AIR/OXYGEN SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100094366A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. Mccarthy
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Mccarthy
• Inventors: McCarthy, Daniel A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,707,954 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1005 with O2 features or with parameter measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6027 Electric-conductive bridges closing detection circuits, with or without identifying elements, e.g. resistances, zener-diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6036 characterised by physical shape, e.g. array of activating switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems

Abstract

Provided is a method that includes automatically providing air/oxygen at a pre-selected maximum pressure limit, breath volume and respiratory-rate. The pre-selected maximum pressure limit, breath volume, and respiratory-rate are automatically set as a function of a size of a mask coupled to an air/oxygen supply system. Further provided is a ventilator system that includes a ventilator mask, a ventilator supply system, and a mask conduit. The ventilator mask is configured in a size that will fit upon a selected range of sizes of human faces. The ventilator supply system includes an air/oxygen source and an air/oxygen regulator system configured to regulate air/oxygen flow parameters as a function of the size of the mask. The mask conduit is configured to couple the ventilator supply to the ventilator mask.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

automatically providing air/oxygen at a pre-selected maximum pressure limit, breath volume and respiratory-rate, wherein the pre-selected maximum pressure limit, breath volume, and respiratory-rate are automatically set as a function of a size of a mask coupled to an air/oxygen supply system.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising assessing a size of a mask coupled to the air/oxygen supply system based on a keying feature of the mask.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising selecting a mask having a size based on a fit of the mask to a face of a human subject, and coupling the selected mask to the air/oxygen supply system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the selected mask, when coupled to the air/oxygen supply system, interacts with the air/oxygen supply system to thereby initiate the pre-selected maximum pressure limit, breath volume, and respiratory-rate from the air/oxygen supply system.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the mask size comprises one of a plurality of mask sizes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of mask sizes comprise one or more infant-size, one or more child-size, and one or more adult-size.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically providing air/oxygen at a pre-selected maximum pressure limit, breath volume and respiratory-rate, comprises providing air/oxygen at a pre-selected maximum pressure limit, breath volume and respiratory-rate for one of an infant, a child, or an adult.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising controlling the pressure below a maximum safe pressure for a mask user'"'"'s lungs.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing the air/oxygen at an inspiratory time and an expiratory time as a function of the size of the mask coupled to the air/oxygen supply system.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing the air/oxygen at a pre-selected frequency as a function of the size of the mask coupled to the air/oxygen supply system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the air/oxygen regulation system comprises a ventilator.

12. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a signal and/or alarm that is indicative of whether or not the air/oxygen supply is in need of service.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing a signal and/or alarm comprises providing a signal indicative of a current pressure of a supply of the air/oxygen the supply system.

14. The method of claim 1, comprising providing a signal and/or alarm that is indicative of whether or not the air/oxygen supply is functioning properly.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing a signal and/or alarm comprises providing a signal based on the pressure of the air/oxygen being administered.

16. A ventilator system, comprising:

a ventilator mask configured in a size that will fit upon a selected range of sizes of human faces; and

a ventilator supply system, comprising;

an air/oxygen source; and

an air/oxygen regulator system configured to regulate air/oxygen flow parameters as a function of the size of the mask.

17. The ventilator system of claim 16, wherein the air/oxygen flow parameters comprise a maximum pressure limit, a breath volume, a respiratory-rate and an I:

E ratio of air/oxygen.

18. The ventilator system of claim 16, wherein the air/oxygen flow parameters are predetermined.

19. The ventilator system of claim 16, comprising a mask conduit configured to couple the ventilator supply to the ventilator mask.

20. The ventilator system of claim 19, wherein the mask conduit comprises a mask-keying feature configured to engage a complementary keying feature of the ventilator supply.

21. The ventilator system of claim 20, wherein the mask-keying feature is indicative of the size of the mask.

22. The ventilator system of claim 20, wherein the mask-keying feature comprises a mechanical keying feature.

23. The ventilator system of claim 22, wherein the mask-keying feature comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to engage one or more indentations of the complementary keying feature.

24. The ventilator system of claim 20, wherein the mask-keying feature comprises an electrical keying feature.

25. The ventilator system of claim 24, wherein the mask-keying feature comprises a resistor embedded in the mask and comprising a resistance value that is indicative of the size of the mask.

26. The ventilator system of claim 24, wherein the mask-keying feature comprises a magnetic device.

27. The ventilator system of claim 24, wherein the mask-keying feature comprises a radio-frequency (RF) device.

28. The ventilator system of claim 16, wherein the selected range of sizes comprises one of an infant-size range, a child-size range, and an adult-size range.

29. The ventilator system of claim 16, comprising a signaling device configured to provide an indication that the air/oxygen system is in need of service.

30. The ventilator system of claim 16, comprising a signaling device configured to provide an indication of one or more of the observed air/oxygen flow parameters.

31. The ventilator system of claim 16, comprising a signaling device configured to provide an indication of blockage, proper flow, and/or leakage of air/oxygen.

32. The ventilator system of claim 16, comprising a communication device configured to enable communication with one or more emergency response personnel.

33. The ventilator system of claim 16, comprising a keying feature that comprises a variation in the internal and/or external diameter of a collar of the mask.

34. The ventilator system of claim 16, wherein air/oxygen flow is configured to commence upon coupling of the ventilator mask to the ventilator supply.

35. A ventilator mask system, comprising:

a ventilator mask configured in a size that will fit upon a selected range of sizes of human faces; and

a mask-keying feature, wherein the keying feature is configured to engage a complementary keying feature of a ventilator supply, and wherein the keying feature is indicative of the mask size.

36. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) kit, comprising:

a ventilator mask configured to fit upon a selected range of sizes of human infant faces;

a ventilator mask configured to fit upon a selected range of sizes of human child faces;

a ventilator mask configured to fit upon a selected range of sizes of human adult faces;

a ventilator supply system comprising;

an air/oxygen source; and

an air/oxygen regulator system configured to regulate air/oxygen flow parameters as a function of the size of the mask.

37. The CPR kit of claim 36, further comprising a defibrillator.

38. The CPR kit of claim 36, wherein the kit is configured to send a message to contact emergency response personnel.

39. The CPR kit of claim 36, further comprising emergency medications and/or airway control devices.