Ventilation method and control of a ventilator based on same

Abstract

The invention provides an improved ventilation method and method for controlling a ventilator apparatus in accordance with same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), monitoring expiratory gas flow, analyzing the expiratory gas flow over time (T) to establish an expiratory gas flow pattern, and setting and / or adjusting a low time (T2) based on the expiratory gas flow pattern. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), and setting a low airway pressure (P2) of substantially zero cmH2O.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 176,710 filed Jun. 20, 2002, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 299,928 filed Jun. 21, 2001.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention related to the field of ventilating human patients. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method of initiation, management and / or weaning of airway pressure release ventilation and for controlling a ventilator in accordance with same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a mode of ventilation believed to offer advantages as a lung protective ventilator strategy. APRV is a form of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with an intermittent release phase from a preset CPAP level. [0004] During APRV, ventilation occurs on the expiratory limb. The resultant expiratory tidal volume decreases lung volume, eliminating the need to elevate end inspir...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] Accordingly, the invention recognizes that recruitment is an inflation phenomenon which continues beyond conventional PEEP levels. Recruitment requires enough pressure to overcome threshold-opening pressures and the superimposed pressure of the airspace. Plateau pressure or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) rather than PEEP level may be more appropriate determinants of full lung recruitment. PEEP conceptually prevents de-recruitment after a sustained inflation. Airway closure or de-recruitment is a deflation phenomenon. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, PEEP may be more suitable set to the inflection point of the deflation limb of the P-V curve rather than that of the inflation limb.

[0023] Rather than PEEP, plateau or CPAP levels should be utilized for bringing about airway opening (recruitment), allowing substantially complete recruitment. In addition to adequate threshold pressure, complete recruitment requires constant inflation in order to sustain recruitment. Furthermore, sustained recruitment facilitates ventilation on the deflation limb. Ventilation occurs on the deflation limb of the P-V curve only after a sustained recruitment maneuver. Sustained inflation pushes the P-V curve to the outer envelope on to the deflation limb. Stress relaxation accounts for a pressure reduction on the order of 20% within the initial 4 seconds of inflation.

[0029] Applicant's ventilation method and method for controlling a ventilation apparatus based on same provides significant advantages over the prior art. These advantages include an increase in vent free days, lower ventilator-related drug costs, reduced ventilator associated complications, reduced likelihood of high volume lung injury, and reduced likelihood of low volume lung injury. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following detailed description and appended drawings.

Problems solved by technology

The P-V curve represents the entire respiratory system and may not adequately reflect the individual air spaces.

It is recognized that if PEEP levels are set to end inspiratory pressure in order to completely recruit the lung, the superimposition of tidal ventilation could result in over-distension and high volume lung injury despite tidal volume reduction.

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