Patent ID: 7810496
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of delivering pressurized gas to an airway of a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a gas flow generator and a patient interface adapted to couple the gas flow generator to an airway of a patient; delivering a flow of gas to such a patient using the gas flow generator and the patient interface; determining that the patient is experiencing an apnea; increasing a pressure of the flow of gas for a predetermined amount of time responsive to determining that the patient is experiencing the apnea, and at an end of the predetermined amount of time decreasing the pressure of the flow of gas; monitoring a change in flow rate for the flow of gas based on the pressure increase; determining whether the apnea is central or obstructive based on whether the airway of the patient is open or closed based on the monitored change in flow rate; and increasing the pressure of the flow of gas delivered to the patient by a predetermined amount in response to determining that the airway of the patient is closed based on the monitored change in flow rate.