Apparatus and methods for administration of positive airway pressure therapies
An apparatus and methods for the administration of positive airway pressure therapies. The apparatus can include a housing, a blower and a mask. The housing is configured to be stably secured on the head of a patient. The blower is secured relative to the housing. A mask in fluid communication with the blower is configured to communicate pressurized air produced at least in part by the blower to the airways of a user.
1. An apparatus for providing positive airway pressure therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising:
a housing adapted to be secured on one or both of a crown and a forehead of the user, the housing comprising a base defining a surface configured to conform to a shape of one or both of the crown and the forehead;
a blower secured in the housing, the blower adapted to generate a flow of pressurized air;
a blower motor also secured in the housing, the blower motor adapted to power the blower;
a mask in fluid communication with an outlet of the blower, the mask adapted to communicate the flow of pressurized air from the blower to airways of the user;
a control unit positioned within or on the housing, wherein the control unit is configured to automatically change a speed of the blower, and wherein the control unit is adapted to modulate the speed of the blower within or between breath cycles of the user; and
a control interface in communication with the control unit, the control interface comprising one or more input devices to enter inputs for controlling the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a humidification port adapted to introduce moisture into the flow of pressurized air.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control interface is secured to the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the control interface is removably secured to the housing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control interface is configured as a remote control and comprises a transmitter to transmit signals to the control unit and a receiver to receive signals from the control unit.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a battery secured to or within the housing.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the control unit is in electrical communication with the battery.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the control interface is in electrical communication with the battery.
9. An apparatus for providing positive airway pressure therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising:
a housing adapted to be secured on one or both of a crown and a forehead of the user, the housing comprising a base defining a lower surface configured to conform to a shape of one or both of the crown and the forehead along a medial plane;
an impeller and a motor powering the impeller, wherein the impeller and motor are secured within the housing, the impeller adapted to generate a flow of pressurized air;
a mask in fluid communication with an outlet of the housing, the mask adapted to communicate the flow of pressurized air to airways of the user;
a control unit positioned within or on the housing, wherein the control unit is configured to automatically control a speed of the motor, and wherein the control unit is adapted to modulate the speed of the motor within or between breath cycles of the user; and
a control interface in communication with the control unit, the control interface comprising one or more input devices adapted to control the apparatus.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the control unit is adapted to ramp a pressure of the flow of pressurized air from an initial pressure to a therapeutic pressure.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a rigid tube connecting the outlet of the housing with an inlet of the mask, wherein the tube is adapted to maintain engagement of a seal formed on the mask with the user.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a rigid mask support attached to the housing, wherein the support is adapted to maintain sealed engagement of the mask with the user.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the rigid mask support comprises adjusters adapted to adjust a position of the mask relative to the housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a pad secured to the lower surface of the housing.
15. An apparatus for providing positive airway pressure therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising:
a housing adapted to be secured on one or both of a crown and a forehead of the user, the housing comprising a base defining a lower surface configured to conform to a shape of one or both of the crown and the forehead along a medial plane;
an impeller and a motor powering the impeller, wherein the impeller and motor are secured within the housing, the impeller adapted to generate a flow of pressurized air;
a mask in fluid communication with an outlet of the housing, the mask adapted to communicate the flow of pressurized air to airways of the user;
a control unit positioned within or on the housing, wherein the control unit is configured to automatically control a speed of the motor;
a control interface in communication with the control unit, the control interface comprising one or more input devices adapted to control the apparatus; and
a rigid tube connecting the outlet of the housing with an inlet of the mask, wherein the tube is adapted to maintain engagement of a seal formed on the mask with the user.