Apneic event detector and method
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting apneic events comprising the steps of:
- sensing pressure in an in vivo respiratory system, negative pressure in said respiratory system being created by an attempt to inspire and nonnegative pressure in said system being indicative of noninspiration;
generating a first fluid signal whenever nonnegative pressure occurs in said in vivo respiratory system, said first fluid signal having a duration related to the duration of said nonnegative pressure;
applying said first fluid signal to an elastic capacitance device, said elastic device having a pre-determined maximum capacity for storing a volume of fluid substantially equal to a volume of fluid created by the continuous application of said first fluid signal for a predetermined time period;
discharging said elastic capacitance whenever negative pressure occurs in said in vivo respiratory system and,activating a signaling means to indicate an apneic event whenever the pressure created in said elastic capacitance device by the continuous application of said first fluid signal for a time greater than the pre-determined time period exceeds the maximum capacity of the elastic capacitance device.
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Abstract
A fluidically-operated respirator comprises an apneic event circuit (10) and a demand gas circuit (20). The apneic event circuit (10) comprises a variable capacitance device (132) and an exhaust means (130) which rapidly discharge fluid from the circuit (10) when an inspiration occurs. If an apneic event occurs, the circuit (10) activates one or more signals (136) as a predetermined volume of fluid is built up in the circuit (10). The demand gas circuit (20) of the respirator supplies respirating gas to a patient at the beginning of an inspiration and for a time period which is a fraction of the duration of the inspiration.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of detecting apneic events comprising the steps of:
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sensing pressure in an in vivo respiratory system, negative pressure in said respiratory system being created by an attempt to inspire and nonnegative pressure in said system being indicative of noninspiration; generating a first fluid signal whenever nonnegative pressure occurs in said in vivo respiratory system, said first fluid signal having a duration related to the duration of said nonnegative pressure; applying said first fluid signal to an elastic capacitance device, said elastic device having a pre-determined maximum capacity for storing a volume of fluid substantially equal to a volume of fluid created by the continuous application of said first fluid signal for a predetermined time period; discharging said elastic capacitance whenever negative pressure occurs in said in vivo respiratory system and, activating a signaling means to indicate an apneic event whenever the pressure created in said elastic capacitance device by the continuous application of said first fluid signal for a time greater than the pre-determined time period exceeds the maximum capacity of the elastic capacitance device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for detecting apneic events comprising:
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means for sensing pressure in an in vivo respiratory system, negative pressure in said respiratory system being created by an attempt to inspire and nonnegative pressure in said system being indicative of noninspiration; first generating means fluidically connected to said sensing means for generating at a first output port of said first generating means a first fluid signal whenever nonnegative pressure occurs, said first fluid signal having a duration related to the duration of said nonnegative pressure; a variable capacitance device fluidically connected to said first output port for said first generating means, said variable capacitance device having a pre-determined maximum capacity for storing a volume of fluid substantially equal to a volume of fluid created by the continuous generation and application of said first fluid signal for a pre-determined time; exhaust means fluidically connected to said variable capacitance device, said exhaust means being adapted to close when said first generating means is generating said first fluid signal at said first output port and to open when said first generating means is not generating said first fluid signal at said first output port; and
,signaling means responsive to the pressure in said variable capacitance device, said signaling means being adapted for activation to indicate an apneic event whenever the pressure created in said variable capacitance means by the continuous application of said first fluid signal for a time greater than the pre-determined time period exceeds the maximum capacity of the variable capacitance device. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification