Respiratory humidifier communication systems and methods

Abstract

A respiratory humidification system includes a humidifier that is capable of electronic communication with one or more other components of the system thereby permitting transfer of data or control signals between the humidifier and other components of the system. In some systems, a flow generator, such as a ventilator, is provided to supply a flow of breathing gas. The humidifier and the flow generator are capable of electronic communication with one another. In some arrangements, an operating mode or parameter of the humidifier to be set or confirmed by the flow generator, either automatically or manually through a user interface of the flow generator. The humidifier can also utilize data provided by the flow generator or other system component, such as an incubator, to set or confirm an operating mode or parameter of the humidifier. In some arrangements, a user interface of the humidifier can display data from another system component, such as a nebulizer or pulse oximeter.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A respiratory humidification system, comprising:
 a flow generator that is configured to deliver a flow of breathing gas, the flow generator comprising a ventilator;   a humidifier that is configured to receive the flow of breathing gas from the flow generator and output a humidified flow of breathing gas; and   a communication connection between the humidifier and the flow generator, wherein the communication connection is configured to permit electronic communication between the humidifier and the flow generator,   wherein the communication connection is configured to allow control signals to be transmitted between the flow generator and the humidifier of the system to permit the flow generator to control the humidifier.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the communication connection is configured such that the ventilator is configured to set or confirm one or more operating parameters of the humidifier. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more operating parameters are configured to:
 include one or more operating modes of the humidifier;   be related to a type of ventilator utilized;   be related to an operating mode of the ventilator;   comprise a temperature of the flow of breathing gas; or   comprise a humidity of the flow of breathing gas.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the ventilator comprises a user interface, the user interface configured to display ventilator operating data and information, the user interface further configured to permit a user to interact with the ventilator by entering data or information, or setting or confirming various operating settings or operating modes of the ventilator via the user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen user interface. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the humidifier comprises a user interface, and wherein the user interface of the ventilator is configured to replace the user interface of the humidifier or provide an alternative interface to the user interface of the humidifier. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the user interface of the ventilator includes a menu that displays available operating parameter(s) or operating mode(s) of the humidifier. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the user interface of the ventilator is configured to display a prompt to direct the user to set an operating parameter or an operating mode of the humidifier. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the ventilator is configured to allow the user to set or confirm operating parameters or operating modes of the humidifier utilizing the user interface. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the communication connection is configured to transmit data between the ventilator and humidifier, the data including any one or more of:
 an on/off power state of a component of the system;   a current operational status of a component of the system;   current sensor data; or   parameter set-points.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the communication connection is configured to transmit data between the ventilator and humidifier, wherein the data comprises data relating to the humidifier that is configured to be transmitted to the ventilator over the communication connection, wherein the data includes information relating to a status or operation of the humidifier. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the information relating to the status or operation of the humidifier comprises one or more of temperature information, error status, or alarm conditions. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the system is operative according to a control routine for operating the humidifier with the ventilator, wherein the control routine is configured to establish communication between the humidifier and the ventilator. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the humidifier is configured to transmit information or data relating to the humidifier to the ventilator. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the humidifier data comprises any one or more of:
 temperature information;   humidity information;   humidifier chamber volume information; or   other information relating to properties or characteristics of the humidifier that is configured to assist the ventilator in precisely controlling delivery of the flow of breathing gas.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising a breathing circuit that is configured to receive the humidified flow of breathing gas from the humidifier, and wherein the humidifier is configured to transmit information or data relating to the breathing circuit to the ventilator. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the data relating to the breathing circuit comprises one or more of:
 compliance information; 
 leak rate information; 
 dead space information; 
 an actual tidal volume; or 
 other information relating to properties, characteristics, or operation of the breathing circuit that is configured to assist the ventilator in precisely controlling delivery of the flow of breathing gas. 
 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising one or both of:
 a breathing circuit that is configured to receive the humidified flow of breathing gas from the humidifier; or   a patient interface that is configured to receive the humidified flow of breathing gas from the breathing circuit and deliver the humidified flow of breathing gas to a patient.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the communication connection comprises a wired connection. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the flow generator and the humidifier are integrated with one another. 
     
     
         43 . The respiratory humidification system of  claim 25 , wherein the flow generator is configured to communicate with a central monitoring system or an electronic patient data recordation system, wherein the flow generator is configured to communicate the one or more operating parameters or an operating mode of the humidifier to the central monitoring system or electronic patient data recordation system.