Mobile high frequency chest wall oscillation system

Abstract

A therapy system is operable to deliver at least one respiratory therapy to a patient. For example, therapy system may be operable to deliver any one or more of the following therapies: a high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy, a positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy, a nebulizer therapy, an intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) therapy, a cough assist therapy, a suction therapy, a bronchial dilator therapy, and the like. The therapy system is contained in a housing supported by a mobile stand.

1 . A high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy system comprising
 a garment to be worn adjacent a chest of a patient;   an air pulse generator coupled to the garment and operable to deliver high frequency pressure pulses to the garment; and   a wheeled pedestal to which the air pulse generator is coupled, the wheeled pedestal having a shelf that extends beyond a front of the air pulse generator and beyond a rear of the air pulse generator, the wheeled pedestal having a height-adjustable column beneath the shelf, and the wheeled pedestal including a handle coupled to the shelf and grippable by a caregiver to maneuver the wheeled pedestal and the air pulse generator along a floor.   
     
     
         2 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pulse generator is coupled to the shelf via one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf also extends beyond sides of the air pulse generator. 
     
     
         4 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a tubular bar. 
     
     
         5 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein portions of the tubular bar extend laterally beyond sides of the shelf. 
     
     
         6 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein portions of the handle are situated beneath the shelf. 
     
     
         7 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the height-adjustable column of the wheeled pedestal comprises a vertically oriented telescopic column having an upper segment and a lower segment. 
     
     
         8 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 7 , wherein the upper segment is raised and lowered relative to the lower segment to adjust the elevation at which the shelf supports the air pulse generator. 
     
     
         9 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 7 , wherein the wheeled pedestal comprises a plurality of legs coupled to the lower segment of column and extending outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         10 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 9 , wherein the wheeled pedestal comprises a plurality of casters, each caster of the plurality of casters being coupled to a respective leg of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         11 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 7 , wherein the wheeled pedestal assembly includes a locking gas spring that is unlockable to permit the telescopic column to extend and retract and that is lockable to maintain the telescopic column at a desired length. 
     
     
         12 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pulse generator comprises at least one diaphragm that is moved cyclically back and forth to produce the high frequency pressure pulses. 
     
     
         13 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one diaphragm comprises a pair of diaphragms. 
     
     
         14 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pulse generator is operable to adjust the frequency of the high frequency pressure pulses. 
     
     
         15 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pulse generator is operable to provide high frequency pressure pulses in the range of about 5 Hertz to about 20 Hertz. 
     
     
         16 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spirometer integrated with the air pulse generator. 
     
     
         17 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , further comprising a nebulizer coupled to the air pulse generator. 
     
     
         18 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 17 , wherein the air pulse generator comprises a housing that carries a source of air for the nebulizer. 
     
     
         19 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the therapy system is also operable to deliver any one or more of the following therapies: a positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy, a nebulizer therapy, an intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) therapy, a cough assist therapy, a suction therapy, or a bronchial dilator therapy. 
     
     
         20 . The HFCWO therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the air pulse generator further comprises a controller operable to control an amplitude of a steady state pressure component, a frequency of the oscillating pressure component, and a duration of the HFCWO therapy. being displayed on the display to permit a user to view portions of a user's manual on the display and to display a video on the display regarding how to use the system.