Sierra Medical Technology, Inc.

Other

Alaris Medical Systems, Inc.

Imed Corporation

Jeffery D Schipper

Ross Tsukashima

Erich H Wolf

Charles Bankert

Leo R Roucher, Jr

Thomas Germain Wallner

Leo R Roucher

Timothy W Vanderveen

David R Williams

Stephen Bollish

Philip N Eggers

Robert J Duffy

Derek K Evans

Richard B Kelsky

Erich Wolf

Leo Roucher

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring the breath chemistry of a patient's breath using a specially designed self-condensing sensor module mounted in a mask, nasal cannula, headband with boom apparatus, or similar device for directing the patients' breath towards the self-condensing sensor. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH provided by the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor provides for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values. The specially designed self-condensing sensor module incorporates a data transfer means, e.g. direct wiring or by providing a transmitter with an antenna for wireless transferring of the pH data to a processing receiver. The self-condensing pH sensor comprises a multi-tubular design with the outer tubular member housing a silver chloride reference element, an ion conducting path, and an antimony sensor plug isolated in an inner tubular member that is co-linearly or coaxially configured with the outer tubular member. A transmitter with an antenna transfers the observed pH data by employing one of many wireless methods, such as radio-frequency (RF) energy. Alternately, the transfer of observed pH data is accomplished by direct wire methods. The pH data is transferred or updated at specific intervals, which can be varied according to the patient's needs, to the processing receiver that is engaged to the treatment apparatus. In the therapeutic configuration, the processing receiver computes and diagnoses the breath chemistry data and determines at what frequency the treatment apparatus should be activated.

Respiratory monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic system

The present invention is a system for monitoring a patient's breath chemistry comprising a plurality of components, including a self-condensing pH sensor distally mounted on a catheter, a transmitter with hydration sensing circuitry for the pH sensor, and, a processing receiver/data recorder. The specifically designed self-condensing pH sensor located on the distal end of the catheter is designed to be inserted into the patient's airway. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH is accomplished by using the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor, providing for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values.

Self-condensing pH sensor and catheter apparatus

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain medical conditions, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux. The system includes a mask apparatus or sensor module fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for evaluating the signal strength from the pH sensor to determine whether the sensor is hydrated sufficiently to accurately measure pH. This is accomplished by utilizing circuitry that periodically sends a low voltage signal to a suitable pH sensor and then receiving the resulting waveforms which are analyzed by a processing receiver. The electrical connection between a suitable pH sensor and hydration monitoring circuitry is generally hard wired. In one embodiment, a processing receiver is coupled with the hydration monitoring circuitry as a single apparatus. In a second embodiment, the processing receiver can be independent and located remote from the hydration monitoring circuitry. In this embodiment, the hydration monitoring circuitry and the processing receiver are electrically connected using either hard wired techniques or wireless technology. In addition, the processing receiver can include data recording capability.

Hydration monitoring circuitry for pH sensors

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain respiratory conditions, such as asthma. The system includes a mask apparatus fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.

In accordance with the present invention, a modular patient care system provides patient monitoring and the supply of therapeutic requirements. Specifically, the system is comprised of an interface unit and a plurality of patient functional units. The interface unit provides an interface between the user and the system, and may be configured and adapted to provide different levels of functionality. Interface units with different levels of functionality may be interchanged so as to provide greater flexibility, safety, and cost effectiveness. Each interface unit contains interface ports for the transfer of information such as drug libraries, system configuration values, and event history. The functional units are internally programmed and controlled so as to provide a high level of system modularity, and require only power and interfacing functionality from the interface unit.

Modular patient care system

A connector for structurally and electronically interconnecting modular electronic components which permits as single connection to provide both electrical communication and structural support between the modular components is disclosed. The interconnector may be a separate component from the housing for the electronic components or may be integrated therein.

Growing community of inventors

Ramona, CA, United States of America

Jeffery D Schipper