Positive airway pressure system with head control
The invention is directed to a positive airway pressure (PAP) system with a head mounted harness assembly with a housing and a head position sensor located within or secured to the housing that detects the position of a patient's head, and communicates this head position information to a controller of the system which may be disposed within the housing having the position sensor or a second housing. The controller varies the output pressure of the pressure source, e.g. a rotary compressor, based, at least in part, on the head position information provided by the head position sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the position sensor is an accelerometer.
1. A method for providing pressurized air to a patient's airway, comprising:
delivering pressurized air to the patient's airway using a wearable air pressure device comprising a position sensor configured to be located on the top of the patient's head, a pressure source configured to provide the pressurized air, a mask for delivery of the pressurized air to the patient, at least one strap for securing the system to the patient, and a controller which is configured to receive a head position signal from the position sensor that is indicative of a current head position;
determining a pressure output using the current head position and an output pressure relationship, wherein the output pressure relationship is based upon a plurality of preset pressure values corresponding to a plurality of preset head positions including a supine head position, wherein there is a pressure drop between the supine position and 90° from the supine position, and wherein there is a maximum rate of pressure drop between 30° and 60° from the supine position.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the air pressure device further comprises a first housing.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the position sensor is secured within or to the first housing.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the air pressure device further comprises a second housing.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the pressure source is secured within the first housing.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the position sensor is secured within or to the first housing.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the position sensor is secured within or to the second housing.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure source is a rotary compressor.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the air pressure device further comprises an electrical power source component for the pressure source.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the electrical power source component is a battery.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the electrical power source component includes a power cord configured to be connected to an electrical outlet or a separate battery pack.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the power cord is configured to recharge one or more batteries.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the position sensor is an accelerometer.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of preset pressure values is set by a health professional.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure output comprises a pressure envelope comprising a high pressure value and a low pressure value.