Patent ID: 8714152
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a ventilator having a flow generator, comprising: (a) storing a plurality of predetermined alarms that may be generated by the ventilator and for each of the predetermined alarms a type of backup therapy that is to be provided in an event of the predetermined alarm, wherein the type of backup therapy is either (i) a flow generator speed type ventilation therapy using a set flow generator speed or speeds or (ii) a pressure support type ventilation therapy using a set pressure level or levels, wherein for a first one or more of the predetermined alarms the type of backup therapy is the flow generator speed type ventilation therapy and for a second one or more of the predetermined alarms the type of backup therapy is the pressure support type ventilation therapy; (b) providing a specified ventilation therapy to a patient through the ventilator according to a specification; (c) determining and storing a number of first backup parameters comprising at least one average rotational speed of the flow generator calculated over a plurality of breaths while the specified ventilation therapy was being provided to the patient and a number of second backup parameters comprising at least one average pressure level delivered by the flow generator calculated over the plurality of breaths; (d) determining that an alarm condition exists, wherein the alarm condition indicates a problem with the ventilator that would prevent the ventilator from providing the specified ventilation therapy to the patient according to the specification; (e) responsive to determining that the alarm condition exists, determining whether the alarm condition is one of the first one or more of the predetermined alarms and responsive to determining that the alarm condition is one of the first one or more of the predetermined alarms, providing backup ventilation therapy to the patient through the ventilator in the form of flow generator speed type ventilation therapy using a set rotational speed or speeds of the flow generator determined based on the stored number of first backup parameters; and (f) responsive to determining that the alarm condition is not one of the first one or more of the predetermined alarms, providing backup ventilation therapy to the patient through the ventilator in the form of pressure support type ventilation therapy using a set pressure level or levels determined based on the stored number of second backup parameters.