Monitor for automatic resuscitator with optional gas flow control

• US 20090139522A1
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vortran Medical Technology 1, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vortran Medical Technology 1, Inc.
• Inventors: Fong, Matthew, Thomson, Glen, Lee, James I-Che, Saied, Abdolreza
• Application Number:
  US12/070,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20090139522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.220
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/209 Relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment

Abstract

The present invention pertains generally to a monitoring system for a resuscitator which detects operation of the resuscitator and includes means for informing an operator of function. The monitoring system is triggered by a pressure signal provided by the cycling of the automatic resuscitator from a controlled inhalation phase to a controlled exhalation phase. The monitoring aspect of the system detects specifically a single point low pressure signals which are sequentially compared against an integrated time clock. Failure of the resuscitator system itself to generate a low pressure signal against the integrated time clock causes an alarm condition. Further, gas management is optionally effected by a flow controller integrated into the monitor, a gas management system which responds to the single point low pressure signal and operate a gas valve attached between a gas supply and an automatic resuscitator such that gas is allowed to flow to the resuscitator when the resuscitator is in an inhalation mode and gas flow is interrupted when the resuscitator is in an exhalation mode. The monitoring system includes a low threshold pressure sensor which is actuated by means of a recurrent low pressure pulse generated by the automatic resuscitator itself through the cycling of the resuscitator and remains essentially unaffected by the respiratory cycling of the patient, thus preventing false triggers and greatly simplifying the flow controller operation and format. The low threshold pressure sensor is coupled to a processor wherein the processor reads the occurrence of a pressure event at the pressure sensor and which then closes the gas supply valve and starts a clock. Once the clock reaches a pre-defined duration, the gas supply valve is reopened, the automatic resuscitator continues into an inhalation mode, and the process repeats.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring an automatic resuscitator, comprising

a. an automatic resuscitator device which creates a low pressure signal upon cycling of the automatic resuscitator from an inhalation mode to an exhalation mode;

b. a pressure sensor;

c. a processor unit coupled to said pressure sensor;

d. a time function having a user defined duration;

e. an alarm means;

wherein said pressure sensor is in communication with the automatic resuscitator and is configured to detect a low pressure signal generated by the automatic resuscitator;

wherein said processor unit detects a low pressure signal through said pressure sensor and upon detection of a low pressure signal, said time function is initiated;

wherein if a subsequent low pressure signal does not occur within the user defined duration set in the time function, an alarm means is triggered.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein low pressure signal is at least 0.5 cm-water.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the user defined duration is greater than or equal to one half of one second (0.5) and less than or equal to six (6) seconds.

4. A device for controlling gas flow to an automatic resuscitator, comprising

a. An automatic resuscitator device which creates a low pressure signal upon cycling of the automatic resuscitator from an inhalation mode to an exhalation mode;

b. A pressure sensor;

c. A processor unit coupled to said pressure sensor;

d. A gas flow controller connected to said automatic resuscitator and said processor unit;

e. A gas supply source connected to said gas flow controller;

wherein said pressure sensor is in communication with the automatic resuscitator and is configured to detect a low pressure signal generated by the automatic resuscitator;

wherein said processor unit detects a low pressure signal through said pressure sensor and sends a control signal to the gas flow controller whereby the gas flow controller stops flow of gas from the gas supply to the automatic resuscitator for a predetermined length of time; and

wherein upon expiration of the predetermined length of time, the gas flow controller then continues supply of gas to the automatic resuscitator and the process is allowed to repeat.

5. A device as in claim 4, wherein low pressure signal is at least 0.5 cm-water.

6. A device as in claim 4, wherein the gas flow is stopped for a duration of greater than or equal to one half of one second (0.5) and less than or equal to six (6) seconds.

7. A device as in claim 4, wherein the control signal turns off the gas flow equivalent in duration to between 10% and 90% of a patient exhalation period.

8. A device as in claim 4, wherein the control signal turns off the gas flow equivalent in duration to between 10% and 50% of a period defined by a total inhalation/exhalation period.

9. A device as in claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to analyze said low pressure signal to determine a failure to cycle after a finite period of time.

10. A device as in claim 9, wherein if there is a failure to cycle after a finite period of time, an alarm condition is triggered.

11. A device as in claim 10, wherein the alarm condition is visual, auditory or the combination thereof.

12. An automatic resuscitator, comprising

a. A modulator which creates a low pressure signal upon cycling of the automatic resuscitator from an inhalation mode to an exhalation mode in respiratory support of a patient;

b. A pressure sensor;

c. A processor unit coupled to said pressure sensor;

d. A gas flow controller connected to said automatic resuscitator and said processor unit;

e. A gas supply source connected to said gas flow controller;

wherein said pressure sensor is in communication with the modulator and is configured to detect a low pressure signal generated by the modulator;

wherein said processor unit detects a low pressure signal through said pressure sensor and sends a control signal to the gas flow controller whereby the gas flow controller stops flow of gas from the gas supply to the modulator for a predetermined length of time; and

wherein upon expiration of the predetermined length of time, the gas flow controller then continues supply of gas to the modulator and the process is allowed to repeat.

13. An automatic resuscitator as in claim 12, wherein low pressure signal is at least 0.5 cm-water.

14. An automatic resuscitator as in claim 12, wherein the gas flow is stopped for a duration of between 0.5 second and 6 seconds.

15. An automatic resuscitator as in claim 12, wherein the control signal turns off the gas flow equivalent in duration to between 10% and 90% of a patient exhalation period.

16. An automatic resuscitator as in claim 12, wherein the control signal turns off the gas flow equivalent in duration to between 10% and 50% of a period defined by a total inhalation/exhalation period.

17. An automatic resuscitator as in claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to analyze said low pressure signal to determine a failure to cycle after a finite period of time.

18. An automatic resuscitator as in claim 17, wherein if there is a failure to cycle after a finite period of time, an alarm condition is triggered.

19. An automatic resuscitator as in claim 18, wherein the alarm condition is visual, auditory or the combination thereof.

20. A method for controlling gas flow to an automatic resuscitator, comprising;

a. sensing a low pressure event inside an exhalation chamber of an automatic resuscitator;

b. generating a control signal based on the low pressure event inside said exhalation chamber;

c. stopping flow of gas to said automatic resuscitator as a function of the control signal; and

d. returning the flow of gas to said automatic resuscitator after expiration of a finite period of time.

21. A method as in claim 20, wherein low pressure signal is at least 0.5 cm-water.

22. A method as in claim 20, wherein the gas flow is stopped for a duration of between 0.5 second and 6 seconds.

23. A method as in claim 20, wherein the control signal turns off the gas flow equivalent in duration to between 10% and 90% of a patient exhalation period.

24. A method as in claim 20, wherein the control signal turns off the gas flow equivalent in duration to between 10% and 50% of a period defined by a total inhalation/exhalation period.

25. A method as in claim 20, wherein failure of a control signal to occur after a finite period of time triggers an alarm condition.

26. A method as in claim 25, wherein the alarm condition is visual, auditory or the combination thereof.