METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DECREASE INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE, ENHANCE CIRCULATION, AND ENCOURAGE SPONTANEOUS RESPIRATION

• US 20090020128A1
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Medical Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Lurie, Keith G., Metzger, Anja
• Granted Patent: US 8,210,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/206 Capsule valves, e.g. mushroom, membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for decreasing intracranial pressure and enhancing circulation in a breathing person, as well as for increasing the respiratory rate and encouraging spontaneous respiration. According to such methods, a valve system is interfaced to a person'"'"'s airway. The valve system has a threshold valve and an airway member that interfaces with the person'"'"'s airway. The threshold valve is configured to prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during a portion of an inhalation event until the inspiration equals or exceeds an opening pressure of the threshold valve. Also, a small level of external vacuum is constantly supplied at a juncture between the threshold valve and the airway member.

Claims

1. A method to decrease intracranial pressure and enhance circulation in a breathing person, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to a person'"'"'s airway, the valve system having a threshold valve and an airway member that interfaces with the person'"'"'s airway, the threshold valve being configured to prevent or impede respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during a portion of an inhalation event until the inspiration equals or exceeds an opening pressure of the threshold valve; and

supplying a small level of external vacuum at a location downstream of the threshold valve.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the external vacuum is supplied constantly at a juncture between the threshold valve and the airway member.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the opening pressure of the valve system is between about −

7 cm H₂O and about −

25 cm H₂O.

4. A method as in claim 2, wherein the external vacuum level is less than the opening pressure of the valve system and is between about −

1 cm H₂O and about −

24 cm H₂O.

16. A method as in claim 1, further comprising supplying oxygen through the valve system to supplement oxygen delivery to the patient during inhalation.

18. A method as in claim 1, wherein the external vacuum source in combination with the valve system serves to reduce end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂) levels.

19. A method as in claim 1, further comprising removing secretions from the airway using the vacuum source.

5. A system to decrease intracranial pressure and enhance circulation in a breathing person, the system comprising:

a valve system that is configured to be coupled to a person'"'"'s airway, the valve system having a threshold valve and an airway member that interfaces with the person'"'"'s airway, the threshold valve being configured to prevent or impede respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during a portion of an inhalation event until the inspiration equals or exceeds an opening pressure of the threshold valve; and

an external vacuum source that is configured to apply a small level of external vacuum at a location downstream of the threshold valve.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the opening pressure of the valve system is between about −

7 cm H₂O and about −

25 cm H₂O.

7. A system as in claim 6, wherein the external vacuum level is less than the opening pressure of the threshold valve and is in a range from about −

1 cm H₂O to about −

24 cm H₂O.

14. A system as in claim 5, further comprising a facial mask having a fitting for coupling to the external vacuum source, and wherein the valve system and the fitting are incorporated into the facial mask.

15. A system as in claim 5, wherein the external vacuum source comprises an in-hospital vacuum, a suction pump, or a portable vacuum pump.

17. A system as in claim 5, wherein the valve system comprises a check valve, a spring valve, a duck valve, or other mechanical one-way valve.

8. A method to increase the respiratory rate and encourage spontaneous respiration of a breathing person, the method comprising:

interfacing a valve system to a person'"'"'s airway, the valve system having a threshold valve and an airway member that interfaces with the person'"'"'s airway, the threshold valve being configured to prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during a portion of an inhalation event until the inspiration equals or exceeds an opening pressure of the threshold valve; and

supplying a small level of external vacuum at a location downstream of the threshold valve.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the opening pressure of the valve system is between about −

7 cm H₂O and about −

25 cm H₂O.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the external vacuum level is less than the opening pressure of the valve system and is between about −

1 cm H₂O and about −

24 cm H₂O.

23. A method as in claim 8, further comprising supplying oxygen through the valve system to supplement oxygen delivery to the patient during inhalation.

25. A method as in claim 8, wherein the external vacuum source in combination with the valve system serves to reduce end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂) levels.

26. A method as in claim 8, further comprising removing secretions from the airway using the vacuum source.

11. A system to increase the respiratory rate and encourage spontaneous respiration of a breathing person, the system comprising:

a valve system that is configured to be coupled to a person'"'"'s airway, the valve system having a threshold valve and an airway member that interfaces with the person'"'"'s airway, the threshold valve being configured to prevent respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during a portion of an inhalation event until the inspiration equals or exceeds an opening pressure of the threshold valve; and

an external vacuum source that is configured to apply a small level of external vacuum at a location downstream of the threshold valve.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein the opening pressure of the valve system is between about −

7 cm H₂O and about −

25 cm H₂O.

13. A system as in claim 11, wherein the external vacuum level is less than the opening pressure of the threshold valve and is in a range from about −

1 cm H₂O to about −

24 cm H₂O.

21. A system as in claim 11, further comprising a facial mask having a fitting for coupling to the external vacuum source, and wherein the valve system and the fitting are incorporated into the facial mask.

22. A system as in claim 11, wherein the external vacuum source comprises an in-hospital vacuum, a suction pump, or a portable vacuum pump.

24. A system as in claim 11, wherein the valve system comprises a check valve, a spring valve, a duck valve, or other mechanical one-way valve.

20. A medical device for use in the treatment of a breathing person, comprising:

a threshold valve that is configured to prevent or impede respiratory gas flow to the person'"'"'s lungs during a portion of an inhalation event until the inspiration equals or exceeds an opening pressure of the threshold valve;

an airway member in fluid communication with the valve, wherein the airway member is configured to interface with the person'"'"'s airway; and

a vacuum port in fluid communication with the threshold valve, the airway member, or both, wherein the vacuum port is configured to transmit a vacuum from a vacuum source.