Respirating gas supply method and apparatus therefor

• US 4,462,398 A
• Filed: 12/03/1982
• Issued: 07/31/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: State Street Boston and Trust Company, Sunrise Medical Hhg Incorporated (Sunrise Medical Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kircaldie Randal and Mcnab Trustee
• Inventors: Durkan, Gerald, Sieracki, Leonard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US06/446,542
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 128/202.22, 128/203.12, 128/204.21, 128/204.22, 128/204.23, 128/204.24, 128/204.25, 128/204.26, 128/204.28, 128/205.13 , 128/205.17, 128/205.24, 128/716, 128/725, 128/200.14, 128/207.18, 137/834, 137/841
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0677 Gas-saving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0841 for sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0024 with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/054 with electrotherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/60 Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 of respiratory organs

Abstract

In various embodiments of a respirating gas supply method and apparatus a control circuit (32) responsive to a sensor (28) operates valve means (26) to supply pulses of respirating gas through a single hose cannula (48) to an in vivo respiratory system when negative pressure indicative of inspiration is sensed by the sensor (28). The control circuit (32) operates the valve (26) to communicate the in vivo respiratory system with a supply of gas (20) only if the negative pressure sensed by the sensor (28) does not occur within a predetermined yet selectively variable required minimum delay interval between successive pulsed applications of gas to the in vivo respiratory system. The pulse of gas applied to the in vivo respiratory system can be spiked pulses or square pulses. Humidifiers, nebulizers, and sources of a second gas are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Apnea event detection is also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sensing negative pressure in an in vivo respiratory system and for supplying gas to said in vivo respiratory system, said apparatus comprising:

valve means having first, second and third ports, said first port being selectively communicable with either said second port or said third port;

a single line connected to said first port of said valve means, said line adapted both to transmit to said valve means negative pressure indicative of an inspiration in said in vivo respiratory system and to transmit gas to said in vivo respiratory system;

a source of gas communicating with said second port of said valve means;

means for sensing negative pressure in said in vivo respiratory system, said sensing means communicating with said third port of said valve means; and

,

means for controlling said valve means, said control means being responsive to said sensing means for selectively connecting said first port of said valve means to said second port thereof when negative pressure is sensed and for maintaining said connection for at least a portion of the time duration of said negative pressure in said in vivo respiratory system so that gas may be supplied to said in vivo respiratory system, said control means also being adapted to reconnect said first port of said valve means to said third port thereof after the application of gas to said in vivo respirating system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve means is a slideable three-way two position spool valve.

3. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2 wherein said single line is connected to application means for applying gas to said in vivo respiratory system, and wherein said application means comprises a nasal cannula.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a fluidic amplifier.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises a pressure to electric sensor.

6. An apparatus for sensing negative pressure in an in vivo respiratory system and for supplying humidified gas to said in vivo respiratory system, said apparatus comprising:

valve means having first, second, third and fourth ports wherein said valve means selectively communicates either said first port with said third port or said second port with said fourth port;

a single line connected to said first port of said valve means, said line adapted to both transmit to said valve means negative pressure indicative of an inspiration in said in vivo respiratory system and to transmit humidified gas to said in vivo respiratory system;

a source of gas communicating with said second port of said valve means;

means for sensing negative pressure in said in vivo respiratory system, said sensing means communicating with said third port of said valve means;

humidifying means, said humidifying means having an input port connected to said fourth port of said valve means and an output port connected to said line connecting said in vivo respiratory system to said first port of said valve means; and

,

means for controlling said valve means, said control means being responsive to said sensing means for selectively connecting said fourth port of said valve means to said second port thereof when negative pressure is sensed and for maintaining said connection for at least a portion of the time duration of said negative pressure in said in vivo respiratory system so that humidified gas may be supplied to said in vivo respiratory system, said control means also being adapted to reconnect said first port of said valve means to said third port thereof after the application of humidified gas to said in vivo respiratory system.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said sensing means comprises a fluidic amplifier.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said sensor means comprises a pressure to electric sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said single line is connected to application means for applying gas to said in vivo respiratory system, and wherein said application means comprises a nasal cannula.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said humidifying means is a bubble humidifier.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said valve means is a slidable two way spool valve.