Method and system for controlled maintenance of hypoxia for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, device, and method for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to delivering a hypoxic gas mixture to a patient, monitoring at least one physiological parameter of the patient, and automatically controlling the delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a value of the physiological parameter.
1 . A method for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient, comprising:
delivering a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient;
monitoring at least one physiological parameter of the patient; and
automatically controlling the delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a value of the physiological parameter.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the hypoxic gas mixture is delivered via an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask airway, face mask, nasal pillow, nasal canula, or any combination thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the physiological parameter comprises a blood oxygenation level, a tissue carbon dioxide level, a heart rate, a blood pressure level, a respiration rate, a tissue oxygenation level, or any combination thereof.
4 . The method of claim 1 , comprising facilitating a diagnostic or imaging procedure for detecting regions of local hypoxia.
5 . The method of claim 4 , comprising detecting a tumor.
6 . The method of claim 4 , comprising detecting ischemic tissue.
7 . The method of claim 1 , comprising delivering an agent to the patient, the agent configured to localize in hypoxic tissue.
8 . The method of claim 1 , comprising controlling the delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture to induce, control, or maintain a therapeutic response in the patient based on a local hypoxia condition.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic response comprises improved patient resistance to hypoxia.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic response comprises neurogenesis.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic response comprises apoptosis.
12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising mediating the apoptosis by providing the patient with an agent configured to localize in hypoxic tissue.
13 . The method of claim 11 , comprising mediating the apoptosis by destroying local vasculature.
14 . The method of claim 11 , comprising mediating the apoptosis by repetitive ischemia-reperfusion injury.
15 . The method of claim 1 , comprising controlling delivery of the gas mixture to maintain a fixed or time-varying target level of hypoxia.
16 . The method of claim 1 , comprising controlling delivery or content of the gas mixture to maximize the hypoxia within predefined parameters.
17 . A ventilation system for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient, comprising:
a delivery mechanism configured to deliver a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient; and
a controller configured to monitor at least one physiological parameter of the patient and to automatically adjust delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a comparison of a value of the monitored physiological parameter with a stored physiological parameter.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the delivery mechanism includes an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask airway, face mask, nasal pillow, nasal canula, or any combination thereof.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the delivery mechanism includes at least one gas supply tank and a control valve configured to provide designated amounts of gas from the gas supply tank to the patient.
20 . The system of claim 17 , comprising at least one sensor configured to determine the at least one physiological parameter of the patient.
21 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the controller comprises a pulse oximeter monitor and sensor.
22 . A controller, comprising:
an input circuit configured to receive data relating to at least one physiological parameter of a patient;
a memory storing an algorithm configured to calculate adjustments for a set point for delivery of a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient based on a comparison of the data relating to the at least one physiological parameter with a master set point for the at least one physiological parameter; and
an output circuit configured to send the set point to a delivery mechanism, the delivery mechanism being configured to deliver the hypoxic gas mixture to the patient.
23 . The controller of claim 22 , comprising a plurality of flow controllers configured to supply a designated gas mixture.
24 . The controller of claim 22 , comprising a target entry circuit configured to receive the master set point.
25 . A method of manufacturing a ventilation system for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient, comprising:
providing a delivery mechanism configured to deliver a hypoxic gas mixture to the patient; and
providing a controller configured to monitor at least one physiological parameter of the patient and to automatically adjust delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a comparison of the monitored physiological parameter with a stored physiological parameter.
26 . The method of claim 25 , comprising providing an input circuit in the controller, the input circuit configured to receive data relating to the at least one physiological parameter of the patient.
27 . The method of claim 25 , comprising providing a memory in the ventilation system, the memory storing an algorithm configured to calculate adjustments for a delivery set point for delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture to the patient based on the comparison of the value of the physiological parameter with the stored physiological parameter.
28 . The method of claim 25 , comprising providing an output circuit in the ventilation system, the output circuit configured to send the delivery set point to the delivery mechanism.