Patent ID: 8677997

Claim:
A method for determining a characteristic of a mask system connected to a ventilation delivery device for delivering breathable air to a patient, where said ventilation delivery device includes a processor-controlled blower, a pressure sensor, and a flow sensor; and said mask system includes a patient interface with a diffuser and an air delivery hose, the method comprising the steps of: delivering breathable air at a first flow rate and measuring a corresponding first pressure drop in the air delivery hose, delivering breathable air at a second flow rate and measuring a corresponding second pressure drop in the air delivery hose, blocking the patient interface, applying a first test pressure to the diffuser, minimizing unintentional leak and measuring a first diffuser flow corresponding to the first test pressure, applying a second test pressure to the diffuser and measuring a corresponding second diffuser flow, and determining a characteristic of the mask system as a function of the first and the second flow rates and their corresponding measured pressure drops, and the first and the second test pressures and their corresponding measured diffuser flows.