CAN network interface, a USB interface, or similar interface to communicate via a wire, a twisted pair of wires, a coaxial cable, an optical link, a fiber-optic link, or other physical connection to a wireline network.

[0069] The data storage 404 may include or take the form of one or more computer-readable storage media that can be read or accessed by the processor(s) 400. The computer-readable storage media can include volatile and / or non-volatile storage components, such as optical, magnetic, organic or other memory or disc storage, which can be integrated in whole or in part with the processor(s) 400. The data storage 404 is considered non-transitory computer readable media. In some examples, the data storage 404 can be implemented using a single physical device (e.g., one optical, magnetic, organic or other memory or disc storage unit), while in other examples, the data storage 404 can be implemented using two or more physical devices.

[0070] The data storage 404 thus is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and executable instructions 408 are stored thereon. The executable instructions 408 include computer executable code. When the executable instructions 408 are executed by the processor(s) 400, the processor(s) 400 perform operations of the gas mixing device 100 (e.g., generating a display of the GUI 200 to visually present the associated features described in Figures 2-3, controlling the flow control valves 142, 152, controlling the scavenger module 118, controlling the breathing circuit connecting module 108, etc.).

[0071] The processor(s) 400 may be a general-purpose processor or a special purpose processor (e.g., digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), etc.). The processor(s) 400 may receive inputs received at the communication interface 402 via the communication bus 406, and process the inputs to generate outputs that are stored in the datastorage 404. For example, the processor(s) 400 can receive input from the flow sensors 138, 148 via the communication bus 406. The processor(s) 400 can be configured to execute the executable instructions 408 (e.g., computer-readable program instructions) that are stored in the data storage 404 and are executable to provide the functionality of the gas mixing device 100 described herein.

[0072] The gas mixing device 100 further includes an output interface 410. The output interface 410 outputs information to the user interface 126 (e.g., to the touchscreen 130 and the GUI 200) or to other components as well. The output interface 410 can be a wireless interface (e.g., transmitter) or a wired interface as well. In examples, the output interface 410 may be integrated into the user interface 126.

[0073] The processor(s) 400 may receive inputs from the various components (e.g., from the user interface 126 and the flow sensors) via the communication bus 406, for example, and process the inputs to generate outputs to the various components / modules and the GUI 200 as described above with respect to Figures 1A-1F and Figures 2-3. For example, the processor(s) 400 can generate commands signals to the flow control valves 142, 152 to change the total flow rate and / or the respective concentrations of the gases in the gas mixture as described above.

[0074] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 for operating the gas mixing device 100, according to an example implementation. For example, the method 500 can be implemented by the processor(s) 400 to operate the gas mixing device 100 as described above with respect to Figures 1A-4.

[0075] The method 500 may include one or more operations, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 502-504. Although the blocks are illustrated in a sequential order, these blocks may in some instances be performed in parallel, and / or in a different order than those describedherein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and / or removed based upon the desired implementation.

[0076] In addition, for the method 500 and other processes and operations disclosed herein, the flowchart shows operation of one possible implementation of present examples. In this regard, each block may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code, which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor (e.g., the processor(s) 400) for implementing specific logical operations or steps in the process. The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium or memory, for example, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive. The computer readable medium may include a non-transitory computer readable medium or memory, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores data for short periods of time like register memory, processor cache and Random Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory media or memory, such as secondary or persistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compactdisc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computer readable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storage systems. The computer readable medium may be considered a computer readable storage medium, a tangible storage device, or other article of manufacture, for example. In addition, for the method 500 and other processes and operations disclosed herein, one or more blocks in Figure 5 may represent circuitry or digital logic that is arranged to perform the specific logical operations in the process.

[0077] At block 502, the method 500 includes receiving, at the processor(s) 400 of the gas mixing device 100, information indicating that a user has touched and slid the touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 along the gas concentration scale 228 to a particular concentration setting, wherein the gas mixing device 100 includes (i) the first inlet port 102 for receiving a flow of nitrous oxide, (ii)the second inlet port 104 for receiving a flow of oxygen, wherein the nitrous oxide and the oxygen are mixed to form a gas mixture, and (iii) the user interface 126 having the GUI 200 displayed thereon, wherein the GUI 200 comprises the touch-and-slide adjuster button 226 configured to control a gas concentration of the nitrous oxide or the oxygen in the gas mixture.

[0078] At block 504, the method 500 includes responsively, sending, by the processor(s) 400, at least one command signal to at least one flow control valve (the nitrous oxide flow control valve 142 and / or the oxygen flow control valve 152) to change a concentration percentage of a respective gas in the gas mixture to correspond to the particular concentration setting.

[0079] The method 500 can further include any of the steps performed by the processor(s) 400 of the gas mixing device 100 as described throughout herein with respect to Figures 1A-4.

[0080] The detailed description above describes various features and operations of the disclosed systems with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrative implementations described herein are not meant to be limiting. Certain aspects of the disclosed systems can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0081] Further, unless context suggests otherwise, the features illustrated in each of the figures may be used in combination with one another. Thus, the figures should be generally viewed as component aspects of one or more overall implementations, with the understanding that not all illustrated features are necessary for each implementation.

[0082] Additionally, any enumeration of elements, blocks, or steps in this specification or the claims is for purposes of clarity. Thus, such enumeration should not be interpreted to require or imply that these elements, blocks, or steps adhere to a particular arrangement or are carried out in a particular order.

[0083] Further, devices or systems may be used or configured to perform actuators presented in the figures. In some instances, components of the devices and / or systems may be configured to perform the actuators such that the components are actually configured and structured (with hardware and / or software) to enable such performance. In other examples, components of the devices and / or systems may be arranged to be adapted to, capable of, or suited for performing the actuators, such as when operated in a specific manner.

[0084] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those with skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0085] The arrangements described herein are for purposes of example only. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements and other elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, operations, orders, and groupings of operations, etc.) can be used instead, and some elements may be omitted altogether according to the desired results. Further, many of the elements that are described are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location.

[0086] While various aspects and implementations have been disclosed herein, other aspects and implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and implementations disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0087] Embodiments of the present disclosure can thus relate to one of the enumerated example embodiments (EEEs) listed below.

[0088] EEE 1 is a gas mixing device comprising: a first inlet port for receiving a flow of nitrous oxide; a second inlet port for receiving a flow of oxygen, wherein the nitrous oxide and the oxygen are mixed to form a gas mixture; a user interface having a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed thereon, wherein the GUI comprises a touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a gas concentration of the nitrous oxide or the oxygen in the gas mixture; and a processor performing operations comprising: receiving information indicating that a user has touched and slid the touch- and-slide adjuster button along a gas concentration scale to a particular concentration setting, and responsively, changing a concentration percentage of a respective gas in the gas mixture to correspond to the particular concentration setting.

[0089] EEE 2 is the gas mixing device of EEE 1, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is configured as a circle or ball.

[0090] EEE 3 is the gas mixing device of any of EEEs 1-2, wherein the gas concentration scale is displayed as an arcuate scale forming a dial.

[0091] EEE 4 is the gas mixing device of EEE 3, wherein the processor further generates a display of a percentage indicator corresponding to the particular concentration setting in a circle disposed within, or surrounded partially by, the gas concentration scale.

[0092] EEE 5 is the gas mixing device of any of EEEs 1-4, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is configured to control the gas concentration of the nitrous oxide, and wherein the gas concentration scale has a maximum limit indicator of a maximum allowable limit for nitrous oxide in the gas mixture.

[0093] EEE 6 is the gas mixing device of EEE 5, wherein a portion of the gas concentration scale is rendered inactive.

[0094] EEE 7 is the gas mixing device of any of EEEs 1 -6, wherein the GUI further comprises: a concentration increase button and a concentration decrease button, wherein the processor further performs operations comprising: receiving information indicating that the user has pressed and held the concentration increase button or the concentration decrease button; and responsively, continually adjusting the concentration percentage of the respective gas as long as the concentration increase button or the concentration decrease button is pressed.

[0095] EEE 8 is the gas mixing device of any of EEEs 1-7, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is a first touch-and-slide adjuster button, wherein the GUI comprises a second touch-and- slide adjuster button configured to control a total flow rate of the gas mixture to a patient, and wherein the processor performs operations further comprising: receiving information indicating that the user has touched and slid the second touch-and-slide adjuster button along a total flow rate scale to a particular total flow rate setting, and responsively, changing the total flow rate of the gas mixture to the patient to correspond to the particular total flow rate setting.

[0096] EEE 9 is the gas mixing device of EEE 8, wherein the processor visually presents a flow rate indicator corresponding to the particular total flow rate setting on the GUI.

[0097] EEE 10 is the gas mixing device of EEE 9, wherein the flow rate indicator is a primary indicator, and wherein the processor performs operations further comprising: generating a display of a secondary indicator that duplicates the particular total flow rate setting displayed by the primary indicator.

[0098] EEE 11 is the gas mixing device of EEE 10, wherein the secondary indicator is configured as a pop-up bubble.

[0099] EEE 12 is the gas mixing device of any of EEEs 10-1 1, wherein the processor generates the display of the secondary indicator above the total flow rate scale.

[0100] EEE 13 is the gas mixing device of any of EEEs 10-12, wherein the secondary indicator moves along with the touch-and-slide adjuster button.

[0101] EEE 14 is a method comprising any of the steps performed by the processor of the gas mixing device of any of EEEs 1-13. For example, the method includes: receiving, at a processor of a gas mixing device, information indicating that a user has touched and slid a touch-and-slide adjuster button along a gas concentration scale to a particular concentration setting, wherein the gas mixing device includes (i) a first inlet port for receiving a flow of nitrous oxide, (ii) a second inlet port for receiving a flow of oxygen, wherein the nitrous oxide and the oxygen are mixed to form a gas mixture, and (iii) a user interface having a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed thereon, wherein the GUI comprises the touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a gas concentration of the nitrous oxide or the oxygen in the gas mixture; and responsively, sending, by the processor, at least one command signal to at least one flow control valve to change a concentration percentage of a respective gas in the gas mixture to correspond to the particular concentration setting.

[0102] EEE 15 is the method of EEE 14, further comprising: generating, by the processor, a display of the touch-and-slide adjuster button as a circle or ball on the GUI.

[0103] EEE 16 is the method of any of EEEs 14-15, further comprising: generating, by the processor, a display of the gas concentration scale as an arcuate scale forming a dial.

[0104] EEE 17 is the method of EEE 16, further comprising: generating a display of a percentage indicator corresponding to the particular concentration setting in a circle disposed within, or surrounded partially by, the gas concentration scale.

[0105] EEE 18 is the method of any of EEEs 14-17, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is configured to control the gas concentration of the nitrous oxide, and wherein the method further comprising: generating a display of a maximum limit indicator of a maximum allowable limit for nitrous oxide in the gas mixture.

[0106] EEE 19 is the method of any of EEEs 14-18, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is a first touch-and-slide adjuster button, wherein the GUI comprises a second touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a total flow rate of the gas mixture to a patient, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, at the processor, information indicating that the user has touched and slid the second touch-and-slide adjuster button along a total flow rate scale to a particular total flow rate setting, and responsively, sending, by the processor, a first command signal to a nitrous gas flow control valve and / or a second command signal to an oxygen flow control valve to change the total flow rate of the gas mixture to the patient to correspond to the particular total flow rate setting.

[0107] EEE 20 is the method of EEE 19, further comprising: visually presenting a flow rate indicator corresponding to the particular total flow rate setting on the GUI, wherein the flow rate indicator is a primary indicator; and generating a display of a secondary indicator that duplicates the particular total flow rate setting displayed by the primary indicator.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A gas mixing device comprising: a first inlet port for receiving a flow of nitrous oxide; a second inlet port for receiving a flow of oxygen, wherein the nitrous oxide and the oxygen are mixed to form a gas mixture; a user interface having a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed thereon, wherein the GUI comprises a touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a gas concentration of the nitrous oxide or the oxygen in the gas mixture; and a processor performing operations comprising: receiving information indicating that a user has touched and slid the touch-and-slide adjuster button along a gas concentration scale to a particular concentration setting, and responsively, changing a concentration percentage of a respective gas in the gas mixture to correspond to the particular concentration setting.

2. The gas mixing device of claim 1, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is configured as a circle or ball.

3. The gas mixing device of claim 1, wherein the gas concentration scale is displayed as an arcuate scale forming a dial.

4. The gas mixing device of claim 3, wherein the processor further generates a display of a percentage indicator corresponding to the particular concentration setting in a circle disposed within, or surrounded partially by, the gas concentration scale.

5. The gas mixing device of claim 1, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is configured to control the gas concentration of the nitrous oxide, and wherein the gas concentration scale has a maximum limit indicator of a maximum allowable limit for nitrous oxide in the gas mixture.

6. The gas mixing device of claim 5, wherein a portion of the gas concentration scale is rendered inactive.

7. The gas mixing device of claim 1, wherein the GUI further comprises: a concentration increase button and a concentration decrease button, wherein the processor further performs operations comprising: receiving information indicating that the user has pressed and held the concentration increase button or the concentration decrease button; and responsively, continually adjusting the concentration percentage of the respective gas as long as the concentration increase button or the concentration decrease button is pressed.

8. The gas mixing device of claim 1, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is a first touch-and-slide adjuster button, wherein the GUI comprises a second touch-and-slide adjusterbutton configured to control a total flow rate of the gas mixture to a patient, and wherein the processor performs operations further comprising: receiving information indicating that the user has touched and slid the second touch-and- slide adjuster button along a total flow rate scale to a particular total flow rate setting, and responsively, changing the total flow rate of the gas mixture to the patient to correspond to the particular total flow rate setting.

9. The gas mixing device of claim 8, wherein the processor visually presents a flow rate indicator corresponding to the particular total flow rate setting on the GUI.

10. The gas mixing device of claim 9, wherein the flow rate indicator is a primary indicator, and wherein the processor performs operations further comprising: generating a display of a secondary indicator that duplicates the particular total flow rate setting displayed by the primary indicator.

11. The gas mixing device of claim 10, wherein the secondary indicator is configured as a pop-up bubble.

12. The gas mixing device of claim 10, wherein the processor generates the display of the secondary indicator above the total flow rate scale.

13. The gas mixing device of claim 10, wherein the secondary indicator moves along with the touch-and-slide adjuster button.

14. A method comprising: receiving, at a processor of a gas mixing device, information indicating that a user has touched and slid a touch-and-slide adjuster button along a gas concentration scale to a particular concentration setting, wherein the gas mixing device includes (i) a first inlet port for receiving a flow of nitrous oxide, (ii) a second inlet port for receiving a flow of oxygen, wherein the nitrous oxide and the oxygen are mixed to form a gas mixture, and (iii) a user interface having a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed thereon, wherein the GUI comprises the touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a gas concentration of the nitrous oxide or the oxygen in the gas mixture; and responsively, sending, by the processor, at least one command signal to at least one flow control valve to change a concentration percentage of a respective gas in the gas mixture to correspond to the particular concentration setting.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: generating, by the processor, a display of the touch-and-slide adjuster button as a circle or ball on the GUI.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: generating, by the processor, a display of the gas concentration scale as an arcuate scale forming a dial.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: generating a display of a percentage indicator corresponding to the particular concentration setting in a circle disposed within, or surrounded partially by, the gas concentration scale.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is configured to control the gas concentration of the nitrous oxide, and wherein the method further comprising: generating a display of a maximum limit indicator of a maximum allowable limit for nitrous oxide in the gas mixture.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the touch-and-slide adjuster button is a first touch- and-slide adjuster button, wherein the GUI comprises a second touch-and-slide adjuster button configured to control a total flow rate of the gas mixture to a patient, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, at the processor, information indicating that the user has touched and slid the second touch-and-slide adjuster button along a total flow rate scale to a particular total flow rate setting, and responsively, sending, by the processor, a first command signal to a nitrous gas flow control valve and / or a second command signal to an oxygen flow control valve to change the total flow rate of the gas mixture to the patient to correspond to the particular total flow rate setting.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: visually presenting a flow rate indicator corresponding to the particular total flow rate setting on the GUI, wherein the flow rate indicator is a primary indicator; andgenerating a display of a secondary indicator that duplicates the particular total flow rate setting displayed by the primary indicator.

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