Modification of Sympathetic Activation and/or Respiratory Function

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for modifying sympathetic activation of a patient through alteration of respiratory function. In one form, a sub-apneic ventilation target for a ventilator is determined such that chronic sympathetic activation of the patient is mitigated.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method for reducing sympathetic activation through alteration of respiratory function of a patient comprising the steps of:
 selecting a first ventilation target level and substantially applying that first ventilation target level to a patient;   increasing the ventilation target level until the patient's average breath rate per time period is decreased to the desired level; and   substantially maintaining the desired average breath rate per time period over a certain duration.   
     
     
         4 . A method for reducing sympathetic activation through alteration of respiratory function of a patient comprising the steps of:
 determining a patient's average breath rate per minute while the patient is sleeping and being ventilated at a first level;   if needed applying an increased ventilation level to the patient until the patient's average breath rate per time period is substantially decreased to the desired level; and   substantially maintaining the desired average breath rate per time period over a certain duration.   
     
     
         5 . A method for reducing sympathetic activation through alteration of respiratory function of a patient comprising the steps of:
 selecting a first ventilation target level;   substantially applying the first ventilation target level to a patient while the patient is sleeping, preparing to sleep, and/or relaxing;   increasing the ventilation target level over a period of time until an apneic threshold is substantially reached;   reducing the ventilation target level to a sub-apneic ventilation target; and   substantially maintaining the sub-apneic ventilation target over a certain time period.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the patient is sleeping; and further comprising monitoring the patient's respiration for a duration; and increasing the ventilation target level over a period of time while the patient is being monitored until an apneic threshold is substantially reached. 
     
     
         8 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the method is computer implemented. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected using an apnea hypopnea index. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when a hypopnea index is above a threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when an apnea index is above a threshold. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when a patient's breath rate is below a threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when the ventilator mode switches to a timed mode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when an apnea hypopnea index is above a threshold a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when a hypopnea index is above a threshold a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when an apnea index is above a threshold a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein events indicating an apneic threshold are detected when a patient's breath rate is below a threshold a predetermined number of times. 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating a patient for chronic sympathetic activation by setting a sub-apneic ventilation target of a ventilator in accordance with  claim 3 . 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the patient is asleep. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the patient is awake. 
     
     
         27 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The method of treating a patient with a chronic sympathetic activation disorder using a ventilator device, the ventilator device being attached to a patient interface device adapted to be attached to supply ventilation support to the patients airways, providing a level of ventilation support at a sub-apneic pressure level to the patient for a duration of time, wherein the sub-apneic pressure level prevents, substantially prevents, the occurrence of central apneas, central hypopneas, flow limitations, or combinations thereof and reduces sympathetic activation. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . The method of treating a patient using a ventilator device, the ventilator device being attached to a patient interface device adapted to be attached to supply ventilation support to the patients airways, providing a level of ventilation support at a sub-apneic pressure level to the patient for a duration of time, wherein the treatment results in at least one or more of the following: improved cardiovascular, endocrine and/or metabolic outcomes in a range of disorders including, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and/or metabolic syndrome; reduced sympathetic activation; increased parasympathetic activation; improved autonomic balance; reduced breath rate during sleep; reduced heart rate during sleep; and/or improved respiratory-cardiovascular coupling. 
     
     
         67 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein the patient is substantially maintain at the sub-apneic pressure level. 
     
     
         68 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein the sub-apneic pressure level will vary over time and the patient is substantially maintained at the sub-apneic pressure level by increasing or decreasing the amount of ventilation as needed over time. 
     
     
         69 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein the patient is asleep. 
     
     
         70 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein the patient is not being treated for OSA. 
     
     
         71 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein the patient is also being treated for OSA. 
     
     
         72 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein the patient does not have OSA. 
     
     
         73 . The methods of  claim 64 , wherein the patient does have OSA. 
     
     
         74 - 82 . (canceled)