Devices and methods for non-invasive ventilation therapy

Abstract

Non-invasive ventilation therapy systems and methods are disclosed. The system comprises a ventilation device, a computing device coupled to the ventilation device, and a plurality of sensors for acquiring a physiological bioelectrical impedance signal from a patient, wherein the sensors are functionally connected to the computing device. The computing device receives the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal from the sensors, analyzes the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal, and, based on the analyzed physiological bioelectrical impedance signal, transmits a signal to the ventilation device to adjust therapy levels.

1 . A non-invasive ventilation therapy system, the system comprising:
 a ventilation device;   a computing device coupled to the ventilation device;   a plurality of sensors for acquiring a physiological bioelectrical impedance signal from a patient, wherein the sensors are functionally connected to the computing device;   wherein the computing device:
 receives the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal from the sensors; 
 analyzes the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal; and 
 based on the analyzed physiological bioelectrical impedance signal, transmits a signal to the ventilation device to adjust therapy levels. 
   
     
     
         2 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device further provides an assessment of minute ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory rate of the patient based on the analyzed bioelectrical impedance signal. 
     
     
         3 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the therapy levels are at least one of frequency, intensity, pressure, and length of therapy. 
     
     
         4 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , further comprising an aerosol delivery system. 
     
     
         5 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device further monitors session-to-session lung performance to determine effectiveness of therapy. 
     
     
         6 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the non-invasive ventilation device is one of a High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (“HFCWO”) vest, a Continuous High Frequency Oscillation (“CHFO”) system, a ventilator, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (“CPAP”) device, a Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (“BiPAP”) device, a Continuous Positive Expiratory Pressure (“CPEP”) device, another mechanical ventilation device, an oxygenation therapy device, a suction therapy device, and a cough assist device. 
     
     
         7 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device further outputs a bioimpedance exhalation/inhalation curve and determines effectiveness of therapy based on the bioimpedance exhalation/inhalation curve. 
     
     
         8 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors are placed on the torso of the patient and the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal is measured transthorasically. 
     
     
         9 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygenation of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The non-invasive ventilation therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation device causes the mobilization of fluid in the lungs. 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing non-invasive ventilation therapy system, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a ventilation device to a patient;   coupling a plurality of sensors for acquiring a physiological bioelectrical impedance signal to a patient; and   coupling the ventilation device and the plurality of sensors to a computing device,   the computing device:
 receiving the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal from the sensors; 
 analyzing the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal; and 
 based on the analyzed physiological bioelectrical impedance signal, adjusting the therapy levels of the ventilation device. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device further provides an assessment of minute ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory rate of the patient based on the analyzed bioelectrical impedance signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the therapy levels are at least one of frequency, intensity, pressure, and length of therapy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling an aerosol delivery system to the patient and the computing device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device further monitors session-to-session lung performance to determine effectiveness of therapy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the non-invasive ventilation device is one of an High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (“HFCWO”) vest, a Continuous High Frequency Oscillation (“CHFO”) system, a ventilator, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (“CPAP”) device, a Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (“BiPAP”) device, a Continuous Positive Expiratory Pressure (“CPEP”) device, another mechanical ventilation device, an oxygenation therapy device, a suction therapy device, and a cough assist device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the computing device further outputs a bioimpedance exhalation/inhalation curve and determines effectiveness of therapy based on the bioimpedance exhalation/inhalation curve. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of sensors are placed on the torso of the patient and the physiological bioelectrical impedance signal is measured transthorasically. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygenation of the patient to the patient and the computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the ventilation device causes the mobilization of fluid in the lungs.