A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device includes a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air. The flow generator includes a programmable controller. The programmable controller is adapted to allow continuous access to at least one active operating mode and selective access to at least one dormant operating mode. The programmable controller includes a mode control system adapted to receive a data signal to control the selective access to the at least one dormant operating mode.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments of this invention. In such drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow generator system according to an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of the combination enhanced therapy process.
Claims
1. A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device comprising:
a flow generator that generates a supply of pressurized air, the flow generator including a programmable controller;the programmable controller is adapted to allow continuous access to at least one active operating mode and selective access to at least one dormant operating mode, andthe programmable controller includes a mode control system adapted to receive a data signal to control the selective access to the at least one dormant operating mode.
2. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one active operating mode is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) mode.
3. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one dormant operating mode is an automatically adjusting pressure mode.
4. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one dormant operating mode is an Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR) mode.
5. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the data signal is present on an electronic chip or card.
6. The PAP device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic chip or card is inserted into a signal receiving portion within the flow generator to provide the data signal to the programmable controller to activate the dormant operating mode.
7. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the data signal is a pin or code number.
8. The PAP device according to claim 7, wherein the flow generator includes a user input unit and the pin or code number is inserted using the user input unit.
9. The PAP device according to claim 8, wherein the user input unit is a keypad.
10. The PAP device according to claim 7, wherein the pin or code number is input into the device via a telephone or Internet connection.
11. The PAP device according to claim 7, wherein the pin or code number includes numbers, letters and/or symbols or any combination thereof.
12. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the data signal is present on a patient interface system, and the attachment of the patient interface system to the flow generator provides the data signal to the programmable controller to activate the dormant operating mode.
13. The PAP device according to claim 12, wherein the data signal is a proximity switch present in a patient interface connector.
14. The PAP device according to claim 12, wherein the data signal is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag present in the patient interface system.
15. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the dormant operating mode is activated for a predetermined time period.
16. The PAP device according to claim 15, wherein the programmable controller includes a clock that is activated by the data signal and controls the predetermined time period
17. The PAP device according to claim 16, wherein the clock counts down the predetermined amount of time.
18. The PAP device according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined time period counts in real time.
19. The PAP device according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined time period counts the hours of usage.
20. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the dormant operating mode is capable of repeated activation by a data signal.
21. An electronic card or chip comprising a data signal adapted to activate a dormant operating mode present within a PAP device.
22. The electronic card or chip according to claim 21, wherein the data signal is capable of a single activation.
23. The electronic card or chip according to claim 22, wherein after the data signal is read the data signal is altered to prevent further use.
24. The electronic card or chip according to claim 21, wherein the electronic chip or card is adapted to be inserted into a signal receiving portion present on a PAP device.
25. A patient interface system adapted to generate or otherwise provide a data signal that is adapted to activate a dormant operating mode present within a PAP device.
26. The patient interface system according to claim 25, wherein the data signal is generated by or obtained from a proximity switch.
27. The patient interface system according to claim 25, wherein the data signal is generated by or obtained from a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.
28. A method for configuring a PAP device, comprising:
programming the PAP device with at least one primary therapy delivery mode and at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode; andenabling access to the at least one dormant therapy delivery mode only upon receipt of an activation signal, command, and/or code.
29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising providing a mode control system to the PAP device to receive the activation signal, command, and/or code to control access to the at least one dormant therapy delivery mode.
30. The method according to claim 28, further comprising providing the activation signal, command, and/or code on an electronic chip or card.
31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising enabling insertion of the electronic chip or card into a signal receiving portion within the PAP device to provide the activation signal.
32. A method for encouraging the purchase of a PAP device and a peripheral component from a common supplier, comprising:
programming the PAP device from the common supplier to operate in at least one primary therapy delivery mode and at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode that can be activated only upon receipt of an activation signal, code, or command; andenabling operation of the PAP device in the at least one dormant therapy delivery mode upon operative connection with the peripheral component from the common supplier that is associated with the activation signal, code, or command.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the peripheral component includes a mask, air delivery conduit, and/or humidifier.
34. The method according to claim 32, wherein associating the peripheral component with an activation signal includes integrating or building the activation signal into the peripheral component.
35. The method according to claim 32, further comprising rewarding customers for continuous use of peripheral components from the common supplier.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein rewarding customers includes extending access time for the at least one dormant therapy delivery mode.
37. The method according to claim 35, wherein rewarding customers includes providing discounts on products or services from the common supplier.
Patent Application
20070193583
