94 results about "Mechanical ventilator" patented technology

Method and apparatus for controlling a ventilator are described. The invention can be used to control mechanical ventilators as well as respiratory assist devices such as CPAP machines. The apparatus receives input data indicative of patient's oxygen level. A controller determines PEEP, or CPAP, and FIO2, on the basis of data indicative of the patient's oxygen level. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus further receives input data indicative of patient's carbon dioxide levels, respiratory elastance and airway resistance, and barometric pressure. The controller further utilizes the said input data to determine the optimal values of tidal volume and breathing frequency for a next breath of the patient, and uses the respiratory elastance and airway resistance data to determine any necessary adjustments in the I:E ratio. The controller also applies safety rules, detects and corrects artifacts, and generates warning signals when needed.

A ventilator device and system comprising a rotating compressor, preferably a drag compressor, which, at the beginning of each inspiratory ventilation phase, is accelerated to a sufficient speed to deliver the desired inspiratory gas flow, and is subsequently stopped or decelerated to a basal flow level to permit the expiratory ventilation phase to occur. The ventilator device is small and light weight enough to be utilized in portable applications. The ventilator device is power efficient enough to operate for extended periods of time on internal or external batteries. Also provided is an oxygen blending apparatus which utilizes solenoid valves having specific orifice sizes for blending desired amounts of oxygen into the inspiratory gas flow. Also provided is an exhalation valve having an exhalation flow transducer which incorporates a radio frequency data base to provide an attendant controller with specific calibration information for the exhalation flow transducer.

A portable mechanical ventilator having a Roots blower is configured to provide a desired gas flow and pressure to a patient circuit. The mechanical ventilator includes a flow meter operative to measure gas flow produced by the Roots blower and an exhalation control module configured to operate an exhalation valve connected to the patient circuit. A bias valve connected between the Roots blower and the patient circuit is specifically configured to generate a bias pressure relative to the patient circuit pressure at the exhalation control module. The bias valve is further configured to attenuate pulsating gas flow produced by the Roots blower such that gas flowing to the mass flow meter exhibits a substantially constant pressure characteristic. The bias pressure facilitates closing of the exhalation valve at the start of inspiration, regulates positive end expiratory pressure during exhalation, and purges sense lines via a pressure transducer module.

Method and apparatus for controlling a ventilator are described. The invention can be used to control mechanical ventilators as well as respiratory assist devices such as CPAP machines. The apparatus receives input data indicative of patient's oxygen level. A controller determines PEEP, or CPAP, and FIO2, on the basis of data indicative of the patient's oxygen level. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus further receives input data indicative of patient's carbon dioxide levels, respiratory elastance and airway resistance, and barometric pressure. The controller further utilizes the said input data to determine the optimal values of tidal volume and breathing frequency for a next breath of the patient, and uses the respiratory elastance and airway resistance data to determine any necessary adjustments in the I:E ratio. The controller also applies safety rules, detects and corrects artifacts, and generates warning signals when needed.

Systems and methods of control of a mechanical ventilator include receiving machine data from a mechanical ventilator. A surgical event is detected in the received machine data. Clinical events within the surgical event are detected in the machine data. The machine data and the detected plurality of clinical events are evaluated for compliance with lung protective ventilation recommendations.

An HME Filter is provided having with an integral housing having minimal components which eliminating components at the circuit “Y” connector. A closed circuit gas flow is maintained whether an internal filter material is or is not engaged, and with or without a nebulizer aerosolizing medications. The HME SHUTTLE continues to maintain the same closed circuit gas flow during the HME filter materials insertion into the HME SHUTTLE, throughout the course of the HME filter's use in the closed gas flow circuit and during the HME filter materials removal from the HME SHUTTLE. The placement for optimal patient care is to be located between the connection of inhalation and exhalation sides of mechanical ventilator circuit and endotracheal tube of an intubated patient. The HME SHUTTLE also accommodates the docking port for the use of an external nebulizer.

A portable mechanical ventilator having a ROOTS® blower is configured to provide a desired gas flow and pressure to a patient circuit. The mechanical ventilator includes a flow meter operative to measure gas flow produced by the ROOTS® blower and an exhalation control module configured to operate an exhalation valve connected to the patient circuit. A bias valve connected between the ROOTS® blower and the patient circuit is specifically configured to generate a bias pressure relative to the patient circuit pressure at the exhalation control module. The bias valve is further configured to attenuate pulsating gas flow produced by the ROOTS® blower such that gas flowing to the mass flow meter exhibits a substantially constant pressure characteristic. The bias pressure facilitates closing of the exhalation valve at the start of inspiration, regulates positive end expiratory pressure during exhalation, and purges sense lines via a pressure transducer module.

A sound dampening apparatus to be disposed in pneumatic connection with a respiratory support system. The respiratory support system may comprise a source of medical gas, a plurality of pneumatic connections and a patient interface. The sound dampening apparatus comprises an inlet, an outlet, and an outer case which forms a sound dampening chamber. As the medical gas flows through the sound dampening apparatus, the noise energy associated with the flow of medical gas is reduced.

A method and apparatus for controlling a brushless DC (BLDC) motor over a wide range of angular speeds is presented. Analog magnetic sensors provide continuous signal measurements related to the rotor angular position at a sample rate independent of rotor angular speed. In one embodiment, analog signal measurements are subsequently processed using an arctangent function to obtain the rotor angular position. The arctangent may be computed using arithmetic computation, a small angle approximation, a polynomial evaluation approach, a table lookup approach, or a combination of various methods. In one embodiment, the BLDC rotor is used to drive a Roots blower used as a compressor in a portable mechanical ventilator system.

The present invention relates to a solution for controlling the pressure / flow of breathing gas to a mechanical ventilator (4) by using an energy of breathing analysis and further to provide a pressure relief during exhalation and a trigger determination when to start the pressure relief using energy content of breathing in analysis for determining a pressure curve form during at least a portion of the expiration phase.

Systems and methods are provided to improve respiratory function. Systems include an external electrical stimulator coupled to electrodes that stimulates diaphragm contraction and may optionally include a positive pressure mechanical ventilator. The system further includes an electrode suitable for temporary implantation. Electrical stimulation is provided to specific portions of the diaphragm, such as one hemidiaphragm preferentially over another. By preferentially contracting one hemidiaphragm, a specific portion of a lung may be expanded, such as a posterior portion. By the provision of the negative intrathoracic pressure from diaphragm contraction, greater expansion of specific portion of lung is achieved in relationship to air pressure within the lung, thereby improving compliance. Supplementation of stimulated diaphragm contraction with positive pressure driven air flow from a PPMV directs the air flow to specific portions of the lung. Such portion may include a posterior portion of a lung, and may cause a clearing of atelectasis in that portion.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for reducing the noise generated by compressors, including Roots-type blowers. The invention has particular use for reducing noise generated by compressors used in mechanical ventilators, though the advantages thereof may be realized in many different applications. One embodiment of the invention comprises a noise-attenuating gas flow path for a compressor contained in a portable ventilator housing. In one embodiment, the gas flow path comprises a plurality of chambers interconnected by flow tubes. The flow path is folded so as to fit into the limited space of a portable ventilator housing. The dimensions of the chambers and the flow tubes are selected so that an impedance mismatch is created between the chambers and the flow tubes. In one embodiment of the invention, the flow path comprises one or more perforated tubes located in one or more of the chambers. The perforated tube has a port through which gas is accepted and at least one exterior tube through which gas exits. Impedance mismatches are created between the inlet chamber and the exterior tubes and between the exterior tubes and the chamber in which the perforated tube is located, which are useful in attenuating noise. One embodiment of the invention comprises a noise attenuating mounting system for a compressor. The mounting system comprises flexible mounts that cooperate to dampen vibrations generated by the compressor.

This disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling an exhalation valve based on pressure and / or flow measurements during exhalation. The disclosure describes novel exhalation valve controls for ventilating a patient.

An endotracheal tube for mechanically ventilating patients is disclosed. The endotracheal tube comprises a distal end for insertion into the patient's airway, past the vocal chords, through the subglottal region, and into the patient's lung; and a proximal end for connection to a mechanical ventilator. The endotracheal tube further comprises a cuff at the distal end of the endotracheal tube to be located in the subglottal region of the patient below the vocal chords, an inflating lumen for inflating the cuff, and a suction lumen having a suction inlet port leading from the outer surface of the endotracheal tube, and to be located in the subglottal region, for evacuating secretions and / or rinsing fluid from the subglottal region during the mechanical ventilation of the patient. The distal end of the endotracheal tube is formed with an outer surface configuration effective to prevent blockage of the suction inlet port by the cuff or by tracheal mucosal tissue of the patient during a negative pressure condition in the suction lumen.

An input device for a clinician to control and modify the operation of a mechanical ventilator comprises a graphical display, a representation of a respiratory therapy trajectory to be delivered to a patient, at least one data point associated with the trajectory, and a data input means for the clinician to select a data point and to modify the value of the trajectory at that data point. The present invention provides for the creation and modification of a respiratory therapy trajectory, wherein the ventilator provides a medical gas waveform to a patient according to the respiratory therapy trajectory.

A method, system, apparatus, and computer program for detecting breathing pattern changes and controlling a mechanical ventilator in accordance to changes of breathing air flow thus reducing the work of breathing for the patient.

A manual inexsufflator including a standard mechanical ventilator, a medical suction unit, and a piston-like sliding valve mechanism which connects a patient ventilation interface with either the ventilator or the suction unit. By sliding the valve mechanism in and out the user selectively connects the patient to either the ventilator, for purposes of insufflation, or the suction unit, for purposes of exsufflation. The ventilator may generate expiratory positive airway pressure between inexsufflation cycles.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for reducing the noise generated by compressors, including Roots-type blowers. The invention has particular use for reducing noise generated by compressors used in mechanical ventilators, though the advantages thereof may be realized in many different applications. One embodiment of the invention comprises a noise-attenuating gas flow path for a compressor contained in a portable ventilator housing. In one embodiment, the gas flow path comprises a plurality of chambers interconnected by flow tubes. The flow path is folded so as to fit into the limited space of a portable ventilator housing. The dimensions of the chambers and the flow tubes are selected so that an impedance mismatch is created between the chambers and the flow tubes. In one embodiment of the invention, the flow path comprises one or more perforated tubes located in one or more of the chambers. The perforated tube has a port through which gas is accepted and at least one exterior tube through which gas exits. Impedance mismatches are created between the inlet chamber and the exterior tubes and between the exterior tubes and the chamber in which the perforated tube is located, which are useful in attenuating noise. One embodiment of the invention comprises a noise attenuating mounting system for a compressor. The mounting system comprises flexible mounts that cooperate to dampen vibrations generated by the compressor.

A system and method for automated inspiratory muscle strength exercise includes software for setting a mechanical ventilator for a pressure regulated breath with an initial pressure target that is at the highest pressure setting a patient can tolerate and increasing the pressure target as tolerated.

A manual inexsufflator including a standard mechanical ventilator, a medical suction unit, and a piston-like sliding valve mechanism which connects a patient ventilation interface with either the ventilator or the suction unit. By sliding the valve mechanism in and out the user selectively connects the patient to either the ventilator, for purposes of insufflation, or the suction unit, for purposes of exsufflation. The ventilator may generate expiratory positive airway pressure between inexsufflation cycles.

The mechanical ventilator system is a compact and portable artificial respiration system. A negative pressure vortex generator delivers an FiO2 mix from an air-oxygen blender to the patient during the patient's inhalations, but remains idle during the patient's exhalations. Exhaust gases generated by the patient are released through an exhaust gas valve. During operation, the patient's oxygen saturation level is measured by an infrared pulse-oxygen probe, and an FiO2 autoregulator is in communication with the probe to receive oxygen saturation level signals. The FiO2 autoregulator is coupled with the air-oxygen blender to control the oxygen proportion of the FiO2 mix. An automatic pressure flow sensor is fluidly coupled with the patient's airway to control actuation of the negative pressure vortex generator. The automatic flow sensor is coupled with a controller, which actuates a vortex generator trigger circuit in communication with the vortex generator.

Systems and methods are provided to improve respiratory function. Systems include an external electrical stimulator coupled to electrodes that stimulates diaphragm contraction and may optionally include a positive pressure mechanical ventilator. The system further includes an electrode suitable for temporary implantation. Electrical stimulation is provided to specific portions of the diaphragm, such as one hemidiaphragm preferentially over another. By preferentially contracting one hemidiaphragm, a specific portion of a lung may be expanded, such as a posterior portion. By the provision of the negative intrathoracic pressure from diaphragm contraction, greater expansion of specific portion of lung is achieved in relationship to air pressure within the lung, thereby improving compliance. Supplementation of stimulated diaphragm contraction with positive pressure driven air flow from a PPMV directs the air flow to specific portions of the lung. Such portion may include a posterior portion of a lung, and may cause a clearing of atelectasis in that portion.

A method and apparatus for facilitating breathing using a mechanical breathing gas ventilator is presented. The patient effort is deduced from a measured flow signal and analyzed with respect to the energy in the breathing system comprising the mechanical ventilator and the patient. When a predetermined energy threshold has been reached the ventilator responds to the breathing pattern change.

A ventilator device and system comprising a rotating compressor, preferably a drag compressor, which, at the beginning of each inspiratory ventilation phase, is accelerated to a sufficient speed to deliver the desired inspiratory gas flow, and is subsequently stopped or decelerated to a basal flow level to permit the expiratory ventilation phase to occur. The ventilator device is small and light weight enough to be utilized in portable applications. The ventilator device is power efficient enough to operate for extended periods of time on internal or external batteries. Also provided is an oxygen blending apparatus which utilizes solenoid valves having specific orifice sizes for blending desired amounts of oxygen into the inspiratory gas flow. Also provided is an exhalation valve having an exhalation flow transducer which incorporates a radio frequency data base to provide an attendant controller with specific calibration information for the exhalation flow transducer.

A method and apparatus for controlling a brushless DC (BLDC) motor over a wide range of angular speeds is presented. Analog magnetic sensors provide continuous signal measurements related to the rotor angular position at a sample rate independent of rotor angular speed. In one embodiment, analog signal measurements are subsequently processed using an arctangent function to obtain the rotor angular position. The arctangent may be computed using arithmetic computation, a small angle approximation, a polynomial evaluation approach, a table lookup approach, or a combination of various methods. In one embodiment, the BLDC rotor is used to drive a Roots blower used as a compressor in a portable mechanical ventilator system.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for providing mechanical ventilation support to a patient. The system for providing mechanical ventilation support to a patient and includes a mechanical ventilator (26). A breathing circuit (14) is pneumatically connected between the mechanical ventilator (26) and a patient connection (22). An inspiratory check valve (30) is disposed within an inspiratory limb (16) of the breathing circuit (14). A fresh gas manifold (38) provides fresh gas to the breathing circuit (14) for delivery to the patient. A fresh gas valve (52) is disposed between the fresh gas manifold (38) and the breathing circuit (14). The fresh gas valve (52) is operable between a first position which directs fresh gas upstream of the inspiratory check valve (30) and a second position that directs fresh gas downstream of the inspiratory check valve (30). A digital signal processor (44) operates the fresh gas valve (52) selectively between the first position and the second position. A method of ventilating a patient includes introducing a flow of fresh gas into an inspiratory limb (16) of the breathing circuit (14). A ventilatory support value is sensed with at least one sensor (62, 64) disposed within the breathing circuit (14). An operational condition of the breathing circuit (14) is identified with a digital signal processor (44). A fresh gas valve (52) is operated with the digital processor (44) between a first position that directs fresh gas to the inspiratory limb (16) upstream from the inspiratory check valve (30) and a second position that directs the fresh gas downstream from the inspiratory check valve (30).

A miniaturized pre-filled, single-use, disposable, small volume medication nebulizer unit for medicinal use that delivers a mist of properly sized aerosol particles of medicament to the patient with a very high level of efficiency. The nebulizer can be effectively used in conjunction with conventional tee and mouthpiece patient interface devices as well as with more sophisticated interface devices such as dosimetric / reservoir systems, or mechanical ventilator systems.