Abstract:
A ventilator that is small, lightweight, and portable, yet capable of being quickly adapted to operate in a plurality of different modes and configurations to deliver a variety of therapies to a patient. A porting system having a plurality of sensors structured to monitor a number of parameters with respect to the flow of gas, and a number of porting blocks is used to reconfigure the ventilator so that it operates as a single-limb or dual limb ventilator. In the single-limb configuration, an active or passive exhaust assembly can be provided proximate to the patient. The ventilator is capable of operate in a volume or pressure support mode, even in a single-limb configuration. In addition, a power control mechanism controls the supply of power to the ventilator from an AC power source, a lead acid battery, an internal rechargeable battery pack, and a detachable battery pack.
Abstract:
A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.
Abstract:
A medical device, such as pressure support system, and a method of communicating with such a device using an information storage device. The information storage device, in one embodiment, is adapted to be provided in a slot in the medical device so that information for controlling the operating of the pressure support device can be read from the information storage device, information regarding the usage and/or operation of the pressure support device can be written to the information storage device, or both operations can be performed.
Abstract:
A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.
Abstract:
A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.
Abstract:
A system and method for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system monitors a characteristic that varies based on variations of the flow of the breathing gas and determines a Target Flow for the gas to be delivered to the patient based on the monitored characteristic. The Target Flow is set to a level sufficient to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration or a sleep disordered breathing event. The system also alters the Target Flow based on a determination that the patient is experiencing a sleep disordered breathing event. The system further determines a pressure relief component and controls the flow of gas delivered to the patient based on the Target Flow and the pressure relief component.
Abstract:
A pressure support system has a motor, a switching element that supplies power to motor windings, and a blower coupled to the motor. Rotation of the blower elevates a pressure of fluid in a patient circuit coupled to an outlet of the blower. A rotational speed controller maintains the motor at a set rotational speed corresponding to a selected pressure for the fluid in the patient circuit. The rotational speed of the motor is maintained by a switching signal provided by a rotational speed controller to the switching element to control the actuation of the switching element. A fluid parameter monitoring portion monitors a parameter associated with the flow of fluid in the patient circuit, such as the magnitude, direction, or volume, based on a characteristic, such as duty cycle, of the switching signal, or based on a characteristic of a control signal that is used to generate the switching signal.
Abstract:
A pressure support system has a motor, a switching element that supplies power to motor windings, and a blower coupled to the motor. Rotation of the blower elevates a pressure of fluid in a patient circuit coupled to an outlet of the blower. A rotational speed controller maintains the motor at a set rotational speed corresponding to a selected pressure for the fluid in the patient circuit. The rotational speed of the motor is maintained by a switching signal provided by a rotational speed controller to the switching element to control the actuation of the switching element. A fluid parameter monitoring portion monitors a parameter associated with the flow of fluid in the patient circuit, such as the magnitude, direction, or volume, based on a characteristic, such as duty cycle, of the switching signal, or based on a characteristic of a control signal that is used to generate the switching signal.
Abstract:
An exhaust port assembly comprising a conduit carries a flow of gas. A vent assembly having a fixed exhaust area is provided on the conduit for venting a flow of exhaust gas from within the conduit to ambient atmosphere. The vent assembly is configured so as to minimize noise associated with the flow of exhaust gas passing to atmosphere, diffuse the flow of exhaust gas passing to ambient atmosphere over a relatively large area, and minimize the area occupied by the venting assembly on the conduit.
Abstract:
A valve stem load monitoring system for determining the axial load on a valve stem of a valve assembly which includes distance measuring means for measuring elongation changes over a substantial portion of the entire length of the yoke whereby signals representative of the sensed elongation changes are generated, with the sensed elongation changes being proportional to the axial load on the valve stem. The distance measuring means is mounted on a portion of the valve assembly other than the yoke. Computation means may be connected to the distance measuring means for receiving the signal therefrom to determine the axial load on the valve stem based on elongation changes in the yoke. Temperature measuring means may be provided on the yoke for generating signals indicative of the temperature of the yoke which are transmitted to the computation means which compensates for any temperature changes in the yoke in determining the axial load on the valve stem.