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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 leas

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device comprising: a flow generator configured to generate a supply of pressurized air, the flow generator including a programmable controller;wherein the programmable controller is configured to allow continuous access to at least one pre-stored active operating

1. A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device comprising: a flow generator configured to generate a supply of pressurized air, the flow generator including a programmable controller;wherein the programmable controller is configured to allow continuous access to at least one pre-stored active operating mode and to prevent access to at least one pre-stored dormant operating mode until receipt of a data signal, andwherein the data signal is provided to the programmable controller to enable or activate only selective access to the at least one dormant operating mode for a predetermined period of time. 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 insertable into a signal receiving portion within the flow generator to provide the data signal to the programmable controller to at least temporarily enable or 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 insertable 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 receivable by 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 wherein the attachment of the patient interface system to the flow generator is configured to provide the data signal to the programmable controller to enable or activate the at least one dormant operating mode for the predetermined period of time. 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 programmable controller includes a clock that is activated by the data signal and controls the predetermined period of time. 16. The PAP device according to claim 15, wherein the clock counts down the predetermined period of time. 17. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time corresponds to an amount of time counted in real time. 18. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time corresponds to a number of hours of usage. 19. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one dormant operating mode is repeatably activatable by a data signal. 20. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable controller is further configured to extend operation of the at least one dormant operating mode in the event that the at least one dormant operating mode is operating at a time when the predetermined period of time lapses or expires. 21. The PAP device according to claim 20, wherein the programmable controller is further configured to extend the operation of the at least one dormant operating mode until a corresponding therapy session has ended. 22. The PAP device according to claim 20, wherein the programmable controller is further configured to extend the operation of the at least one dormant operating mode for a preset time. 23. The PAP device of claim 22, wherein the preset time corresponds to an average duration of preceding therapy periods. 24. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable controller is further configured to generate a reminder prior to the expiration of the predetermined period of time. 25. The PAP device according to claim 24, wherein the reminder relates to replacing a patient interface system and/or to obtaining a new data signal. 26. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the programmable controller is further configured to inform a user when the PAP device changes from operating in the at least one dormant operating mode to the at least one active operating mode. 27. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein: the dormant operating mode is activatable for a predetermined time period,the programmable controller further includes a clock that is activated by the data signal and controls the predetermined time period, andthe dormant operating mode is repeatably activatable by a data signal received after the predetermined time period has elapsed or expired. 28. The PAP device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one dormant operating mode and the at least one pre-stored active operating mode both are suitable for treating a patient over the course of a therapy session. 29. An electronic card or chip comprising a data signal configured to temporarily enable or activate a dormant operating mode present within a PAP device, the dormant operating mode being different from one or more continuously available operating modes present in the PAP device, both the dormant operating mode and the one or more continuously available operating modes being suitable for treating a patient over the course of a therapy session. 30. The electronic card or chip according to claim 29, wherein the data signal is programmed to provide a single activation of the dormant operating mode. 31. The electronic card or chip according to claim 30, wherein after the data signal is read, the data signal is altered to prevent further use. 32. The electronic card or chip according to claim 29, wherein the electronic chip or card is insertable into a signal receiving portion present on the PAP device. 33. A patient interface system configured to generate or provide a data signal that is programmed to enable or activate only selective access to a dormant operating therapy mode present within a PAP device for a predetermined time, the access to the dormant operating therapy mode being prevented prior to receipt of the data signal, the dormant operating therapy mode being different from one or more continuously available operating therapy modes present in the PAP device. 34. The patient interface system according to claim 33, wherein the data signal is generated by or obtained from a proximity switch. 35. The patient interface system according to claim 33, wherein the data signal is generated by or obtained from a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. 36. The patient interface system according to claim 33, wherein the dormant operating mode is activatable for only a predetermined time period, and wherein the PAP device is configured to extend operation of the dormant operating mode in the event that the at least one dormant operating mode is operating at a time when the predetermined time period lapses or expires. 37. The patient interface system according to claim 36, wherein the PAP device is further configured to extend the operation of the at least one dormant operating mode until a corresponding therapy session has ended. 38. The patient interface system according to claim 36, wherein the PAP device is further configured to extend the operation of the at least one dormant operating mode for a preset time. 39. The patient interface system according to claim 38, wherein the preset time corresponds to an average duration of preceding therapy periods. 40. The patient interface system according to claim 33, wherein the dormant operating mode is activatable for only a predetermined time period, and wherein the PAP device is further configured to generate a reminder prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period. 41. The patient interface system according to claim 40, wherein the reminder relates to replacing a patient interface system and/or to obtaining a new data signal. 42. The patient interface system according to claim 33, wherein the PAP device is further configured to inform a user when the PAP device changes from operating in the dormant operating mode to one said continuously available operating mode. 43. A method for configuring a PAP device, the method comprising: providing the PAP device, the PAP device being pre-programmed to operate in accordance 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. 44. The method according to claim 43, 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. 45. The method according to claim 43, further comprising providing the activation signal, command, and/or code on an electronic chip or card. 46. The method according to claim 45, further comprising enabling insertion of the electronic chip or card into a signal receiving portion within the PAP device to provide the activation signal. 47. The method according to claim 43, wherein the at least one primary therapy delivery mode is continuously available for use by a patient using the PAP device. 48. The method according to claim 43, further comprising activating the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode for only a predetermined time period after the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode is initially enabled. 49. The method according to claim 48, further comprising extending operation of the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode in the event that the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode is operating at a time when the predetermined time period lapses or expires. 50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the extension lasts until a corresponding therapy session has ended. 51. The method according to claim 49, wherein the extension lasts a preset time. 52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the preset time is an average duration of preceding therapy periods. 53. The method according to claim 48, further comprising generating a reminder prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period. 54. The method according to claim 53, wherein the reminder relates to replacing a patient interface system and/or to obtaining a new data signal. 55. The method according to claim 48, further comprising informing a user when changing from operating in the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode to one said primary therapy delivery mode. 56. The method according to claim 43, further comprising disabling access to the at least one dormant therapy delivery mode once a predetermined time period has elapsed following the enabling. 57. The method according to claim 56, further comprising re-enabling access to the at least one dormant therapy delivery mode upon receipt of a new activation signal, command, and/or code. 58. A method for encouraging the purchase of a PAP device and a peripheral component from a common supplier, the method 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 is activatable 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,wherein access to the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode is prevented prior to receipt of the activation signal, code, or command. 59. The method according to claim 58, wherein the peripheral component includes a mask, air delivery conduit, and/or humidifier. 60. The method according to claim 58, wherein associating the peripheral component with an activation signal includes integrating or building the activation signal into the peripheral component. 61. The method according to claim 58, further comprising rewarding customers for continuous use of peripheral components from the common supplier. 62. The method according to claim 61, wherein rewarding customers includes extending access time for the at least one dormant therapy delivery mode. 63. The method according to claim 61, wherein rewarding customers includes providing discounts on products or services from the common supplier. 64. The method according to claim 58, wherein the at least one primary therapy delivery mode is continuously available for use by a patient using the PAP device. 65. The method according to claim 58, further comprising activating the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode for only a predetermined time period after the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode is initially enabled. 66. The method according to claim 65, further comprising extending operation of the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode in the event that the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode is operating at a time when the predetermined time period lapses or expires. 67. The method according to claim 66, wherein the extension lasts until a corresponding therapy session has ended. 68. The method according to claim 66, wherein the extension lasts a preset time. 69. The method according to claim 68, wherein the preset time is an average duration of preceding therapy periods. 70. The method according to claim 65, further comprising generating a reminder prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period. 71. The method according to claim 70, wherein the reminder relates to replacing a patient interface system and/or to obtaining a new data signal. 72. The method according to claim 65, further comprising informing a user when changing from operating in the at least one restricted-access dormant therapy delivery mode to one said primary therapy delivery mode.