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Detecting ventilator system anomalies while in a speaking mode

  • US 20080060656A1
  • Filed: 08/17/2007
  • Published: 03/13/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a ventilator assembly comprising:

  • providing a ventilator assembly that includes inhalation and exhalation passages communicating with one another, and a respiration assembly capable of performing repetitive respiratory cycles each including;

    (1) an inhalation phase during which (a) an inhalation valve communicating with the inhalation passage is relatively open for the passage of gas therethrough into the inhalation passage and to patient, and (b) an exhalation valve between the exhalation passage and an exhalation outlet in the ventilator assembly is relatively closed, and (2) an exhalation phase during which the inhalation valve is relatively closed, the method comprising;

    repetitively cycling the respiration assembly so that (a) during the inhalation phase, the gas in the inhalation passage flows through an endotracheal tube and into the patient'"'"'s airway and lungs below the patient'"'"'s vocal cords, and (b) during the exhalation phase, the exhalation valve is maintained relatively closed and the patient is allowed to exhale the gases in the patient'"'"'s airway and lungs, pass the patient'"'"'s vocal cords and out of the patient'"'"'s mouth, thereby facilitating the patient'"'"'s ability to speak;

    monitoring a pressure within at least one of the passages during the exhalation phase; and

    determining whether a circuit disconnect or an occlusion exists based on a the pressure monitoring.

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