Apparatus for inhalation therapy using triggered dose oxygenator employing an optoelectronic inhalation sensor
First Claim
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1. An apparatus to trigger a dose of breathable gas, including oxygen, from a tank under high pressure, to a human user when the user inhales, said apparatus comprising:
- first pressure regulator means for operable connection to the tank of breathable gas to reduce the pressure of the breathable gas to a second lower pressure which is still above atmospheric pressure;
second pressure regulator means for operable connection to the first pressure regulator means to reduce the pressure of the breathable gas to a third still lower pressure;
flowmeter means for operable connection to the second pressure regulator means to measure the flow of the breathable gas;
optoelectronic inhalation sensor means for operable connection to the flowmeter means to receive the flow of the said breathable gas and to sense when inhalation occurs;
said optoelectronic inhalation sensor having a flexible sensing diaphragm at a calibrated position for sensing individual negative pressures developed at each inhalation, optoelectronic means including sensing means for automatically sensing each movement of the diaphragm in response to said negative pressure developed during inhalation, means in said optoelectronic means for developing an electrical signal at each sensed movement of said diaphragm in response to sensing of the individual negative pressure developed at each said inhalation, means for connecting the sensor to a source of a breathable gas, and means to apply said electrical signal to said source of breathable gas for control of supply of said gas to the sensor;
triggered dose oxygenator means for operable connection to the optoelectronic inhalation sensor means and to trigger a dose of the said breathable gas when the optoelectronic sensor means detects inhalation;
cannula means for operable connection to the triggered dose oxygenator means to detect the negative pressure of inhalation of the human user and to deliver the flow of said breathable gas to the human user when inhalation occurs;
electrical power means for operable connection to the triggered dose oxygenator means to supply a direct current from a line voltage wall transformer.
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Abstract
A triggered dose oxygenator using an optoelectronic inhalation sensor to trigger a dose of breathable gas, including oxygen, from one of four possible sources of supply to a human user when the user of the triggered dose oxygenator inhales. The four possible sources of supply are: a large tank of breathable gas, a small tank of breathable gas on a wheeled portable cart, a wall outlet supplied from a bulk storage system of breathable gas, and an oxygen concentrator supplying oxygen from ambient air.
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2 Claims
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1. An apparatus to trigger a dose of breathable gas, including oxygen, from a tank under high pressure, to a human user when the user inhales, said apparatus comprising:
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first pressure regulator means for operable connection to the tank of breathable gas to reduce the pressure of the breathable gas to a second lower pressure which is still above atmospheric pressure; second pressure regulator means for operable connection to the first pressure regulator means to reduce the pressure of the breathable gas to a third still lower pressure; flowmeter means for operable connection to the second pressure regulator means to measure the flow of the breathable gas; optoelectronic inhalation sensor means for operable connection to the flowmeter means to receive the flow of the said breathable gas and to sense when inhalation occurs;
said optoelectronic inhalation sensor having a flexible sensing diaphragm at a calibrated position for sensing individual negative pressures developed at each inhalation, optoelectronic means including sensing means for automatically sensing each movement of the diaphragm in response to said negative pressure developed during inhalation, means in said optoelectronic means for developing an electrical signal at each sensed movement of said diaphragm in response to sensing of the individual negative pressure developed at each said inhalation, means for connecting the sensor to a source of a breathable gas, and means to apply said electrical signal to said source of breathable gas for control of supply of said gas to the sensor;triggered dose oxygenator means for operable connection to the optoelectronic inhalation sensor means and to trigger a dose of the said breathable gas when the optoelectronic sensor means detects inhalation; cannula means for operable connection to the triggered dose oxygenator means to detect the negative pressure of inhalation of the human user and to deliver the flow of said breathable gas to the human user when inhalation occurs; electrical power means for operable connection to the triggered dose oxygenator means to supply a direct current from a line voltage wall transformer. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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Specification