Mask wear-out assessment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11376385-B2
Application number	US-201415105675-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 15, 2014
Priority date	Dec 20, 2013
Publication date	Jul 5, 2022
Grant date	Jul 5, 2022

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wear-out assessment system including a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the patient interface includes a first wireless communication unit a communication device including a second wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication unit and a wear-out assessment unit for determining wear-out data relating to a wear-out of the patient interface. The first and second wireless communication unit are configured to exchange at least parts of the wear-out data. The present disclosure also relates to a method of assessing wear-out of a patient interface.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A wear-out assessment system comprising:
a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the patient interface comprises a first wireless communication unit,
a communication device comprising a second wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication unit, and
a wear-out assessment unit including,
a determining component including a sensor for detecting usage of the patient interface for medical treatment and a timer for measuring a usage time of the patient interface device for medical treatment, the determining component being configured to determine a wear-out level of the patient interface based on the usage time of the patient interface for medical treatment,
an evaluation component for evaluating the wear-out level and for outputting a wear-out event if the wear-out level exceeds a predetermined wear-out threshold, and
a presentation component for issuing a reminder to the patient based on the wear-out-event,

wherein the determining component is configured to trigger the timer to measure the usage time of the patient interface for medical treatment in response to the sensor detecting usage of the patient interface for medical treatment,
wherein the wear-out assessment unit is distributed between the patient interface and the communication device with at least the determining component being on the patient interface device and at least the presentation component being on the communication device, and
wherein the first and second wireless communication units are structured to exchange at least one of the wear-out level and the wear-out event.

2. The wear-out assessment system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a motion sensor for measuring a movement of the patient interface.

3. The wear-out assessment system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of the following:
a contact sensor for detecting a contact between the patient interface and a patient's face,
a pressure sensor for detecting a contact pressure between the patient interface and the patient's face,
a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a skin contact surface of the patient interface;
a humidity sensor for detecting an amount of moisture in an area between the patient interface and the patient's face;
an elongation sensor for detecting an elongation within a headgear of the patient interface.

4. The wear-out assessment system according to claim 1 , wherein the wear-out assessment unit comprises a camera for capturing an image of the patient interface, and wherein the evaluation components is configured to compare properties of the captured image to a reference image.

5. The wear-out assessment system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a mobile communication device or a therapy device for providing pressurized air to the patient interface.

6. The wear-out assessment system according to claim 5 , wherein the therapy device is configured to be activated if an approach between the patient interface and the therapy device is detected by means of the second wireless communication unit.

7. A patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, comprising:
a wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with a communication device, and
a wear-out assessment module including;
a determining component including a sensor for detecting usage of the patient interface for medical treatment and a timer for measuring a usage time of the patient interface device for medical treatment, the determining component being configured to determine a wear-out level of the patient interface based on the usage time of the patient interface for medical treatment, and
an evaluation component for evaluating the wear-out level and for outputting a wear-out event if the wear-out level exceeds a predetermined wear-out threshold,

wherein the determining component is configured to trigger the timer to measure the usage time of the patient interface for medical treatment in response to the sensor detecting usage of the patient interface for medical treatment, and
wherein the wireless communication unit is structured to wirelessly communicate the wear-out event to the communication device.

8. A method for assessing a wear-out of a patient interface configured to deliver a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, the method comprising:
determining, with a determining component on the patient interface and including a sensor for detecting usage of the patient interface for medical treatment and a timer for measuring a usage time of the patient interface device for medical treatment, a wear-out level of the patient interface based on the usage time of the patient interface for medical treatment,
evaluating, with an evaluation component on the patient interface, the wear-out level and outputting a wear-out event if the wear-out level exceeds a predetermined wear-out threshold,
communicating the wear-out event from the patient interface to a communication device by wireless communication and
issuing, on the communication device, a reminder to the patient to service and/or replace at least parts of the patient interface based on the wear-out event.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein issuing the reminder comprises:
retrieving initial patient interface data stored on the patient interface,
identifying the patient interface based on the initial patient interface data,
prompting the patient whether at least parts of the patient interface should be ordered from a mask distributor, and
ordering the parts of the patient interface in response to an order of the patient.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program for causing a computer to carry out a method for assessing a wear-out of a patient interface configured to deliver a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient when said computer program is carried out on the computer, the method comprising:
determining, with a determining component on the patient interface and including a sensor for detecting usage of the patient interface for medical treatment and a timer for measuring a usage time of the patient interface device for medical treatment, a wear-out level of the patient interface based on the usage time of the patient interface for medical treatment,
evaluating, with an evaluation component on the patient interface, the wear-out level and outputting a wear-out event if the wear-out level exceeds a predetermined wear-out threshold,
communicating the wear-out event from the patient interface to a communication device by wireless communication and
issuing, on the communication device, a reminder to the patient to service and/or replace at least parts of the patient interface based on the wear-out event.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv
• Koninklljke Philips N V

Inventors

• Klee Mareike
• Willard Nocolaas Petrus
• Van Zanten Joyce
• Gerhardt Lutz Christian
• Haartsen Jacob Roger
• Wouters Cornelis Bernardus Aloysius
• Poesse Jan Henrik

Classifications

• A61M16/06 Primary

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0683

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0616 Primary

  with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure · CPC title

• A61M2205/3368

  Temperature · CPC title

• G16H40/40

  for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades · CPC title