HCL Sensor Platform for Respiratory Assist Device Patients

Abstract

An HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients comprising: An HCL sensor configured to be coupled to a respiratory assist device; A processer coupled to the HCL sensor and configured to detect the presence of HCL indicative of regurgitation/aspiration of the patient; and An audio visual display coupled to the processor and providing an audio and/or visual display of the aspiration of the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients comprising:
 a) An HCL sensor configured to be coupled to a respiratory assist device;   b) A processer coupled to the HCL sensor and configured to detect the presence of HCL indicative of regurgitation/aspiration of the patient;   c) An audio visual display coupled to the processor and providing an audio and/or visual display of the aspiration of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 1  wherein the audio visual display alerts the operator of dangerous or significant conditions related to regurgitation/aspiration of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 1  wherein a record of the detected patient aspiration during a proceeding is automatically created and stored. 
     
     
         4 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 1  wherein the respiratory assist device is one of a nasal cannula, face mask, CPAP device, BiPAP device or endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         5 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 1  wherein the display is part of a Pulse-Ox display device. 
     
     
         6 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 1  wherein the HCL sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 6  wherein the optical HCL sensor utilizes at least one transmitter and one detector. 
     
     
         8 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 7  wherein optical HCL sensor is trans-missive. 
     
     
         9 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 8  wherein optical HCL sensor relies upon the light absorption of HCL for detection of HCL. 
     
     
         10 . The HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients according to  claim 1 , wherein the HCL sensor is a chemical reactive sensor in contact with the patient's breath stream and configured to change color in the presence of HCL in the patient's breath stream. 
     
     
         11 . A method of Aspiration Detection in Respiratory Assist Device Patients comprising the steps of:
 a) Coupling an HCL sensor to one of a respiratory assist device of a patient;   b) Detecting the presence of HCL particles indicative of aspiration of the patient via a processer coupled to the HCL sensor; and   c) Displaying results for aspiration of the patient.   
     
     
         12 . The method of Aspiration Detection in Respiratory Assist Device Patients according to  claim 11  wherein the HCL sensor is one of i) an optical sensor, and ii) a chemical reactive sensor in contact with the patient's breath stream and configured to change color in the presence of HCL in the patient's breath stream. 
     
     
         13 . The method of Aspiration Detection in Respiratory Assist Device Patients according to  claim 11  wherein the optical HCL sensor is a chemical reactive sensor in contact with the patient's breath stream and configured to change color in the presence of HCL in the patient's breath stream. 
     
     
         14 . The method of Aspiration Detection in Respiratory Assist Device Patients according to  claim 11  wherein the patient is an anesthesia patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of Aspiration Detection in Respiratory Assist Device Patients according to  claim 11  wherein the respiratory assist device is one of a nasal cannula, face mask, CPAP device, BiPAP device or endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         16 . An HCL sensor platform for respiratory assist device patients comprising an HCL sensor configured to be coupled to a respiratory assist device, wherein the HCL sensor is one of i) a chemical reactive sensor in contact with the patient's breath stream and configured to change color in the presence of HCL in the patient's breath stream, and ii) an optical sensor, wherein the optical HCL sensor utilizes at least one transmitter and one detector, and wherein optical HCL sensor is trans-missive and relies upon the light absorption of HCL for detection of HCL. 
     
     
         17 . The HCL sensor platform according to  claim 16  further including an audio visual display and wherein the audio visual display alerts the operator of dangerous or significant conditions related to regurgitation/aspiration of the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The HCL sensor platform for anesthesia patients according to  claim 16  wherein a record of the detected patient aspiration during a proceeding is automatically created and stored. 
     
     
         19 . The HCL sensor platform for anesthesia patients according to  claim 16  wherein the respiratory assist device is one of a nasal cannula, face mask, CPAP device, BiPAP device or endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         20 . The HCL sensor platform for anesthesia patients according to  claim 16  wherein the HCL sensor is a chemical reactive sensor in contact with the patient's breath stream and configured to change color in the presence of HCL in the patient's breath stream.