Monitoring system for delivery of therapeutic gas

• US 5,495,848 A
• Filed: 11/25/1994
• Issued: 03/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcar Puritan Bennett
• Inventors: Aylsworth, Alonzo C., Miller, Gregory R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Christopher A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACITI, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US08/344,848
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.18, 128/200.14, 128/200.23, 128/202.22, 128/202.21, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.23, 128/203.14, 128/203.25 , 128/204.23, 128/204.26, 128/205.24
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0677 Gas-saving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/03 Gases in liquid phase, e.g. cryogenic liquids

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the flow of a therapeutic gas to a patient. The apparatus includes a gas source, a flow management module and an electronics module. The flow management module contains a valve assembly and a sensor. The valve assembly contains a first valve to control the inflow of the therapeutic gas. The second valve controls the inflow of ambient air. When the valve assembly is deenergized the first valve is open allowing the flow of gas through the apparatus. The second valve is closed. When the valve assembly is energized, the first valve is closed stopping the flow of gas and the second valve is open allowing the inflow of ambient air. The sensor senses changes in the flow of the gas or ambient air and transmits a signal to the electronics module. The electronics module can be preprogrammed to control the valve assembly, determine respiratory rate, control the flow of therapeutic gas, store or transmit data in response to signals sent by the sensor.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for periodically detecting the flow of a therapeutic gas from a gas source to a patient, comprising:

a gas source for providing a therapeutic gas;

a flow management module operatively connected to the gas source, said flow management module containing a valve assembly and a sensor;

an electronics module operatively connected to the sensor;

means for delivering the therapeutic gas no a patient;

said valve assembly further comprising a first valve positioned between the gas source, the sensor, and the breathing patient, and a second valve positioned between an ambient airport, the sensor, and the breathing patient, said valve assembly having an energized state wherein said first valve is in an open position and said second valve is in a closed position;

the sensor having means for detecting a flow of the therapeutic gas or a flow of ambient air through the valve assembly and independently to the breathing patient;

the sensor further comprising means for sending a signal to the electronics module in response to the flow of the therapeutic gas or the flow of ambient air;

said electronics module logs, displays, and/or transmits the flow of the therapeutic gas or the flow of ambient air through the valve assembly;

said electronics module further having means for determining a presence, rate and strength of inhalations based upon the flow of ambient air through the valve assembly and to the breathing patient, when the valve assembly is in said energized state;

said electronics module further having means for activating or deactivating said gas source in response to its determination of the rate of inhalations of the patient of ambient air;

said electronic modules further comprising means for activating or deactivating the gas source in response to a predetermined pattern of inhalations or a predetermined pattern of interruptions in a flow of the ambient air through the valve assembly and to the breathing patient; and

wherein said predetermined pattern of inhalations and predetermined pattern of interruptions in the flow of ambient air prevent an improper activation of the gas source or an improper deactivation of the gas source.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising means for conserving a flow of gas from the gas source controlled by inhalations of the gas by the user.

3. The monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the means for conserving the flow of gas further comprising the sensor disposed to send a signal to the electronics module between inhalations by a user, the electronics module disposed to send a signal to the gas source to stop the flow of gas thereby conserving the flow of gas between inhalations.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising means for detecting and transmitting a respiratory rate of a patient using the system.

5. An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the flow of gas to a patient comprising:

a gas source;

a flow management module operatively connected to the gas source, the flow management module containing a valve assembly and a sensor;

said valve assembly having a first valve for controlling the inflow of the gas, and a second valve for controlling the inflow of ambient air;

said valve assembly having a de-energized state wherein said first valve is opened allowing the inflow of gas and said second valve is closed, and an energized state wherein said first valve is closed blocking the inflow of the gas and said second valve is opened allowing the inflow of ambient air;

said sensor disposed to sense a change in flow of gas or ambient air through said valve assembly and transmitting a signal in response to said change;

a programmable electronics module operatively connected to said valve assembly and having means for energizing or de-energizing said valve assembly, said electronics module being responsive to said signal transmitted by said sensor to energize or de-energize said valve assembly;

said electronics module further comprising means for controlling said gas source;

said electronic module further comprising means for storing and transmitting data;

said electronics module further comprising means for activating said gas source in response to a predetermined pattern of inhalations of ambient air by the breathing patient as determined by said sensor;

said electronic module further comprises means for deactivating said gas source in response to a predetermined pattern of interruptions in a flow of gas through the apparatus; and

whereby the electronic module is preprogrammed to determine the presence of inhalations, rate of inhalations, and strength of inhalations, due to the patient'"'"'s breathing in of ambient air when said valve assembly is in an energized state.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising means for indicating to a user a status of a flow of gas through the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for indicating to a user the status of the flow of gas further includes means for creating a pattern of pulses of the gas through the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for indicating to a user the status of the flow of gas further includes means for creating an audible signal indicating the status of the flow of gas through the apparatus.