Method and apparatus for using an inhalation sensor for monitoring and for inhalation therapy
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for sensing the breathing of a human and for inhalation therapy, comprising:
- a pressure capacitance transducer for developing pressure variations internally of the pressure capacitance transducer in response to the breathing of said human,a supply of therapeutic gas,said transducer having an inlet connected to said supply of therapeutic gas and an outlet adapted for connection to the respiratory system of said human for developing a negative pressure,sensing means internally of said pressure capacitance transducer for sensing each time a negative pressure occurs internally of the pressure capacitance transducer corresponding to the inhalation of said human,means responsive to said sensing means for developing individual electrical signals in response to the sensing of each said negative pressure,timing means co-acting with said individual electrical signals for controlling predetermined periods of therapeutic gas flow through said pressure capacitance transducer to the respiratory system of said human, said gas flow being interrupted in the absence of said electrical signals,filtering means connected between said gas supply and said pressure capacitance transducer for filtering said therapeutic gas,said pressure capacitance transducer further comprising an eductor means for removing moisture from internally of said transducer,said eductor means being a tube having an inlet connected to said transducer inlet and an outlet disposed internally of said transducer and substantially aligned and separated from said transducer outlet for creating suction, thereby removing any moisture within said transducer.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inhalation sensor which uses a non-metallic diaphragm that is metallized on one side, pre-stressed, and used as one plate of a variable capacitance pressure tranducer to sense the inhalation and exhalation of air from the nostrils and/or mouth of a patient. The inhalation sensor is used for inhalation therapy by triggering a prescribed dose of therapeutic gas when inhalation takes place. The inhalation sensor can also be used as a monitor to detect apnea (the absence of breathing).
147 Citations
2 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for sensing the breathing of a human and for inhalation therapy, comprising:
-
a pressure capacitance transducer for developing pressure variations internally of the pressure capacitance transducer in response to the breathing of said human, a supply of therapeutic gas, said transducer having an inlet connected to said supply of therapeutic gas and an outlet adapted for connection to the respiratory system of said human for developing a negative pressure, sensing means internally of said pressure capacitance transducer for sensing each time a negative pressure occurs internally of the pressure capacitance transducer corresponding to the inhalation of said human, means responsive to said sensing means for developing individual electrical signals in response to the sensing of each said negative pressure, timing means co-acting with said individual electrical signals for controlling predetermined periods of therapeutic gas flow through said pressure capacitance transducer to the respiratory system of said human, said gas flow being interrupted in the absence of said electrical signals, filtering means connected between said gas supply and said pressure capacitance transducer for filtering said therapeutic gas, said pressure capacitance transducer further comprising an eductor means for removing moisture from internally of said transducer, said eductor means being a tube having an inlet connected to said transducer inlet and an outlet disposed internally of said transducer and substantially aligned and separated from said transducer outlet for creating suction, thereby removing any moisture within said transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
Specification