Method and apparatus for increasing therapy compliance

Abstract

A breathing assistance unit for providing pressurized heated humidified air to a user increases user compliance. The breathing assistance unit generates positive emotional and cognitive states of a user about the therapy.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising an outer surface;   a blower unit disposed within the housing;   a humidification compartment disposed within the housing, the humidification compartment being adapted to receive a humidifier chamber, wherein the humidifier chamber comprises a container with a heat-conducting surface; and   a control interface and a control display, the control display comprising a clock display, wherein the clock display is time-zone adjustable; and   wherein the adjustment for time zones allows for changes in time zones to be reflected during logging of data related to the breathing assistance apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the data is compliance data. 
     
     
         4 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 3  wherein compliance data is:
 a duration of nightly use of the apparatus, or 
 the amount of time that the apparatus is switched on and being worn. 
 
     
     
         5 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the control display is configured to display compliance feedback to a user. 
     
     
         6 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the compliance feedback comprises a smiley face shaped indicator. 
     
     
         7 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the control interface includes a control knob configured to be twisted or pushed to generate a control signal. 
     
     
         8 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the control display is positioned adjacent to or above the control knob. 
     
     
         9 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the housing has a footprint of less than about 40,000 mm 2 . 
     
     
         10 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising an internal power supply positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the outer surface of the housing comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall extending between the front wall and the rear wall and a second side wall extending between the front wall and the rear wall, the front wall inclined such that an upper portion of the front wall is closer to the rear wall than a lower portion of the front wall, the front wall connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall with a rounded corner, and a top wall connected to each of the front wall, the first side wall, the second side wall and the rear wall. 
     
     
         12 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the control interface and the control display are positioned on the front wall. 
     
     
         13 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising an airflow outlet extending from the rear wall, the airflow outlet being connected to the humidification chamber and the rear wall. 
     
     
         14 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the airflow outlet is rotatable to either side of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the housing includes a heater plate configured to generate heat. 
     
     
         16 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the heater plate is disposed at a bottom of the humidification compartment or is configured to give under a downward pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising the humidifier chamber, wherein the humidifier chamber is adapted to hold at least about 420 ml of water. 
     
     
         18 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the humidification compartment includes a ledge and wherein the humidifier chamber is arranged to be complimentary with the ledge of the humidification compartment to reduce the likelihood of the humidifier chamber being oriented incorrectly in use. 
     
     
         19 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 2  wherein an upper portion of the humidification compartment is covered by a lid. 
     
     
         20 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the lid is a hinged lid or is removably attached to the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The breathing assistance apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the lid defines a handhold location for carrying of the breathing assistance apparatus.