Patent ID: 6488634
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for the treatment of an obstruction in the airway of a patient, comprising:a source of breathing gas configured to provide breathing gas flow to a patient and to provide positive pressure in the airway of the patient; a sensor to detect the flow of the breathing gas to the patient; a signal processor operatively connected to the sensor and configured to define a waveform contour of an inspiratory flow of the breathing gas to the patient, and further configured to utilize the waveform contour to detect the presence or absence of an obstruction in the airway of the patient; and a controller operatively connected to the signal processor, the controller being configured to adjust the positive airway pressure to the patient when the signal processor detects the presence or absence of an obstruction in the airway of the patient.