Device, system, and/or method for treating and monitoring a patient

Abstract

A CPAP device for delivering pressurized, humidified breathable gas for a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas. The flow generator includes an air outlet and a removable water container configured to humidify the pressurized breathable gas received from the flow generator. The water container includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The CPAP device further includes a first elastomeric face seal configured to sealingly abut against a substantially flat portion of the water container surrounding the water container air inlet, the first elastomeric face seal being located at an intermediate position between the flow generator air outlet and the water container air inlet when the water container is placed into position to pneumatically communicate with the flow generator. In addition, the CPAP device includes a second elastomeric face seal, a portion of which is configured to sealingly abut against a substantially flat external surface portion of the water container surrounding the water container air outlet.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A diagnostic device for monitoring a patient, the diagnostic device comprising:
 a first housing that is not part of a flow generator configured to pressurize air, the first housing comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to generate at least one signal that is indicative of at least one of oximetry and heart activity of the patient; 
 at least one pre-programmed electrical component configured to process data based on the at least one signal; 
 memory configured to store the data based on the at least one signal; and 
 a data port connected to the at least one pre-programmed electrical component, the data port being exposed through the first housing, the data port being configured to transfer data stored by the memory to an external device configured to be connected to the data port by the patient, and the data port being configured to receive at least one signal. 
   
     
     
         22 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , wherein the first housing is shaped to facilitate gripping by the patient. 
     
     
         23 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , further comprising a light. 
     
     
         24 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of sound from the patient. 
     
     
         25 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one sensor is not configured for electrocardiography. 
     
     
         26 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a cardiological signal that consists of oximetry. 
     
     
         27 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , further comprising electrical contacts configured to receive power. 
     
     
         28 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate at least one signal that is indicative of oximetry and heart activity of the patient. 
     
     
         29 . The diagnostic device of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a light; and   electrical contacts configured to receive power,   wherein the first housing is shaped to facilitate gripping by the patient,   wherein the at least one sensor is not configured for electrocardiography, and   wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a cardiological signal that consists of oximetry.   
     
     
         30 . A system for treating and monitoring a patient having a respiratory disorder with pressurized air, the system comprising:
 a patient interface configured to be worn by the patient;   an air delivery conduit configured to be connected to the patient interface;   an apparatus comprising:
 a second housing; 
 a flow generator contained within the second housing and configured to pressurize air to a range from 4 cm H 2 O to 28 cm H 2 O; 
 a printed circuit board having a processor that is configured to control the apparatus; and 
 an outlet configured to be connected to the air delivery conduit to deliver pressurized air to a mask worn by the patient during use; and 
   the diagnostic device of  claim 21 .   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the diagnostic device is configured to be removably connected to the apparatus. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the flow generator is controllable based on the signal generated by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         33 . A device for diagnosing a patient with a respiratory disorder, the device comprising:
 a first housing;   at least one sensor configured to generate at least one signal that is indicative of at least one of oximetry and heart activity of the patient;   at least one pre-programmed electrical component positioned within the first housing and configured to process data based on the at least one signal;   memory positioned within the first housing and configured to store data based on the at least one signal; and   a patient-operable electrical connector exposed through the first housing, the patient-operable electrical connector having electrical contacts, the patient-operable electrical connector being configured to transfer data stored by the memory to an external device configured to be connected to the patient-operable electrical connector by the patient, and the patient-operable electrical connector being configured to receive at least one signal,   wherein the device does not include a flow generator configured to pressurize air.   
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the first housing is shaped to facilitate gripping by the patient. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a light. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of sound from the patient. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one sensor is not configured for electrocardiography. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a cardiological signal that consists of oximetry. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising additional electrical contacts configured to receive power. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate at least one signal that is indicative of oximetry and heart activity of the patient. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 a light; and   electrical contacts configured to receive power,   wherein the first housing is shaped to facilitate gripping by the patient,   wherein the at least one sensor is not configured for electrocardiography, and   wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a cardiological signal that consists of oximetry.   
     
     
         42 . A system for treating and monitoring a patient having a respiratory disorder with pressurized air, the system comprising:
 a patient interface configured to be worn by the patient;   an air delivery conduit configured to be connected to the patient interface;   an apparatus comprising:
 a second housing; 
 a flow generator contained within the second housing and configured to pressurize air to a range from 4 cm H 2 O to 28 cm H 2 O; 
 a printed circuit board having a processor that is configured to control the apparatus; and 
 an outlet configured to be connected to the air delivery conduit to deliver pressurized air to a mask worn by the patient during use; and 
   the device of  claim 33 .   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the device is configured to be removably connected to the apparatus. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the flow generator is controllable based on the signal generated by the at least one pre-programmed electrical component. 
     
     
         45 . A method for monitoring a patient, the method comprising:
 generating at least one signal that is indicative of at least one of oximetry and heart activity of the patient with at least one sensor;   processing data based on the at least one signal with at least one pre-programmed electrical component positioned within a first housing of a diagnostic device;   storing data based on the at least one signal on memory positioned within the first housing;   connecting an external device and a data port, the data port being connected to the at least one pre-programmed electrical component and exposed through the first housing;   transmitting data stored by the memory to the external device via the data port; and   receiving at least one signal via the data port,   wherein the diagnostic device does not include a flow generator configured to pressurize air.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising generating at least one signal that is indicative of oximetry and heart activity of the patient with the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 a light; and   electrical contacts configured to receive power,   wherein the first housing is shaped to facilitate gripping by the patient,   wherein the at least one sensor is not configured for electrocardiography, and   wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a cardiological signal that consists of oximetry.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising treating the patient by:
 pressurizing air to a range from 4 cm H 2 O to 28 cm H 2 O with a flow generator contained within a second housing of an apparatus, the apparatus having an outlet for pressurized air;   controlling the apparatus with a printed circuit board having a processor; and   directing pressurized air from the outlet, through an air delivery conduit connected to the outlet, and to a patient interface worn by the patient.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the diagnostic device is configured to be removably connected to the apparatus. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising controlling the flow generator based on the signal generated by the at least one pre-programmed electrical component.