SUPPLEMENTAL GAS DELIVERY AND MONITORING SYSTEM

摘要

An method and system for supplemental gas delivery that enables the identification of a need of therapeutic attention for patient receiving the supplemental gas (20) by detecting an onset of an exacerbation of a medical condition. Such a detection is performed by detecting audible events using a microphone (60) that is in fluid communication with a cannula (28) that is used to communicate the supplemental gas (20) with the airways of the patient (8). The audible event may be, for instance, a cough in the patient. A change in the relative frequency of coughs in the patient may be identified by the routines as being indicative of an onset of an exacerbation.

主权项

1. A method of indicating a need of therapeutic attention for a patient receiving a flow of supplemental gas, the method comprising:
providing a flow of supplemental gas to a patient through a cannula in fluid communication with an airway of the patient; detecting within at least a portion of the cannula a plurality of audible events occurring over a period of time that include a current audible event using a microphone operatively coupled to the cannula; processing the current audible event to determine from the current audible event whether the frequency over time of such audible events has increased and, if so, making a determination that the patient is experiencing an onset of an exacerbation of a medical condition; and responsive to the determination, providing to a caregiver or to the patient an output indicative of a need of therapeutic attention for the patient.