Granted Patent B2

US 12,383,695 · App. 17/147,240 · Granted Aug 12, 2025

Inventors: Stephen Costella (London, CA); Alanna Kirchner (London, CA); Bart Nowak (London, CA); Neritan Alizoti (London, CA); Adam Meyer (London, CA); Greg Romanczuk (London, CA); Ronak Sakaria (London, CA)

Assignee: Trudell Medical International Inc.

A61M16/202A61M11/06A61M15/0015A61M15/008A61M15/0086A61M15/009A61M16/06A61M16/16A61M15/0021A61M2016/0024A61M2016/0036A61M2202/064A61M2205/3306A61M2205/3317A61M2205/332A61M2205/3331A61M2205/3375A61M2205/3561A61M2205/3592A61M2205/505A61M2205/584A61M2205/8206A61M2206/14

Abstract

Claims (39)

1. A user interface for a respiratory care system comprising:

an inlet adapted to be connected to a respiratory device;

an outlet adapted to interface with a user, wherein an inhalation flow path is defined between the inlet and the outlet;

a flow indicator positioned outside the inhalation flow path, wherein the flow indicator is moveable from a first, at rest, closed position to a second, actuated, open position at least in response to inhalation by a user through the outlet;

an optic sensor directed at and configured to sense when the flow indicator has moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the optic sensor is configured to provide an input signal when the flow indicator has moved from the first position to the second position;

a controller configured to receive the input signal from the optic sensor and to transmit a feedback signal; and

a feedback device operable to provide feedback about the inhalation flow in response to the feedback signal transmitted from the controller.

2. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the flow indicator is visible to the user.

3. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the outlet comprises at least one of a mask and/or mouthpiece.

4. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the feedback device comprises an electronic indicator.

5. The user interface of claim 4 wherein the electronic indicator comprises at least one of a visual indicator, audible indicator and/or a vibratory indicator.

6. A respiratory care system comprising:

a respiratory device; and

a user interface comprising:

an inlet connected to a respiratory device;

an outlet adapted to interface with a user, wherein an inhalation flow path is defined between the inlet and the outlet;

a flow indicator positioned outside the inhalation flow path, wherein the flow indicator is moveable from a first, at rest, closed position to a second, actuated, open position at least in response to inhalation by a user through the outlet;

an optic sensor directed at and configured to sense when the flow indicator has moved from the first position to the second position, wherein the optic sensor is configured to provide an input signal when the flow indicator has moved from the first position to the second position;

a controller configured to receive the input signal from the optic sensor and to transmit a feedback signal; and

a feedback device operable to provide feedback about the inhalation flow in response to the feedback signal transmitted from the controller.

7. The respiratory care system of claim 6 wherein the flow indicator is visible to the user.

8. The user interface of claim 6 wherein the outlet comprises at least one of a mask and/or mouthpiece.

9. The user interface of claim 6 wherein the feedback device comprises an electronic indicator.

10. The user interface of claim 9 wherein the electronic indicator comprises at least one of a visual indicator, audible indicator and/or a vibratory indicator.

11. The user interface of claim 6 wherein the respiratory device comprises one of a valved holding chamber, an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device, a nebulizer or a dry powder inhaler.

12. A method of treating a respiratory system of a user comprising:

inhaling and/or exhaling through an outlet of a user interface;

creating an inhalation flow along an inhalation flow path through the user interface between an inlet and the outlet when inhaling through the outlet, wherein a respiratory device is connected to the inlet;

moving a flow indicator positioned outside the inhalation flow path from a first, at rest, closed position to a second, actuated, open position at least in response to the inhaling;

sensing when the flow indicator is moved from the first position to the second position with an optic sensor;

providing an input signal with the optic sensor when the flow indicator has moved from the first position to the second position;

receiving the input signal with a controller;

transmitting a feedback signal with the controller; and

providing feedback to the user about the inhalation flow with a feedback device in response to the feedback signal transmitted from the controller.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the flow indicator is visible to the user.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the outlet comprises at least one of a mask and/or mouthpiece.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the feedback device comprises an electronic indicator.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the electronic indicator comprises at least one of a visual indicator, audible indicator and/or a vibratory indicator.

17. The user interface method of claim 12 wherein the respiratory device comprises one of a valved holding chamber, an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device, a nebulizer or a dry powder inhaler.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (5)

References Cited (328)